Port Deal To Close Before 45 day Investigation Completed

[kick_them_hard]

I did not see this article anywhere on DU, so I hope this isnt a dupe. I can't believe how arrogant and in the face this administration is.

To: National Desk


Contact: Karen Finney of the DNC Press Office, 202-863-8148


WASHINGTON, March 3 /U.S. Newswire/ -- President Bush is allowing Dubai Ports World to move forward and complete its controversial ports deal early next week, before the U.S. government has a chance to finish its 45-day security investigation. The move undermines the mandatory national security review of the foreign government-owned company's bid to control operations at six major U.S. ports, and follows the Bush Administration's pattern of ignoring warnings, staying on the sidelines on security matters, and putting business interests ahead of the safety and security of the American people.



http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20060303/pl_usnw/dnc__port_deal_to_close_before45_day_investigation_completed303_xml;_ylt=AuEVJxdK1AqUx5A1MemJkB8EKekE;_ylu=X3oDMTA5aHJvMDdwBHNlYwN5bmNhdA--

[kick_them_hard]

1. Here's the Story

I don't think that link works:

Contact: Karen Finney of the DNC Press Office, 202-863-8148


WASHINGTON, March 3 /U.S. Newswire/ -- President Bush is allowing Dubai Ports World to move forward and complete its controversial ports deal early next week, before the U.S. government has a chance to finish its 45-day security investigation. The move undermines the mandatory national security review of the foreign government-owned company's bid to control operations at six major U.S. ports, and follows the Bush Administration's pattern of ignoring warnings, staying on the sidelines on security matters, and putting business interests ahead of the safety and security of the American people.


DP World told the House Armed Services Committee that it would finalize the ports deal early next week. Only days into the 45- day security review, the foreign government-owned company will pay the existing shareholders $6.8 billion to complete the purchase of P&O, the company that currently manages the six major U.S. ports. (Agence France Press, 3/3/06)


"If the Bush Administration is already allowing Dubai Ports World to move forward on the purchase of P&O, they're clearly not taking the 45-day security review seriously," said Democratic National Committee spokesman Luis Miranda. "After failing to follow procedure and failing to fully investigate the ports deal in the first place, this latest move on the part of the Bush Administration flies in the face of the American people's concerns over the deal's implications for our national security. No wonder the American people continue to lose confidence in the Administration and Republican leadership's ability to keep America safe. Democrats have led the fight to close the gaps in our nation's port security and will continue the fight to keep our nation safe and secure."

[Dinger]

2. I Heard This Last Week. We Need To Read This & Contact Our Senators

If they'll do anything that is.

[FloridaPat]

3. Apparently what's behind this is that the British courts have to

approve the deal and they were going to do that Friday or Monday. That was suppose to be the final block, if there was going to be one.

Now someone has to know something, because for a company to go through with a deal where congress is talking about making bills and 70% of the citizens don't like the buying - and the company is still going ahead - something else is going on here.

[Skeptor]

4. Frankly, if anything I think it will make the US safer.

No-one is more scared of the Islamist loonies than the free-enterprise/Scotch-loving Arab monarchists of the UAE, nor, if you're talking about ground-level security, is anyone better placed to 'spot-the difference' when it comes to identifying someone 'of Middle Eastern appearance' with bad intentions. They are set to take over a couple of Australian ports, too, and the only place it's causing a ripple here is in the financial pages, and not for the security angle. Relax, these are GOOD Arabs (if you'll excuse their liking for camel races using little boys as jockeys).