White House Defends Port Sale to Arab Co.

Associated Press/Breitbart ^ | 2-16-2006 | By TED BRIDIS and DEVLIN BARRETT

[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.

[Dane]

It is painful to find myself in agreement with Schumer on anything. I think this decision is truly insane. I don't care what the rationale is- I usually support the adminstration- but this idea is just asking for trouble.

How come if chuckie schumer is all of the sudden so concerned with port security run by foreigners, how come he wasn't up in arms since it was being run by a British company before, and not all Brits are good, just look at george galloway. BTW, DP World will operate one half of a port container port with a Danish company.

P & O Ports operates the New York City Passenger Ship Terminal and owns a 50 percent interest in the Port Newark Container Terminal, which is the third-largest cargo terminal on the Port Authority's property. The other half-interest is owned by a subsidiary of Maersk Line, which is based in Denmark.

Link

Yes, you can have your concerns but do some research first before listening to a politician who falls in love with every TV camera there is(chuck schumer). And I bet if Halliburton was taking over the contract, chuckie schumer would be screaming 100 times louder.

[Barney Gumble]

Although Schumer is likely doing it purely for political reasons, I definitely agree with him.

I think Bush has started to believe his own lies about a noble religion of peace...adn that the UAE is a "partner in peace."

Tom Coburn is hands-down the best senator in Congress.

[sasha123]

Dane, one of the responsibilities will be to hire and maintain port security, unloading ships, warehousing, etc. Currently, the Port Authority only inspect 20% of the shipments coming in, so that leaves a whole 80% inspection and security of our shipments to Dubai, if this goes through.

[takenoprisoner]

"And, no, not everyone who doesn't bow to Islam is an idiot. There are lots of brave soldiers fighting Islamic terror who are not bowing who are not idiots. There are lots of intellectuals fighting the modern crusades and well they should who are not idiots. There are lots of christians who are not bowing to Islam but instead are praying for Muslim souls to find truth who are not idiots.

Only reactionaries like you are idiots."
___________________________________________________________

Thank you....I am proud to be a soldier idiot. And, my
s-n-l just home from Iraq walked in just as I posted to you last night. He told me to thank you from another proud soldier idiot.

In fact, if you look around you here on this thread there many "idiots" who believe it wrong to have muslims involved in any measure of control at our strategic ports.

ANY MEASURE OF CONTROL!!!!!
Now go away islamofascist back to your own country.

[Dane]

Dane, one of the responsibilities will be to hire and maintain port security, unloading ships, warehousing, etc. Currently, the Port Authority only inspect 20% of the shipments coming in, so that leaves a whole 80% inspection and security of our shipments to Dubai, if this goes through

Not exactly 80%, there are other companies that operate in those ports. Yes a Dubai company can be a concern, but could you stop the talking point that Dubai is "taking over" the ports when they are not. You hurt your side with such rehtoric.

Look at reply #201, DP World will be operating one container port of many at the NJ port with a Danish company.

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

On Tony Snow's program he has been talking about how this company will in no way be responsible for security matters. The responsibility for these ports, and all ports for that matter, rests with the Feds. Snow believes that this is simply a ploy by the Dems to kowtow to big labor.

[atlaw]

The DNC spin being put on the story by Asso Propagana is a fraud. It is being implied that they are taking over port security. NO THEY DO NOT.

The sale was to state-owned Dubai Ports World. In today's Houston Chronicle there is this statement regarding DP World's intended operations:

DP World said it had received all regulatory approvals. "We intend to maintain and, where appropriate, enhance current security arrangements," the company said.

Oops.

In addition, exactly how are suggesting that management of operations is somehow miraculously segregated from security.

[atlaw]

See post 208.

[sasha123]

A ploy by the democrats?? What about Tom Coburn R-OKLA, Chris Shays, R-Conn, Vito Fossella R-NY, and Mark Foley, R-FLA ??? They are 4 of the 7 lawmakers involved in going to Sect Snow to try and stop the contract or request more time for investigation.

[Siena Dreaming]

Now go away islamofascist back to your own country

What country is that? How can I "go back to my contry" whe I am already in the US? Man, you are sincerely one dumb person.

[Siena Dreaming]

In fact, if you look around you here on this thread there many "idiots"

No, sorry chum. You're alone. I haven't seen anyone else drop the term "Islamofascist" at the drop of a hat.

Some "idiots" have called President Bush this because he has Muslim allies even though he is leading the WOT. LOL. You are probably one of them.

[Siena Dreaming]

On Tony Snow's program he has been talking about how this company will in no way be responsible for security matters. The responsibility for these ports, and all ports for that matter, rests with the Feds. Snow believes that this is simply a ploy by the Dems to kowtow to big labor.

Interesting comments from Snow. This makes sense. I'll still have to hear more about it, but I suspect that Schumer and reporters are in league to misreport the facts; as usual, many Freepers will make a judgement before learning the facts.

[houeto]

When Bush Sr. told us we are entering a New World Order, he wasn't bu!!shi!!ng.

[SE Mom]

I don't give a good damn about Schumer. Nor do I care if it's 1/10th of 1% of our ports that this UAE company will be responsible for, or if there are some bad Brits in the world.

It's a bad decision, period.

This reminds me of a chat with a neighbor the other day as I saw him walking his new pit bull puppy. He told me "this kind of pit is bred for gentleness". He then admitted to a bad experience with the same kind of pit in the past. So- in spite of the history he's had- he's inviting another potential threat into his home.

This is not ignorance- it's stupid and reckless- as is this decision with the UAE company.

[atlaw]

This particular piece of spin -- that DP World will have no responsibility for security -- is remarkable hogwash. I just posted an article from today's Houston Chronicle that states the following:

DP World said it had received all regulatory approvals. "We intend to maintain and, where appropriate, enhance current security arrangements," the company said.

Furthermore, no one seems able to explain how the company in charge of operations at a port will somehow be miraculously segregated from security.

We are witnessing a blunder of historic proportions, and we're making apologies for it and inventing patently ridiculous stories about it. I'm flabbergasted.

[Siena Dreaming]

DP World said it had received all regulatory approvals. "We intend to maintain and, where appropriate, enhance current security arrangements," the company said.

Well, someone on this thread said that Tony Snow reported that the Feds are still overseeing security. Your quote above may imply that the company is talking about compliance. Like I said earlier, I'll have to learn more before I jump to any conclusions. I don't rely on what Chuck Schumer says, that's for sure.

The Republican reps are right when they ask for more investigation. It doesn't hurt to know more of the facts.

[Stellar Dendrite]

"Are the same senators that are opposed to this the same ones that are giving Bush grief about wiretapping? "

is tom coburn giving bush grief about wiretapping?

[chris1]

You must have stock in J&J for all the vaseline.

[atlaw]

Well, someone on this thread said that Tony Snow reported that the Feds are still overseeing security.

Oh honestly. This is the most patently ridiculous excuse imaginable. A state-owned company of the United Arab Emirates will be operating the ports, but not to worry, because the Feds, in addition to policing the cargo, will also be policing the dockworkers, the company responsible for handling the cargo, and the company responsible for hiring the dockworkers. Please.

Operations cannot be segregated from security, and to imagine that the two can be miraculously segregated is to lapse whole hog into fantasy.