Posted on 02/19/2006 8:44:08 AM PST by radar101
Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff on Sunday defended the government's security review of an Arab company given permission to take over operations at six major U.S. ports.
"We make sure there are assurances in place, in general, sufficient to satisfy us that the deal is appropriate from a national security standpoint," Chertoff said on ABC's "This Week."
London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co., was bought last week by Dubai Ports World, a state-owned business from the United Arab Emirates. Peninsular and Oriental runs major commercial operations in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia.
U.S. lawmakers from both parties are questioning the sale, approved by the Bush administration, as a possible risk to national security.
"It's unbelievably tone deaf politically at this point in our history," Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C. said on "Fox News Sunday."
"Most Americans are scratching their heads, wondering why this company from this region now," Graham said.
Added Sen. Evan Bayh (news, bio, voting record), D-Ind.: "I think we've got to look into this company. We've got to ensure ... the American people that their national security interests are going to be protected."
At least one Senate oversight hearing is planned for later this month.
"Congress is welcome to look at this and can get classified briefings," Chertoff told CNN's "Late Edition."
"We have to balance the paramount urgency of security against the fact that we still want to have a robust global trading system," he added.
Sen. Robert Menendez, who is working on legislation to prohibit companies owned or controlled by foreign governments from running port operation in the U.S., said Chertoff's comments showed him that the administration "just does not get it."
In a statement, the New Jersey Democrat said, "No matter what steps the administration claims it has secretly taken, it is an unacceptable risk to turn control of our ports over to a foreign government, particularly one with a troubling history. We cannot depend on promises a foreign government has given the administration in secret to secure our ports."
Chertoff said Dubai Ports World should not be excluded automatically from such a deal because it is based in the UAE.
Critics have cited the UAE's history as an operational and financial base for the hijackers who carried out the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
In addition, they contend the UAE was an important transfer point for shipments of smuggled nuclear components sent to Iran, North Korea and Libya by a Pakistani scientist.
DP World has said it intends to "maintain and, where appropriate, enhance current security arrangements." The UAE's foreign minister has described his country as an important U.S. ally in fighting terrorism.
Socialists(Democrats) to the rescue. That's what I was afraid of.
The Republicans have to get on board quickly, and reign in the Bushies on this. Otherwise the dems can take credit alone and undo years of screwing up on national security. - tom
It might be a little late if the nuke they allow in, explodes. Then, are you going to write your Senator and ask that the contract be cancelled? Hmmm?
No need to clarify yourself. I got your point, and am in full agreement. It will be interesting to see who screams the loudest about this -- conservatives, for principle, or democrats, for political expediency). Either way, it will be also interesting to see what becomes of it. My guess: the deal goes forward.
I give up. You do not want to reason, or debate. I am sorry I wasted your time.
You align with clinton and schumer. I'll align with a President that has earned my trust!
LLS
"Chertoff's head must be impacted in his posterior. This sale would aid and abet terrorists. What's wrong with all of our so called leaders?"
Yes. Upon hearing of his appointment to this post, and all his subsequent remarks, I began to wonder, to whom he was loyal...And I further wonder how long it will be before we find out the ACLU is behind this one, too...
Be minful of what is best in life: To smite the jihadists, to drive their minions before you, and to hear the lamentations of their mullahs!
http://www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk/new/
OFFEREE: Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (The)
100p deferred
ISIN: GB0006800485
NSI: 755,286,282
100p 5.5% concessionary redeemable non-cumulative preferred
ISIN: GB0006799943
NSI: 66,638,327
100p 5% cumulative preferred
ISIN: GB0006800261
NSI: 3,344,000
OFFEROR: Thunder FZE (a wholly owned subsidiary of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, Dubai)
Disclosure of dealings in this offeror is not required
Notes:
1.
Where an offeror is marked with “Disclosure of dealings in this offeror is not required”, dealings in relevant securities of that offeror are not required to be disclosed under Rule 8.1, Rule 8.2, Rule 8.3 or Rule 38.5 of the Takeover Code since it has been announced that the offer or possible offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash.
Read the story for once. Look at it. Here is the story line. Arabs own this company. This company is going to take over Port Operations. Arabs committed 9-11. The Bush Administration is turning over port security to terrorists. AH NO. There is NO logical connections in this story.
The company has ZERO security function. The Security Agencies, unlike the Grandstanding Congress Critters or the Junk Journalists, have investigated the company. Maybe instead of being so naive to just mindlessly push Democrat Senate Election Propaganda, Republicans might be saying to themselves "Hmm, what PROOF is there of any of these accusation?" They also might be asking themselves, just why are the Democrats so desperate to push this story instead of say, BALANCING THE BUDGET, or PASSING SOME IMMIGRATION REFORM?
Isn't it interesting how all these people who signed up in 2005 are so desperately eager to push DNC propaganda. Why is that?
Hey crybaby, don't you smear me with the clinton - schumer brush.
I have been on this forum for almost 9 years and I rode with the FReepers against the Clintons in every vigil we held in Washington DC. Where were you?
You're the newbie. And you sound like like an open border - open ports apologist making the accusations you do against others.
What would you say to those who believe that with respect to the political reality that your trust has been foolishly given?
So now here come Chucky Schumer and his Insane Democrat Senate Clown posse to the "Rescue". There NEXT spin lie will be "Gee there is just too much risk of these operations being in private hands, we better place the Feds in charge like we did with the Airline Screeners.
What a sweet game for the Democrat Senate Election team headed by Chucky. Grandstand like they are tough on security and get the "Conservatives" to fight the PR battle for them. The for the Coup get the Conservatives to set up PR so the Dems have an excuse to move MORE private business into the Publics Sector. End result? The Govt Unions getting thousands of new workers added to the Union rolls that the Dems can then squeeze for Campaign "Contributions" Yeah, that is really the sort of result "Conservatives" should be pushing for!
See this story just posted here.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1581707/posts
DP World to borrow $6.5b to fund P&O Aquisition
He's merely following the precedent established by his predecessor, Tom Ridge, whose highest priority following 9/11 was to assure that NAFTA trucks would continue to cross our southern border unimpeded by national security concerns.
"You're the newbie. And you sound like like an open border - open ports apologist making the accusations you do against others".
Man, I have been a Conservative ACTIVE in politics for 51 years. I have worked for FOUR successful Republican Presidential campaigns. I have raised tens-of-thousands of dollars for Conservative candidates. Your tenure on this website does not trump real-world facts. BTW. I am a financial contributor here on FR, and have been since day one.
What I "sound like" to you, and what I am, are two different things. What YOU "sound like" to me, and what you are, is still unclear.
I will repeat just so you know where I stand.
I do not want this DUTCH/UAE company to run the six ports in question, if there is a real security threat. I want us to not harm future foreign investment in the US. If we need to block this company from running our ports, we need to do it in the proper manner. Timely, quickly, and logically.
What in my opinion deserves such abhorrent remarks to a fellow Conservative? Disagree yes, but you treat me as if I were ted kennedy. I am the farthest thing from that sort of slime!
LLS
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