Posted on 02/21/2006 2:43:48 PM PST by new yorker 77
Becomes first Mideast port to participate in U.S. program
The United Arab Emirates has joined the U.S. Container Security Initiative (CSI) to help secure maritime cargo shipments against the threat of terrorism.
In a December 12 news release, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency (CBP) said the agreement will enable all cargo destined for the United States through the port of Dubai to be prescreened.
CBP will station a small team of officers at Dubai ports to identify sea containers destined for the United States; Dubai customs officials will be responsible for screening containers identified as potential terrorist risks, the U.S. agency said.
Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation is the sixth-largest port operator in the world and the first in the Middle East to join the CSI, according to the news release.
To date, governments representing 21 countries around the world have signed up to the CSI program, launched by the United States following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Following is the text of the news release:
(begin text)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Department of Homeland Security
First Middle Eastern Port Formally Commits to Target, Pre-Screen and Secure Cargo Destined for the U.S.
12/12/2004
Dubai, UAE -- Today Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation joined the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Container Security Initiative [CSI] making it the first Middle Eastern port to participate. CBP Commissioner Robert C. Bonner and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, signed a declaration of principles to acknowledge the agreement that will enable all cargo destined for the U.S. through the port of Dubai to be targeted and pre-screened.
"The threat of terrorism is real and, it's a global threat. Dubai Customs recognizes the absolute importance of protecting cargo against the terrorist threat. I applaud their bold action of assuming a leadership role in the Middle East," said Commissioner Bonner.
CBP will deploy a small team of officers to the port of Dubai, the 6th largest port operator in the world whose mission will be to target sea containers destined for the United States. Dubai Customs officials, working with CBP officers, will be responsible for screening any containers identified as a potential terrorist threat.
The primary purpose of CSI is to help protect the global trading system and the trade routes between CSI ports and the United States. By collaborating with foreign customs administrations, CBP is working towards a safer, more secure world trading system.
Under CSI, CBP has entered into bi-lateral partnerships with other governments to identify high-risk cargo containers and to pre-screen them before they are loaded on vessels destined for the United States. Today, governments representing 21 countries have signed up to implement CSI.
"I congratulate the Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation on this historic event. They are now partnering with the United States and are a leader in protecting the global trading system," said Ambassador to the UAE [United Arab Emirates] Michele Sison.
CSI did not exist before 9/ll. It was proposed by Commissioner Bonner and launched in January 2002. CSI has been accepted globally as a bold and revolutionary initiative to secure maritime cargo shipments against the terrorist threat. This initiative will continue to expand to strategic locations around the world.
The World Customs Organization (WCO), the European Union (EU), and the G8 [Group of Eight major industrialized economies] support CSI expansion and have adopted resolutions implementing CSI security measures introduced at ports throughout the world.
The 32 operational ports in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America include: Halifax, Montreal, and Vancouver, Canada; Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Le Havre, France; Bremerhaven and Hamburg, Germany; Antwerp and Zeebrugge, Belgium; Singapore; Yokohama, Tokyo, Nagoya, and Kobe, Japan; Hong Kong; Goteborg, Sweden; Felixstowe, Liverpool, Southampton, Thamesport, and Tilbury, United Kingdom; Genoa, La Spezia, Naples, and Gioia Tauro, Italy; Busan, Korea; Durban, South Africa; Port Klang and Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia; Piraeus, Greece; Algeciras, Spain; and Laem Chabang, Thailand.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the protection of our nation's borders. CBP unified Customs, Immigration, and Agriculture Inspectors and the Border Patrol into one border agency for the United States.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
I've done a little research and I find no red flags except that "UAE once supported the Taliban."
Yes, and we supported both Iran, Iraq and Russia at times as well as the pre-Taliban mujahadeen.
This is simply the Dems and MSM's latest gothcha. As I've said, if W, Rummy and Peter Pace are OK with this, so am I.
Great find.
I feel safe /sarcasm.
Exactly.
People do not understand this field of business.
Many companys do not see a profit in controlling ports.
Who is looking to grow in this industry?
Growing economies.
Very interesting. Thank you for that.
I trusted the POTUS and campaigned for him in 2000. I have prayed for him every day since 9/11. I backed him as my CinC. I labored tirelessly for him in 2004. I trust him and his team on national security issues a bit more than Schumer et al. I will give the POTUS the benefit of the doubt on this one.
I'll keep on keepin' on until they plant me. I love this Nation far too much not to be actively engaged in her fate. We all need to fight harder now than ever before. I really appreciate your comments.
LLS
Thank you both!
1. We have no control over this sale, only the issuing of the contracts. This sale will affect every port that P&O manages, not just ours. Is that correct? The reports make it sound like we just sold 6 ports to DPW.
2. What control does P&O have over the infrastructure and hardware of the port operations? If we pull their contract, can they just shut down the ports until someone fills the roll?
3. How long would it take to fill the void if we pulled the contracts? What effect would that have on our economy?
It would seem that interfering in this process would have some extreme ramifications and isn't something I would want to rush into.
I agree with you, and have done exactly the same thing. I want to know the facts surrounding this deal, but I have faith in President Bush and those he has so carefully chosen to lead with.
LLS
Thanks for the search. I need some time on this one.
Shillary was just on Fox bitchin' about Bush. There has to be some reason to side with him. Stand down!
It's my understanding that there is no US company that does this.....
Of course she is...That's about all the serpent knows how to do is bitch and whine. Now that I think about, that describes all liberals
In fairness to the folks screaming on this issue, I wonder if the conservative base is just getting tired of having to sneak in the backdoor all of the time.
For instance, Harriet Miers. Did Bush really want Miers, or was it a run around to put Roberts in? If he really wanted Miers, you have to wonder about his judgement. If it was a ploy to get Roberts up there, when in the world are we going to be able to act like the majority party?
I'm not foolish enough to think that I get politics, but some times, all this strategery just wears people out.
I don't know for sure. There was talk about the Chinese company getting the port of Long Beach a few years ago. I don't know if it went through or not.
When the MSM starts covering the Republicans like they actually won.
When Republican politicians grow gonads.
When pigs fly.
Everyone makes a bad call now and then. I once bought a pair of hot pants; yet everyone today knows me as a woman of good taste.
It turns out that an anti-Israeli foundation run by the crown prince of Dubai owns the very deed to CAIR's headquarters located almost in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol. The foundation has held telethons to support families of Palestinian suicide bombers.
The MSM keeps pressing the above statement but, it means nothing.See the property ownership rules for Dubai- here- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai#Real_estate_and_property
It's like saying someone in the USA that was renting ground from the state is part of that state in mind set.
Iranian expatriates alone are estimated to have invested up to $US 200 Billion in Dubai.[10]
Nearly all of the commercial establishments are run by expatriates with a silent local partner who merely "rents" the business license for a negotiated annual fee without taking part in any capital investment. The numerous free trade zones allow for full expatriate ownership.
There is an increasing number of "freehold" villas and flats on artificial islands such as the Palm Islands. The "lease" on these freehold properties was first offered for 99 years but was later changed to permanent ownership. It is, however, illegal to seek employment on this visa. Ownership of lease does not guarantee any form of legal residency status in the UAE. The Federal Government is still formulating laws pertaining to ownership of property and considering issuing residency status to those who own such property.
Dubai interests have also purchased large amounts of real estate in foreign countries, in particular snapping up trophy properties in global centers like New York and London; a typical purchase in 2005 was New York's 230 Park Avenue (formerly known as the New York Central Building or the Helmsley Building) and Essex House on Central Park South.
A quarter of the population reportedly trace their origins to neighboring Iran.[5] The UAE government does not allow any form of naturalization or permanent residence to expatriates.
This needs to be looked at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai#Real_estate_and_property
Oil reserves in Dubai are less than one-twentieth that of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, and oil income is now only a small proportion of the city's income. Dubai and its twin across the Dubai creek, Deira (independent at that time), became important ports of call for Western manufacturers.
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