Ports in Blue states to be sold to United Arab Emirates

[Efilroft Sul]

From the Times:
Some of the country's busiest ports -- New York, New Jersey, Baltimore and three others -- are about to become the property of the United Arab Emirates. Do we really want our major ports in the hands of an Arab country where al Qaeda recruits, travels and wires money?

The U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment, a Treasury Department-dominated group which reviews foreign investments, allows such purchases. The committee approved a $6.8 billion transaction between the ports' current British owners and Dubai Ports World, a government-owned United Arab Emirates firm. The United Arab Emirates was home to Marwan al-Shehhi, a September 11 hijacker; the country is a transit point for al Qaeda, including several other September 11 hijackers; al Qaeda's financing activities have involved the UAE; al Qaeda finds sympathizers there with ease, as it does in other Arab countries...

Sen. Chuck Schumer, New York Democrat, among others, is asking tough questions about this deal. For once, we agree with him: President Bush should overrule the committee to reject this deal. If that doesn't happen, Congress should take action. The country's ports should not be owned by foreign governments; much less governments whose territories are favored by al Qaeda.

http://www.washtimes.com/op-ed/20060214-102147-5104r.htm

(Mods, I know this goes against standard protocols, posting an editorial and all -- and from the Washington Times, no less -- but I can't find the story elsewhere. This story is going under everyone's radar.)

[maddezmom]

1. here is the earlier thread from 2/ll in LBN

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2102309

[rodeodance]

2. Schumer is asking questions.

......Sen. Chuck Schumer, New York Democrat, among others, is asking tough questions about this deal. For once, we agree with him: President Bush should overrule the committee to reject this deal. If that doesn't happen, Congress should take action. The country's ports should not be owned by foreign governments; much less governments whose territories are favored by al Qaeda.

[MadMaddie]

3. Selling America...shouldn't that in itself be Treason....

This Administration is increasing the pace that it selling our public lands and attempting to pay foreign countries to run our ports.(how does this help national security?)

It seems they are promoting companies to move their businesses off shore and outsource all of their workforce.

I have seen this article somewhere else, I will look to see if I can find it.

[montanacowboy]

4. This story appeared over the weekend

in the Seattle P-I

It is simply unimaginable that this could happen - America, wake the fuck up

[MadMaddie]

5. I knew I saw the story....I am in Seattle Duh....

Thanks montanacowboy!:hi:

[Matariki]

6. A British company already owns these ports

and the sudden concern that they are selling to the United Arab Emirates smacks of racism. The article pretty much equates United Arab Emirates with al Qaeda. Where was the outcry when the British company, Dubai Ports World, bought it? Oh yeah, they're WHITE - no problem then.

[Efilroft Sul]

7. My problem with the deal is the secrecy of it all.

And if there's a terror event that later happens in the ports of New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Miami, or New Orleans, MIHOP/LIHOP looks credible. Again, why all the secrecy?

[KamaAina]

8. Guess what one of the other three ports is? New Orleans.

I remember reading a piece way back in early September, right after Katrina, about the strategic importance of the Port of New Orleans possibly playing in to Bush**co's "passivity" in terms of helping the city recover (i.e. giant land grab). Now this. Hmmm... has anyone seen Bush** tiptoeing through the posies with any sheiks from the UAE, like he so famously did with this Saudi prince:



:tinfoilhat:

[KamaAina]

9. Meanwhile a Chinese company controls the Panama Canal

that'd be Hutchison Whampoa. As we learned when CNOOC made its takeover bid for Unocal, all Chinese companies have ties to the Chinese government.

Then again, everything going through it these days comes from China anyway, so what the hey? :sarcasm: