Waxman plans hearing on Halliburton move.

[RedEarth]

Time’s Karen Tumulty comments on Halliburton’s plan to move its headquarters from Houston to Dubai: “Is this about tax breaks? Getting beyond the reach of congressional subpoenas? And what about all that sensitive information that Halliburton has had access to? At a minimum, reincorporating in Dubai would mean that Halliburton will be paying less taxes to the U.S. Treasury, even as it collects billions from government contracts.” She also reports, “Henry Waxman is already planning to hold a hearing on this, an aide tells me.”

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/11/waxman-plans-hearings-on-halliburton-move/

from Time.........

Is this about tax breaks? Getting beyond the reach of congressional subpoenas? And what about all that sensitive information that Halliburton has had access to? At a minimum, reincorporating in Dubai would mean that Halliburton will be paying less taxes to the U.S. Treasury, even as it collects billions from government contracts

The last paragraph of the FT story begins to answer the questions about Halliburton's, uh, interestingly timed decision to move its corporate headquarters:

Dubai has long positioned itself as a regional business hub, with a laisser faire attitude to business regulations. The government has launched several free zones allowing foreign firms to circumvent laws barring foreigners owning businesses.
UPDATE: Henry Waxman is likely to hold a hearing on this, an aide tells me.

UPDATE UPDATE: Flounder's comment made me wonder precisely where Halliburton is incorporated now. According to this 2004 GAO report, the company is incorporated in Delaware, but has (or had at that time) 17 subsidiaries in tax-haven countries. Halliburton says it will remain incorporated in the United States.

http://time-blog.com/swampland/2007/03/halliburtonomics.html?xid=rss-swampland

[Subdivisions]

1. Waxman=Superman!

[Purveyor]

2. Subpoena all Halliburton company documents related to US gov't contracts, post-haste! n/t

[Subdivisions]

5. I sent a note to Waxman earlier to that effect. n/t

[lovuian]

3. Dubai is the haven for halliburton but is it really a haven or

is it enemy of this country

[mod mom]

7. Depends if your are looking out for the welfare of the BFEE or of the U.S.

[EVDebs]

36. All of these 'quasi-governmental' companies should be looked into

Ptech (now GoAgile) read it's wikipedia description, with contracts STILL with WH, DOD, AirForce, and FAA !

Any company with over 30% of its business with government should be under full oversight IMHO. Privatization in reverse ! Also, let's "onshore" some of these traitor companies !

[MissWaverly]

4. Thank god for the Dem Rep. from California, Henry Waxman

I am so glad that he is looking into this.

:-)

[Ian David]

6. The Waxman Cometh! n/t

[CrazyOrangeCat]

8. Rock on, Henry!

K&R

[sellitman]

9. This guy is the busiest Dem around.

I wish some of the others would take notes.

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. Hmmm there was a time that you had to be a US Company

to receive government contracts... perhaps it is time to bring that law back....

Dubai... map.. nope, it's NOT in the US

Now on a more serious note... just one more signal of the global economy we live in... and what corporations plan to do

[MadMaddie]

11. If Haliburton relocates it's Headquarters then all military contracts

with Haliburton should be cancelled. Dubai is a country that is not to be trusted in this supposed "war against terrorism". There is no way to watch the company if they move....Good Riddance....

[BearSquirrel2]

38. I agree ...

They should start cancelling the contracts RIGHT NOW!!!! The least the "Texan" Bush could say is to demoan that a company is moving it's headquarters out of "his" state.

[alittlelark]

12. He only needs to look at this thread....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=125x148513

It's in the Sept 11 Dungeon now????!!!!????

Bush1 and Dick Cheney started privatizing the US military back in 1991. That privatization of logistics has led to tragedies like the USS Cole bombing, the gouging for basic needs for our soldiers, the loss of billions of our tax dollars in Iraq, and the breakdown of services at Walter Reed.


Now we hear that Halliburton is moving their HQ from Houston to Dubai. Once there, the global fascism will take hold firmer and stronger than at any other point we have witnessed in the past.

And the US will be left bankrupt and broken in too many areas to get it fixed in any expedient way.

No financial problems for the incredibly FLUSH global corporations who have been lining their pockets at our expense for the last twenty years, though.

Want to bet that Halliburton and Bechtel will have Blackwater and other private armies at their disposal while our military struggles to recoup?

We have GOT to stop Halliburton's move of all their documents and paperwork.

Contact Waxman and Congress about Halliburton. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

We cannot let them get away with BANKRUPTING America while BANKROLLING New World Order.

Even the RW and the Freepers will have to notice this.

[DFW]

13. There's way more to this than just tax evasion

Halliburton was doing business with Iran heavily all thoughout the embargo. Most of it was done through "arm's length (NOT!!)" subsidiaries (some located a distant 20 feet from Halliburton, USA's offices in the Middle East) that are allowed under U.S. law to trade with Iran.

Halliburton (Cayman Islands) was negotiating in 2005 to develop natural gas fields in Iran (you know, all those huge natural gas fields in the Cayman Islands gave those Cayman Islanders such experience in developing them). Ironically, it was the hardliners in Iran that were warning against doing business with tnemy. The Iranians made more of a stink about them doing business with Halliburton than Bush and Cheney did. And indeed, why should Dick Cheeny want to antagonize Iran? He (under Halliburton's name) still owns a house in the Iranian resort island of Kish.

If Halliburton relocates to Dubai, then their HQ is beyond of the reach of US Justice, and you can bet the next Democratic Attorney General would be on top of them like a ton of bricks if they stayed in Texas. Coincidentally, huge new palm-tree-shaped luxury residence complexes are being built in Dubai at this very moment.

The big question, of course, has already been raised here. How can Halliburton continue to get all those juicy no-bid contracts from the U.S. government if they are a Dubai company? Well, first off, just as their Cayman Islands subsidiary was doing the negotiations with Iran 2 years ago, the new Dubai-based company will maintain an "arm's length" American subsidiary that can continue to receive Bush's largesse. But this is short term stuff, and a good business manager also looks to the long term. Figuring there is a better-than-even chance the next administration will have a Democratic President and Congress, they are preparing for the day when the US government will not be tossing our treasury at them as fast as (or faster than) they can deplete it. When that day comes, there is only the negative aspect (investigation and prosecution) of having their corporate HQ on American soil.

Assuming Dick Cheney and their current execs are not already in custody by the time Jan. 20, 2009 rolls around, it's move that makes perfect sense--to them. After, why risk being grilled by Henry Waxman when instead you can sit under the palms by the sea, munching on dates and watching your fortune grow far from Uncle Sam's scrutiny?

[jwirr]

23. I was just thinking about how the people of the ME are going to take

this. It would seem to me that there would be a new terrorist target for them to hit and it would be much closer to them than NYC. Also that is why the god damn party is so keen on privatizing security. They think our government will subsidize these mercenaries to protect the likes of Halliburtin.

[nashville_brook]

29. i wondered about the man-made palm-shaped islands as well...

The Palm Islands, also referred to as The Palm Dubai and The Palms, are the three largest man-made islands in the world, which are being built on the coast of the emirate of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Its concept was announced in May 2002 and the three resort islands are expected to maintain Dubai's position as a premium tourist destination. The Palm Islands is also the self-declared 'Eighth Wonder of the World'.

Each of the islands (Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali, and Palm Deira) are being built in the shape of a date palm tree and consist of a trunk, a crown with fronds, and are surrounded by a crescent island that acts as a breakwater. The islands will support luxury hotels, freehold residential villas, unique water homes, shoreline apartments, marinas, water theme parks, restaurants, shopping malls, sports facilities, health spas, cinemas and various diving sites.



Owning Property on The Palm, Dubai
The sale of The Palm Island properties (villas and apartments) are done on freehold basis, which entitles nationals and expats the right to sell, lease or rent their property at their own discretion. The free-hold property is tax-free, secure, and has sunshine the whole year round. Real estate owners and their immediate family, can obtain renewable Dubai residence visas, which can cost Dhs. 5,000 per person. Some of the properties available for sale on the Palm Jumeirah are the Palm Jumeirah Residence, Palm Terrace, and Atlantis, The Palm.

[Inkyfuzzbottom]

33. Is it just me...

or does that sort of resemble a big old bullseye? Bombs away, baby!

[nashville_brook]

34. like the pyramids, you wonder WHO provided the labor -- human rights suck in Dubai

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai#Human_rights_and_labor

"...massive construction projects currently in Dubai have required more construction workers than there are citizens of the city (note: over 80% of Dubai's population consists of expatriates/non-citizens). This has led to massive importation of low-wage workers, mostly from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Most of these workers are forced to give up their passports upon entering Dubai, making it very difficult to return home. NPR reports that workers "typically live eight to a room, sending home a portion of their salary to their families, whom they don't see for years at a time." Others report that their salary has been withheld to pay back loans, making them little more than indentured servants. The BBC has reported that "local newspapers often carry stories of construction workers allegedly not being paid for months on end. They are not allowed to move jobs and if they leave the country to go home they will almost certainly lose the money they say they are owed. The names of the construction companies concerned are not published in the newspapers for fear of offending the often powerful individuals who own them."

...


The alleged labour injustices in Dubai have attracted the attention of various Human Rights groups. Mafi Wasta, for example, is a website created specifically for the purpose of persuading the government of the UAE to sign up to 2 of the ILO's (International Labour Organization) 7 core conventions - namely 87 and 98 - which allows for labour unions. The site lists examples of human rights violations in the country. Human Rights Watch said that the men were treated "less than human".

...

However, the UAE government has denied any kind of labour injustices and has stated that the watchdog's (Human Rights Watch) accusations were misguided. Towards the end of March 2006, the government announced steps to allow construction unions. UAE labour minister Ali al-Kaabi said: "Labourers will be allowed to form unions."

Prostitution, though illegal by law, is conspicuously present in the emirate because of an economy that is largely based on tourism and trade. There is a high demand for women from Eastern Europe. According to the World Sex Guide, a website catering to sex tourists, Russian and Ethiopian women are the most common prostitutes, while Indian prostitutes are part of a well organized trans-Oceanic prostitution network.

[nashville_brook]

35. also, Dubai will soon be home to the world's "most exclusive" address: Burj Dubai

the tallest building in the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burj_Dubai

[liberal N proud]

14. Taking the money and running

I wonder, when the leave DC, will bu$h go to his land in Paraguay and Dicky back to Halliburton and that is why they are moving to Dubai. Because they will be run out of this country before it is over.

[Vinca]

15. It's a win, win, win for Halliburton.

No taxes, no subpoenas, no arrest warrants. I wonder if Cheney paved the way.

[blm]

18. I wonder if the sun will rise tomorrow.

;))))

Thanks Chairman Waxman - you are a great leader in the anti-corruption, open government wing of the Democratic party.

[SpiralHawk]

16. Why do republicon corporate cronies hate America?

What is with republicons and their HATE of all things American?

[jwirr]

24. I think that they are no longer interested in the Constitution. Instead

they are following another model of business: Corporatism/Fascism.

[blm]

31. BFEE's been supporting fascism since before Hitler, and have been working steadily

towards this day ever since the end of WW2.

[Virginia Dare]

30. Their only loyalty is to profit and the all mighty dollar..

they couldn't give a rat's ass about this country or it's citizens.

[SlowDownFast]

17. Probably too late.

They most likely covered their tracks way before issuing a press release about moving to Dubai: lots of hard drives wiped and lots of shredded paper.

They've successfully looted the treasury and secured (bought) their own country (Dubai).

[BearSquirrel2]

39. TRUE BUT ...

The idea of trying Dick Cheney and his Halliburton Chronies in absentia does have it's appeals. He would be the first Vice President since Aaron Burr to go into exile. Ironically, Burr is also the last vice-president to shoot a man (Alexander Hamilton).

[MHalblaub]

19. Before the ship sinks,

you better get your money on dry land.

[peacetalksforall]

20. Tasks: Traitors.

1. Find out how the approval of no-bid contracts worked within our government - to determine how to reverse them - find out if they can be tossed out in whole or by parts and whether courts will be needed and how fast the cases can be made. Can't let H and satellite corporations assume they will be able to operate - steal taxpayer money, continue to provide questionable services and products, talke all, give nothing (especially taxes) in return.

2. Determine if it is possible to get out of the contracts for Dubai handling our ports in this country. We need a contract reversal. We need to find out if there are secret contracts that we don't know about.

3. Place addendums on all business dealings by all the oil companies and parallel Halliburton companies - ending all contracts if similar moves are attempted.

4. Immediately restrict all off shore moves that parallel to Halliburton unless they move completely outside the country with no ties and no contracts within this country for a 25 year period.

5. Start making these contractors and corporations pay taxes and register in the U.S.

Their dual purpose was to take the Middle East and the U.S. and place it under tight control. It looks like Cheney and his barons now want to control this contry FROM the Middle East.

This may NOT be an isolated move with isolated intent.

We now know what Cheney and the House of Saud talked about. This involves some kind of manuever that is a wonder given that the House of Saud must know all about Cheney's business dealings with Iran.

We have traitors amongst us.

We have been saying that they (Cheney Rumsfeld) had no plan BEYOND the invasion of Iraq - perhaps they truly had this fall back plan - rule us from afar.

When does Rumsfeld move there?

[jwirr]

25. Signs of the times: One added goal for US: get free of the need for

oil from the ME. NOW.

[TankLV]

21. Just fucking great!

Just heard the news on NPR as I was getting up this morning.

So now dicky boy and his fellow REPUKE WAR CRIMINALS hope to be beyond the reach of JUSTICE.

They raped America - stole BILLIONS - and now it appears they will get away with it...

Just fucking great.

Is there no body that can give us JUSCTICE for these REPUKE WAR CRIMINALS!?

And they get to keep their cushy EXCLUSIVE WAR contracts...


Just fucking great...

[jwirr]

27. Interntional Courts?

[jwirr]

22. Years ago when our ancestors came here they often left countries

that would not let them take their assets with them. I think it may be time for a similar law in our country. Also I am in favor of a law against the government contracting with any company outside of the US.

Can anyone look back at the ports problems and see what role Halliburton played in that situation? Treason?

They may also be leaving to avoid prosecution for crimes committed in the US. Just like *ss is down in South America trying to build his hi-dy hole.

[SoCalDem]

26. I love the guy, BUT

when it comes right down to it, Halliburton's move is not a lot different from all the OTHER companies who moved out of the US, without so much as a whimper from the government.

All that needs to happen, is for these companies that relocate, to have to pay a stiff tariff on products & services for those "offshorers"..

They want it both ways..they want to be "called" American companies, but they want the freedom to do whatever the hell they want, with no rules or regs...or pesky taxes.

[me b zola]

28. Go get 'em Henry

All US contracts with Halliburton and their subsidiaries should be suspended asap.

[BluePatriot]

32. Thanks Waxman!!!

Thank god someone is paying attention to this.

[blondeatlast]

37. Make that "Dubai Megacorporation Halliburton."

Subcontracting America for YOU!

Edit: Almost forgot--GO HENRY!

[Rex]

40. Chomp chomp chomp!

nt