The Dirty Little Secret Behind the UAE Port Security Flap (David Sorata)

[kpete]

Tuesday, February 21, 2006
The Dirty Little Secret Behind the UAE Port Security Flap

Politicians and the media are loudly decrying the Bush administration's proposal to turn over port security to a firm owned by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) - a country with ties to terrorists. They are talking tough about national security - but almost no one is talking about what may have fueled the administration's decision to push forward with this deal: the desire to move forward Big Money's "free" trade agenda.

What does "free" trade have to do with this? How about everything. The Bush administration is in the middle of a two-year push to ink a corporate-backed "free" trade accord with the UAE. At the end of 2004, in fact, it was Bush Trade Representative Robert Zoellick who proudly boasted of his trip to the UAE to begin negotiating the deal. Rejecting this deal might have set back that trade pact. Accepting it - regardless of the security consequences - likely greases the wheels for the pact. That's probably why instead of backing off the deal, President Bush - supposedly Mr. Tough on National Secuirty - took the extraordinary step of threatening to use the first veto of his entire presidency to protect the UAE's interests. Because he knows protecting those interetsts - regardless of the security implications for America - is integral to the "free" trade agenda all of his corporate supporters are demanding.

The Inter Press Service highlights exactly what's at stake, quoting a conservative activists who admits that this is all about trade:

"The United States' trade relationship with the UAE is the third largest in the Middle East, after Israel and Saudi Arabia. The two nations are engaged in bilateral free talks that would liberalise trade between the two countries and would, in theory at least, allow companies to own and operate businesses in both nations. 'There are legitimate security questions to be asked but it would be a mistake and really an insult to one of our leading trading partners in that region to reject this commercial transaction out of hand,' said Daniel T. Griswold, who directs the Center for Trade Policy Studies at the Cato Institute, a Washington-based libertarian think tank."

lots more at:

http://www.davidsirota.com/2006/02/dirty-little-secret-behind-uae-port.html

[babylonsister]

1. So screw US security so the fat cats get fatter? Screw that, blivet! nt

[BlueEyedSon]

8. No, screw EVERYTHING so fat cats can get fatter!

[napi21]

2. What are the barriers NOW for trade between the US & the UAE?

As far as I know, there are NONE! I worked for a company that bought a lot of its products from the UAE. There were NO tarrifs, and no barriers at all that I know of.

We brought all our product into the port in Savanah, and of course they had to clear customs, but that's it.

What's this BS about talks with the UAE and better trading partners???

[rfranklin]

10. This is Bush's retirement plan...guaranteed that the Bush crime family...

will reap billions of dollars from this deal.

[oscarguy]

60. It is the only reason I can imagine. Billions of bucks for BUSHCO...

and that is what this family has been doing for so very long at the cost of American lives lost and treasury squandered. It is at least worth mentioning The Rest of the World and the price it paid. ...Oscar

[Marie26]

25. It's about outsourcing

The free trade agreement would "allow companies to own and operate businesses in both nations." This means AMERICAN corporations could move offices & business operations to the UAE. In another article, it said that the UAE usually requires "sponsors" for foreign companies. However, in the "free trade zones" US corporations could move there easily. There are probably some lucrative tax benefits as well. UAE is going to be the new boom town to supply the US's Middle East expansion - and GE, Halliburton, & Exxon will be first in line.

[PhilipShore]

27. Offshore secret banking and trading -Tax free

Anonymous Offshore Banking

http://www.offshore-companies.co.uk/

Offshore Companies House (OCH) is a professional offshore service provider for more than a decade and specialises in offshore banking and offshore company registration.

Due to unpleasant changes in legislation or tax policy in some offshore havens we no longer recommend and offer corporations and banking in the following jurisdictions: Cayman Islands, Switzerland and The Bahamas.

Our professionals are carefully and continuously analysing available offshore tax havens and have selected those which offer the best opportunities to the clients. The offshore jurisdictions where you can save on taxes and being offered include; BVI, Belize, Dominica, Seychelles, Panama and Gibraltar.

[Marie26]

28. Sigh. There you go.

Doesn't all this seem to be aimed at creating true "Multi-National Corporations" who are bound by no law, no tax system, & no loyalties? They could establish a base of operations in UAE, and then extend their tentacles around the world - no pesky laws to tell them how to pay taxes, or follow labor laws, or care for the environment. The "corporation" could finally break the restrictions to become a country of its own. This also ties into the recent spaceport contract for UAE. If the UAE becomes the hub of Multi-National Co., it'll need the infrastructure & ability to quickly reach other parts of the world. Thus the need for ports. This is all very long-term, of course, but I've had a sudden vision of the future that isn't very pretty.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. My my myyyyyyyy Sorota!

David Sorota has got it 100% correct. I'm kicking and recommending-come on, one more vote after mine and it goes on the Greatest Page!

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. All about trade, and nothing to do about national security.

This is so typical CEO. It's all about the money, and they don't even consider the negative consequences.

[leftstreet]

13. Yep, It was a bidding war between corporations in Singapore and Dubai

And shareholders made out like bandits.

http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000006&sid=am4I_txvJ3rU&refer=home

P&O Agrees to Singapore Acquisition, Dropping Dubai (Update5)
Jan. 26 (Bloomberg) -- Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co., Britain's largest port operator, agreed to be acquired by Singapore's biggest port company for 3.55 billion pounds ($6.3 billion), rejecting a lower offer from Dubai.

PSA International Pte, owned by Singapore's state investment company Temasek Holdings Pte, bid 470 pence for each share, London- based P&O said in a statement. DP World, the port operator owned by Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, offered 443 pence on Nov. 29.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-bz.polondon28jan28,1,7770185.story?coll=bal-business-headlines

City port operator prefers new suitor
Associated Press
Originally published January 28, 2006
LONDON // British port operator Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co., which runs Baltimore's public terminals, switched prospective suitors for the second time after Dubai Ports World raised its offer for the company to almost $7 billion, trumping an offer from Singapore's PSA International Ltd.

News of the bidding war sent P&O's shares up almost 5 percent yesterday.

[RazzleDazzle]

50. All about CARLYLE GROUP specifically

2nd time in 2 days I've been disappointed with David Sirota. In any case, here:

the connection to it all - Carlyle Group involved in port security deal
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2471320#2471323
also: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x473813
and: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x474295
Link: http://www.bridgedeck.org/mmp_news_archive/2002/mmp_news021219.html
and: http://www.nsnet.com/archive-1-2005-02.html
and: http://www.informare.it/news/review/2003/b030303.asp


Our Ports are a Tradeoff!! All about $$$ and Oil
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x471124
Link: http://www.oilandgasnewsonline.com/bkArticlesF.asp?Article=14878&Section=1947&IssueID=336 (also other links in OP)

[Lindsay]

5. Beware the BushCo "Free Trade" agreements.

They have been throwing all sorts of ugly things into those agreements - setting immigration policy is the only one I can remember off the top of my head, but I recall that they like to take power away from Congress as part of their trade packages.

[kpete]

6. If this is the case, Bush is screwed

they will LOSE the security issue and thats ALL they have...

[incapsulated]

7. There you go. Thanks.

I knew there was a real story behind this.

[xchrom]

9. more ''free trade'' that never manages to be quite so

''free''.

[PhilipShore]

16. Offshore secret banking and trading -Tax free

[HiSee]

11. Is Robert C. Bush related to Dubya?

The other day on CNN.com Lou Dobbs commented that a company from Dubai had bought shares in Time Warner. That company is called Istithmar.

-The Chairman of the board of Istithmar is Sultan Ahmed Bin Salayem he is also the exutive board director for DPWorld. A man named Robert C. Bush is also an officer for Istithmar.-

Istithmar Company Officers - Zawya.com Company DirectoryIstithmar officers and managers. ... Robert C Bush Jr, Senior Vice President, Investments. Osman Qureshi, Senior Vice President, Investments ...
www.zawya.com/cm/officers.cfm/cid100233....

http://www.usrom.com/Countries/uae.htm
Istithmar PJSC, a leading investment house based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), focusing on private equity, real estate and alternative investments, has announced today that it has closed on the acquisition of another internationally recognized landmark property, 230 Park Avenue (the Helmsley Building) in Manhattan. The property was purchased for $705 million from 230 Park Avenue Investors, LLC, of which Robert M. Bass of Fort Worth, Texas is a lead investor. The purchase of the New York City trophy property follows on the heels of Istithmar’s acquisition of London, the UK’s One Trafalgar Square last month.
230 Park Avenue is a 34-story gold-domed office tower, in excess of 1.2 million square feet straddling Park Avenue at 45th Street. Built in 1929, 230 Park Avenue is one of two buildings that combine a direct connection to Grand Central Terminal with the prestige of a Park Avenue address.
Istithmar’s Executive Chairman Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem commented, “We believe 230 Park Avenue is an irreplaceable prime property in the world’s largest real estate market. This particular investment represents the perfect fit for us as we continue to add outstanding assets to our expanding international real estate portfolio.”

[Oilwellian]

35. There's a Robert C Bush on...

the Council of Foreign Relations...a pit of snakes.

[newyawker99]

55. Hi Hisee!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Arugula Latte]

12. Okay. Bingo. That's the explanation I was looking for.

You just knew there had to be some major $$$$$ reason these assholes would take such an unpopular stand.

[Roland99]

14. 1st thing I thought of when this deal broke was: "Who's going to make $$?"

In this case, it looks like Secretary Snow and people associated with the BFEE.


T R A I T O R S ! ! ! !

[Burried News]

15. I wonder when Henry Kissmessenger will come out to defend the deal.

Paging Dr. Kissmessenger. Paging Dr. Assman. Shitstorm needed.

[shance]

17. He who controls the ports, controls the country.

Controls the terrorism, controls the illegal or prevention of illegal activities.

Who owns the Arabs?

Who really is behind the UAE? Is it really the Arabs?

I don't think so.

[Che_Nuevara]

24. Can you please explain these questions?

"Who owns the Arabs?"
"Who is really behind the UAE?"


As far as I know, the UAE is a soveriegn nation, and it's not terribly common for an entire race of people to be 'controlled' by anyone.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

18. On Friday, a large lawsuit was filed to stop this sale.

The attorneys, based out of Miami, are awesome, and they represent a business entity.

[jean]

22. what court does it go to, SCOTUS?

[Marie26]

29. On what basis? nt

[Sarah Ibarruri]

64. Based in Miami - Eller Co. is suing P & O, I believe

Sorry, don't know all the facts, but the spokesperson for the firm that filed the lawsuit is Michael Kreitzer, Esq. If you do a search, you'll find him everywhere.

[Megahurtz]

19. The BushCabal want their New World Order,

bad!:evilgrin:

[DinahMoeHum]

20. "Free trade" doesn't exist except in political speeches.

n/t

[PhilipShore]

21. UAE Tax Haven: A Complete Index-Resources for fleeing Americans

United Arab Emirates Taxhaven Information

http://www.taxhavenco.com/uae.html

United Arab Emirates: A Complete Index
___________________________________________


EscapeArtist Home Page: International Real Estate, Expatriate resources, Resources for Americans fleeing America, Search the largest expatriate database of embassies, international jobs & offshore financial services web sites.

http://www.escapeartist.com/united_arab_emirates/united_arab_emirates.html

[pinklefoot]

23. Finally

The reason of this deal going through is found. Thank's David Sorata!

[Marr]

26. There's a word for people who put profit before their nation's interests.

I believe it's... "traitor"...?

[pixelated]

30. Deeper into secret behind UAE port dealings

PORT DEAL = Political Appointment?


On CNN today feb 21 2006, white house counsel Dan Bartlett was on with Wolf Blitzer saying that Pres Bush only learned of the DB World port over the past few days. So did their reporter Dana Bash


http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0602/21/sitroom.01.html


But is it ironic that according to DP worlds own press release he appointed a DP World Senior Exec to a key US transportation post just a month ago?

DP World press release: http://www.dpiterminals.com/fullnews.asp?NewsID=39

Posted - knowing it's a "PRESS RELEASE"
---------------
DP WORLD EXECUTIVE NOMINATED FOR PRESITIGOUS US GOVT POSITION

Dubai, 24 January 2006: - Global ports operator DP World today welcomed news that one of its senior executives, Dave Sanborn, has been nominated by US President George W. Bush to serve as Maritime Administrator a key transportation appointment reporting directly to Norman Mineta the Secretary of Transportation and Cabinet Member.

The White House has issued a statement from Washington DC announcing the nomination. The confirmation process will begin in February.

Mr Sanborn currently holds the position of Director of Operations for Europe and Latin America for the Dubai-based company

Mohammed Sharaf, CEO, DP World said:
“While we are sorry to lose such an experienced and capable executive, it is exactly those qualities that will make Dave an effective administrator for MarAd. We are proud of Dave’s selection and pleased that the Bush Administration found such a capable executive. We wish him all the best in his new role.”

Ted Bilkey, Chief Operating Officer, DP World said:
“Dave’s decades of experience in markets around the world, together with his passion for the industry and commitment to its development, will allow him to make a positive contribution to the work of the Maritime Administration. We wish him well for the future.”

Mr Sanborn, a graduate of The United States Merchant Maritime Academy, joined DP World in 2005. He previously held senior roles with shipping lines CMA-CGM (Americas), APL Ltd and Sea-Land and has been based, besides the US, in Brazil, Europe, Hong Kong and Dubai during his career. He has also served in the US Naval Reserve.

Mr Sanborn is due to take up his new role based in Washington DC later in 2006.


-- ENDS --

For further information please contact:

Bell Pottinger Communications

Dubai:
Tom Mollo
[phone] [phone]
[e-mail]

London:
Dan de Belder
[phone]
[e-mail]

Notes for the editor:

DP World is a leading global port operator with a portfolio of operations in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. The company has 22 container terminals in 15 countries.

[newyawker99]

56. Hi pixelated!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[proud patriot]

31. Excellent piece

thanks for posting ..

this makes a lot sense to me .

[berni_mccoy]

32. The Bush Admin has already signed the first of several TRADE AGREEMENTS:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=485065&mesg_id=485065

[Catrina]

39. This is stunning!! I mean, Congress didn't know about this, neither did

Bush, if you believe what you read. So no part of the government was involved in the sale ~ how can this be?

I know about the secret committee which was made up of all Bush nominees, none of whom were elected. The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, Condy and Rummy. Also, Chertoff and Hadley ~ they approved the deal. But who made the deal?

What is going on here? I thought that the people of the US, represented by Congress were the only ones who could arrange for such a sale. What else are they selling behind the backs of the American people.

And who gets the $6 billion dollars? Do the American people benefit from this in any way? And who will they employ? Poor people from third world countries? This is an outrage, and not because of terrorism, which I doubt anymore ~ but because someone is selling this country piece by piece it seems and the country is losing its assests ~ I would like to know who profits from this.

If Bush decides to veto legislation to stop this, he should be impeached, imo.

[ClintonTyree]

44. Who gets the $ 6 Billion?

bush cronies, of course. Will the American people benefit? Not likely, have the American people benefited from ANY of bush's "trade" deals? Ross Perot was right, that "giant sucking sound" is growing ever louder. As you say, our country is being sold piece by piece, being "privatized" so that multinational corporations are in control of our government. "Corpocracy"......that is the form of "government" our country has now. This is exactly why bush is in the White House in the first place, he's their willing dupe to carry out their dreams of controlling the country. They've succeeded. Short of another revolution, there is no way this country will ever be, of, by and for the people again. It started during the Reagan years, "deregulation" of everything. No controls, no oversight no system of checks and balances. Capitalism gone wild. The wheels are in motion for the complete and total takeover of everything and it's not far away. A world-wide depression is all that is needed for "Corpocracy" to complete their work. Then they can snatch up everything remaining at bargain basement prices and the entire world population will become their indentured servants. What a lovely scenario :sarcasm: , but one that is rapidly approaching and I see nothing that can even slow it's impending arrival.

[Marie26]

53. P&O gets the $6 Billion - they're the sellers

The US doesn't directly make money from this deal at all. That's why it's even stranger that Bush is so eager to approve it.

[HiSee]

33. Quote from Bush

"And so, look, I can understand why some in Congress have raised questions about whether or not our country will be less secure as a result of this transaction. But they need to know that our government has looked at this issue and looked at it carefully." George W. Bush

When exactly, was congress kicked out of our government?

Bush Transcript rawstory.com

[Oilwellian]

36. Ha!

Excellent catch!

[karlrschneider]

37. To Chimp, "our government" means him and the PNAC criminal cabal.

It really is that simple. Oh, welcome to DU. ;-)

[Canuckistanian]

38. Good catch and welcome to DU!

:toast: :woohoo:

[ClintonTyree]

45. Congress was kicked out of our government.........

the moment it became controlled by a majority of Republicans and a Republican president was installed. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Republicans are putting party before country and the result is destroying our Democracy.

[worldgonekrazy]

59. Congress politely removed itself from our government

Congress has been slowly but surely abdicating all of its responsibility over the last 50 years. Apparently the people's representatives came to believe that power needed to rest in the hands of one man, and one man only, in order to preserve the empire that fell into our lap after WWII. Thats what it is all about. Can't have the pesky people with their noses in everything when you want to take over (as in "influence") the entire world.

[DirtyDawg]

34. At least now we know...

...now we know what geedubya has meant by 'ownership society'...The UAR.

[LSK]

40. UAE is already filthy rich -

Check out all the new skyscrapers and neat fancy buildings that have gone up in Dubai since 2000.

http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/bu/?id=100485

[philarq]

41. So now the repugs are all pro One World Government?

[Trevelyan]

42. PATHWAYS TO IMPEACHMENT - A Practical Guide

PATHWAYS TO IMPEACHMENT
Address:http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_carol_wo_060219_pathways_to_impeachm.htm
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````
*PATHWAYS TO IMPEACHMENT*
*Our Representatives must act on behalf of "we the people".* By Carol Wolman

Impeachment is a legal process similar to arraignment, whereby a public official is charged with criminal conduct. In the case of the president and vice president, the _*House of Representatives acts as the prosecuting attorney, for the people.*_ Its job is to investigate allegations of wrongdoing and, if warranted, to bring formal charges. The case then goes to the Senate, which acts as judge to find the official guilty or not guilty.

Basically, _*pressure has to be applied to our Representatives in Congress to truly represent our interests, rather than the **interests of the corporations, the military-industrial complex, the energy czars who want Bush to remain. *_We have vested our authority as "we the people" in these Representatives, and can vote them out this November if they don't do what we want.This essay will lay out several different pathways which can be taken to induce the House to do its job.

1) _*Put pressure on the current Congress to start an investigation intoimpeachable offenses.*_ This has been tried for the past year, and is going nowhere. Even with the fall of Tom DeLay, the _*White Housecontrol of the House remains firm*_, and Congr. John Conyers HouseResolutions 635,636 & 637, calling for censure and investigation of Bushand Cheney, _*don't get out of the Republican controlled JudicialCommittee.*_ This is the only path that has been followed so far, and it has led to great discouragement, since the _*White House simplystonewalls all requests for information that could lay the groundworkfor impeachment.*_

2) _*Pressure the Democratic Party to come out for impeachment in the upcoming election.*_ We want them to go after Bush the way theRepublicans went after Clinton. _*The current Democratic congressional leadership is too spineless to muster this kind of energy.*_ We don'tknow what sort of blackmail and threats they are being subjected to, but we do know that key Democratic Senatorial leaders were anthraxed withbugs from Fort Dietrick 2 weeks after 9-11, and that Paul Wellstone and his family were yanked out of the sky 2 weeks before an election. Peoplebased in Washington DC probably have good reason to be frightened.

We are getting around the Washington blanket of fear by _*pressuring Howard Dean, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, to work for impeachment*_. He is ex-governor in Vermont and mounted the only serious challenge to Bush's war presidency in 2004. Although the Committee isdominated by those playing ball with Bush, _*Dean is an independent thinker and might be persuaded that taking on impeachment is the onlyway to win Congress in the fall. *_We are mounting a letter writing campaign, via a handy link provided by the DNC. *Tell Dean that getting rid of the bad guys in the White House is our number one priority*_, and we want the Democrats, _*all Democratic candidatesfor Congress, to pledge to initiate an investigation into impeachable offenses, if elected. Recent polls show that 80% of Democrats wantimpeachment.*__*Tell Dean that we will give no money to the Democratic party until it advocates impeachment.*_You can write to him at http://www.democrats.org/page/petition/chairman/futfbu

3) Pressure especially incumbents, to mention the possibility of impeachment in their re-election campaign. _*people who are running forCongress,**Our goal is to make impeachment THE CENTRAL campaign issue.*_
4) Run our own impeachment candidates through the Green party. Some of us are organizing on the internet to this end.
5) Work on an _*alternate route, via state legislatures, which can send impeachment resolutions to Congress.*_ Take impeachment resolutions to city councils, boards of supervisors, and any other official bodies you can think of.
6) Build your core group. www.impeachBush.meetup.com offers a handy way to inform people of meetings and other events. Our east bay group is active enough now that we also have a yahoo group where we can quickly exchange ideas and chat.
7) Build the movement- reach out to the community. Table, _*get people to sign petitions to Dean,*_ share the mike at local events, makespeakers available to other groups, liaison with the Greens, the Democrats, the peace movement, environmentalists, women and minorityactivists, advocates for the poor, and your family, friends and neighbors.

_*Impeachment is a movement whose time has come. We ThePeople need to take our authority back!*_Impeachment is peaceful, legal, and democratic. We can do this! In the name of the Prince of Peace, Carol Wolman Authors Website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/activistsforimpeachment/Authors Bio:

Carol S. Wolman, MD is a psychiatrist in Northern California. A lifelong peace activist, she has written extensively on the psychology of our times. She is actively working to impeach Bush and Cheney, and invites you to print out a letter to Bush from Rep. JohnConyers, informing Bush that censure and impeachment are underway. You can collect signatures and fax them to your representative and to Conyers. http://deependnews.com/conyerscensure.htm She also suggests you join or form a local group at http://impeachbush.meetup.com/

[threadkillaz]

43. Another Little Secret - Australia vs Dubai, circa 97-98

The Dubai Debacle
http://www.mua.org.au/war/dubai.html

The year ended with a proverbial bang on the Australian waterfront. On December 3 the Australian Council of Trade Unions and the Maritime Union of Australia exposed that a group of Sandline-style mercenaries were flying to Dubai to train as wharfies.

Two former SAS commandos were in charge of the operation Peter Kilfoyle and Mike Wells. Among the 70 recruits were serving members and former members of the military. A mysterious Australian company known as International Port Services Training Group Pty Ltd was behind the training with the shadowy $20 shelf company Fynwest Pty Ltd recruiting and employing the mercenaries. The Hong Kong based company channelling funds for the retraining was Container Management Services.

-

ACTU Assistant Secretary Greg Combet said: "I certainly hope that paramilitary operations like this would never be contemplated in Australia... The secret plan has the potential to cause explosive industrial disputation. It is categorically un-Australian, and will be met with horror."

-

Why Dubai?
Slap bang in the Arabian Gulf, Dubai is a free trade zone and an industrial free-for-all. Foreign workers predominate and trade unions are outlawed. Deportation awaits those who dare to organise one.

-

Wells admitted the Dubai plan was aimed at breaking union power on the docks and vowed to try again to take on the Maritime Union (The Age, December 18). In fact he foreshadowed the NFF operation at Webb Dock.


====


Australia union warns of international UAE boycott
Reuters, 02:43 a.m. 11 December 1997 Eastern
http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/26/124.html

CANBERRA, Dec 11 (Reuters) - International unions could boycott the United Arab Emirates (UAE) port of Dubai over the training of Australian soldiers to work on Australian docks, Australia's maritime trade union said on Thursday.

The powerful Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) says the men, which it has called mercenaries, are being trained as strike breakers in an attempt to break its grip on the waterfront.

====


Dock Workers In Australia Protest Employer's Union-Busting Moves
http://www.themilitant.com/1998/6210/6210_5.html

SYDNEY, Australia - Some 170 dock workers, members of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) on the Webb Dock in Port Melbourne, Victoria, ended a two-and- a-half-week strike February 16 against the use of nonunion labor on the wharf.


====

Showdown for Australian workers - 12 April, 1998
http://www.workersliberty.org/node/view/5422?PHPSESSID=93d

When Australia's current right wing coalition government came to office in March 1996, one of its main election pledges was that it would break the waterfront union, the MUA. Now the government and one of Australia's two main stevedoring companies, Patrick's, have gone for the showdown by sacking 1400 unionised wharfies to replace them by scab labour.

====

[farmbo]

46. Free Trade = "Free" of Longshoremen's Unions

eom

[blindpig]

47. The business of America is business.

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[PATRICK]

48. Instincts were correct

I figured this business side of the deal and the luminary business allies of the Bushistas far outweighed any considerations including the pathetic castrated political considerations, something for which they have adopted the pose of bold disdain. Sorry to say, perhaps the unfeigned shock and puzzlement by elected members of Congress is so genuine they still can't see the obvious. there are no other agendas or legitimate presidential, American interest concerns or ideological or party concerns that can stand in competition with the Bush core business/power agenda. Never had we had a president, all pretending aside, never any fulfillment or priority of any other kind(in fact usually the opposite) despite the government "standing behind" the token statements, the apparent American interests and policies still diving into the ground like planes without a guidance system running out of fuel. And like those many planes circling the Bush runway which is still off limits to any except his pals- foreign or domestic, their concern about the plight is one of horror, confusion and impotence.

Bush allows no refuge, no shred of sane cover or blending of agendas. It is as it always has been with this uncharismatic, ill spoken schmuck, a blatant disregard for everything except their private plans. Even the free trade crowd is betrayed by the sheer incompetence and buffoonery everyone has let this fraudulent administration get away with.

Usually, such power, backed up by the sane dominance of task-doers, order followers, myth priests in a prosperous powerful society, turns eventually to insanity. Then to insanity so insulting as to cause these results: various types of counter coups, the contagion of decadence becoming ingrained in the blindly functioning "great" society, the collapse of that society. Small satisfaction in having the private comedies of the emperors go out in spectacular fashion. Great shame in making them the epitome of lies a society tells about itself in ignorant and senseless decline.

Much is made of the sheeple's resilience to live their lives and careers in all kinds of social disorder, but the spectacle of one with the awareness, the education and the democratic power to achieve bloodless justice and reform fall so impotent and flat is the one story for the entertainment of some future age no one wants to tell.

But our leaders are behind the learning curve of intelligent guessing, facing facts, and standing up to the plate in timely fashion and the with the passion commensurate to the challenge. The people are way farther ahead but repressed by the democratic agencies of change being systematically placed in the wrong hands. It isn't too late, but so many tests have been failed to arouse the majority that never supported the Bush reality that it is getting to the point that Bush feels, KNOWS, he can declare war, martial law, anything, tomorrow or the next day and have nothing real to fear.

Apparently SOMEONE in America has vastly improved personal security over these past years. And that sole privileged American is our one and only King Georgy.

[leftchick]

49. kick

are any congress folks aware of this? Any?

[kpete]

51. MORE FROM SIROTA AT HUFFPO:

Truth About UAE Port Security Scandal Quietly Leaks Out

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sirota/truth-about-uae-port-secu_b_16133.html

[Nikki Stone 1]

58. kick

:kick:

[AzDar]

52. an angry little KICK.... n/t

[savemefromdumbya]

54. Bush has shot himself in the foot on this one

Now the public are asking - if Bush is trying to protect us why is he hiring Arabs to protect our ports?

[redqueen]

57. You like that, lurking republicans?

Do you?

If not, then for God's sake, help us do something about this!

You elected these idiots! You can at least help to clean up the mess you helped cause!

:mad:

[robertpaulsen]

61. Robert Zoellick: Aspen Institute, CFR, Trilateral Commission and PNAC!

Robert B. Zoellick

From Demopedia

Categories: U.S. Official | PNAC | Republicans

Robert Bruce Zoellick (born July 25, 1953) is the current United States Deputy Secretary of State. Before his present position, he served as United States Trade Representative from February 7, 2001 until February 22, 2005.
Table of contents
1 Business
2 During George H.W. Bush
3 Bush Family Man
4 See also
5 External links

Business

Robert Zoellick also serves or has served as a board member on a number of private and public organizations:

* Alliance Capital, Said Holdings, and the Precursor Group;
* Member of the advisory boards of Enron and Viventures, a venture fund;
* Director of the Aspen Institute's Strategy Group
* Council on Foreign Relations
* German Marshall Fund of the United States
* World Wildlife Advisory Council
* Member of Secretary William Sebastian Cohen's Defense Policy Board.<1> (http://www.ustr.gov/about-ustr/ambassador/zoellick.html)<2> (http://www.ustdrc.gov/members/zoellick.html)
* Member of Trilateral Commission
* Member of the PNAC and an original signer of the PNAC letter to Bill Clinton.

more...

http://demopedia.democraticunderground.com/index.php/Robert_B._Zoellick


There's your dirty little secret! Gotta love DU!

[calimary]

62. Kick!

Good find!

[Armstead]

63. Nuther kick