The Bush administration on Thursday rebuffed criticism about potential security risks of a $6.8 billion sale that gives a company in the United Arab Emirates control over significant operations at six major American ports.
Lawmakers asked the White House to reconsider its earlier approval of the deal.
The sale to state-owned Dubai Ports World was "rigorously reviewed" by a U.S. committee that considers security threats when foreign companies seek to buy or invest in American industry, National Security Council spokesman Frederick Jones said.
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, run by the Treasury Department, reviewed an assessment from U.S. intelligence agencies. The committee's 12 members agreed unanimously the sale did not present any problems, the department said.
"We wanted to look at this one quite closely because it relates to ports," Stewart Baker, an assistant secretary in the Homeland Security Department, told The Associated Press. "It is important to focus on this partner as opposed to just what part of the world they come from. We came to the conclusion that the transaction should not be halted."
The unusual defense of the secretive committee, which reviews hundreds of such deals each year, came in response to criticism about the purchase of London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co.
The world's fourth-largest ports company runs commercial operations at shipping terminals in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia.
Four senators and three House members asked the administration Thursday to reconsider its approval. The lawmakers contended the UAE is not consistent in its support of U.S. terrorism-fighting efforts.
Source: The Associated Press
White House Defends Port Sale to Arab Co.
Discussion in 'Political Debate & Discussion' started by JGrubbs, Feb 16, 2006.
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I am not surprised. President Bush has enjoyed doing business with Arabs for many years. Of course, this is not HIS business, it is the business of the American people and it is a security issue, but that seems not to matter to this President. Glad I didn't fall for the rhetoric and vote for him the second tme around.
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Ken!
Please take note! I disagree with the Bush White House on this and will use my considerable influence to remedy the situation! :D :D :D :D -
Well, OR, we are still on opposite sides. PLEASE NOTE! I support the Bush administration on this.
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Why?
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Why not? I don't see any security threat to the U.S. in this.
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:D :D :D -
:eek: :eek: :eek:
I didn't hear about this.
Wow..... -
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Aren't there any companies or people in the U.S. that could do this job? Why on earth would we want to farm out security to any country?
Of all the things that the Bush administration has done that I disagree with, this takes the cake!
BTW, I would feel the same regardless of who occupied the White House. -
We don't need foreign companies running our port facilities. Period. -
I would like to ask a semi- political question. Are you, the bloggers answering on this thread aware that some people are saying that," George W. Bush (EL Presidente himself)is the Antichrist?"
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Bush isn't the anti-christ. But he is a globalist and promotes their agenda of a one world government ultimately controlled by the European royalty. That's my opinion based on what I have read anyways. I'd say those people that claim Bush is the anti-christ should look more closely at the "Red Prince"<-link instead of GWB. ;)
[ February 17, 2006, 03:49 PM: Message edited by: poncho ]