Posted on 03/10/2006 2:21:04 PM PST by Stellar Dendrite
The U.S. House of Representatives will forge ahead with a vote on blocking an Arab-owned company from managing U.S. ports, to ensure the firm sheds its U.S. holdings as promised, a leadership spokesman said on Friday.
The Republican-run House's refusal to back away from the showdown vote was another blow to President George W. Bush, who suffered a stinging defeat on Thursday when Dubai Ports World said it intended to back out of the deal his administration had approved.
Reverberations from the political earthquake continued on Friday. The United Arab Emirates broke off talks on a free trade pact with the United States, although a spokeswoman for the U.S. Trade Representative's office said delays are common.
Bush said he was concerned the opposition sent a worrying message to Middle East allies.
"In order to win the war on terror, we have got to strengthen our relationships and friendships with moderate Arab countries in the Middle East," Bush told newspaper editors.
State-owned Dubai Ports World surrendered to unrelenting criticism from both Republicans and Democrats in giving up the management of some terminals at six major U.S. ports.
The UAE company said it would transfer the ports to a U.S. entity at the behest of Dubai's ruler, to allay concerns the deal posed a threat to American national security. Details of the transfer were not outlined.
The White House had hoped the announcement would resolve the unprecedented crisis between Bush and a Congress run by his own party in open revolt.
But Ron Bonjean, spokesman for House Speaker Dennis Hastert, said the House vote on a provision to bar the deal would go ahead on Wednesday or Thursday anyway.
"It's a smart move to keep it (the legislation) in there, in case the Dubai thing doesn't work out," he told Reuters.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The outlook for a Senate vote was less clear. Senate Republican leaders have been trying to avoid one in the near future. Deal critic Sen. Charles Schumer, a New York Democrat, wants more information from the White House.
"If things are as they appear, this is a great victory for national security. But make no mistake, we are going to scrutinize this deal with a fine-tooth comb to make sure the separation between American port operators and Dubai Ports World is complete and security is tight as a drum," he said.
Dubai Ports Chairman Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, asked if the firm would sell the U.S. port management rights, told Reuters: "All this is being worked out by our parties in the States."
But David Hamod, president of the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce, said it would be hard to find a U.S. company to step in.
"The advantage that the overseas company has is economies of scale. They're doing this on a global level and so it will be very difficult to find a U.S. company in this business large enough to take over the operations," Hamod said.
He also said his group was hearing calls for retribution, including keeping Americans out of Arab markets. "But it's a tiny minority of people who are arguing that," he said.
Bush, who had vowed to veto efforts to block the deal, praised the UAE as a committed ally in the war on terrorism.
"I'm concerned about a broader message this issue could send to our friends and allies around the world, particularly in the Middle East," Bush said.
Treasury Secretary John Snow said his department's lawyers were in contact with DP World about its intentions. He also said the political furor was an isolated case, as he tried to limit damage to the U.S. free-trade image.
Larry Sabato, a political science professor at the University of Virginia, said congressional Republicans are running away from Bush this election year.
"In a way, the port deal was a godsend to them," Sabato said. "It allowed them to put a lot of daylight between themselves and a very unpopular president."
A new poll Friday registered another low of 37 percent in Bush's approval rating.
(Additional reporting by Thomas Ferraro, Doug Palmer and Tim Ahmann)
Could be ???
It already is and they are too bleeping stupid to notice
NBC News now:
David Gregory reporting.
America's third largest trading partner in the ME
Nothing looms larger than the political fallout for the Pres.
The reality is people no longer trust Republicans. -political analyist
(Note the word anal is included in that)
Whatever happened with the drunken Gregory phonecall? I haven't heard anything since it happened.
It's past time that the GOP give us a true Conservative as a candadate. If they don't, they can kiss their cozy little power holding @$$'s good bye.
The time is ripe for a 3rd party candidate.
The only good thing is both Republican and Democrat congressman are pretty much equally disliked.
NBC News now:
Good jobs.
Good stock market.
I dont see how the House stepping all over their Johnsons is any reflection on the President.
....that's the problem. This has been orchestrated by both sides to keep things "in balance".
They can't do this sh*t now. It's suicidal for the country during war time.
Have they no decency, have they no honor but to themselves and themselves only...we will see.
The UAE probably no longer have much intel if they are perceived as dealing with the US. And I agree, there are many, many aspects of this deal (including the involvement of Bill Clinton and Madelyn Albright) that are extremely bizarre. I'm not saying it shouldn't have gone through, but I think it needed a lot more examination.
Whoa.
NBC News:
FBI has determined criminal wrongdoing in (NO) levee administration with contracts and nepotism.
Well time to go to Stations of the cross. Before I leave a question to all the War on Islam folks. I know you approve of all this. What is your next brilliant move. Is it to support the removal of all American troops from Iraq. We know their muslim so the whole thing is a waste of time isnt it. Is that the next move as we move forward in this armed clash of civilizations that so many people seem to want.
Are they on the corner with a cell phone?
I'm about at the same place...I have gone from indifference about the hapless Republicans in Congress to near hostility.
Did you see James Carafano on Fox News just now?
He is virutally SNEERING at the stupidity of the people who are against this deal.
He actually said that we are LESS SAFE now that the UAE has pulled out because the UAE had agreed to make changes and security implementations (at their OWN expense) that the U.S. companies will refuse to make!
He also said that the "they'll have access to our security plans" was the dumbest argument of all because the ONLY thing that the company secures is it's OWN CRANES AND BUILDINGS.
Stupid, stupid CONGRESSIONAL MORONS and their STUPID STUPID GOP ENABLERS!
gotta go home will respond later.
"They can't do this sh*t now. It's suicidal for the country during war time.
Have they no decency, have they no honor but to themselves and themselves only...we will see."
Now is the time for all good men to rise to the occasion.
We have had administration changes in this country during times of war before. You are really being overly dramatic about this. It could be a great opportunity to get some real Conservatives in office.
Hello, were you speaking to me?
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