Posted on 02/25/2006 4:21:24 PM PST by SwordofTruth
On Sunday, the Australian government issued the following alert to its citizens: "We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in the United Arab Emirates because of the high threat of terrorist attack. We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks against Western interests in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Commercial and public areas frequented by foreigners are possible terrorist targets."
The United States has approved a business deal that would turn over the operation of six major American ports to a company that is owned by the UAE, the very country Australians are to be wary of visiting. The obvious question: If it is dangerous for an Australian to travel to the UAE because of terrorism, isn’t it even more dangerous for a company owned by the UAE to own the rights to American ports where terror might be directly, or indirectly, imported?
There have been some dumb decisions since the United States was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001, including the "welcoming" of radical Muslim groups, mosques and schools that seek by their preaching and teaching to influence U.S. foreign policy and undermine the nation. But the decision to sell port operations in New York, Newark-Port Elizabeth, Baltimore, Miami, Philadelphia and New Orleans to a company owned by the UAE may be the dumbest of all.
Security experts repeatedly have said American ports are poorly protected. Each year, approximately 9 million cargo containers enter the United States through its ports. Repeated calls to improve port security have gone mostly unheeded.
In supporting the sale decision by a little-known interagency panel called the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, the Bush administration dismissed security concerns. National Security Council spokesman Frederick Jones said the sale of the ports for $6.8 billion to Dubai Ports World was "rigorously reviewed" by the committee, which, he said, considers security threats when foreign companies seek to buy or invest in American industry. Apparently, money talked louder than common sense.
In a rare display of bipartisanship, congressional Republicans and Democrats are forging an alliance to reverse the decision. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, has announced plans for her Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs to hold hearings. Sens. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., and Frank Lautenberg, DN.J., who are members of Collins’ committee, have raised concerns. New York’s Democratic senators, Charles Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton have also objected to the sale. Clinton and Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., expect to offer a bill to ban companies owned or controlled by foreign governments from acquiring U.S. port operations.
In the House, Reps. Chris Shays, R-Conn.; Mark Foley, R-Fla.; and Vito Fossella, R-N.Y., are among those who want to know more about the sale. In a House speech, Foley said, "The potential threat to our country is not imagined; it is real."
The UAE was used as a financial and operational base by some of the 9/11 hijackers. A New York Times editorial said the sale takes the Bush administration’s "laxness to a new level."
Members of Congress may wish to consider that the UAE was an important transfer point for shipments of smuggled nuclear components bound for Iran, North Korea and Libya by a Pakistani scientist, Abdul Qadeer Khan. The UAE was one of only three countries to recognize the Taliban as Afghanistan’s legitimate government before the U.S. invasion toppled it.
The Department of Homeland Security says it is legally impossible under Committee on Foreign Investment rules to reconsider approval of the sale without evidence the Dubai company gave false information or withheld details from U.S. officials. Congress should change that law.
Last year, Congress overwhelmingly recommended against the Bush administration granting permission to a Chinese company to purchase the U.S. oil services company UNOCAL. Six years ago, when a Chinese company took control of the Panama Canal from the United States, retired Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Thomas H. Moorer warned of a "nuclear Pearl Harbor."
Congress must stop this sale of American ports to foreign interests and, in an era of terrorism, prevent any more potential terrorist targets from falling into the hands of those who wish to destroy us.
Cal Thomas writes for Tribune Media Services.
cal@calthomas.com
The title may not be correct, but what's wrong with the body of it?
Got a question for you.....
As the operator of those ports do you hold ship manifests( meaning knowing what everything a ship is holding) Ship scheduleds and their crews? If Im not mistaken the answer is yes.
Now Do you want some 3rd level muslim flunky with a heart for Jihaad to have that info?
Yes or No?
> Let Dubyah do his job, and support his initiative instead of joining in with the caterwalling Dickocraps and their trojan horse.
Would you mind not insulting those of us with concerns by calling us Democrats? Do you really think "nanny nanny booboo yer a stupidhead" makes for a convincing argument?
Yeah, probably be beheaded now.
"A shame that Cal Thomas didn't research the material first...he doesn't usually make such stupid mistakes."
Cal is totally wrong on this one. But I believe he's a big enough man to eat crow later on one of his "round table" shows.
Fer Pete's Sake! WE (The United States of America) have these same sorts of "port rights" all over the freaking globe! Hello? Do they think our Navy ships just pull up to any handy dock? ROFLMAO!
As the EX-Wife of a Navy SEAL...believe me...there are PLENTY of "ports of call" that our troops can visit. *Smirk*
That would be the local port authority and various federal agencies. They don't employee 3rd level muslim flunkies.
Have you seen Fox New Watch today?
I missed it and will have to see the replay.
Of course Iran has agreed to sell oil to China. China has been funneling duel-use technology to them for years.
You have a very ironic screen name, considering what you wrote --- Arabic being spoken on our docks! Get real! Our ILA members may not act in the best interest of the consumer and American commerce at all times, but you may rest assured, they do not plan to give up their jobs.
On the other hand, there are some "conservative" pundits who continue to perpetuate the lie about control of the ports AFTER learning the fallacy in that.
They are a different story all together.
The United States has approved a business deal that would turn over the operation of six major American ports to a company that is owned by the UAE,
But the decision to sell port operations in New York, Newark-Port Elizabeth, Baltimore, Miami, Philadelphia and New Orleans to a company owned by the UAE may be the dumbest of all.
In supporting the sale decision by a little-known interagency panel called the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, the Bush administration dismissed security concerns. National Security Council spokesman Frederick Jones said the sale of the ports for $6.8 billion to Dubai Ports World
Congress must stop this sale of American ports to foreign interests and
No idea.
No, I leave the reliance on that product to you and yours.
Cal Thomas.....the US is not turning security over to UAE...this is a lie...
Let's turn over everything in the country to foreign control.
Wheeee!
But when things go sour, don't expect to get away without paying.
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