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.
Maybe you should ask, how much of the stuff for our troops in Iraq have passed though the ports of Dubai. They allow us to use their air force bases for our refueling planes, and their deep docks for our air craft carriers, and other ships and they also help in training and with the sharing of Intel.
Why don't you do some research and find out just how much!! Or are you simply planting seeds?
How is this playing in England and Australia, where both governments have taken a lot of grief in supporting us in the WoT. We're going to be the laughing stock of the world at this rate...so some people can pursure their personal and political agendas.
Rush wasn't on the air today slick
"Bingo... you don;t have a point. You have an opinion that flies in the face of all facts that have been repeatedly posted here."
Excuse me? Have we lost the ability to debate with civility here? My point is a well founded one. Al Qaeda has been reported to have 4-5 ocean going cargo vessels in their possession. What is to prevent them from loading any nefarious cargo in the middle of the ocean and bringing it into any port in the world? What fact have you reported that flies in the face of that 'realpolitik" ?
They will NOT be in control of our ports.
They will ONLY be managing the loading and unloading of cargo at "some" terminals within "some" ports, after the cargo has been checked, as usual, by the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Department of Homeland Security.
Homeland Security and the US Coast Guard remain in charge of our security.
The UAE company is not in charge of security, yet you continue to post as if they will be.
Some of the results of the campaign of lies...
Then that sound of wind whistling past an extended, moistened finger, must have been caused by someone else who sounded just like him.
What is to keep them from doing it now?
Right you are. As a matter of fact, the largest port that harbors U.S. Military ships outside of the U.S.A is in Dubai.
That is one of the reasons General Tommy Franks thinks that this is a good deal!!
Not because our troops aren't capable of doing the job. Not because our allies haven't been doing their part. But because some people are more consumed with their political ambitions, and their hatred of this President, that it trumps everything else.
This is sick.
good grief..get a grip on your patronizing projection of me or go play at the DU dummy land! I know all of what you have posted! Not once have I insinuated anything of the sort! This is why I have not got into this fray until tonight..I was afraid this would be the case..Freepers turning on Freepers..chaos and mayham..boy..you guys are buying into the divide and conquer agenda of the left!
Let's debate real concerns with real honesty and rationality!
"That is one of the reasons General Tommy Franks thinks that this is a good deal!!"
AND GENERAL TOMMY FRANKS is the MAIN REASON I am leaning towards it!! Let's all slow down a bit here for God's sake.. Let's talk like adults!
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