A PERFECT description of each and every Dane post!
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.
In 2003 CSX World got their 1st US Contract in Jacksonville, Florida to devleop, manage, and operate this 35 acre port. Dubai purchased CSX World Terminals last year.
So, they've been eyeing US operations for some time.
On this issue, Tony Snow is full of it. Lame-brained excuses for this appalling lapse of judgment are inexcusable.
He's thinking of that Arab money for his Presidential library.
Following Clinton's 2nd term example.
From the 2/12 AP report:
The Bush administration considers the UAE an important ally in the fight against terrorism since the suicide hijackings and is not objecting to Dubai Ports World's purchase of London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co.
The $6.8 billion sale is expected to be approved Monday. The British company (London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co.) is the fourth largest ports company in the world and its sale (to Dubai Ports World) would affect commercial U.S. port operations in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia.
Just a few major ports involved, but what the heck, business is business, right? -- and we know that Muslim nations never attempt to use their unearned oil booty to spread Islam here -- just look at Saudi Arabia.
In other news, "Qatar-based Al-Jazeera Television has announced a deal with the Dubai-based ARY Digital Network to launch an Urdu-language satellite TV channel targeting over 110 million Urdu speakers globally, the Qatari newspaper Gulf Times reported on 26 January." Ho-hum, not a problem; Dubai is an ally, and Al Jazeera is simply an objective, unbiased broadcasting company.
I can't help you with the details of "arrangements for monitoring and inspection," but I would suspect the security is about as effective as it is on our southern border. Just a hunch.
"No, sorry chum. You're alone. I haven't seen anyone else drop the term "Islamofascist" at the drop of a hat."
Sorry pal. I figure anyone supporting having muslims in charge of our strategic ports must be an islamofascist. I simply can't imagine any right minded red blooded american supporting such a maniacal and suicidal maneuver. So for me,
you truly are with us or against us. Since you argue in favor of muslims running our strategic ports, I figure you are against us. Your cover is blown.
Before you get too sarcastic, I've learned on another thread that the company will not be operating the ports.
They are not "acquiring" any port as has been reported. Rather, they have bought one of many terminals.
Seems to me a lot more facts need to be learned before we swallow the MSM and Schumer's words. If you are right, and they are operating ports, that's another story. But I'm not sure you are correct.
Take a hike, idiot. You're not worth any time.
Oh, and now FR's residend sock-monkey on Illegal Infiltrators is also a Business Expert!
Tell me Dane, just how long do Multi-National business deals with price tags of over 1 Billion dollars take? Is it your position that this deal MAGICALLY occured AFTER John Snow left, without Snow EVER having heard or worked on said deal?
Because I'll bet John Snow was still head of CSX when this deal idea was floated, researched, and negotiations began!
And you don't think it's at all troubling that these CEO's that have MAJOR connections to DP World were put into positions of authority in areas that DP World would need?
You are as useless in this as you are in any argument...maybe John Snow should give up HIS "Golden Parachute" from CSX, just like you demanded that Charlie Daniels give up his royalties on a 34 year old song!
Because Snow's hands look MIGHTY dirty here, more than Charlie's!
"They are not "acquiring" any port as has been reported. Rather, they have bought one of many terminals."
Funny then how other stories are titled "Taking Over..."
seems to me 6.8 billion is a lot of money for one little terminal. Methinks you attempt to deceive.
Meantime, here are some true facts:
Since the Sept. 11 attacks, the FBI has said the money for the strikes was transferred to the hijackers primarily through the UAE's banking system, and much of the operational planning for the attacks took place inside the UAE.
Many of the hijackers traveled to the U.S. through the UAE. Also, the hijacker who steered United Airlines flight into the World Trade Center's south tower, Marwan al-Shehhi, was born in the UAE.
After the attacks, U.S. Treasury Department officials complained about a lack of cooperation by the UAE and other Arab countries trying to track Osama bin Laden's bank accounts.
– The UAE was one of three countries in the world to recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.
– The UAE has been a key transfer point for illegal shipments of nuclear components to Iran, North Korea and Lybia.
– According to the FBI, money was transferred to the 9/11 hijackers through the UAE banking system.
– After 9/11, the Treasury Department reported that the UAE was not cooperating in efforts to track down Osama Bin Laden’s bank accounts.
Remember all the fun with "meaning of 'is'"? Same thing with "meaning of 'with'" (or "for," or "against" -- pick your word).
Actually, you are close. I ran that Bush speech thru the disgronifier...here's the results...
'If you're not with us {or buying us out, or an Illegal from Mexico, or part of my new Globalist Strategy, or one of my Arab Masters}, you're against us".
A PERFECT description of each and every Dane post!
LOL!
Funny how you swallow "news stories" as gospel. But then...most small minded people do.
Meantime, below are some true facts regarding the UAE which if not stopped will have major control of 6 of our strategic ports in the United States. It would be odd how you only touched on news stories while failing to comment on the real facts regarding the UAE...but since your cover is blown as an islamofascist, there's really nothing odd about your response at all.
Let's review these UAE facts again shall we? Maybe you can drum up some way to defend your islamofascist brethren against these as well?
Since the Sept. 11 attacks, the FBI has said the money for the strikes was transferred to the hijackers primarily through the UAE's banking system, and much of the operational planning for the attacks took place inside the UAE.
Many of the hijackers traveled to the U.S. through the UAE. Also, the hijacker who steered United Airlines flight into the World Trade Center's south tower, Marwan al-Shehhi, was born in the UAE.
After the attacks, U.S. Treasury Department officials complained about a lack of cooperation by the UAE and other Arab countries trying to track Osama bin Laden's bank accounts.
– The UAE was one of three countries in the world to recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.
– The UAE has been a key transfer point for illegal shipments of nuclear components to Iran, North Korea and Lybia.
– According to the FBI, money was transferred to the 9/11 hijackers through the UAE banking system.
– After 9/11, the Treasury Department reported that the UAE was not cooperating in efforts to track down Osama Bin Laden’s bank accounts.
But, they didn't.
Port security is a joke. Whoever owns the port can, pretty much, do what they like with nobody the wiser.
Gotta agree with the dems this time....W is pulling a Harriet.
International Terminal Operating Company, Inc. (ITO) was founded in 1921 by Captain Franz Jarka. Originally called The Jarka Corporation, the company specialized in handling freight and passengers in the Port of New York. Soon, The Jarka Corporation expanded its services to encompass the ports of Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Hampton Roads, Virginia. In 1962, ITO was acquired by Ogden Corporation. In 1983, the company merged with John W. McGrath Corporation, which included Atlantic and Gulf Stevedores, Inc. and integrated their North Atlantic and Gulf Coast operations. Ogden and McGrath continued to share ownership of ITO.ITO opened its first public container handling facility in 1967, and it was among the first to utilize computers in its terminal operations. The company used the latest technology to coordinate all its port activities, including receiving and delivery functions, cargo documentation, and terminal security. ITO worked with many of the largest container, break-bulk, and specialized cargo carriers in the world and became one of the largest stevedores and marine terminal operators in the United States. In 1999 the United Kingdom-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co. (P&O) acquired ITO. The company then became part of P&O Ports, one of P&O's many subsidiaries. P&O Port's operations spanned 17 countries around the globe. In all, P&O Ports ran 24 container terminals in 84 ports.
And now, of course, Dubai Ports World (DP World) is the proud owner of the former P&O.
And as noted in Forbes (during the bidding war for acquisition of P&O):
DP World made the first formal approach for P&O in November, when it offered 3.3 billion pounds ($5.9 billion) for the 165-year-old company.A deal would make the combined company the third-largest ports operator in terms of capacity, lifting DP World up from its current rank as No. 7.
Not to worry, it's just a little bit of the camel's nose under the tent, eh?
Absolutely wrong. Don't hyperbolize. It ruins your credibiity.
You seem to have some trouble with facts.
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