Dubai Firm Formally Submits to U.S. Security Review

AP via Fox News ^ | Friday, March 03, 2006

[EternalVigilance]

WASHINGTON — A United Arab Emirates company formally submitted Friday to a highly unusual, broader examination by the Bush administration of potential security risks over its plans to take over significant operations at major U.S. ports. The new, 45-day investigation was aimed at quieting the furor in Washington over the administration's earlier approval of Dubai-owned DP World's $6.8 billion purchase of London-based Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co.

[Howlin]

I'm sorry? It's late and I am not following you.

[EternalVigilance]

Worse than Alan Keyes advocating reparations?

'Advocating reparations' didn't hurt Reagan.

But yes, far worse. Mistakes when it comes to port security could cost thousands of American lives, while Alan Keyes' reparation remarks were in the context of an academic discussion, and were never going to affect anything.

I'll look forward to your predictable snarky response.

[TigersEye]

Well it's late and I'm probably not leading very well. ; )

IMO the Education bill was a disaster politically, economically and ideologically.

You brought up an old axe to grind so I brought one up.

[TigersEye]

Speaking of security...

What will it do to our WOT in the ME if we lose support from the UAE who provide...

The biggest US Naval port outside the Continental U.S.
The only ME Arab country that gives us intelligence and operatives in the ME.
Use of their airbases.
The biggest, cleanest and safest R&R base for our troops in the ME.
Has troops with our special forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Has people in Iraq helping train up Iraqi police and military personnel.
Has 500 American companies doing business on their soil.
Sells us lots of oil. (We haven't converted to switch grass yet.)

[Howlin]

So we've even........good!

[Howlin]

Alan Keyes' remarks were in the context of a POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

[EternalVigilance]

They're greedy. The loss of one business deal won't change that.

If it were true that the future of our relationship with them depends on this deal, as y'all claim, that could only mean one thing anyway: We've already given them far more power than is healthy.

[EternalVigilance]

It was an academic discussion. Sorry you're not familiar with that concept.

[TigersEye]

If it were true that the future of our relationship with them depends on this deal, as y'all claim, that could only mean one thing anyway: We've already given them far more power than is healthy.

Snarky!

[TigersEye]

Senate doesn't bother to question P&O security chief about port security matters

"I've been wracking my brain to try to figure what bad thing might happen if someone seven levels up the chain buys the company, and I just can't think of anything," he (Robert Scavone) said.

I believe that a foreign country or a group can infiltrate workers on the ships or docks with equal ease (or difficulty) no matter who holds the lease. They do not do security, the Coast Guard, longshoremen and Ports and Customs (all American) do all of the security. Period. Even in Dubai, at present, Americans do security on every container bound for the U.S.

[FBD]

Port Terminal Operators have a large security role.

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Port and Maritime Security Act of 2001:
"Requires each port authority and marine terminal operator, or other entity connected with maritime commerce, for which a port security vulnerability assessment has been done to establish, subject to approval of the Captain-of-the-Port, a maritime transportation security program."

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[EternalVigilance]

Interesting...