Dubai Ports World to divest itself of all American interests

CNN

[mewzilla]

Well Senator Frist. How does it feel to be made to look like an Indian-giver, a promise breaker? Someone who can't be trusted to hold up their end of a deal?

I wish we could just flush Congress.

[MOgirl]

Hello,

Thank you for your excellent points. When I heard about this today, I thought the same. If the UAE is interested in long term economic growth (which I believe they are), this move is smart one. And yes, it is a PRO-Administration move, not only for public perception, but to shut down the potential of Bush using his veto pen against (some) of his own party. The Old Media was REALLY looking forward to that!!

[Iwo Jima]

The so-called "ports deal" didn't even have the legs of Harriet Miers.

Actually, I thought that Harriet Miers' legs were her best attribute.

[World'sGoneInsane]

The trade deal will be dead too in Dubai in a few weeks.

And if that is true, so be it.

[MinuteGal]

Sorry, my statement stands. You can call it propaganda all you want.

My, the egg-on-the-face, anti-port-deal people are really edgy this afternoon. It's tough to defend a bum position from a hastily-built trench, so I'm very understanding today.

Leni

[ScreamingFist]

Yes I still resent anyone broad brushing Americans as ignorant.

You don't understand Doc, hundreds of FReeper's stock portfolios might show a loss if the UAE port deal doesn't go through.....they were all betting on that veto from President Bush.....

[STARWISE]

Funny you should mention Trump. Guess where's he's developing a luxury hotel?

The Palm Trump International Hotel and Tower, also referred to as Trump Tower Dubai, will be the luxury centerpiece building of the Palm Golden Mile, located on the trunk of the Palm Jumeirah. Shaped like an opening tulip, the gold condo-apartment hotel will have five hundred 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments and penthouses, each with a sea view and access to five-star amenities.

The Palm Trump International Hotel and Tower will be a 50-storey building, rising 360 meters (1,181 feet) high. The development will also include a selection of high-end boutiques, fine dining, signature roof top restaurants, bars, swimming pools, and a luxurious spa and health club. The AED 1.46 billion (US$ 400 million) hotel will be the first joint venture between Al Nakheel and The Trump Organization, who's president and chairman is Donald Trump.

Construction on the Palm Trump Hotel and Tower is expected to begin in early 2006.

Expected Completion Date - Unknown
Real Estate Developer - Al Nakheel Properties
Location - The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

[nopardons]

No, actually, they wouldn't.

[thoughtomator]

Your mistake is making a distinction between Islam and terror, a common error among those who misunderstand Islam.

[cva66snipe]

You have NO idea what you're talking about. If the Navy can't resupply there, where will they do it? Do you understand the military significance of supply lines? How about the military significance of the Straits of Hormuz?

A U.S.N.S. supply ship docking to take on supplies is one thing. A U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier MOORING PIER SIDE for Port of Call or supplies is quite another. I understand how to replenish and such terms as VERT-REP that were traditionally done. Now I ask you if you understand this. The USS COLE IF it was in company of fleet instead of two days away could have taken fuel from a U.S.N.S. oiler OR another ship in company. BUT someone either in the State Department or Pentagon wasn't thinking like a military planner they were thinking like a Diplomat which is the entire problem right now in the Middle East. Understand? I sure do.

[Peach]

Yup. And there is also a famous golfer, I've forgotten his name, who has been contracted to build a golf course over there.

Next time around though, I'll bet they look to people who aren't American. And I wouldn't blame them a bit.

[La Enchiladita]

I like the BBQ grade of foil, cause it makes better hats ;-)

LOL. Thanks for the tip! We are drab in our tinfoil hats compared to the elaborate get-ups the drama queens are wearing on the other side of the room. Not all of them, but a great many...

Point well taken re the pre-9/11 nature of business dealings with Arab nations. That was a greatly different world! On the surface, at least....

[STARWISE]

Bet on it ;).

[Rte66]

Been away all day and just heard local MSM gleefully announcing "Bush's defeat" and "Dubai announced it will not seize control of 6 American ports after all".

This is so pathetic it's almost laughable. *Almost*

[ScreamingFist]

So your idea of a friendship is that it is purely a one way street, that you can insult a friend, slander their reputation, and threaten their economic interests and they should just bend over and take it? So the UAE is suppose to buy Boeing's passenger jets and give the US Navy unlimited use of its ports and we pay that back by kicking them in the a** and if they don't say "Thank you sir, may I have another?" then they're not true friends? I would suggest sir that it is the US that is not a true friend. If your idea of friendship is to screw over a friend and then declare them disloyal when they don't just sit back and take it, then I am glad we're not friends.

Laughable. The US Navy has access to Dubai because they pay for use and because the deal was greased by the worlds most sophisticated F-16, the UAE Block 60.

The UAE will buy the Boeing jets because they're a better product, if they don't the UAE is just cutting off their own nose.

The UAE deals in profit, not nancy pansy ideals such as friendship.....that's why they support the elimination of Israel and 80% of them have a dis-favorable view of Americans in Iraq.

Any other silly premises?

[thoughtomator]

Count on a massive effort to deny your obvious observation...

[countess]

These Dubai lovers weren't screaming about the need for ME pals when the Saudis kicked us out.

[cva66snipe]

Didn't see a sarcasm tag so I'd like to ask ... where would you prefer docking them instead?

Ok good question with a reasonable answer and explanation. Anchor them 2 miles off shore except for U.S.N.S. supply ships. Why? Because of security concerns. In 4 years of Navy time and three major deployments the carrier I was on docked only once pier side in a foreign port and that was late 1970's France with a different political climate than today. Anchor them and run liberty boat launches. Reason? This greatly limits persons access to the ship and gives much more time to respond to an attack. As well it leaves the ship capable of leaving port within minutes on it's own power. It's just plain common sense protocols that served us well for decades.

[cva66snipe]

LOL! so where do you suggest they moor?

Well Duh, How about the same place ships have entered questionable ports for 5 decades. Anchor off cost and run Liberty Launches to & from the shore. This was access is strictly controlled as no one boards the launches but U.S. Navy and Marines. I've spelled out several times in this thread why that should be done.

[Petronski]

You make a fundamental mistake when you equate port safety of Yemen with UAE.

Cole was taking supplies portside because that's how the Clinton administration wanted it. That came from the Oval, not the Pentagon. It was an effort to have a presence in port, to be some kind of good will gesture...suicidally foolish.