Posted on 02/23/2006 12:00:42 AM PST by Dane
Tommy Franks Defends Dubai Ports Deal
Former CENTCOM commanding general Tommy Franks said Wednesday that the Bush administration was right to approve a deal for a United Arab Emirates-based company to run six major U.S. ports.
"We have more U.S. Navy ships using the port in Dubai, Jebel Ali, than any other port outside the United States," Franks told Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes."
The former Iraq war commander explained U.S. reliance on the Dubai port facility by saying, "We know he difference between an enemy and a friend."
"The Emirates is a friend," Franks aid. "That is the best run port that I've ever seen."
Gen. Franks said the Dubai company had three essential qualities that commend it for the task of running U.S. ports: the capacity to handle the job, the inclination to do it right and security, which he noted "will remain, in any case, in the hands of the United States Coast Guard."
The Slimes editions get better and more true to life every day. Your ping list may supersede their circulation very shortly!
Do I have that about right?
Wasn't Dole's relationship with the Dubai company disclosed? It is totally on the up-and-up. No such disclosure was made in Frank's case. That leads me to believe that he is just opining on the capability of the UAE company to handle its charge and the impact on security, both of which he has first-hand knowledge of.
I hate to say this, but Michael Reagan is an idiot on this issue.
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I agree. He is comparing what Carter and Congress did in returning the Panama Canal to Panama, to the awarding of these port contracts to a company - for period of time and with rights of revokation for cause written into the contracts.
PS: Port authorities put out bids for the operation of these terminals.
PPS: I despair at the lack of knowledge of geography of people (like Bill Bennett this morning) who think that one company can "control" the entire waterfront of New York harbor!!!
But with:FRANKS & RICE
it is still a natural for any grassroots campaign rally.You could feed folks for very little, throw in a keg of beer,and have a great time! :-)
"Well, that depends: Is this Gen. Frank's freely offered wisdom or is it bought and paid for? DPW has reportedly hired former Sen. Bob Dole as a mouth on their behalf, maybe they also purchased a General to go with their Senator and President."
such invective. Franks is probably the only solid support that I have seen the president get. So, with that said, and as long as their is no hidden nefarious relationships I say, allow the port-associated pols have a look at the deal, and then move forward. 45 days does not seem unreasonable.
Every Republican I know........especially those of us who are very conservative, put America before party.
Your argument is a straw dog.........and an old, haggard one at that.
Calling people names who don't agree with you is hardly a conservative quality. The word 'purist' doesn't even come close to desribing what you've revealed yourself to be on this thread.
Khalid Salahuddin
It will, so long as those debating are exercising your reasonable approach.
As for Hannity, I give him credit for being generally a positive part of the conservative movement.There is much good that he has done.
He jumped to quick on this one,though,IMO.He's picked up a bad habit of reading regurgitated talking points, something I've always disliked about Colmes.
Be that as it may, I doubt this debate will last much longer.It already seems to be running out of steam.
The Dems have been making hay with this issue, in order to show some cojones on national security...the Republicans who are joining them are are dupes.
What's wrong with trusting Bush's judgment? Where has he let us down in the War on Islamofascism?
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