Condoleezza Rice wont negotiate over her jewellery

If theres one thing that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice wont negotiate over, its her jewellery.

New York, Aug 30 : If there's one thing that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice won't negotiate over, it's her jewellery.

Coit Blacker, a Stanford professor, and one of Rice's closest friends, tells the story about how the Secretary of State dealt with a sales girl while on a shopping trip for some earrings.

When the woman behind the counter showed Rice some costume jewellery, the latter asked to see something nicer, prompting the clerk to pass a comment under her breath.

That's when Rice tore into the woman, reveals Blacker.

"Let's get one thing straight. You are behind the counter because you have to work for minimum wage. I'm on this side asking to see the good jewellery because I make considerably more," the New York Daily News quoted Blacker as recalling what Rice said.

The tale is recounted by Glenn Kessler in his penetrating new bio, "The Confidante: Condoleezza Rice and the Creation of the Bush Legacy."

The book goes on sale next Tuesday.

ANI