Coming from you that's rich.
Rich indeed.
If we were going to inventory all of the useless members of FreeRepublic, you would be at the top of the list-or the bottom, depending upon which criteria were used-somewhere between Blackelk and Protagoras.
(Wam)
13 March 2006
DUBAI — The visiting US Congressional delegation praised the US-UAE relations and expressed its determination to maintain their partnership with the UAE.
The delegation from Georgia — US Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, and Representatives Phil Gingrey and John Linder — who earlier met His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also met Director of Dubai Customs Ahmed Butti, and saw a demonstration of the container security operation at Port Rashid. They also met Executive Chairman Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation Sultan bin Suleyem.
After meeting Shaikh Mohammad, Senator Chambliss said: “We had very positive meetings in the UAE with the government leadership as well as management of Dubai Ports World. We value the relationship between the UAE and the United States and we have worked very closely together in fighting the global war on terror.
“It is critically important that we continue our partnership and work side by side in fighting terrorism and on the upcoming trade agreement.”
“On the particular transaction on the port situation, the Prime Minister showed tremendous leadership in urging Dubai Ports World to transfer the operation of the ports to a US-owned entity. We now have the opportunity to move forward in our relationship and continue to work together as partners on our priorities.”
Senator Chambliss said the level of professionalism in Dubai “was just stunning”.
Senator Isakson thanked the leadership “for understanding the sensitivity of the situation. “In one day,” he said, “We received a college education about the UAE.
“The UAE is our partners in the war on terrorism, and we have a mutually beneficial and multi-faceted relationship. Because there was a firestorm of controversy concerning the ports deal, we decided to come to Dubai to learn the facts for ourselves,” he added.
Referring to the Dubai Ports controversy, Congressman Linder said: “This project was publicised in November and no one responded. In March, it became a political issue, the democrats trying to show they are strong on national Security and the Republicans trying to respond.”
“In the future,” he said, “These things should be measured on facts, not on emotions.”
Congressman Gingrey said the process certainly would have been better had Congress been informed. People are still fearful, but it is important for the American people to better understand the UAE. The UAE has been very helpful in the war or terror. “This country is not part of the problem, rather it is part of the solution,” he asserted.