Washington: Iranian officials, part of a huge delegation led by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the UN, have reportedly been seen scouring New York for low-priced items, including cheap shoes, shampoos, soaps and vitamins.
The nydailynews.com website said the "bargain-hunting members" of the delegation visited many shops in recent days while hunting for discounted products to take back home.
"Since they are under sanctions, they can`t get this stuff," a man assigned to work with the Iranians was quoted as saying. "Their money is weak compared to the dollar."
One Iranian visitor reportedly bought an "inexpensive" footwear for kids, but it was "enough to almost empty the Iranian`s wallet", the website said.
Some even bought an assortment of wholesale shampoos, while a drugstore visit brought more than a dozen bottles of vitamins and other medicines.
While the other members of the Iranian delegation went to cheap places, the president "remained comfortably ensconced in midtown`s posh Warwick Hotel".
There were three personal chefs at Ahmadinejad`s beck and call, and the Iranians booked two full floors in the luxury hotel, where suites cost up to $1,600 a night, a hotel employee said.
IANS
