Posted on 03/12/2006 2:59:23 AM PST by PrinceOfCups
DP World will not manage six ports in the US as initially agreed, but the aborted deal has achieved for Dubai an outstanding triumph by any yardstick.
First, and as Ghassan Tahboub, media manager in the executive office of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said, it is an invaluable lesson. "It was an exercise you have to live with, win and then learn from. This was America. There are lobbies, politics and interest groups, and Dubai found itself in the middle of a jungle. In the end I have to thank everybody there for this lesson," he said.
Then, Dubai has gained the greatest international publicity possible and people anywhere can now name the emirate that has laid bare an obstinate mindset of racial discrimination and ethnic prejudice that no public relations gloss will ever cover.
It has also shown beyond any doubt that its amazing success story has never been a cheat and that the geographically small emirate could now compete with the most advanced economies of the world.
Cairo in the 1950s and Beirut in the 1960s succeeded to define trends, but it was mainly on political issues. Dubai in the 2000s thanks to its pro-globalisation trends is showing values that promote success and prowesses that indicate leadership and triumph.
Dubai has demonstrated that while it is moving vibrantly ahead with globalisation, other countries that have always championed free trade are now shackled by a xenophobic tsunami and are likely to feed a global backlash against globalisation.
It has shown the world that the US economic anxieties are being senselessly fuelled by nationalist sentiments that seem to be inexorably on the rise.
The port deal debacle has also proven that Dubai possesses a broader mind than the US when it comes to welcoming and promoting investments and that its openness is genuine and not decided by race or creed.
Last week, US Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez told Gulf News in Manama that the decision against DP World was not racially motivated. Either he was not aware of the strong anti-Arab powers within his own country or he did not wish to hurt our feelings.
Either way, the truth is here for everyone to see and contemplate: Dubai is an economic power that is re-writing books and all those who opposed the port deal should think in that direction and should appreciate that it too can cancel deals.
US economists were quick to bandwagon the belief that the flap over the ports acquisition is unlikely to make a consequential dent in foreign investment flows into their country. But Arab analysts predict that this unwarranted hostility will certainly affect Arab investments in the US and will make US assets less attractive to Arab buyers.
Economically, DP World's takeover was never a special case: a state-owned company from the Middle East is buying an American asset already managed by a non-American entity. Suddenly, ethnicity, tainted by hostility and envy, and not a proven success record, became the guidelines to assess the deal.
America has always been comfortable with most multinationals that invested in the United States because they came from Western countries and are unlikely to be subject to such scrutiny. However, the United States is obviously becoming a less welcoming place for investment from Arab countries.
The port deal opponents should appreciate that their public statements might secure them some political benefits, but will most certainly have grave economic consequences.
You are correct, now why did you say we rejected the port deal? I thought that they were a "threat."
The UAE is an ally, and I'm hopeful that they can also see that it is still to their advantage to be our ally even after we failed to be a good ally in this case. The true winners in this affair are the terrorist groups. It is they who will use this sword to their advantage as an example of our hypocrisy. Since the charge is true, it will influence a number of extra volunteers to the terrorist cause.
Totally different than that Freeper jec41's post of an article dated 2004 regarding Israel opening an office in the United Arab Emirates.
Failing to humor you I will try and understand that anyone who got ripped so completely on Friday's threads may be having a cranky weekend.
Well, hell, since you put it that way, my apologies. Yeah, it's definitely been one of THOSE issues. But I'm really not taking it very hard at all. Anyway, I appreciate you trying TWICE to induce a little civility. Cheers.
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Change shipping to trans shipping which is what happen. A ship that stops in a US port to refuel and does not and is not required to unload its cargo for inspection. It just proceeds on to South America or wherever its going as long as its not going to unload in a US port. Most refuel from a tanker not even close to a dock and can be miles out.
If something good can come from all of this (better port security; more American companies running the terminals) it may be worth all the grief caused.
I'm a flag-waving patriot who is proud that the US is the world's #1 super-power, BUT I don't let that pride turn into arrogance.
If our US dollars stopped flowing to the UAE they would barely feel the pinch. The vast majority of their investments are in Australia, Asia, and the EU. If they needed help with security there would be a huge multi-national coalition on their doorstep in the blink of an eye. They don't NEED us.
Hello?
I like that law. Why can't we have laws like that?
Are you serious?
The other countries in the world, except Brittain and Austrailia and Israel (and they aren't welcome) are too scared of their own shadow to send a substantial number of combat ready security troops into the UAE-Middle East areas.
Oh, they might send a token of a hundred or so advisors and a ship or two, but they would balk at full regiments aka the USA.
Without the USA in the lead, the rest of the world is rarely up to snuff.
Just because they don't send many troops when the US is involved doesn't mean they are too scared or that they wouldn't rise to the occasion if need be.
Just don't speak ill of Dubai's prophet or they will saw your head off with a dull knife while shouting god is great!!!
Yeah what liberal broad minds they have in Dubai!!!
LOLLOLLOL!!!!!!
Can you name me one occasion, one situation in the past 65 years where these brave countries of yours took the initiative in an international crisis and sent a massive amount of military help?
hocus pocus bogus lying tactic. Does not exist if it ain't up front and out in the open for all to see and verify.
keywords your link: "in secret" Nice try bonzo. But quit lying...informed people know better.
You seem upset.
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