Saudis bearing gifts

The last time a Saudi prince visited us, in 1988, everything went well until it emerged that his valuable gifts to the then Taoiseach, Charles Haughey and his wife - a diamond dagger and necklace - had remained in their personal possession. Next week there will be a four-day official visit by Prince Fahd of Saudi Arabia, so Tanaiste Mary Harney, who is playing host in the absence of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ray Burke, at the UN in New York, better beware of the diamonds. Prince Fahd is the eldest son of Prince Salman, governor of Riyadh and full brother to the king. The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is giving a lunch in his honour and the Tanaiste is hosting a dinner in Iveagh House. While trade matters will be to the fore, there will be a number of courtesy calls and cultural trips including visits to the National Stud, the Chester Beatty Library and Newgrange. The prince arrives on Tuesday and leaves on Friday.