Senator Urges Bush to Consider Ramifications of Dubai Ports Deal [Schumer]

Daily News/redorbit ^ | 14 February 2006 | Michael McAuliff

[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.

[Siena Dreaming]

He bows to foreign interests over American interests every time

Every time? Brother. Gimmee a break.

[binkdeville]

First time I EVER heard CHUCK make any sense at all ..Bad idea on Bush's part for sure..What a dumb ass idea that is ..is he for real ? In NYC of all places too..UNREAL !!!!

[Marius3188]

Are you talking about COSCO/Long Beach deal? Only leasing property to a Communist Country. Here is a old article.

http://www.thenewamerican.com/tna/1997/vo13no10/vo13no10_cosco.htm

[takenoprisoner]

I despise schumer beyond description...let's just say when I hear him speak I want to barf...but now I find myself praising him as the only politician trying to save our ports from hamas control.

What can anyone say when the POTUS is willing to turnover our strategic ports to our sworn enemies? Make no mistake, muslims are our sworn enemies. Borders do not seem to be a Bush specialty and now he is selling our ports to muslim terrorists.

beam me up scotty

[WestTexasWend]

Back when BJ was in the White House (and totally unrelated to campaign contributions from the Peoples Republic, I'm sure), the Red Chinese tried to lease the port at Long Beach, CA. IIRC, both Boxer and Feinstein ultimately stepped up and opposed it. Here's what I saved on it, but I'm sure you can google for more >>>

http://www.conservativeusa.org/longbch.htm

Anyway, that deal stunk & was stopped. This deal stinks even more and needs bi-partisan killing.

[janetgreen]

"Compassionate Conservative" = anti-American Sell-out!

BTTT!

[Stellar Dendrite]

thanks!

[Stellar Dendrite]

i thought it was "either you are with us or you're against us"

now its "either you're with us or we'll let you oversee our ports"

[takenoprisoner]

"i thought it was "either you are with us or you're against us"

Depends on how you define "us?"

[festus]

Yah I'm with Chuckie on this one and that's very confusing to me.............

[Calpernia]

Port Authority, port authority....

Ah yes, the Port Authority that Charles Kushner was commissioner of....

The same Charles Kushner that sponsored Golan Cipel and helped get him in charge of NJ's homeland security....

Yes, I'm sure our port authority will be on this!

and that there are no deals with financial interests involved!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1519343/posts
Dubai Royals Snatch Up Manhattan Real Estate

[SweetCaroline]

BUMP

[DoughtyOne]

I've seen a lot of comments on this thread addressing Bush's take on this situation. I'm not convinced it's hit his radar yet. Some may argue that it has, but I haven't seen that nailed down. Check this out.

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.

It looks like some dum bass committe whose members would turn their own mothers out for prostitution if they thought it would further globalism, went postal and approved this deal. That sucks! For the record, Bush hasn't exactly been 'slow as you go' when it comes to globalism. I'm still willing to cut him some slack if he would only take a stand against this. If he doesn't, it will soon become an issue where his decision process will be on the record as being severely flawed. I hope he reviews this and shows common sense regarding the issue. If not, it will simply be one more nail in the coffin of his credibility on domestic issues.

[rollo tomasi]

I feel dirty that I agree with schumer.

Hopefully the deal will be called off.

$6.8 billion says it won't unless the powers that be stop the transaction.

[veronica]

In the area of courting the Islamists, Bush-Rice have been boneheaded lately. They have brought us Hamasistan (which, embarrassingly they must now undo) and now this. I support President Bush but in the area, he's been a disappointment lately. It's a strange kinda day when Chuck Schumer is right and Bush is wrong, but facts are facts.

[texasbluebell]

Yes, Savage has been all over this, thank heavens.

Cricket, bumping this to you. Schumer of all people is speaking out!

[trubluolyguy]

Why is Schumer making sense and our President NOT making sense by allowing the convertibles to take over our ports?

[Teacher317]

What's to stop terrorist infiltration of the current companies?