So, * checked w/ Intel, Cabinet Secretaries, but Rummy said in a press

[seafan]

conference yesterday, Feb. 21, that HE didn't even know about it!

But, Rummy! YOU ARE ON THIS SECRET PANEL!!!!!!

BREAKING: Rumsfeld and Pace Not Consulted On Transfer Of Port Operations To UAE

In a press briefing today, Secretary Rumsfeld revealed that he was not consulted about the decision to transfer operations of six key U.S. ports to the United Arab Emirates, a country with troubling ties to international terrorism.

QUESTION: Are you confident that any problems with security — from what you know, are you confident that any problems with security would not be greater with a UAE company running this than an American company?

RUMSFELD: I am reluctant to make judgments based on the minimal amount of information I have because I just heard about this over the weekend.

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/02/21/rumsfeld-not-consulted/




And from poor little Scotty, the cleaner-upper of * messes:

While Bush has adamantly defended the deal, the White House acknowledged that he did not know about it until recently.

"He became aware of it over the last several days," McClellan said. Asked if Bush did not know about it until it was a done deal, McClellan said, "That's correct." He said the matter did not rise to the presidential level, but went through a congressionally-mandated review process and was determined not to pose a national security threat.
"The president made sure to check with all the Cabinet secretaries that are part of this process, or whose agencies or departments are part of this process," the spokesman said. "He made sure to check with them — even after this got more attention in the press, to make sure that they were comfortable with the decision that was made."

"And every one of the Cabinet secretaries expressed that they were comfortable with this transaction being approved," he said.
Commerce Secretary Carlos Guiterrez, told The Associated Press in an interview: "They are not in charge of security. We are not turning over the security of our ports. When people make statements like that you get an instant emotional reaction."

snip

McClellan dismissed any connection between the deal and David Sanborn of Virginia, a former senior DP World executive whom the White House appointed last month to be the new administrator of the Maritime Administration of the Transportation Department. Sanborn worked as DP World's director of operations for Europe and Latin America.

"My understanding is that he has assured us that he was not involved in the negotiations to purchase this British company," McClellan added.
"In terms of David Sanborn, he was nominated to run the Maritime Administration because of his experience and expertise," the spokesman said. Sanborn is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. He is an operations professional.

snip

Bush took the rare step of calling reporters to his conference room on Air Force One after returning from a speech in Colorado. He also stopped to talk before television cameras after he returned to the White House.
He said that members of Congress "need to know that our government has looked at this issue and looked at it carefully."
A senior executive from Dubai Ports World pledged the company would agree to whatever security precautions the U.S. government demanded to salvage the deal. Chief operating officer Edward "Ted" H. Bilkey promised Dubai Ports "will fully cooperate in putting into place whatever is necessary to protect the terminals."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060222/ap_on_go_pr_wh/ports_security




But, but, but, there were NO BACKGROUND CHECKS AND NO GATHERING OF OUTSIDE INFORMATION!!!!!!!

NYT: February 17, 2006

Stewart Baker, assistant secretary for policy at the Department of Homeland Security, said his department had no information about Dubai Ports World that justified an objection to the deal. Indeed, he said, the company has cooperated with the department in its efforts to secure American ports and ships in foreign ports.

"We did not find derogatory information in our review," he said.

But that review, Mr. Baker said, did not involve gathering information from outside sources, like the Port Authority, because the committee must keep a proposed transaction secret. He said the committee's investigation began in November and ended in mid-January.

The investigation did not include background checks on the senior managers of the company or an evaluation of how the company screens its own employees, Mr. King said. "Certainly, you would think they would talk to the Port Authority," he added.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/17/nyregion/17ports.html?pagewanted=print




WHO IS RUNNING OUR GOVERNMENT?? H-E-L-L-O----------

It's the *tough on terror*, Keep-Us-Safe guy everybody would like to have a beer with. Forgive us for asking. Who's our daddy.

We are in deep, deep doodoo.

[seafan]

1. Just heard on Thom Hartmann, Scott McClellan just said in the briefing

about 10 min ago that 'every single cabinet member present at the meeting about the port takeover was in agreement. There were NO dissenting members.'

(paraphrased)


So, is Scotty calling Rummy a liar? Or is Rummy calling Scotty a liar? Or did Rummy outsource his presence on this panel to some toady from DOD?


WHO'S ON FIRST!!??

[Marie26]

3. probably true

Everyone at the meeting agreed. Except only Tresury Sec. Snow was there. Does anyone know if a unanimous vote, or certain number present are required in order to approve sales? I couldn't find anything on that.

[seafan]

2. Another "in the dark" announcement!

Secretary of the Treasury John Snow announced that HE did not know of this port takeover deal. Yeah, John, whatever you say.



Treasury Secretary John Snow said he learned of it ``by reading it in the newspapers.''

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=aISJkXT.Z.tw&refer=top_world_news

[Marie26]

4. Now THAT is bull

Snow is the Chairman of CFUIS, the committee that reviews & approved foreign purchases. And supposedly this was reviewed & approved by CFUIS. He MUST HAVE known about the sale before approval he's the one that approves it! This story just keeps getting weirder. There's only two possibilities: Either he's lying, or this purchase never went through the legal channels at all.