Posted on 03/05/2006 1:52:36 PM PST by ncountylee
The head of a Dubai company facing a political firestorm over its multi-billion dollar bid to take over the operations of six major American ports voiced optimism the deal would succeed.
In an interview with CNN television, Dubai Ports World chief executive officer Mohammed Sharaf said: "As far as we're concerned the deal is going to go through."
After initially approving the 6.8 billion dollar deal, the administration of President George W. Bush has launched a fresh review of the transaction amid fierce political opposition from within the government's own ranks.
The deal, in which DP World would take over Britain's Peninsular and Oriental Steamship Navigation Co. which currently runs the six ports, has provoked outcries that it would endanger US security.
Republican representative Duncan Hunter, the chairman of the powerful House Armed Services Committee, is seeking to sink the takeover.
The lawmaker alleges Dubai operates as a "bazaar for terrorist nations" and cannot be trusted to safeguard vital American national security interests in a post-September 11 world.
Hunter told the ABC News "This Week" program on Sunday that government-owned DP World cannot be trusted to run US ports in Baltimore, Miami, New Jersey, New Orleans, New York and Philadelphia.
"Dubai has a reputation of being the place where you go in ... if you want to ship something with anonymity," Hunter said, claiming it had been used as a transshipment center for weapons proliferation, including nuclear centrifuges.
Asked about Hunter's claims, Sharaf told CNN from the company's Dubai headquarters that DP World is a global player that takes security issues very seriously.
(Excerpt) Read more at todayonline.com ...
At least, that's what Bill Clinton told him.
Translation: We have reached a financial agreement with Hillary. We have come up with a way to finance her presidental run without anyone finding out.
The media, successfully, leads the sheep where they will.
I guess BJ Clinton can soon start beating his bongo drums in celebration!
And many on FR will shout "bahahaha", such as their constant talking point that the UAE is "taking over the ports", which is untrue, but some on FR will still follow the herd of hillary being "against the deal", while bill is all for it.
PT Branum was right, there is a sucker born every minute.
The fact that President Bush has been consistent will get lost in the shuffle.
Five-star answer. Congratulations!
Sure there's a firestorm - when the 'news' reports continue to mischaracterize just what is actually occurring and lack any sort of context to existing realities.
Bump!
So it's not fair to remind we citizens that Dubai does not recognize the State of Israel and participates in an ongoing boycott against one of our strongest allies.
And that it is against U.S. law to do with with companies that boycott's Israel?
" Those are fighting words in my neighborhood."
Which words were the fighting part? I highly doubt anyone in your neighborhood ever discussed billion dollar deals. Hundred dollar deals...maybe.
Isn't it amazing how easily the media has turned the sheep against him?
What tremendous decadence has occured here in a mere generation.
The timid, ignoble 'American' of today would have lynched Nixon for playing the China card.
No but we do discussed the behavior of arrogant people in positions of influence.
Arrogant a$$.
Bitt
George Stephanopoulos...now there is someone that needs to be at camp gitmo....
BACK TO THE TOP!. Man, the Clintons really do corrupt everything they touch and they are on BOTH sides here.
Journalists stuck on stupid.
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