IHT/ New York Times: Lawmakers Increase Criticism of Dubai Deal for Ports

[PhilipShore]

International Herald Tribune
Lawmakers Increase Criticism of Dubai Deal for Ports
February 19, 2006

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/19/politics/19cnd-port.html

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 — Legislators from both parties continued today to sharply criticize the Bush administration's approval of a recent sale that would give a Dubai company control over shipping facilities at six leading American ports, saying that it raised fundamental security issues.

A range of Democrats criticized the port takeover in stinging terms, implying that it showed poor judgment by an administration that has made national security its top priority. They said security at American ports — where only 5 percent of incoming cargo is inspected — is one of the country's biggest vulnerabilities.

Several Republicans also expressed doubts about a transaction that appears to pit security concerns against the Bush administration's strong support for free world trade.

Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, said the administration's approval of the transaction was "unbelievably tone-deaf politically." He told Fox News, "I don't think now's the time to outsource major port security to a foreign country."

[tecelote]

1. Bushco - Tough on terrorism when it's profitable.

[Vincardog]

2. This is just one more attack by the Radical Right on Americans.

When are we going to stand up and yell "Enough, I am MAD AS HELL and NOT going to take it anymore"?

[NVMojo]

4. more people need to know about this. It hasn't even seen the light of day

in our news sources out here in Nevada.

[Inland]

3. Problem with the anti-government philosophy

They think that there isn't anything that wouldn't be better done by a non gove corporation and that the profit motive will cause them to be hyper vigilant. Neither is true.

[soothsayer]

5. Then how come the senate overwhelmingly approved it?

Cuz it hadn't hit the news yet? Where's all this bluster coming from when everyone was heretofore happily marching along with it?

[Frank Cannon]

6. Don't worry, our trusted lawmakers will fold like a quesadilla...

when it comes to actually do anything to investigate/oppose this.

[rodeodance]

7. Chertoff--it is a 'just trust me' attitude--as information is classified.

...........Dubai Ports World, a state-owned company, is completing its $6.8 billion purchase of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, which operates commercial operations at shipping terminals in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia.

The homeland security secretary, Michael Chertoff, reiterated the Bush administration's defense of the arrangement, saying today that such transactions were closely examined by a committee that includes several federal departments or agencies, including his own, the Treasury Department and the F.B.I. He noted, too, that Dubai is considered an American ally in fighting terrorism.

"We put safeguards in place and assurances in place that make everybody comfortable," Mr. Chertoff told ABC News. But he declined to say what safeguards were being implemented, saying that the matter was classified.

[rodeodance]

8. Chertoff says safeguards are in place but will not say what they are.

"We put safeguards in place and assurances in place that make everybody comfortable," Mr. Chertoff told ABC News. But he declined to say what safeguards were being implemented, saying that the matter was classified.

[rodeodance]

9. nominate

[rodeodance]

10. Harman wants congressional briefings. OH OH, we know what

happened after Gonzalas gave briefings!! Many started to cave!



..... Ms. Harman, whose district encompasses the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, told CNN, "I would not like Dubai or some other foreign government running those ports."

She urged the administration to provide Congress with classified briefings on the port takeover.

Several other Democrats questioned the deal earlier, including Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey.

"It's suspicious on its face," said Senator Saxby Chambliss, Republican of Georgia, a member of the intelligence committee. "But is it the right decision? It's difficult to say."