Tony Blair signing an official document
© AFP/POOL/FileSINGAPORE (AFP) - Now you can.
Starting Friday, you can join an online auction of personal items donated by world leaders for sale on www.ebay.com.sg/worldleadersauction, with proceeds going to charity.
Each item will go for a minimum of 99 US dollars with bidding closing July 24, organisers of the first World Leaders Charity Auction said.
A total of 11 items from world leaders past and present would be offered at the auction launched in Singapore Friday by charity group Youth Challenge.
They include a signed photograph of Israel's former prime minister Ariel Sharon and an autographed copy of "Ethics for the New Millennium" by the Dalai Lama.
Also up for grabs is a framed portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin, a silver-pewter vase donated by Cambodia's former king Norodom Sihanouk and a religious artefact from Mexican President Vicente Fox.
Former Canadian prime minister Jean Chretien sent in a signed photograph, while Blair gave up a silver and black Parker pen with his signature on it.
A set of three gold-plated medallions commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Greek Revolution, the 80th anniversary of the Balkan Wars and the 50th anniversary of World War II were also on offer, donated by former Greek president Konstantinos Stephanopoulos.
This was the first time world leaders had parted with personal belongings to be auctioned for charity, said Vincent Lam, founder and executive president of Youth Challenge Singapore.
Proceeds from the auction would go to the newly launched World Humanitarian Fund to support development projects in Mongolia, China and Zimbabwe, he said.
"We realised that there have been so many auctions of celebrity items but none of the world leaders," Lam said.
Next year, Youth Challenge planned to hold an auction of Asian leaders' personal items.
©AFP