Port Security IS The Issue, Here

[rucky]

Check out this Dobbs report from 2 days ago:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0602/23/ldt.01.h...

The White House has repeatedly failed to make that distinction between a government-owned company and a foreign company. The White House is ignoring what we've been reporting here for some time, that terminal operators themselves do play a critical role in protecting our ports and preserving security.

Bill Tucker tonight reports from one of those ports in Brooklyn, New York.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BILL TUCKER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): When it comes to port security, it is the case of the administration that protests too much.

MCCLELLAN: This not about control of our ports, this is not about the security of our ports. And let me be very clear, one thing we will never do is outsource to anyone the control and security of our ports, whether that's Dubai or any other entity that operates terminals at our ports.

TUCKER: The White House is wrong. It is about control of our ports. And security is routinely outsourced. Port security is very different from airport or border security. It is a public-private partnership and private companies play a key role.

SAL CATUCCI, AMERICAN STEVEDORING INC.: We're at every ship, and we watch everything that's going on. We know of everything that's going on within the port. And the security right now happens to be the top priority of the company.

TUCKER: In simple terms, at most ports security works like this: while the ship is in the water, it's under the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard. While docked at the port and those goods are being unloaded, it's under the jurisdiction of Customs and Border Protection. But the minute those goods come off of the ships and land on the dock, security is the sole responsibility of the terminal operator.

The security plans are reviewed by the Department of Homeland Security, but the terminal operator is solely responsible for the execution of those plans. The plans are classified secret. If a foreign government gains control of the terminal it becomes privy to the classified security arrangements. Not wise, in the opinion of this terminal operator.

CATUCCI: I think we're in trouble right now because it's happening. It's -- you're going to have to give that -- they're going to have a blueprint of that security.

TUCKER: The port authority's authority at most ports ends at the roads leading to and connecting the terminals.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TUCKER: Now, the cost for lighting, fencing, closed-circuit TV, Lou, those are shared by the port and the terminal operator. But when it comes to the security guards, they are hired, fire and paid by the terminal operator.

In this case, it happens to be American Stevedoring, one of only two American terminal operators left in the ports of Newark, New York and New Jersey -- Lou.

DOBBS: Thank you very much.

[rucky]

1. that sunk fast

it's important, because it refutes the latest talking point that the port operators don't have anything to do with security

[RaleighNCDUer]

2. And nobody should be discussing this without a mention of

BCCI.