Posted on 02/14/2006 8:07:22 PM PST by ncountylee
Feb. 14--The Bush administration was urged yesterday to take another look at a deal that would turn over operation of two marquee New York Harbor ports to Dubai, a nation with ties to the 9/11 hijackers.
The emirate-owned Dubai Ports World finalized a $6.8 billion deal yesterday to buy the English firm P&O Ports, which now runs Manhattan's cruise-ship terminal on the West Side and the Port Authority's Newark Container Port, as well as ports in New Orleans, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Miami.
"If a terrorist organization decided to infiltrate this company... what would stop them?" asked Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).
Schumer said the Department of Homeland Security should slow down the deal, approved by the U.S. Treasury department's secretive Committee on Foreign Investment.
Dubai has become one of the White House's close allies in the war on terror, but many of the 9/11 hijackers passed through the country and had cash wired from there.
"Foreign control of our ports which are vital to homeland security is a risky proposition," Schumer said.
Ports are considered one of the nation's weakest security links, with only about 5 percent of the cargo coming in inspected.
City officials did not comment last night, but a PA spokesman said the agency agreed with Schumer.
"We need to take a real close look at security before we approve such a company," said Steve Coleman.
He said that as landlord, the PA could boot Dubai.
(Excerpt) Read more at redorbit.com ...
The Port Authority can over rule the Dubai take over.
I hope so, because I hate to agree with Sen Scheemer.
Old Chucky is talking sense for once. If Bush OK'd this, that is a serious lapse in judgement.
If Chucky Cheese Schumer is saying this, I think we, and W. should listen. And no, I am not being sarcastic.
PING!!!!!
Somebody better overrule it. When it comes to border/immigration/port entry security issues President Bush is strangely naive.
I wonder if he's talked with al Gore who was recently in Saudi Arabia complaining, whining, piss*ng and moaning about the Administration not letting Saudis into the US as if they were from Canada.
My suspicious mind wonders if somebody got paid off to approve this deal.
Yes, Chuckie is right.
How about the Junior Senator from New York? What does she thing of it?
Dammit... how'd we let Schumer take up this fight! What the f**k is going on! Quit doing business with the damn Muslims and let the cards fall where they will.
Just when you thought nothing could suck worse than the COSCO/Long Beach deal...
I never thought I would agree with Schmucky, but I do. This sounds ridiculously risky. What is the deal?
Rarely do I agree with Chuck's politics but on this one it's almost impossible to say he's wrong.
what's that all about
This isn't the first time this President has been wrong. He bows to foreign interests over American interests every time.
Kind of like the lack of border security, Isreal policy, Harriet Myers.....
Thanks for stating the obvious.
Listen to Al Gore go insane to the Saudi's. Listen to James Baker kiss up to the Saudi's....
Our Arab "allies" own us.
Me too...now I have to shower again.
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