Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 2275 Location: Roaming the countryside with GrizChick 2435 eGriz Bucks
Bush Shrugs Off Objections to Port Deal
By TED BRIDIS, Associated Press Writer 53 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - Brushing aside objections from Republicans and Democrats alike,
President Bush endorsed the takeover of shipping operations at six major U.S. seaports by a state-owned business in the United Arab Emirates. He pledged to veto any bill Congress might approve to block the agreement.
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The president on Tuesday defended his administration's earlier approval of the sale of London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co. to Dubai Ports World, despite concerns in Congress it could increase the possibility of terrorism at American ports.
The pending sale — expected to be finalized in early March — puts Dubai Ports in charge of major shipping operations in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia. "If there was any chance that this transaction would jeopardize the security of the United States, it would not go forward," Bush said.
"It sends a terrible signal to friends around the world that it's OK for a company from one country to manage the port, but not a country that plays by the rules and has got a good track record from another part of the world," Bush said.
To assuage concerns, the administration disclosed some assurances it had negotiated with Dubai Ports. It required mandatory participation in U.S. security programs to stop smuggling and detect illegal shipments of nuclear materials; roughly 33 other port companies participate in these voluntarily. The Coast Guard also said Tuesday it was nearly finished inspecting Dubai Ports' facilities in the United States.
A senior
Homeland Security official, Stewart Baker, said this was the first-ever sale involving U.S. port operations to a state-owned government. "In that sense this is a new layer of controls," he said. Baker added that U.S. intelligence agencies were consulted "very early on to actually look at vulnerabilities and threats."
For those of you who don't like beautiful women and like to complain, click on ignore and don't read my posts. I don't have anything of interest for ewe types. That includes the "mods".
I have changed my mind on this whole issue. I am for the ports being "managed" by the UAE. I think this will actually increase the security at the ports since they will be in the public eye.
I also believe that a private company is in the business to make money and they wouldn't jeopardize their success in the business world by selling out to a certain group.
They are going to pay/invest in these ports and update the security measures. This won't cost the taxpayers, and again there will be money saved to piss away on the Katrina victims.
Do some research and quit letting the media tell you what to think, this seems to be an ok idea and I am for it.
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