Posted on 03/12/2006 2:59:23 AM PST by PrinceOfCups
DP World will not manage six ports in the US as initially agreed, but the aborted deal has achieved for Dubai an outstanding triumph by any yardstick.
First, and as Ghassan Tahboub, media manager in the executive office of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said, it is an invaluable lesson. "It was an exercise you have to live with, win and then learn from. This was America. There are lobbies, politics and interest groups, and Dubai found itself in the middle of a jungle. In the end I have to thank everybody there for this lesson," he said.
Then, Dubai has gained the greatest international publicity possible and people anywhere can now name the emirate that has laid bare an obstinate mindset of racial discrimination and ethnic prejudice that no public relations gloss will ever cover.
It has also shown beyond any doubt that its amazing success story has never been a cheat and that the geographically small emirate could now compete with the most advanced economies of the world.
Cairo in the 1950s and Beirut in the 1960s succeeded to define trends, but it was mainly on political issues. Dubai in the 2000s thanks to its pro-globalisation trends is showing values that promote success and prowesses that indicate leadership and triumph.
Dubai has demonstrated that while it is moving vibrantly ahead with globalisation, other countries that have always championed free trade are now shackled by a xenophobic tsunami and are likely to feed a global backlash against globalisation.
It has shown the world that the US economic anxieties are being senselessly fuelled by nationalist sentiments that seem to be inexorably on the rise.
The port deal debacle has also proven that Dubai possesses a broader mind than the US when it comes to welcoming and promoting investments and that its openness is genuine and not decided by race or creed.
Last week, US Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez told Gulf News in Manama that the decision against DP World was not racially motivated. Either he was not aware of the strong anti-Arab powers within his own country or he did not wish to hurt our feelings.
Either way, the truth is here for everyone to see and contemplate: Dubai is an economic power that is re-writing books and all those who opposed the port deal should think in that direction and should appreciate that it too can cancel deals.
US economists were quick to bandwagon the belief that the flap over the ports acquisition is unlikely to make a consequential dent in foreign investment flows into their country. But Arab analysts predict that this unwarranted hostility will certainly affect Arab investments in the US and will make US assets less attractive to Arab buyers.
Economically, DP World's takeover was never a special case: a state-owned company from the Middle East is buying an American asset already managed by a non-American entity. Suddenly, ethnicity, tainted by hostility and envy, and not a proven success record, became the guidelines to assess the deal.
America has always been comfortable with most multinationals that invested in the United States because they came from Western countries and are unlikely to be subject to such scrutiny. However, the United States is obviously becoming a less welcoming place for investment from Arab countries.
The port deal opponents should appreciate that their public statements might secure them some political benefits, but will most certainly have grave economic consequences.
How about this letter I dont think yours doesnt do the trick
Dear Emir
Thank God the Monarchy has more class, wisdom, tact, and good ole fashion horse sense than our United States Congress. Perhaps getting rid of King George the III was a mistake after all. Can you please trade us one of your Sultans for Speaker Hassert. Who for some reason we were led to believe was a believer in free trade. He def did not represent the interest of Boeing Corporation well which is strange since their World Headquarters is there. Well its only jobs. Our Congressman could be a great trade so you can learn the great America art of "hot air".
Thanks
PS please keep financing our debt, sharing intelligence, being a beacon of stability, and damn it keep the oil running you stinking muslims
Thanks again from your Partner on the war on terror.
thanks
They have no one to blame but themselves; their behavior contributed to terror attacks against us and to the nuclear threats we face now, and it's only sensible to limit how much we trust them with. It is not bigotry, but rather the kind of discrimination exercised by good judgement, that takes notice of the UAE's despotic nature and Islamic creed, and that remembers that our ports are particularly vulnerable as it is. It seems to be the same reasoning that says, well, 10 million Mexicans are already here illegally, so what does it matter if a million more come over the border every year?
The people have given a consistent message that real border security is a serious priority. It is not our fault that the administration is working at cross purposes to our priority in this arena.
"people anywhere can now name the emirate that has laid bare an obstinate mindset of racial discrimination and ethnic prejudice"
- LOL
First. Why cant we have one thread on the UAE or anything else for that matter without the darn ole Mexicans being talked about. There more threads on Mexicans on FR at times than Americans.
Second
Lets not forget our sterling behavior that contributed to 911. I know that the poor ole UAE recognized them once but we seem to for get we were quite friendly with in the 80's. Just like we still recognized good ole Hussian till the day he was bouncing terrified british kids on his knee on Tv and had invaded Kuwait. PErhaps we should all get off our high horse here. UAE folks are too thrilled with Iran. Thats the reason why "the Great Satan" has so many assets on UAE soil.
I dunno about Dubai specifically, but I'd take a free-market monarchy over a socialistic democracy any day.
Mexicans are being talked about because opposition to that is the same as the opposition to the ports deal. We are not willing to sell out our nation's security for economic benefits, and that's the point of difference with those who support the open border policy.
That darned pesky 'Patriotism', and self-preservation instinct getting in the way again...
Another American-bashing article from someone overseas. (yawn).
This deal wasnt about National security. However the rejection of this deal might put our security at risk because the tool of commerce might be harder to play in the region. I think this whole UAE thing has been used by people to promote a particular immigration view. It should have been kept seperate.
Try arguing the merits of your position, instead of engaging in personal attacks - you'll go farther in winning support for your views.
Good Idea. Check it out.
I think it's very likely the GOP pays bloggers to post on this and other sites, don't you? If they'd pay Armtrong Williams...
They already do. Israels largest shipping company Zim is a partner of DP World. Israel Has a office there.
a) import operations being integral to security;
b) the President's reputation for not taking our borders seriously
c) the relationship of Islam - the national religion of the UAE - to terrorism, which is the reason for all this security in the first place.
Not to concede your first two points but let me focus on your third. Islam is not to blame for this. Radical Islamist are to blame there is a difference. The UAE hasnt had a terror attack there in years. They also keep the Wahabbism stuff out to a large degree. There is a difference. In fact its a difference that should be rewarded.
I hope you're right...BTW, where can I buy a pair of rose colored glass like you have on ;-)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.