Tommy Franks Defends Dubai Ports Deal

Newsmax ^ | 2/22/06 | Carl Limbacher

[Dane]

Tommy Franks Defends Dubai Ports Deal

Former CENTCOM commanding general Tommy Franks said Wednesday that the Bush administration was right to approve a deal for a United Arab Emirates-based company to run six major U.S. ports.

"We have more U.S. Navy ships using the port in Dubai, Jebel Ali, than any other port outside the United States," Franks told Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes."

The former Iraq war commander explained U.S. reliance on the Dubai port facility by saying, "We know he difference between an enemy and a friend."

"The Emirates is a friend," Franks aid. "That is the best run port that I've ever seen."

Gen. Franks said the Dubai company had three essential qualities that commend it for the task of running U.S. ports: the capacity to handle the job, the inclination to do it right and security, which he noted "will remain, in any case, in the hands of the United States Coast Guard."

[OldFriend]

Vannity will never admit he's been wrong. Levin will still be trying to outbloviate the weiner and assorted politicians will deny they were ever against the port deal, saying they only wanted more time to investigate.

[montag813]

Hmm, who should I trust, an outstanding General with decades of military experience, or a blowhard radio commentator(michael weiner)

Uh, you forgot another "blowhard": Mark Levin

[OldFriend]

How delicious that the fringers are now aligned with hilary, schumer, and various other America hating socialists.

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

From what I remember, the folks in Dubai are building what would be the world's tallest building. Topping out at 2,500 feet, the tower would provide hundreds of luxury condominiums. Arguably, it would present a far more juicy terrorist target than anything in the USA.

I think that the Dems opposed to this deal are in bed with their union puppet masters. DP control would mean a more modern, streamlined operation that could jeopardize an inefficient union workforce.

[OldFriend]

Sadly, I have heard Hannity repeating the same talking points from the DNC.

[OldFriend]

Bush never said any such thing about sending a message to moderate muslim governments.

[clawrence3]

Are you looking for a global trade war?

[OldFriend]

Stop introducing logic to the discussion!

It tires the hysterics who love rushing towards the cliff.

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

I hate to say this, but Michael Reagan is an idiot on this issue.

[B.O. Plenty]

As honorable as Gen Franks is, he can still get caught up in the P.C. assertion that islam is the religion of peace....and the muckety-mucks of the EAU are "moderate" muslims that don't pay attention to the wild eyed, crazy, murdering, lunatic imams and mullas.

Maybe they do, and maybe they don't. I have never heard any of these people get on T.V. and denounce the "crazy" muslims...

If someone here has...put up a link.

[alnick]

He is a kind man and wouldn't say anything against his former boss, thats all. As for Him knowing more than others, Maybe or maybe not.

Gen. Franks does not take national security matters lightly, is not afraid to speak his mind, and yes, he knows more about the Middle East than most.

[Alberta's Child]

When I first heard about the port story I initially reacted with the idea, “how could anyone be so foolish?” — but as I learn more and more I find that most of what I thought I knew, just isn’t so. I’m not yet fully convinced that the deal is without any security risks at all, but I’m not in a position where I can know that independently. I’m going to weigh the information as it becomes known, and try to use some reason and logic to come to a reasonable conclusion.

Good for you, and thanks for the honest admission about this.

The first thing I noticed about all the hysteria following this story was the level of opposition to the deal among people in the media and government (and also here on FR!) was inversely proportional to the amount of knowledge these people had about how U.S. ports work.

Mark Levin had a caller on last night who probably put it best -- and basically made every one of Levin's comments (and all of his guests' comments) over the past week pretty much irrelevant (it sounded like the guy worked at one of the ports in question, since he was able to name specific companies and facilities that nobody else has ever mentioned):

"I don't know if this is a good idea or not, but I haven't heard a single person talking about this issue who even has any of the facts straight."

[ohioWfan]

Wish I had seen this. The dust is settling, and once again, the hysteria was unwarranted.

What a surprise......

[wideawake]

The saddest part of all this is seeing how many self-styled "conservatives" approach the issues on sheer, uninformed emotion.

We are supposed to be the party of reason and realistic analysis, not knee-jerk whining and scaremongering.

[Dane]

Vannity will never admit he's been wrong. Levin will still be trying to outbloviate the weiner and assorted politicians will deny they were ever against the port deal, saying they only wanted more time to investigate.

Glen Beck is having a meltdown. He just had a caller who works at a port and said it is really no big deal.

JMO, these hosts vanity and hubris has caused a thunderstorm type of cloud in their heads.

Rush has been the only one who has been talking about facts.

[clawrence3]

I agree that is sad indeed - the emotional part is what concerns me if it continues until the midterms - self-fulfilling prophecy (sp?) time. Perhaps Bush should take this one directly to the American people, a la Reagan?

[clawrence3]

Thanks for your honesty.

[shield]

Sanity at last!!! Sorry folks I'll trust the Bush Administration over most of these media whores.

[PrinceOfCups]

You building you are talking about is the Burj Tower. But this is only the most visible high-income high-rise being built. In the Marina District, over 50 high-rises are being built---simultaneously---near the corniche to provide Gulf/ocean view condominiums. Construction is everywhere; I've never seen a building boom like the one here. Terrorism would ruin all these billion dollar investments. It's an amazing place to live at this time of their development.

[alnick]

There's a word for giving essential military assets away to the enemy.

Exactly what military assets are being given to the enemy?