United Arab Emirates firm to operate six major U. S. ports

[Carolee]

United Arab Emirates firm to operate six major U. S. ports

[Carolee]

Protect Our Ports Box 205 Park Ridge, New Jersey 07656

President George W. Bush The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, D. C. 20500

Dear President Bush,

On Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, loyal Republicans of Bergen County, New Jersey, were stunned to learn for the first time that our Republican Administration was in agreement with the sale of six key U. S. ports to a corporation domiciled in the United Arab Emirates. As proud Republicans, we traditionally celebrate the birth of our first elected Republican President with Lincoln Day events, and we are taking this opportunity to begin to compile a list of Republicans who oppose this sale. We are deeply concerned about national security undermined by foreign ownership of U. S. Ports -- including such key ones in the NYC - DC corridor.

One week later, we have further learned that Secretary of Homeland Defense, Michael Chertoff, defends this UAE Port deal. We vehemently disagree with his defense. Living in the shadows of the formerly proud, Twin Towers, and having lost many of our family, friends, and neighbors to its horrific attack on September 11, 2001, we who lived through it defend the memory of those who bravely lost their lives that day. To sell U. S. ports to a corporation located in a country with known terrorist ties to that attack is unacceptable. Among other reasons for objecting to this sale, our Treasury Department complained that the UAE and other Arab countries were uncooperative with our attempts to track bin Laden’s bank accounts, the FBI stated that money for the strikes was transferred to the hijackers primarily through the UAE banking system, and much of its operational planning took place there, too. These past events support our belief that such foreign owned ports borders on insensibility.

The attached petitions identify some Republicans who ask you to stop this sale. As we are not a powerful corporation with well-paid lobbyists at our disposal, we first start with this simple letter asking you to acknowledge that this sale of six U. S. ports to such foreign ownership is not in the best interests of the national security of our county, and that you will assure us this sale will not occur. Further, we look forward to the installation of still greater security measures at our ports. If but one port manages twenty to twenty five thousand container moves daily, and only 2-3% of those moves are examined by customs, we are allowing over nineteen thousand containers to slip through every day without proper security oversight. That is unacceptable and needs immediate remedy.

We look forward to your positive action to protect our ports.

Yours very truly,

Protect Our Ports Committeewoman, Bergen County Republican Organization (NJ-BCRO)

[Paradox]

Surprised they missed you the first time. Go back to your hole. Cooler heads will prevail, and you people will, once again, be exposed as the raving lunatics you are.

[wideawake]

And the brilliant, well-informed RINOs of NJ weigh in. Thanks for the two cents, O most useless state GOP organization in America.

[Dog Gone]

Thanks for posting this as Breaking News! First we've heard about it!!!

[MineralMan]

Oh, yes, this is most definitely Breaking News, newby. Why not just add this to one of the two dozen existing threads?

[farmer18th]

Cooler heads will prevail

Cooler heads? That's sort of what happens after an Islamic execution, isn't it?

[mnehring]

Looks like another person seeing the world through cBS colored glasses... I wonder if this letter writer even knows the real structure of DPI or that they even have Americans, British, Norwegians, and Indians on their BOD? I wonder if she is aware that DPI is actually owned by international private investors, such as Deutsch Bank? Only the DPA (Dubai Port Authority) is owned 100% by the UAE. The company is a conglomerate of two, DPI and DPA, kind of like Cingular here in the US (a joint partnership of SBC and Bell South..)

I wonder if she is even aware that the ports are not being sold, only the rights to operate container facilities...

I doubt it...

[Gothael 777]

IBTZ?

[mnehring]

Probably,
The left is capitalizing this to try to split the base.. that is why there is so much bs out there about this.. why would Carter agree with Bush? Its all strategy..

[voteconstitutionparty]

Well said.

Good luck!

[b4its2late]

Where've you been?

[Canard]

"We are deeply concerned about national security undermined by foreign ownership of U. S. Ports -- including such key ones in the NYC - DC corridor."

How long did it take you to draft the letter? A Foreign company has been running these ports for years!

[WatchingInAmazement]

AND they seem to have the same sentiments as the rioters all
over the world. "Westernized" UAE, my foot.
_______
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/02/08/cartoon.protests/index.html

The cartoons have prompted boycotts of Danish goods throughout the Muslim world. In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, travel agents said travelers were not booking flights to Denmark or Norway.

Also in UAE, a university professor was fired after distributing copies of the cartoons to her students. The nation's minister of education, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahan, said he ordered Clauda Keepoz's dismissal because "her behavior has nothing to do with the freedom of expression."

http://www.asianews.it/view.php?l=en&art=5256
Protests against “blasphemous” cartoons mounts in Islamic nations
Jan. 31,2006

[snip] Burnt flags, political condemnation, and appeals for a boycott are involving even traditionally moderate Islamic nations, like Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. The Arab League and Organizations from the Islamic who announced their intention to appeal to the United Nations for a resolution blocking all forms of attacks against religious faiths.

But the wave of protest continues. “It’s cultural terrorism, not freedom of expression” intoned Mohammad al-Dhaheri, Minister for Justice and Islamic affairs of the United Arab Emirates.


http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0201/dailyUpdate.html
In an editorial, the Khaleej Times of the United Arab Emirates expressed dismay that the Danish government has not formally apologized for the episode.

The prime minister continues to defend the insensitive newspaper in the name of ‘media freedom’. All freedom including that of the media comes with responsibility. Mocking people’s deeply held religious beliefs and sentiments is no media freedom. It’s sheer and unpardonable callousness.

http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article-world.asp?parentid=38492

Branches of French hypermarket Carrefour in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have also stopped selling Danish goods. "Danish products have been removed from all (UAE) branches of Carrefour," one official said.

http://www.einnews.com/uae/newsfeed-UAE-Racism-Xenophobia
United Arab Emirates Racism & Xenophobia News. Service for global professionals. Constantly updated news and information about United Arab Emirates.

[NapkinUser]

As I've written before, the FReepers who have no problem with this sale are most likely the same people who had no problem with Harriet Miers, the prescription drug bill, selling a major U.S. oil reserve to China (which was thankfully stopped), the spending, the proposed amnesty for illegals or CAFTA.

These are the people who can say nothing against Bush, even when it's obvious he's doing the wrong thing. It's okay to disagree, it doesn't make you less conservative or republican.

[airborne]

You sure you aren't a Democrat troll?

Because you sure have your "facts" wrong.

And they sound remarkably similar to Hilldy and Chucky.

[tx_eggman]

Nice catch Ms. Van Winkle .. now, scurry back under your rock

[RightWhale]

This is alarming news. Or, it was a week ago.

[frankjr]

Wow, the Libs are pushing profiling while still being weak on national security!!

[bayourant]

First off there is a strong tradition in the Republican movement for free trade. So by supporting cafta thats no betrayal of conservative principles. The oil reserve I think your right on to a certain degree. The prescription drug plan is realizing current political realities. Its not that Bush can do no wrong. His signing of McCain Fiengold was a betrayal to be quite honest. He is just right on this issue

[butternut_squash_bisque]

Sniff, sniff... I hear The Kitties are on the way. IB4TZ!