"Here's Johnnie!"
Posted on 02/16/2006 1:40:18 PM PST by Stellar Dendrite
The Bush administration on Thursday rebuffed criticism about potential security risks of a $6.8 billion sale that gives a company in the United Arab Emirates control over significant operations at six major American ports.
Lawmakers asked the White House to reconsider its earlier approval of the deal.
The sale to state-owned Dubai Ports World was "rigorously reviewed" by a U.S. committee that considers security threats when foreign companies seek to buy or invest in American industry, National Security Council spokesman Frederick Jones said.
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, run by the Treasury Department, reviewed an assessment from U.S. intelligence agencies. The committee's 12 members agreed unanimously the sale did not present any problems, the department said.
"We wanted to look at this one quite closely because it relates to ports," Stewart Baker, an assistant secretary in the Homeland Security Department, told The Associated Press. "It is important to focus on this partner as opposed to just what part of the world they come from. We came to the conclusion that the transaction should not be halted."
The unusual defense of the secretive committee, which reviews hundreds of such deals each year, came in response to criticism about the purchase of London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co.
The world's fourth-largest ports company runs commercial operations at shipping terminals in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia.
Four senators and three House members asked the administration Thursday to reconsider its approval. The lawmakers contended the UAE is not consistent in its support of U.S. terrorism-fighting efforts.
"The potential threat to our country is not imagined, it is real," Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla., said in a House speech.
The Homeland Security Department said it was legally impossible under the committee's rules to reconsider its approval without evidence DP World gave false information or withheld vital details from U.S. officials. The 30-day window for the committee to voice objections has ended.
DP World said it had received all regulatory approvals.
"We intend to maintain and, where appropriate, enhance current security arrangements," the company said in a statement. "It is very much business as usual for the P&O terminals" in the United States.
In Dubai, the UAE's foreign minister described his country as an important U.S. ally but declined to respond directly to the concerns expressed in Washington.
"We have worked very closely with the United States on a number of issues relating to the combat of terrorism, prior to and post Sept. 11," Sheik Abdullah Bin Zayed al-Nahyan told The Associated Press.
U.S. lawmakers said the UAE was an important transfer point for shipments of smuggled nuclear components sent to Iran, North Korea and Libya by a Pakistani scientist, Abdul Qadeer Khan. They also said the UAE was one of only three countries to recognize the now-toppled Taliban as Afghanistan's legitimate government.
The State Department describes the UAE as a vital partner in the fight against terrorism. Dubai's own ports have participated since last year in U.S. efforts to detect illegal shipments of nuclear materials.
Rep. Vito Fossella, R-N.Y., urged congressional hearings on the deal.
"At a time when America is leading the world in the war on terrorism and spending billions of dollars to secure our homeland, we cannot cede control of strategic assets to foreign nations with spotty records on terrorism," Fossella said.
Critics also have cited the UAE's history as an operational and financial base for the hijackers who carried out the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
"Outsourcing the operations of our largest ports to a country with a dubious record on terrorism is a homeland security and commerce accident waiting to happen," said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. "The administration needs to take another look at this deal."
Separately, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said Thursday it will conduct its own review of the deal and urged the government to defend its decision.
In a letter to the Treasury Department, Port Authority chairman Anthony Coscia said the independent review by his agency was necessary "to protect its interests."
The lawmakers pressing the White House to reconsider included Sens. Schumer, Tom Coburn, R-Okla., Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., and Chris Dodd, D-Conn., and Reps. Foley, Fossella and Chris Shays, R-Conn.
Bin Laden's operatives still using freewheeling DubaiDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Osama bin Laden's operatives still use this freewheeling city as a logistical hub three years after more than half the Sept. 11 hijackers flew directly from Dubai to the United States in the final preparatory stages for the attack.
The recent arrest of an alleged top al-Qaeda combat coach is the latest sign that suspected members of the terrorist organization are among those who take advantage of travel rules that allow easy entry. Citizens of neighboring Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia can come to Dubai without visas, which other nationalities can get at the country's ports of entry.
Once here, it's easy to blend in to what has become a cosmopolitan crowd.
The Emirates is home to an estimated 4 million people, and nearly 75% of them are foreigners. In Dubai, expatriates of all nationalities are catered to, from concerts by top Western musicians to cricket and rugby matches to a German-styled Oktoberfest.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2004-09-02-terror-dubai_x.htm
The articles I have seen on this topic have not yet to what degree Dubai will be responsible for security or what kind of American supervision they'll be under.
I suspect their aim (and Schumer's) is just to demoagogue the right and inflame them against Bush. Clever and effective.
At an EGM held in London this afternoon, the shareholders voted over 99% in favour of the DP World acquisition.
This means that the process of transferring ownership can now begin, and we expect for this to be confirmed by the court on 2nd March 2006."
Now DPW has the North American Piece....
Look at the map!
Now they really own the world! DPW is a global monopoly!!
DP World operates container terminals and related businesses around the world. To learn more about our individual terminal facilities, click on a location on the map, or use the menu on the left.
AMAZING!!!
These guys could smuggle Afghan heroin to any of their global ports without getting caught. (Via oil tankers and local payoffs.)
this deal will be scrubbed, Peter King was on Levin tonight talking about it his work to kill it.
What are they THINKING??????? I am a VERY big supporter and backer of Bush, but sometimes I just don't get whathe is doing.......sad.
So if this guy's wrong, is he liable to be shot as an accessory to terrorism? Or even fired? Or a black mark in his file? Paid vacation?
congrats on your 1 year anniversary here at FR!! :)
So you supported Bush's stomping the First Amendment and dumping a trillion-dollar burden on our backs for his stupid "free" pills for greedy geezers vote-buying scam?
I hope you are right.. 'Dubai, which owns and controls the acquiring company in this case, has been named as a key transfer point for shipments of nuclear components that were shipped to Iran, North Korea, and Libya, which were sold by Pakistan's nuclear scientist AQ Khan.' they were only 1 of 3 countries (including Pakistan & Saudi Arabia) that recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.
Plus, 'UAE are talking about expanding trade opportunities with Iran' (while the rest of the world is considering sanctions).
They definitely are not consistent on the WOT. Not the security I want at our Ports.
heck, maybe we should just put them in charge of Airport Security, yea.yea...that's the ticket...
I'm confused. Are they already in the ports here or are we going to be one of the six ports they are talking about.
Your islamofacist cover is blown.
"Here's Johnnie!"
There is a deal going on for DPW to purchase PO Nedlloyd's operations. With that purchase will be PO Nedlloyd's contracts of North American Ports. Currently PO Nedlloyd (a UK firm) operates out of 6 US Ports : Baltimore, NJ, NY, Miami, New Orleans, Phili.
But, the US has the right and authorization to block the sale if they do not want DPW to handle our ports. That is what this arguement is about. A whitehouse committe, ok'ed it, and now DC Lawmakers are disagreeing with the decision. (FIGHT IT, FIGHT IT!) The contract is scheduled for this week.
Thanks. Time to call Specter and Santorum tomorrow.
you need to direct your questions to the company that paid 6.8 billion plus millions in kickbacks to control our ports as to how much they will control. I would say they will control about as much as 10 billion will buy.
Obviously it was important to these billionaire muslims to spend some of their billions to have a recognized presence at our strategic ports .
A question. Aren't those ports, locally controlled and the local port authority could refuse or not renew the contracts.
That's what I'm afraid of.
"However, are you one of those who do not agree in having any ally at all in the Muslim world?"
When a muslim nation openly and publicly denounces terrorism marching in the streets and protesting terrorism around the world I will consider this nation as an ally. I have not seen this activity occur in Dubai. Have you?
I agree with him. Bushbot, me? LOL!
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