Posted on 02/19/2006 8:44:08 AM PST by radar101
Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff on Sunday defended the government's security review of an Arab company given permission to take over operations at six major U.S. ports.
"We make sure there are assurances in place, in general, sufficient to satisfy us that the deal is appropriate from a national security standpoint," Chertoff said on ABC's "This Week."
London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co., was bought last week by Dubai Ports World, a state-owned business from the United Arab Emirates. Peninsular and Oriental runs major commercial operations in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia.
U.S. lawmakers from both parties are questioning the sale, approved by the Bush administration, as a possible risk to national security.
"It's unbelievably tone deaf politically at this point in our history," Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C. said on "Fox News Sunday."
"Most Americans are scratching their heads, wondering why this company from this region now," Graham said.
Added Sen. Evan Bayh (news, bio, voting record), D-Ind.: "I think we've got to look into this company. We've got to ensure ... the American people that their national security interests are going to be protected."
At least one Senate oversight hearing is planned for later this month.
"Congress is welcome to look at this and can get classified briefings," Chertoff told CNN's "Late Edition."
"We have to balance the paramount urgency of security against the fact that we still want to have a robust global trading system," he added.
Sen. Robert Menendez, who is working on legislation to prohibit companies owned or controlled by foreign governments from running port operation in the U.S., said Chertoff's comments showed him that the administration "just does not get it."
In a statement, the New Jersey Democrat said, "No matter what steps the administration claims it has secretly taken, it is an unacceptable risk to turn control of our ports over to a foreign government, particularly one with a troubling history. We cannot depend on promises a foreign government has given the administration in secret to secure our ports."
Chertoff said Dubai Ports World should not be excluded automatically from such a deal because it is based in the UAE.
Critics have cited the UAE's history as an operational and financial base for the hijackers who carried out the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
In addition, they contend the UAE was an important transfer point for shipments of smuggled nuclear components sent to Iran, North Korea and Libya by a Pakistani scientist.
DP World has said it intends to "maintain and, where appropriate, enhance current security arrangements." The UAE's foreign minister has described his country as an important U.S. ally in fighting terrorism.
Chertoff is bad news in every way, all along.....the only question I have is which pipers tune does he dance to?
Chertoff the f-off
ping
Isn't Chertoff a clinton hold over?
"Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff on Sunday defended the government's security review of an Arab company given permission to take over operations at six major U.S. ports."
Hmmmm, Mr. Chertoff...I say, hmmmm, Mr. Chertoff...I SAY, HMMMM MR. CHERTOFF...
This is going to be a PR disaster for the Republicans if this deal is not quashed ASAP. The Dems will use it to claim they are stronger on anti-terrorism than the GOP.
This is a BAD move for the GOP. What are they thinking?
This entire situation is the breaking point for me.
The border situation is bad enough but this is the payoff.
Bush et al should be ashamed of themselves.
Chertoff is so far....unimpressive.
I am trying to be polite here.
Here is an interesting bit of news out of the UAE company
http://dpiterminals.com/fullnews.asp?NewsID=39
No, in fact he was Repub counsel to one of the Commitees that investigated the klintons.....whitewater, etc, I think.
Exactly.
"We make sure there are assurances in place, in general, sufficient to satisfy us that the deal is appropriate from a national security standpoint," Chertoff said on ABC's "This Week."
This from the guy who denies Mexican military excursions into the US by saying they were lost after crossing the Rio Grande....our borders are a sieve....yeah I trust him/not......
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