LOL! That sounds like the real type interview of Michael Savage.
Posted on 02/25/2006 3:00:55 AM PST by Cannoneer No. 4
February 24, 2006: The recent controversy over the acquisition of the British firm Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, by Dubai Ports World, a state-run company in the United Arab Emirates, has been largely a matter of heat opposed to light. This is largely because of a number of myths that have quickly circulated throughout the blogosphere. These myths have led to a lot of controversy that has cast one of the strongest American allies in the Persian Gulf in a poor light that is undeserved.
First, a look at the United Arab Emirates is in order. This is a country that has been a long-standing ally of the United States since 1971. The UAE was part of the coalition to liberate Kuwait in 1991, and also has supported the United States in the war on terror (including, among other things, providing access to a deep-water berth that can accommodate aircraft carriers, use of a training facility for air-to-air training facility, airfields, and logistics support). It is a country that has proven largely inhospitable to al-Qaeda (instead, the focus is on business), sent forces to Afghanistan to protect the construction of a hospital that they donated and built, and also has sent humanitarian assistance to Iraq while also providing a location for training Iraqi police. In 2002, the UAE also captured a major al-Qaeda figure, Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, who was involved in the attack on the USS Cole in 2000, and handed him over to the United States despite threats from the terrorist organization. After Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, the UAE donated $100 million for the relief efforts. Both Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and General Peter Pace have described the relationship the United States has with United Arab Emirates as "very close" and "superb". It would be interesting to know what sort of information Michelle Malkin has that would override the judgment of Rumsfeld and Pace. Her characterization of the United Arab Emirates as "demonstrably unreliable" is not just factually challenged, it is slap in the face to the strongest ally the United States has in the Persian Gulf.
One of the other things that has been ignored in the anti-UAE diatribes from Malkin is the fact that the United Arab Emirates is a Middle Eastern country where religious tolerance is the rule. The UAE's constitution guarantees freedom of religion (albeit it declares Islam as the official religion), and largely permits religious freedom. In 2003, the UAE shut down the Zayed Center for Coordination and Follow-up, which was publishing material that promoted anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial.
Second, nothing will really change at the ports, particularly with regards to security. Security will remain the province of the United States Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security. In another fact ignored by the scare campaign, the UAE has the only port in the Middle East that is part of the Container Security Initiative. Dubai Ports World has also agreed to mandatory participation in other programs to improve security and to prevent the illegal shipment of nuclear materials, and will also provide documents on internal operations on demand and has agreed to cooperate in future investigations. The deal was also scrutinized by the intelligence community, which found no problems. The only thing that changes hands is who owns the company that will handle the day-to-day operations (often performed by American longshoremen – usually unionized). Dubai Ports World also bought out the port operations of CSX in 2004 – with no real issues.
Third, several claims have been made regarding connections to 9/11, specifically the fact that two of the hijackers were from the UAE. First, none of the critics have any proof that either the government of the UAE or Dubai Ports World was involved in the attack. By the standard of these critics, the United Kingdom would be held responsible for Richard Reid, or Germany would be responsible for the Hamburg cell that planned the attack. Second, the United Arab Emirates have stepped up efforts to make money laundering less easy after Dubai was used as a financial conduit for the attacks (again, there is no proof that the UAE or DPW were active participants in the laundering). It should also be noted that at least two Americans have worked with al-Qaeda (Johnny Walker Lindh and Jose Padilla) as well.
The last thing to consider is that in the day and age of the Internet, this debate is not staying inside the United States. Past irresponsible comments (like those by Senator Richard Durbin concerning Guantanamo Bay) have spread across the world very quickly. The scurrilous comments directed at the United Arab Emirates by Michelle Malkin have the potential to assist al-Qaeda recruiting in that country, and thus do more damage than the port deal would have done.
Actually, as this thread has evolved it appears his experience does not mesh with reality. In fact, some of his statements have proven to be factually incorrect.
I am one of those who have slowly changed my mind. But it is because of the vast info. from here and on Rush' show. The public at large is not getting this info. from MSM
The totalitarian countries of the middle east face an uncertain future.
I hate in any way to seem like I'm coming to Hillary's defense, but the article that your 'facts' are based on is the British liberal rag, The Guardian. It's like quoting the National Enquirer. You would be hard pressed to find ONE fact in any given edition.
Singapore and China had one joint venture in the port at Hong Kong. There was no alliance in this deal, Singapore was bidding solely on it's own and China would have had no part in it if they had won the bid.
This is all just more isolationist fear mongering.
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I've been there as recently as January. Your statements match exactly what I observed. There are ignorant people on this thread who have rarely ventured beyond their own driveway and have absolutely no idea what they are talking about. But it sure doesn't stop them from repeating the same baloney being spread by the likes of Micheal Savage. I love the "My mom's best friend's brother told her..." statements. Sigh.
I believe the UAE and Kuwait have the highest income per person in the world. Terrorism will never have significant influence in a capitalist society.
The "highest income per person in the world" is not because they are a capitalistic society or capitalistic individuals like PrinceOfCups implies. For nearly all of them them their wealth is more like winning the lottery, wealth won by chance through no calitalistic effort on their part at all.
The UAE, like most countries in the region, does not recognize Israel. Why in the world would they recognize Israeli passports?
LOL! That sounds like the real type interview of Michael Savage.
I know that there are aspects of these societies that are socialistic, but that is true of every economy that I know of. There are also sectors that are preindustrial nomadic. However, Americans can collaborate with those who want to be capitalists and build a modern society and we have in Saudi Arabia. They have money and we show how to turn that into profitable business. That is what capitalism is.
So I've heard -- it looks and has the feel of the Land of Oz...I know all about Rush and Tiger Wood playing golf there.
It's still a "rogue" Muslim "Las Vegas" as in the Star Wars bar scene where behind glitter and glamor, the rats plot, plan, and play.
Questions:
It's still Islamic, and Dubaians still abide in the Koran, right?
Is there evidence the UAE has supported terrorism? Al Qaeda?
Shielded Bin Laden?
Recognized the Taliban as an entity?
Been involved in international money laundering, and third-party arms trading?
Does not recognize Israel as a sovereign nation?
YOu couldn't find a church??
You obviously didn't look that hard. I lived in Dubai for eight years and everyone I knew who was a regular church goer (Catholic, Baptist, Anglican, Presbyterian) managed to go every Sunday.
I have personally attended several weddings and funerals spread over 4 Dubai churches
You can buy holy catholic statues in the larger supermarkets FFS.
Nor did I or any European or American I knew have their passport witheld or have any other stipulation on them leaving the country. Sth Asian labourers often had to put up with this but that has been made illegal.
Yea, a PATRIOT and Conservative! Imagine that!
LLS
I'll stay with Bush on this call. If he likes the deal it's for good reason.
Bush is doing a great job for America.
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