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http://news.ft.com/cms/s/aaf675ba-afb6-11da-b417-0000779e2340.htmlArab ally senses Bush no longer has control in Washington
By Edward Alden and Holly Yeager in Washington
Published: March 9 2006 22:00 | Last updated: March 9 2006 22:00
The decision by the United Arab Emirates on Thursday to order state-controlled Dubai Ports World to end its control over US port facilities marks the lowest point yet in the relationship between President George W. Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress.
Mr Bush had warned repeatedly that blocking the deal would send a dangerously discriminatory message to the world. He threatened repeatedly to veto any congressional legislation.
But with his public approval ratings at record lows and his Republican party abandoning him, one of the US’s closest allies in the Arab world concluded that he was no longer in control in Washington.