Free Republic

NEW YORK - I was just out in Silicon Valley, checking in with high-tech entrepreneurs about the state of their business. I wouldn't say they were universally gloomy, but I did detect something I hadn't detected before: a real undertow of concern that America is losing its competitive edge vis-à-vis China, India, Japan and other Asian tigers, and that the Bush team is deaf, dumb and blind to this situation. Several executives explained to me that they were opening new plants in Asia - not because of cheaper labor. Labor is a small component now in an automated high-tech manufacturing...

<p>Rare it is in politics and life to get a second chance at a huge opportunity. But by reversing a catastrophic decision of the Federal Communications Commission that has paralyzed America's telecom industry, a U.S. court has given the Bush administration a new chance to escape the blame for killing broadband in the U.S.</p>

<p>Apart from its steel tariffs, the Bush Administration's biggest economic blunder has been the hash it has made of telecom regulation. The good news is that a federal court has just handed the White House a chance to make amends.</p>

As corporate America becomes increasingly comfortable with offshore development, it's sending substantially more sophisticated IT work overseas. Companies such as Google Inc. are turning to foreign workers not for their willingness to work for lower wages but for their technological prowess. Google is advertising for highly skilled IT help at its recently opened research and development facility in Bangalore, India. These employees will be involved in all aspects of Google's computer engineering work: conception, research, implementation and deployment. "Bangalore is the so-called Silicon Valley of India, and there is a large pool of talented software engineers there," said Krishna Bharat,...

<p>Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger likes to say that if he could sell some of his movies, he can surely sell California. But even if he succeeds in getting the major workers' comp and regulatory reforms he wants, California's business climate and its overall job picture will need a lot more attention.</p>

WICHITA, Kan. — Boeing is exploring the sale of its 75-year-old manufacturing facility in Wichita, a complex nearly as big as its Everett plant. The potential sale is outlined in an internal strategic-planning document provided to The Seattle Times by a company insider. The document — key elements of which are supported by sources inside and close to the company — presents a long-range vision that maintains Boeing's strong role in the Puget Sound area, while shrinking its presence throughout the rest of the country. The timing of any sale was unclear in the document, and no potential buyers were...

<p>Other nations zip by USA in high-speed Net race By Jim Hopkins, USA TODAY LaBelle Management fights a poky dial-up Internet connection every morning to see how 13 restaurants did the day before. The company in Mount Pleasant, Mich., can't get high-speed Internet to all its 46 restaurants and hotels in Michigan and Indiana because it is either unavailable or too expensive. "I dread dial-up," says tech chief Michael Reed.</p>

The National Interest versus Corporate InterestBy William R. Hawkins Thursday, November 13, 2003 On November 7, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the conference report on the 2004 Defense Authorization bill (H.R. 1588) with a much weakened version of its "buy American" program. Under the original proposal as crafted by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), all critical components in a weapon system would have had to be American-made and the overall system had to be 65 percent American. Those two requirements were eliminated under intense pressure from the Bush Administration, whose commitment to the recovery of American...

<p>HONG KONG — Chip makers ranging from giants Motorola and Texas Instruments to younger mid-tier companies are finding that letting others manufacture their technology-intensive products makes good business sense. The move toward a "fabless" business model, where firms focus on chip design and marketing but leave capital-intensive production to others, is helping drive down costs for makers of chips that power gadgets from PCs to cell phones and DVD players.</p>

Citing national-security concerns, two Democratic lawmakers are engaged in a last-ditch effort to halt plans for the transfer of an Indiana factory that produces critical technology used in the guidance systems of U.S. "smart bombs" to the People's Republic of China. The Department of Defense denies any impropriety, but some observers are asking: Is it a case of politics as usual, or a cover-up? The Magnequench factory (originally known as UGIMAG) was sold in August 2000 to a consortium that included Chinese interests. In 2001, it was announced the plant would be shut down. The factory is responsible for producing...

AMERICA'S CHINA SYNDROME Beijing acquires more U.S. technology Transfer of high-tech equipment result of long-range espionage Posted: March 6, 2003 5:00 p.m. Eastern By Scott L Wheeler © 2003 News World Communications Inc. Outraged U.S. technology experts and documents obtained by Insight indicate that the acquisition and subsequent transfer of high-tech rare-earth-magnet equipment and technology to the People's Republic of China is the result of a long-range espionage plan by the late "Paramount Leader" Deng Xiaoping directly involving two of Deng's sons-in-law. The revelations come as Magnequench Inc., a company partially owned by the San Huan New Materials and Hi-Tech...

Zhang Hong, right, now the chairman of Magnequench, is married to Deng Nan, shown above with her late father, “Paramount Leader” Deng Xiaoping. Outraged U.S. technology experts and documents obtained by Insight indicate that the acquisition and subsequent transfer of high-tech rare-earth-magnet equipment and technology to the People's Republic of China (PRC) is the result of a long-range espionage plan by the late "Paramount Leader" Deng Xiaoping directly involving two of Deng's sons-in-law. The revelations come as Magnequench Inc., a company partially owned by the San Huan New Materials and Hi-Tech Co. -- itself at least partially owned by the...

For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use. An important U.S. high-tech manufacturer is shutting down its American operations, laying off hundreds of workers and moving sophisticated equipment now being used to make critical parts for smart bombs to the People's Republic of China [PRC], Insight has learned. Indianapolis-based Magnequench Inc. has not yet publically announced the closing of its Valparaiso, Ind., factory, but Insight has confirmed that the company will shut down this year and relocate at least some of its high-tech machine tools to Tianjin, China. Word of the shutdown comes as the company is producing critical...

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - XO Communications Inc., the telephone company controlled by billionaire investor Carl Icahn, said on Friday it has offered more than $700 million to acquire bankrupt high-speed communications company Global Crossing Ltd. Singapore Technologies Telemedia already has an agreement to pay $250 million for a 61.5-percent stake in Global Crossing, which filed for bankruptcy protection in January 2002 under a massive debt load, a glut of high-speed network capacity, and slim demand. The bankruptcy court must rule on the deal with Singapore Technologies before any new bids for Global Crossing can be considered. IDT Corp., a telecommunications...

Yahoo! News   Sun, Jun 15, 2003 Thu Jun 12, 5:27 PM ET NEW YORK (Reuters) - Regional phone company XO Communications Inc. (OTC BB:XOCM.OB - news) on Thursday sweetened its bid to acquire Global Crossing (Other OTC:GBLXQ - news) and said it is willing to bid for either the debt or the assets to take control of the bankrupt high-speed communications network operator. XO, controlled by billionaire investor Carl Icahn, offered more than $700 million wholly in cash for Global Crossings assets or said it would buy any or all of its bank debt at $210 per $1,000 at...

Judge Refuses to Hear IDT's Global Crossing Bid 1 hour, 2 minutes ago By Siobhan Kennedy NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. federal judge has dismissed attempts by telephone service provider IDT Corp. to scuttle the sale of bankrupt Global Crossing Ltd's assets to two Asian investors. IDT, citing a threat to U.S national security, on Monday said it would mount a rival $255 million to acquire Global Crossing's high-speed network, seeking to edge out a rival bid by Hong Kong's Hutchison Whampoa Ltd and Singapore Technologies Telemedia Pte. But in a court hearing Wednesday, Judge Robert Gerber, of the...

11:10PM Hutchison falls with Global Crossing deal on rocks (HUWHY, GBLXQ) by Allen Wan Shares of diversified Hong Kong conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa (HUWHY) fell 0.5 percent to HK$43.70 Wednesday amid media reports that its deal with Singapore Technologies Telemedia to buy troubled telecom giant Global Crossing (GBLXQ) was on the skids. The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which represents a number of agencies, has launched a rigorous 45-day review of the Global Crossing deal. The report said the U.S. government was concerned that foreign countries might use Global Crossing's 100,000-mile...

Pentagon to Oppose STT-Global Crossing Deal-SourceTue July 08, 2003 06:18 PM ET By Jeremy Pelofsky WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Singapore Technologies Telemedia's plan to buy a majority stake in bankrupt Global Crossing Ltd. GBLXQ.PK ran into trouble when U.S. officials said on Tuesday the government had national security concerns about the deal. Concerns by the Pentagon and Department of Homeland Security could make it difficult for STT, which is owned by an arm of the Singapore government, to complete its acquisition of a 61.5 percent stake in the telecommunications company. Defense Department officials cited national security concerns in a memorandum...

WASHINGTON (AP) - Richard Perle, a Defense Department adviser, said Friday he is helping bankrupt Global Crossing Ltd. try to win government approval of its sale to foreign companies, a deal that has prompted concerns about national security. Perle would receive $725,000 for his work, including $600,000 if the government approves Global Crossing's sale to a joint venture of two Asian firms, according to lawyers and others involved in the bankruptcy case. As chairman of the Defense Policy Board, Perle is covered by the government ethics prohibition on using public office for private gain. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld named him...

US Senate Panel Plans Look at Global Crossing Sale Mon Apr 7, 2:00 PM ET LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee plans to look into Global Crossing Ltd.'s planned sale of a majority stake to two Asian firms, the chairman of the panel's communications subcommittee said on Monday. The bankrupt fiber-optic network operator wants to sell a 61.5 percent stake to Hutchison Whampoa Ltd. of Hong Kong and Singapore Technologies Telemedia Pte., but national security officials have raised concerns about Hutchison's close ties to China. "We know the issue is out there and ... we're going to...

Burma receives advances from its silent suitors in Singapore By William Ashton (Jane's Intelligence Review. March 1,1998. ASIA: Vol 10, No3. Pg. 3298.)   While China may be the most obvious country trying to win over Burma's affections, Rangoon has, in fact, received significant advances from an altogether more subtle suitor, as William Ashton reports. EVER since the establishment of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) almost 10 years ago, there have been persistent claims that Burma's military government has been secretly supported by Singapore. Rumours of a close strategic relationship continue to circulate under the SLORC's successor,...

------------------------------------------------------------------------ March 21, 2003 Pentagon Adviser Is Also Advising Global Crossing By STEPHEN LABATON ASHINGTON, March 20 — Even as he advises the Pentagon on war matters, Richard N. Perle, chairman of the influential Defense Policy Board, has been retained by the telecommunications company Global Crossing to help overcome Defense Department resistance to its proposed sale to a foreign firm, Mr. Perle and lawyers involved in the case said today. Mr. Perle, an assistant defense secretary in the Reagan administration, is close to many senior officials, including Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, who appointed him to lead the policy board...

<p>NEW YORK (AP) A Hong Kong-based conglomerate is likely to abandon its $250 million deal to buy fiber-optic carrier Global Crossing out of bankruptcy because U.S. officials still have deep concerns about the sale's national security implications, a source familiar with the situation said Tuesday.</p>

Yahoo! News   Sun, Jul 06, 2003 Global Crossing Wins Telemedia Talks Bid Tue Jul 1, 4:26 PM ET By NICK BAKER, Dow Jones Newswires NEW YORK - Bankrupt telecommunications company Global Crossing Ltd. on Tuesday won its bid to continue exclusive talks to be bought by Singapore Technologies Telemedia Pte. Ltd. The decision, issued in court by Manhattan federal bankruptcy Judge Robert E. Gerber, represents a loss for XO Communications Inc. and other suitors who've been blocked by the court-mandated exclusivity period. The judge agreed to extend that period until Oct. 28. XO, which financier Carl Icahn bought out...

US Review of Global Crossing Deal to Go Past March Thu Mar 20, 2:41 PM ET By Jeremy Pelofsky WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Bankrupt Global Crossing Ltd. (Other OTC:GBLXQ - news) said on Thursday the U.S. government's review of the company's plan to sell a majority stake to two Asian companies would extend beyond March 31, and it asked for more time to exclusively file a reorganization plan. The exclusivity period is due to expire March 31, but the fiber-optic network operator asked a federal bankruptcy judge to extend it until May 15 -- or if the purchase agreement were terminated,...

ST Telemedia Has Binding Deal on Global X Mon Jun 2, 4:14 AM ET By Jennifer Tan SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore Technologies Telemedia has a binding contract to buy Global Crossing Ltd that forbids the bankrupt telecoms firm from considering an offer from investor Carl Icahn, a source close to the deal said on Monday. On Friday, billionaire Icahn's U.S.-based XO Communications Inc said it offered more than $700 million to buy Global Crossing. That compares to the $250 million that state-controlled telecoms group ST Telemedia has agreed to pay for a 61.5 percent stake in the U.S.-based fibre-optic network,...

The federal government has opened a formal investigation into the proposed buyout of Global Crossing by companies in Hong Kong and Singapore, people briefed on the inquiry said yesterday. The investigation was started on Monday by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which is managed by the Treasury Department and which had been studying the proposed foreign investment into Global Crossing, the people said. A spokesman for the Treasury Department declined to comment. Becky Yeamans, a spokeswoman for Global Crossing, a bankrupt owner of communications networks, said, "The process is confidential and we don't comment on it."...

There is one Iraqi weapon system with U.S.A. stamped on it; the NATO code-named Tiger Song air defense system. Much of Tiger Song is U.S. made fiber-optic network systems sold to China by the Clinton administration. The fiber-optic Tiger Song air defense network was installed in Iraq during the 1990s by China in violation of the U.N. ban on weapons sales to Baghdad. Tiger Song is a distributed network and it is similar to the Internet, allowing Iraqi mobile radars and missile units to link into the network from pre-positioned fiber optic sites. Ironically, the Bush administration has so far...

<p>Washington, April 29 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. extended a national security review of Hutchison Whampoa Ltd.'s plan to take control of Global Crossing Ltd., threatening to scuttle the $250 million transaction, said people familiar with the matter.</p> <p>A government panel told the companies it would take another 45 days to determine whether China would exert undue influence over Hong Kong-based Hutchison's ownership of a fiber-optic network. The panel will submit a recommendation to President George W. Bush, who will have 15 days to make a decision.</p>

Bush Set to Approve Singapore's Deal for Global Crossing Tue Sep 9,12:54 AM ET NEW YORK -- President Bush (news - web sites) is likely to grant final approval to a deal that will give a Singapore conglomerate control of telecommunications firm Global Crossing Ltd. , people familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal.   The anticipated White House endorsement should end a 20-month saga for Global Crossing, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy-court protection in early 2002, but has struggled to win U.S. government approval for a plan by Singapore Technologies Telemedia Pte. Ltd., to take majority...

Even with Singapore PM Goh weighing in, ST Telemedia bid may fail because of objections from US security community WASHINGTON - In spite of the intervention by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, it is unclear if a business deal between two major companies in Singapore and the United States will overcome strong resistance by those in America's security community. The sticking point is whether the US will allow a foreign business - Singapore Technologies Telemedia (ST Telemedia) - to take a controlling stake in an American company that handles national security data. Bankrupt US telecommunications giant Global Crossing's fibre-optic network...

Richard Perle's booking agency, Benador Associates (friendly, with bio) Richard Perle PBS interview, Gunning for Saddam (friendly; prewar interview says in paraphrase war would be easy - "tiny fraction" of Gulf War I forces) Seymour Hersh New Yorker article on Richard Perle (raises questions of conflict of interest with Saudis and Iraq war) Richard Perle National Review article (friendly - March 7 prewar optimistic interview says a war would be won "in a month") Richard Perle and Global Crossing (raises conflict of interest questions) Global Crossing and Communist China's Foray Into US Telecommunications Infrastructure (raises conflict of interest questions) More...

Lawmaker Criticizes Global Crossing Sale Thu May 8, 5:33 PM ET WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A plan by bankrupt telecommunications company Global Crossing to sell a controlling stake to Singapore Technologies Telemedia Pte is contrary to U.S. interests and the government should intervene, Democrat Rep. Edward Markey said on Thursday. ST Telemedia is a unit of the investment arm of the Singapore government, which would put U.S. companies in the position of having to compete with companies owned by the Singapore government, the Massachusetts lawmaker said. 'Our government has to intervene in the Global Crossing acquisition issue,' Markey said during a...

Judicial Watch, the public-interest legal watchdog organization, announced yesterday it has filed a formal complaint against Defense Advisory Board member and former Chairman Richard Perle, citing alleged violations of government ethics regulations as well as federal laws governing prohibited conflicts of financial interests. The complaint was filed with the Department of Justice, the Office of Government Ethics and the inspectors general of the Defense Department and the Department of Homeland Security. On March 25, the New York Times reported that Perle is an adviser to Global Crossing, the bankrupt telecommunications giant that is currently seeking to overcome government opposition to...

Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2003 4:44 PM Subject: Global Double Crossing http://newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/2/26/182009.shtml Official bio of Li Ka Shing and other documentshttp://www.softwar.net/kashing.html Global Double Crossing Charles R. Smith Thursday, Feb. 27, 2003 Li Ka Shing and the Chinese Army Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka Shing is having a hard time getting what he wants. Li currently is trying to buy the remains of the defunct telecommunications giant Global Crossing. Li's troubles stem from his close working relationship with the Chinese army, a federal regulation board reluctant to give approval, and new competition from U.S.-based IDT Corporation. It is a fact that...

<p>WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. President George W. Bush has told Congress the administration will allow Singapore Technologies Telemedia to buy a 61.5 percent stake in the U.S. telecommunications firm Global Crossing Ltd.</p> <p>Singapore Technologies is indirectly owned by the government of Singapore, and because of that the administration was required to conduct a review to determine if there were any significant national security concerns in the transaction.</p>