basic question about the UAE port deal:

[MnFats]

i really want to know this and haven't seen anything about it...
if the UAE port deal goes through:
1.) Who will do the hiring?
2.) Who will do the background checks on potential employees, some of whom will have access to a whole lot of intelligence?
3.) Who's to say the port operators, or someone they collude with, won't falsify backgrounds of potential employees, establishing sleeper cells in our major ports?

as if there's not enough to worry about with this goddamn * Blunder!

[liberal N proud]

1. Those are only minor questions about the whole port deal

National Security is the single largest issue at stake here.

[MnFats]

2. i'm saying these questions relate directly to national security...

you want the UAE making all the hires?

[Bobbieo]

3. UAE Port Deal

MNFats - Who does the hiring has been my basic question from the git-go.

[MnFats]

4. thanks. and welcome to DU. at least, I think it's still OK to say

...'welcome' at 155 posts...
....i see you're a journo. Me too. not retired but steaming toward it..

[doublethink]

6. See post #5. n.t.

[doublethink]

5. Heard this on the Tveeeeee ......

yesterday .... and found a quick google comment here ..... FAUX of all places ... :shrug: anyway .....

"In Washington, Chertoff said DP World should not be excluded from operating the U.S. ports just because it is based in the UAE. DP World would not be responsible for cargo screening, which is performed by the Department of Homeland Security, but the port operator would handle security for cargo coming in and out of the port and the hiring of security personnel.

DP World has said it intends to "maintain and, where appropriate, enhance current security arrangements." -snip-

note: if you don't care to read the entire article the above paragraph is actually the last one in the story. Peace. :)

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,185401,00.html

through all the doublespeak it seems that yes they do have responsibility of some key security issues is how I read this ...... how about you?

[MnFats]

7. yep. 'hiring of security personnel.' can't get much clearer...

worst case scenario.....well, i can't even imagine what the worst case scenario would be....a bunch of planted employees come out shooting and bombing.
it seems none of this occurred to Bush and the minions that thought this would be OK.

[Bobbieo]

8. UAE Deal and Hiring

I'm not referring to the hiring of security personnel - I'm referring to the crew members and longshoremen who lade the ships.

[doublethink]

10. Haven't looked into that part .......

however I have heard through a few commentary's that 'busting up the longshoremen and dockworker unions' .... is a big worry among them in this deal, along with the security issue. Managing the ports by the port operators DP .... I would assume, well I guess one of us could go to there website and see if they are responsible for the longshoreman's paychecks? :shrug: Peace.

[babylonsister]

9. Either 'classified' or, 'if I tell ya I have to kill ya.'

:evilgrin: But both probably true!

[Adelante]

11. I read this today

-snip

What’s the significance of a foreign company operating terminals in a U.S. port?

While foreign and U.S. companies are able to lease terminals in American ports, the ports remain publicly owned. Each company is responsible for moving ships and goods in and out of their terminal, and may even hire a private security firm, but the U.S. Customs and Border Protection remains responsible for checking the cargo and the U.S. Coast Guard is charged with overseeing security. These responsibilities are mandated by the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002. An analogous relationship may be seen in U.S. airports, where foreign airlines may lease a terminal, but the U.S. Transportation Security Administration is responsible for security.

Which nationality will the workers be at the ports in question?

The workers who load and unload cargo from ships at U.S. ports are represented by the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) on the East Coast and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWA) on the West Coast. These powerful unions deal with shipping companies directly and all the union members are U.S. citizens. As ILA spokesman James A. McNamara told the New York Times, "Any movement of cargo from the bottom of the ship to the tailgate of the truck leaving the port is handled by ILA labor." While not as highly organized as the dock workers, experts say most private security personnel and shipping company staff at U.S. ports are also likely to be U.S. citizens.

-snip

http://www.cfr.org/publication/9918/uae_purchase_of_american_port_facilities.html

There are links throughout the summary.

[babylonsister]

12. I wish you'd put this in it's own thread if you haven't already.

This was news to me and explains why the longshoremen across the country are so up-in-arms!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2479596