Posted on 02/12/2006 7:52:30 AM PST by cope85
UAE firm to run 6 U.S. ports Nation tied to 9/11 hijackers could influence terminals, including Baltimore's Originally published February 12, 2006 WASHINGTON //
A company in the United Arab Emirates is poised to take over significant operations at six American ports, including Baltimore, as part of a corporate sale, leaving a country with ties to the Sept. 11 hijackers with influence over a maritime industry considered vulnerable to terrorism.
The Bush administration considers the UAE an important ally in the fight against terrorism since the suicide hijackings and is not objecting to Dubai Ports World's purchase of London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co., which runs Baltimore's public terminals.
The $6.8 billion sale is expected to be approved tomorrow. The British company is the fourth-largest ports company in the world, and its sale would affect commercial U.S. port operations in New York, New Jersey, New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia as well as in Baltimore. The company's P&O Ports unit employs about 65 in Baltimore and is responsible for many of the unionized longshoreman hours.
It predominantly handles containerized cargo for the state-owned port at Seagirt and Dundalk Marine terminals. DP World said it won approval from a secretive U.S. government panel that considers security risks of foreign companies buying or investing in American industry.
The U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment
(Excerpt) Read more at baltimoresun.com ...
"The State Department describes the UAE as a vital partner in the fight against terrorism. But the UAE, a loose federation of seven emirates on the Arabian Peninsula, was an important operational and financial base for the hijackers who carried out the attacks against New York and Washington, the FBI concluded."
-----
The insanity of Washington opening up this country to the world, is out of control. The ONE WORLD elitists, including the Bush dynasty and friends, are setting us up for a major fall, IMHO. What ever happened to the soverignty and independence of America??? (dumb question, right?)
Payment for classified services rendered during GWOT.
What ever happened to the soverignty and independence of America??? (dumb question, right?) WHAT THAT
Riddle me this, if you dare:
How many nukes can you fit in a standard shipping container?
I've been looking for this story.
Thank you for posting.
I understand Monday is the definite date for this.
Gonna send it to Michelle Malkin.
This has the feel of a big mistake.
IMHO (about the UAE buyers)
Let 'em visit the USA (after background checks)
Let 'em party here all they want
Let 'em invest in the firm
BUT DON'T let them within a mile of actual operations
Does this remind anyone of Jimmie Carter giving the Panama Canal to the commie Chinese?? Just wondering---
Well, if the State Department said it, then it must be true. Right? We all know the State Department has America's interests in mind.
Um... BINGO!
We all know the State Department has America's interests in mind.
-----
Yeah -- the best friends the Saudis ever had...EVER!!!
Yes and worse.
This is a MISTAKE!!!
New York, New Jersey, Miami, Baltimore...
The Saudi's have the money to undercut the British firm. How stupid is this move?
The longshoreman I've seen can't even be trusted to wear steel-toe boots or wear a seatbelt. Trusting them with keeping us safe is a poor choice.
"Freedom...." (incongruous smile) "It's on the march..." (squint...squint again) "We're winning!" (voice crack, followed by incongruous smile)
This company isn't going to "run" anything at these ports. P&O Nedlloyd is a shipping company and terminal operator, not a port authority. They are basically one of many tenants at the six ports in question -- and in the case of New York and New Jersey, they aren't even considered among the "Big Boys" at the port.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.