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.

[cricket]

Thanks for ping on that texasbluebell. . .good for Shumer. . .better than news re he and Reid knocking off one of the own for Senate race!

[CWOJackson]

Ah, the never-ending-story just keeps coming back. Schumer and the press as playing a fiddle and some people are dancing to their tune.

The only thing this does is changes the ownership of a company that has operations (business operations) in some U.S. ports. The ports themselves remain under the control of the local port authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard; these businesses will still operate under the same rules, regulations and oversight they currently do.

The only thing this does it changes ownership from one foreigner to another foreigner.

[Jhohanna]

Thanks for the ping! This is something that we overheard someone in a bar discussing and could find no evidence of! *ACK*!!

[Jhohanna]

Emphasis on STRANGE! :P

[Itzlzha]

OMG! a MUST read *PING!*

From 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

Now, who were the "Cult of Bush" knee-walkers that said that "Port Security" will be handled at the Federal level???

We have benn posting evidence that this is a bad idea...Marine Inspector, your Inside Experience would be MOST helpful right now on this UAE Port scam!

[TXBSAFH]

He won't.

[Itzlzha]

The only thing this does is changes the ownership of a company that has operations (business operations) in some U.S. ports. The ports themselves remain under the control of the local port authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard; these businesses will still operate under the same rules, regulations and oversight they currently do.

Care to respond to Post 32 then? NJ Homeland Security was totally compromised, and I can also direct you to all the recent stories about Illegals working in Defense Dept secure areas, and Ports.

We need to be good 100% of the time, the terrorist need only be lucky once...tilting the playing field to the side of our enemies, and making it easier for them to succeed is NOT smart!

[CWOJackson]

And the actually ownership of these facilities changes absolutely nothing.

[Itzlzha]

And the actually ownership of these facilities changes absolutely nothing.

Would you let a guy who is responsible for robbing apartments "oversee" an Apartment building?

A convicted Rapist "oversee" a Sorority, or an all-women gym?

Or a known Car-thief to "oversee" a Car lot?

But in your opinion, a known terror/terrorist supporting Nation should be allowed to "oversee" 6 East Coast Port operations?

This makes no sense, and the arguments that it's irrelevant make even less sense.

[CWOJackson]

LOL! Chuck Schumer plays the tune and some folks do the dance.

One more time...they aren't overseeing "port" operations, they will be overseeing the operations of businesses located within the port.

[Itzlzha]

One more time...they aren't overseeing "port" operations, they will be overseeing the operations of businesses located within the port.

OK, then answer what I wrote:

Would you let a guy who is responsible for robbing apartments "oversee" an Apartment building?
A convicted Rapist "oversee" a Sorority, or an all-women gym?
Or a known Car-thief to "oversee" a Car lot?

But letting a known terror/terrorist supporting Nation oversee "businesses located within the port" is OK?

Um, the Bin Laden group has business connections everywhere, and paid for AlGore's anti-American diatribe in Saudi Arabia the other day. In SAUDI ARABIA, the Bin Laden Group paid for AlGore's speech!

And you don't think "businesses" might be involved in Terrorism?

No, you'd rather believe that a Terrorist Nation is just looking at 6 East Coast Ports to invest in, as a lark?

[CWOJackson]

You must listen to Michael Savage, he hasn't got a clue about this either.

[Itzlzha]

You must listen to Michael Savage, he hasn't got a clue about this either.

Ah, a non-answer to a direct question....you must be a Klintonista...

See how that works.

Now answer thew question!

And BTW, I don't listen to Savage, but he is right occasionally...unlike the Bush Admin on Borders, Prescription Drug plan, and allowing a Terrorist Supporting Nation to be allowed to Oversee 6 East Coast Ports!

[citizen]

Isn't this Jimmuh Cawter, the Chi-Coms and the Panama Canal all over again? Not eaxctly, but similar in practice.

[CWOJackson]

A non-answer to a non-question. The facts have been laid out over and over again on these threads. That they cannot penetrate your skull is your own problem.

[Stellar Dendrite]

welcome to FR

[Itzlzha]

A non-answer to a non-question. The facts have been laid out over and over again on these threads. That they cannot penetrate your skull is your own problem.

What "facts"? All I've seen is you pooh-poohing those of us who question the deal, and you have said that the UAE Company will only oversee "Business Interests" at the ports!

Let me show you a nice list of "Businesses " in UAE that are linked to Terrorism...this list is from what l;ooks like Oct 2001...

SECURITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE CONCERNING AFGHANISTAN ISSUES FURTHER ADDENDUM

The Committee will continue to maintain an updated list, based on information provided by States and regional organizations, of the individuals and entities designated as being associated with Usama bin Laden, including those in the Al-Qaida organization.

Entities:

Al Baraka Exchange L.L.C., P.O. BOX 3313 Deira Dubai, UAE; P.O. Box 20066, Dubai, UAE

Al-Barakaat, Mogadishu, Somalia; Dubai, UAE

Al-Barakat Finance Group, Dubai, UAE; Mogadishu, Somalia

Al-Barakat Financial Holding Co.Dubai, UAE; Mogadishu, Somalia

Al-Barakat Global Telecommunications (A.K.A. Barakaat Globetelcompany), P.O. Box 3313, Dubai, UAE; Mogadishu, Somalia; Hargeysa, Somalia

A1-Barakat Group Of Companies Somalia Limited (A.K.A.

Al-Barakat Financial Company), P.O. Box 3313, Dubai, UAE; Mogadishu, Somalia

A1-Barakat International (A.K.A. Baraco Co.), Box 2923, Dubai, UAE

Al-Barakat Investments, P.O. Box 3313, Deira, Dubai, UAE

Barakaat Construction Company, P.O. Box 3313, Dubai, UAE

Barakaat Group Of Companies, P.O. Box 3313, Dubai, UAE; Mogadishu, Somalia

Barakaat Telecommunications Co. Somalia, Ltd., P.O. Box 3313, Dubai, UAE

Barakat Banks and Remittances, Mogadishu, Somalia; Dubai, UAE

Barakat Global Telephone Company, Mogadishu, Somalia; Dubai, UAE

Barakat International Companies (BICO), Mogadishu, Somalia; Dubai, UAE

Barakat Refreshment Company, Mogadishu, Somalia; Dubai, UAE

Barako Trading Company, LLC, P.O. Box 3313, Dubai, UAE

Baraka Trading Company, P.O. Box 3313, Dubai, UAE

Parka Trading Company, P.O. Box 3313, Deira, Dubai, UAE

Red Sea Barakat Company Limited, Mogadishu, Somalia; Dubai, UAE

Oh, and the Bin Laden Group...the same Bin Laden Group that just paid for AlGore to do an anti-American Dhimmi speech in Saudi Arabia...is still BIG in the UAE...

Commentary, Mamoun Fandy,
Pacific News Service, May 10, 2004

Editor's Note: No matter how much the Bin Laden family tries to disassociate itself from Osama bin Laden's name and deeds, the construction of the tallest skyscraper in the world -- planned for Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, and to be built by the Bin Laden Group -- can only benefit Osama's stature in the Islamic world.

Perhaps the Bin Ladens should get out of the skyscraper business.

The Bin Laden Construction group recently won a bid to build the tallest skyscraper in the world in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The announcement made front page news in most major Arab media outlets, including the Arab News, the Gulf News and the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat.

And we know that Foggy Bottom is a s Dhimmi as it gets, and Treasury looks only at the $$$, not the Security risks!

IOW, this is as rediculous as it gets!

[CWOJackson]

No, you're about as ridiculous as it gets!

You've posted this info, which has nothing to do with port security, on the other thread where you're doing the Chucky Schumer shuffle. Can you do the Al Sharpton hussle also?

[shield]

bttt