Posted on 03/09/2006 9:55:32 PM PST by jmc1969
It was Karl Rove who conveyed the bad news. President Bush's political adviser called Dubai Ports World said the White House couldn't hold out any longer against congressional pressure to kill the Arab company's plan to acquire freight terminals at six U.S. ports. The initial response of one Dubai executive was: "Who's Karl Rove?" But in the end, political leaders here recognized that it was time to fold a losing hand.
Until Rove's call, Dubai's business leaders had insisted they would fight on. The chairman of Dubai Ports World, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, told me emphatically on Wednesday that his company would do whatever was necessary to convince Congress that the deal posed no security risk -- new investment, additional equipment, more scanning of cargo, special checks of UAE personnel, including himself. But that was before the House Appropriations Committee voted 62 to 2 to kill the deal.
I suspect America will pay a steep price for Congress's rejection of this deal. It sent a message that for all the U.S. rhetoric about free trade and partnerships with allies, America is basically hostile to Arab investment. And it shouldn't be surprising if Arab investors respond in kind.
To appreciate how cockeyed America's Dubai-phobia is, you have to spend a little time here, as I did this week. The truth is, this is one of the few places in the Arab world where things have been going in the right direction -- away from terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism and toward an open, modern economy. That's why congressional opposition came as such a surprise here. People in the UAE think they're America's friends.
Arab radicals will be gloating, admonishing the UAE leaders, "We told you so." But officials here recognize that they're in a common fight with us against al-Qaeda.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
People in the UAE think they're America's friends.
This is tragic. Myopic, political hysteria.
I posted this on another thread. It's from an email to my Congressman:
It is with sadness and regret that I inform you, given your opposition to the DPW deal, I will not be able to support you for reelection to Congress.
The DPW deal was a winner business-wise, diplomatically, and militarily. In my opinion the firestorm against it was started by Schumer, to bolster his standing in the Senate, at the expense of the American people. The display of xenophobic frenzy that this transaction has inspired brings dishonor upon our country and will quite probably have concrete negative consequences for the war on terror.
I will not vote for your Democratic opponent, but neither will I cast my vote for you. Possibly in future elections I will support you, but not in 2006.
It's so sad. It's like facts don't matter anymore.
This will seem like nothing before this war is over.
It is estimated that one ninth of all the world's cranes are in the UAE. Incredible growth.
Check this out. Interesting read on the future of the world wide shipping industry. BTW, did you know that the NY/NJ Port Authority several years ago negotiated a deal with another terminal operator promising to make them the major terminal operation at their installation? It appears the Port Authority and perhaps several politicians have been bought and paid for.
http://rru.worldbank.org/Documents/Toolkits/ports_mod2.pdf
Many of the same people who rightfully damn MSM for leaning Left and being a wing of the democrat party, sure let themselves get duped and now they're celebrating.
What utter fools.
In 3-4 weeks, the author is going to eat those words.
See the link in post #8!
Thanks gbc --- I will read the linked material in the morning!
I am going to write a similar letter also. This was a sad day on so many levels. From damaging our relationship with the UAE, hamoing future trade agreements, how the UAE was screwed twice(on the origianl deal and then on the 45 day review), that the military and their viewpoint was ignored, to our image in the arab war, and that a rider was attached a bill that was for supporting our troops and it was done by a Republican.
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.
One fact remains --- the UAE did not deserve such rotten treatment.
I think you're right.
Facts have been discarded. Never thought I'd see that here on FR, but it's blatant.
If they thought this was good for some votes, let them think again.
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