Posted on 02/25/2006 9:30:52 PM PST by Cornpone
WHAT IS TAKING place in Washington over the proposed takeover of container operations at six major ports in the US by a UAE-based company is nothing but a reflection of the real mindset of American politicians influenced by Israel into seeing Arab and Muslim countries as a security risk to the US after the Sept.11 attacks.
We in the Arab World have to draw our own lessons from the affair.
The UAE is involved in this particularly dispute. But there is no doubt that such deals involving any Arab or Muslim country would draw the same objection from American congress members.
Notwithstanding the sweet talk that American politicians give to us, it is a high probability that any other Arab-owned company would face rejection in the hypothesis that it secures a similar deal in the US.
The facts of the current dispute are clear:
Dubai Ports World, which is owned by the government of the emirate of Dubai, has signed a nearly $7 billion agreement with Britain's P&O to take over the shipping company's port operations around the world. The agreement is awaiting formal approval by a British court.
Under the agreement, DP World will also take over P&O's container operations in six major US ports that the British company had been operating for years. It is a natural transition of operations from one commercial entity which is bought by another.
US security agencies and departments will continue to be in absolute control of security at all ports in the US, including the six involved in the DP World agreement.
Nothing changes whatsover except that DP World will handle all incoming and outgoing containers, which are subject to routine scrutiny by US Customs and security officers from various agencies at the point of final entry and exit.
DP World will have no role whatsoever in any security aspect of the port. It is entirely an American affair.
There should be no hitch in the take-over if all these factors are taken into consideration by critics of the deal. Instead, they are citing "security concerns" and pointing out the UAE had recognised the Taliban regime in Afghanistan in the 90s.
What the critics are overlooking or deliberately ignoring is the excellent track record of the UAE.
The UAE was among the first in the Arab World to sign up in all measures aimed at tightening security and adopting anti-terrorism measures as suggested by the US following the Sept.11 attacks.
The UAE does not have a record of engaging itself in any extremist attacks or harbouring militants. On the contrary, the country has said it remains on high vigil and alert against extremists.
The UAE is among the leading voices of moderation in the Arab World and it has always followed a positive approach to Arab, regional and international issues.
If anything, the UAE, like Jordan, is known for advocating dialogue to resolve conflict, whether in the Middle East or elsewhere.
The UAE has signed bilateral extradition agreements with others and is also following its obligations under them without fail.
It is ridiculous at best to suggest that the UAE has links with extremism simply because extremist suspects happened to pass through the country on their way somewhere else.
Isn't primary that had the UAE had any inkling of their real intentions while they were present in UAE territory, then they would have been arrested and questioned?
Well, US security and intelligence agencies had tip-offs about an impending attack ahead of Sept.11, but they failed to take preventive action; so how anyone could blame others where they themselves had failed?
The key factor in the dispute over the DP World deal is that a commercial entity from an Arab Muslim country, seeking to build itself as a major player in the international market, is facing bitter opposition to a key project that would catapult it towards its strategic business objectives.
Indeed, not everyone critical of the DP World deal might be inclined to oppose it because of inherent hostility towards Arabs and Muslims.
They might indeed have concerns that they might see as genuine when seen from their perspective. That is where they needs to realise that the DP World-P&O deal as given clearance after a careful intelligence and security reivew.
There is a security system in place in the US, and that has vetted the deal. That should put to rest any "security" concerns, unless of course American congressmembers do not trust their own security arrangements.
If the latter is the case, then they should have no trust in their government either. That being not the case, the obvious conclusion is that Jewish-dominated political and business circles supported by vested interests are mobilising themselves against any effort by any Arab country to emerge into the international market and thus gain an influential role in world affairs whether it wants it or otherwise.
It is heartening to see that the Bush administration committed itself that the DP World takeover would go ahead although after a brief delay.
Same Port Captains?
Same crewboat Captains?
Same Harbor Pilots?
LOL, all it takes is a few strong "Pirates" to off load those conatiners in the middle of the ocean and replace them with containers loaded with WMD's in them. It's that simple :-)
great links...i already read them a few days ago. You are buying into some 'perfect world' strategy. I am telling you that every precaution this country has devised and tried to protect against terrorists is vulnerable. You refuse to admit it..so we can't 'play' together nicely.
Here is the diff between me and you. If our country is attacked again..I won't be blaming our country or our President or some company from Dubai!
I will do what I did the first time...I will blame the nutcase Islamists and I will wonder aloud what liberal policies of political correctness lead us into the devils den!!
Eh? Bush said he would veto a vote against the ports because the UAE are our best friends in the WOT and this remark causes Arabophobia?
Congratulations! Yours is the lamest defense I've heard yet from a bushbot.
"I mean, in hindsight, when you look at this----we probably should have briefed members of Congress about it sooner."
Scott McClellan, White House Press Secretary, Feb. 22, 2006
Senator Charles Grassley, Republican, and chairman of the Committee on Finance, with jurisdiction over international trade, wrote to Sec. of the Treasury, John Snow, on Feb. 21st as follows:
"Dear Mr. Secretary:
I am deeply concerned about the decision by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which you chair, to approve a deal selling the management of six key U.S. ports to Dubai Ports World. I understand that Dubai Ports World is wholly owned by the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). You may recall that I wrote to President Bush last year about a similar deal involving the attempt of the China National Offshore Oil Corporation, a state-owned company, to purchase a U.S. oil company and asked to be kept abreast of these types of investments. Obviously, my request fell on deaf ears. I am disappointed that I was neither briefed nor informed of this sale prior to its approval. Instead, I read about it in the media. I expect you to address my concerns involving this deal".
I'm waiting for the bots to tell me it's another 'Rovian' masterpiece cleverly designed to come back and bite the Democrats. But while I'm waiting, I'm witnessing Bush's inflexibility tearing the Republican party in two. Talk about being "stuck on stupid".
Another ship with onboard crane. I've seen cargo transfers done offshore with ships in distress or dead in the water. It's not that difficult, weather permitting. You'd be amazed at some of the military exercises I have seen offshore.
If you won't blame the President or a company from Dubai, THEN WTF ARE YOU ARGUING WITH ME ABOUT?
No amount of security is perfect or guarantee us from an attack, and I never said it would, but your argument tonight has been about why we should not allow this transaction to go forward because of the threat of Pirates and and our inability to know what is being off loaded at our Ports
"No, let's leave the answer to someone who is sincere."
OK then..let's leave the constitution on the ash heaps of humanity then!..LMAO!! Forgive me if I am wrong..but 'sincerity' was not written as a guideline in the constitition of the USA. That frankly sounds like some failed Marxist policy of socialism! Our government is not run on a measure of some Oprah Winfrey 'sincerity measure'. It was spelled out very clearly by our founding fathers....we are a republic...lol
According to the GAO, as of February 2005, CSI was operational at 34 ports, located in 17 countries or regions.
UAE was not among the 34.
Pg 14-15, http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d05557.pdf
Since we have no company in the US like DPW and we have no Cargo Ships that fly our flag, I guess Pat Buchanan will be having wet dreams from now to eternity, while our economy grinds to a halt
No, the "Arab-ophobia" is brand new term I've seen repeatedly on FR. It's coming from the penguins who are taking off on Bush's remark to the press: "Congress needs to step up and explain why a Middle Eastern company is held to a different standard,".
This of course implies that those who are opposing this UAE deal are nothing but racist pigs who hate Arabs. Hence, people are being labled 'islamophobics' and 'Arab-ophobics' lately by the bushbots. They took a page right out of the liberal democrat play book with the race baiting crap.
I just looked and I don't see a list of names of those not cooperating. Post the list if you wouldn't mind
BS. You should try another angle.
My argument has always been why we should allow this deal to go forward. Many good Americans have moved forward from 9/11 to prevent as best we can a terrorist action. Part of that effort, I believe is to have good friends in the Middle East who will stand with us. That country is the United Arab Emirates. Now get some sleep (I think you need it) and rest assured that this is a great deal.
God Bless America!
Night!
G'Nite, dear Mike.
"That being not the case, the obvious conclusion is that Jewish-dominated political and business circles "
Well, that does it. I'm damned and determined against this BS. To hell with this deal!!!!!!!!!
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