Amid dispute, Bush still backs Dubai ports deal

Reuters ^ | 2/28/06 | Caren Bohan and Susan Cornwell

[Molly T.]

Sorry, I wrote ports, but meant terminals.

[MNJohnnie]

Always find it interesting that the same collection of Freepers who squeal loudest about "Bush's out of control spending" turn right around and continually find new parts of the Private Sector they want the Federal Govt to take over. My isn't this creeping National Socialism really something "Conservatives" should rally behind. What next? Have the Airline Terminals nationalized too? Cannot have those nasty foreigner flying over you Know Nothings heads!!! How about those nasty old trucking firms since they hire Canadian and Mexican drivers? And YOU KNOW we cannot risk having those oil wells run by private firms out in the Gulf! There there are those Refineries. OH yeah, those are huge bombs waiting to go off. Man, just NO end of security risks all around you Know Nothings isn't there?

[proud American in Canada]

There has to be some other 'plum' we can give the UAE to keep them happy.

My thoughts exactly.

The other two issues I have with this is:

1. The message it sends our soldiers, and

2. Why wasn't a law passed on 9/12 that would require Homeland Security (at least!) approval of any deal involving transfers of ownership of ports, airports, etc.

[Paul Ross]

...Freepers who squeal loudest about "Bush's out of control spending" turn right around and continually find new parts of the Private Sector they want the Federal Govt to take over.

Pardon me, time for yet another reality check her. The shoe is on the other foot. It is you who are cavalierly justifying a foreign government's takeover of a private enterprise. You who are willingly undermining free enterprise.

[conservative blonde]

"Power", that's what this is all about. The DemocRATS want to get power away from the Republicans. And, some Republicans are all too willing to give it to them. Would someone please put a sock in the mouth of Sen. Susan Collins? What a dweeb.

[GeorgeW23225]

Mega dittos!!!

[mac_truck]

The conservatives were the first to raise the red flags on the issues.

I was unaware that Chuck Schumer was a conservative...or HRC for that matter. You should start thinking about how you're going to climb back off that limb...or should we call the Fire Dept?

[isrul]

"On the basis of our inquiry we assessed that the threat to U.S. national security posed by DP World to be low."

He's admitting there is a threat, but it's low.

I don't think you win a lot of support by saying there is a threat, low or otherwise.

[isrul]

Yeah, in New Jersey, I think. Probably other places too.

[plain talk]

links? No. Just my feeble memory from those days. It was posted here at Free Republic. Maybe others have the details. Sorry.

[Reagan Man]

UAE voting record with the US: 12.5% in 2004, 0% in 2003, 17.6% in 2002, 0% in 2001, 30.0% in 2000.

At the same time, Israel has voted with the US: 100% in 2004, 92.9% in 2003, 92.6% in 2002, 100% in 2001, 96.2% in 2000.

[BillyBoy]

>> "If there was any doubt in my mind or people in my administration's minds that our ports would be less secure or the American people in danger, this deal wouldn't go forward," Bush said" This is EXACTLY why I voted for Bush!!!! Staying the course and making me proud! <<

Well, I guess you do have to give credit to Bush for being consistant -- unlike the John Kerryesque wing of FR (and Bill Frist) who voted against handing over our ports to Dupai... before they voted for it.

[AmeriBrit]

It must be really cold where you are.

It's been said probably close to 1,000 times now.


THE PORT DEAL HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP.

[AmeriBrit]

It must be really cold where you are.

It's been said probably close to 1,000 times now.


THE PORT DEAL HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP.

[nopardons]

How many times do you have to be told?

NO PORTS NOR APIRPORTS ARE BEING SOLD!

[Blzbba]

"UAE works with Zim Co, which is an Israeli-owned company. Guess they don't boycott their products, huh?"


I dunno. You tell me:Dubai Ports World supports Israeli boycott

[Blzbba]

"After 9/11 and the USS Cole, the UAE provided us with info and helped us catch the conspirators. "


9/11 and the Cole were several years apart. UAE continued recognition of the Taliban and their ports were shipping points for nuclear weapons materials being sent to N. Korea and Pakistan, etc.

[Paul Ross]

He's admitting there is a threat, but it's low. I don't think you win a lot of support by saying there is a threat, low or otherwise.

Yes. The threat assessments need to be broken down, at the least in confidential sessions of Congress, explaining how they think they can circumvent the problem of jihadist infiltration.

[joesnuffy]

How many shipping container ports do they have on the US-Mexican border....muy mucho amigo...muy mucho

[UCANSEE2]

First, Thanks for the photo. Earth-Art. Beautiful.

Second, thanks for the info. So, how many and what companies manage them, and who provides security for those areas would be the questions the American Public should ask, before going off half-cocked on the change of overseas management staff due to a buyout.

The I in IBM doesn't stand for American.