Posted on 02/24/2006 3:08:30 AM PST by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle
*SNIP*
The greater and more immediate danger is that as soon as the Dubai company takes over operations, it will necessarily become privy to information about security provisions at crucial U.S. ports. That would mean a transfer of information about our security operations -- and perhaps even worse, about the holes in our security operations -- to a company in an Arab state in which there might be employees who, for reasons of corruption or ideology, would pass this invaluable knowledge on to al-Qaeda types.
That is the danger, and it is a risk, probably an unnecessary one.
*SNIP*
This contract should have been stopped at an earlier stage, but at this point doing so would cause too much damage to our relations with moderate Arab states. There are no very good options. The best exit strategy is this: (1) Allow the contract to go through; (2) give it heightened scrutiny by assigning a team of U.S. government agents to work inside the company at least for the first few years to make sure security is tight and information closely held; (3) have the team report every six months to both the executive and a select congressional committee.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
"but we must make the best of it now."
too bad that wasn't thought of sooner.
I don't have any problem with that at all.
A UAE company performs shipping services in Houston; they don't manage any terminals, which they will in other major US ports if/when this deal goes through. There's quite a difference, and Krauthammer is making a reasonable point that when a company/government is that deeply involved in port operations, they will necessarily become privvy to security operations/tactics. He's even suggesting a solution (something Dems never do).
Clouding the issue by comparing apples to oranges doesn't help.
What on earth are you gibbering about, and what (please) does any of it have to do with the fact that: a.) Krauthammer's own words plainly demonstrated that he demonstrably DID know what you foolishly claimed he did not; and b.) that you were righteously busted for posting without having read the article in question?
You're just spiraling into hysteria, now. Try breathing into a paper bag or something.
Apparently UAE, along with Somalia is one of the 2 biggest hotbeds for Al Qaeda. UAE has also been squabbling for some time with Iran.
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ae.html "because the treaties have not been made public, the exact alignment of the boundary with Saudi Arabia is still unknown; boundary agreement was signed and ratified with Oman in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah enclaves, but contents of the agreement and maps showing the alignment have not been published; UAE engage in direct talks and solicit Arab League support to resolve disputes over Iran's occupation of Lesser and Greater Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island"
I think the argument that they might close the base if we don't let the deal go through is a little weak. We're the only thing keeping them from getting chewed-on by the big dogs.
Ahh, what about Texas? Arab companies have been involved with operating docks since the early 90s.
Strange how both General Tommy Franks and Colonel Ollie North differ with you on that. But what do Franks and North know about national security, the middle east and the terrorists.
I think you know exactly what I'm talking about and simply don't want to admit that you've screwed yourself into a corner and don't see any choice but to keep paying the enemy.
Make that TWO people posting without having read the article first.
Apologies to all...
New to HTML. Should have previewed B4 posting.
The first link is the US Treasury Dept list of Corporations who've had their assets frozen for Al Qaeda links.
The second is the CIA's world fact sheet on UAE.
I'll leave the art of screwing yourself into a corner to you...I could never compete with your mastery of the subject.
What im saying is they already know about our security, because they already work here!
I wonder if Charles feels the same way about Saudi Arabia running some of our ports, which they already do.
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1584235/posts
... which he (obviously) already knows, and acknowledges. AGAIN: "But when that same Arab, attired in business suit and MBA, and with a good record of running ports in 15 countries [...]"
On this point, you and Krauthammer are already as one. You're howling in protest of a position he (plainly) has not taken; nor given you any rational reason to assume otherwise.
Again: kneejerking.
Make that THREE people posting without having read the article in question first.
IS he counting the USA? They work in Houston, and Kuwait has terminals in New Jersey, if some shady muslim wanted to know about our security they would already know it.
Any particular reason to assume he isn't? Not to be intentionally insulting -- honestly; I mean that -- but: if you know about it... I imagine the widely-read Krauthammer might just conceivably have some remote inkling, as well.
Wrong. Maybe you didn't read the straddle that Charles has so nicely done in the article.
I dont think so, both are articles that will be printed today.
More kneejerk huffing and puffing. No "straddle" whatsoever, plainly; he states, in language transparent enough for any intellectually honest individual to readily grasp -- well: let's amend that to "almost any," in this particular instance -- that the port deal, in his estimation, should go through.
NOT "I don't know."
NOT "maybe it should, maybe it shouldn't."
"1) Allow the contract to go through; (2) give it heightened scrutiny by assigning a team of U.S. government agents to work inside the company at least for the first few years to make sure security is tight and information closely held; (3) have the team report every six months to both the executive and a select congressional committee."
Only someone well and truly in the grip of intellectual hysteria could possibly attempt to alchemize the above paragraph as a "straddle."
Make a cold compress. Go lie down, or something.
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.