A Dubai Finesse ("This Contract Should Have Been Stopped at an Earlier Stage...")

Washington Post ^ | 02/24/2006 | Charles Krauthammer

[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.

[ohioWfan]

Thanks. A legitimate thread. :)

[dfwgator]

Sometimes I think our president isn't too savey. Then he goes out and wins.

Dumb like a fox.

[txrangerette]

You're welcome.

[prairiebreeze]

You're out of line on this thread.

[Joe Boucher]

You got it.

[jmpmstr4u2]

They are acting like our port security is TS. Do they really think that our ports are not being watched already, and have been for awhile????

[CWOJackson]

I have no clue what they really believe. For many of them this is nothing more then the convenient excuse to attack the President, for the rest I have no idea what is driving them.

[Goodgirlinred]

My sentiments exactly. It is not the company I am worried about, but certain employees who might infiltrate the company and give information to the terrorists.

[Goodgirlinred]

I agree with your point, and what Charles has pointed out, that the most immediate danger is that our problems with security could be passed on to terrorists. However, I don't think that would necessarily require the aid of the company. Terrorist sympathizers can infiltrate a company or employees can be turned by terrorists. Information can be given or sold to them. That is a great danger. It could happen in an American company or any foreign company as well, but not as easily as in an Arab company because the employees are almost totally Arab.

[Peach]

I agree with that completely, Goodgirlinred.

[Goodgirlinred]

I believe that Peach is simply asking you to treat her with the respect that you would show any poster. You have said some rude things that I have not noted that you have said to any male poster, the worst so far being "stomp your hoof two times....."

[Echo Talon]

My sentiments exactly. It is not the company I am worried about, but certain employees who might infiltrate the company and give information to the terrorists.

Why are you more concerned over this company than the Kuwaiti Company working in NJ or the UAE company already working in Houston? Or The Chinese company or Singapore?

[Goodgirlinred]

First of all, I did not know about those other ports until this thread. Secondly, this company will handle many more ports and some of which, as I understand it, have a great deal of military activity.

I did listen to Britt Hume's report on FOX tonight and it appears that the same people who have been working on the docks and in management will still be in these jobs. That is comforting.

[Echo Talon]

read this here

[CWOJackson]

"...as I understand it, have a great deal of military activity."

They already have had for some years now with sensitive military assets in the WoT. They've outstanding marks from the military.

[Goodgirlinred]

Excellent response. You have clarified the issue in words that ANYONE should be able to understand.

[Goodgirlinred]

Thank you for the information. I was unaware that these companies were involved with ports having a great deal of military activity.

[CWOJackson]

DP World actually manages the port services in the UAE port that is our primary point for logistical supply to our troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Add to that, they maintain port services for a fleet of U.S. Navy ships that is the largest outside of the U.S. itself; this includes vital forward area maintenance. Another messure of our relationship with them...all of our military personnel having time off there feel welcomes and with allies.

Also keep in mind, DP World has been working directly with us for a long time now on improving our port security. They were the first nation to agree to our demands on improving buld cargo traffic into the U.S.

With their assistance we're working on technology that will make it possible for us to inspect 100% of all cargo container traffic coming into this country.

They openly support the practice and public worship of other religions, including Christianity and the Hebrew faith.

[Goodgirlinred]

I did, thank you for the reference. Seems like Senator Feinstein did not know anymore than I did. I have an excuse, I am not a senator from CA! LOL!

Frankly, I would rather see American companies handling security at our ports for security and economic reasons. However, we can not ignore the facts as presented. These other companies have done an excellent job and the military have not had any problem with them. We are in a difficult position as far as the UAE is concerned. We can not offend them publicly. It is too bad that this was not discussed privately before it was ever announced that they would take over the security in the ports. A bid could have gone out to other security companies and an American company would have had an opportunity to secure the position.

My main concern is the ability of terrorists to be able to infiltrate that company and cause untold damage to us through them.

[Goodgirlinred]

Wouldn't it be nice if we would hear this on the news? You have convinced me. I am satisfied that they will pose no more threat than anyone else. After all, some of our own citizens have been found to be terrorists.