#3
(DU)CIA: UAE is a DRUG transhipment point (& money laundering)cut directly from:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x478454
Point A: As Sen. Menendez’ pointed out on Keith Olbermann, the UAE supported the Taliban
Point B: In '80s, the U S supplied arms worth $500 million a year to anti-Soviet fighters, including the Taliban.
FYI: UAE
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven emirates or states. Dubai is only approximately 1000 square miles in size.
The Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone - the fifth largest in the world within a short span of ten years, has attracted over 900 international companies that include global giants - a few of these are General Motors, AEG, Aiwa, BP, Ciba, Geigy, Daewoo and Heinz. (We probably won't hear a political "chirp" from Kerry or Gore)
The Dubai International Airport considered as the world's second best transit airport, currently handles 7.3 million passengers per year with a growth rate of 12% that is double that of any other airport in the world.
AbuDhabi (928,360) is one of the most modern cities in the world
They want to smuggle Nukes in and Nuke us and why? Jealousy over LA, Chicago and NYC? The Taliban live in what century? The United Arab Emirates is considered a "20th century success" story?
Sharjah was also the first port in the entire middle east to possess fully equipped container facilities at the Sharjah Container Terminal. Its port at Khorfakkan provides important facilities for ships that do not need to enter the Gulf.
UAE stock market enters war on money laundering
The UAE is tightening the noose around illegal Asian migrants with intensified raids on suspected hideouts and the introduction of a new investigative departure form to ensure they benefit from a four-month amnesty and do not think of coming back.
US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice has assured UAE leaders that Washington had no doubts about the deal
Dubai Ports World bought a company that little more than baggage handlers, employing mostly Americans who transfer cargo on and off ships. The Dubai company is controlled by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a U.S. ally that contributed $100 million to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, nearly four times as much as received from all other countries combined.
China, operate U.S. shipping terminals. Similarly, foreign airlines lease and operate whole rows of gates at U.S. airports.
Both sets of arrangements are acceptable because neither port companies nor foreign airlines are responsible for security, which remains in the hands of U.S. law enforcement.
U.S. officials wouldn't and haven't compromised port security in dealing with those countries -- nor has it done so in the UAE decision. The British managers of the company that actually runs the disputed port operations are scratching their heads because new owners won't change either their operations or U.S. security rules.
A U.S. security officer stops a truck towing a cargo container in the radiation detection lane at the port in Newark, N.J.,
There are, however, real port security problems, including the 11 million 40-foot-long containers that enter the country every year. Only 5 percent get proper scrutiny. Terrorists could use the containers to smuggle in a nuclear bomb or radioactive material for a "dirty bomb." But U.S. detection efforts are wholly inadequate. Many of the mobile radiation detectors used work only half the time, according to a recent report ("recent report": get by without a credible "source" wording). The country is still at risk for another major attack more than four years after September 11.
The UAE understands U.S. politics and on Friday offered to put its deal on hold until the hysteria fanned by U.S. politicians subsides. When it does, let the deal go through and concentrate on real problems including fixing the system to inspect cargo containers. (Remember the US is responsible for security.)
The real question is: What are the benefits for the US in terms of National Security/Technological Updates of these designated ports if the UAE "investment" group takes over?
Trust Rice?
don't trust Rice?
Trust Bush?
don't trust Bush?