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Lawmakers pissed over port takeover by Arabs

February 20, 2006 12:01 AM / Capitol Hillbillies .
U.S. terms for approving an Arab company's takeover of operations at six major American ports are insufficient to guard against terrorist infiltration, the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee said Sunday.

"I'm aware of the conditions and they relate entirely to how the company carries out its procedures, but it doesn't go to who they hire, or how they hire people," Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., told The Associated Press.

"They're better than nothing, but to me they don't address the underlying conditions, which is how are they going to guard against things like infiltration by al-Qaida or someone else, how are they going to guard against corruption?" King said.

King spoke in response to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff's comments Sunday about conditions of the sale. King said he learned about the government's terms for approving the sale from meetings with senior Bush administration officials.

Chertoff defended the security review of Dubai Ports World of the United Arab Emirates, the company given permission to take over the port operations. Chertoff said the government typically builds in "certain conditions or requirements that the company has to agree to make sure we address the national security concerns." But Chertoff declined to discuss specifics saying that information is classified.

"We make sure there are assurances in place, in general, sufficient to satisfy us that the deal is appropriate from a national security standpoint," Chertoff said on ABC's "This Week."

London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co., was bought last week by DP World, a state-owned business. Peninsular and Oriental runs major commercial operations in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia.

A Miami company, Continental Stevedoring & Terminals Inc., has filed suit in a Florida court challenging the deal. A subsidiary of Eller & Company Inc., the Miami company maintains it the suit disclosed Saturday evening that it will become an "involuntary partner" with Dubai's government under the sale.

"We are aware of the lawsuit, but cannot comment until our legal teams have a chance to review it," Michael Seymour, president of the North American arm of Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation, said Sunday in the company's initial response to the lawsuit.

He noted that his company "is itself a foreign-owned terminal operator that has long worked with U.S. government officials in charge of security at the ports to meet all U.S. government standards, as do other foreign companies that currently operate ports in the United States."

"We are confident that the DP World purchase will ensure that our operations continue to meet all relevant standards in the U.S. through ongoing collaboration between the port operators and American, British, Australian and port security officials throughout the world," Seymour said in a statement telephoned to the AP.

Lawmakers from both parties are questioning the sale as a possible risk to national security.

"It's unbelievably tone deaf politically at this point in our history," Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., said on "Fox News Sunday."

"Most Americans are scratching their heads, wondering why this company from this region now," Graham said.

Sen. Barbara Boxer, on CBS' "Face the Nation," said, "It is ridiculous to say you're taking secret steps to make sure that it's OK for a nation that had ties to 9/11, (to) take over part of our port operations in many of our largest ports. This has to stop."

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told Arab journalists in an interview Friday at the State Department, that it was "the considered opinion of the U.S. government that this can go forward." She pledged to work with Congress because "perhaps people will need better explanation and will need to understand some of the process that we have gone through."

At least one Senate oversight hearing is planned for later this month.

"Congress is welcome to look at this and can get classified briefings," Chertoff told CNN's "Late Edition." "We have to balance the paramount urgency of security against the fact that we still want to have a robust global trading system," he added.

Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., who is working on legislation to prohibit companies owned or controlled by foreign governments from running port operation in the U.S., said Chertoff's comments showed him that the administration "just does not get it."

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. joined some family members of Sept. 11 victims at a news conference Sunday to urge President Bush to personally intervene. The president "should override the agreement and conduct a special investigation into the matter," Schumer said.

Dubai Ports World should not be excluded automatically from such a deal because it is based in the UAE, Chertoff said.

Critics have cited the UAE's history as an operational and financial base for the hijackers who carried out the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. In addition, they contend the UAE was an important transfer point for shipments of smuggled nuclear components sent to Iran, North Korea and Libya by a Pakistani scientist.

Dubai Ports World has said it intends to "maintain and, where appropriate, enhance current security arrangements." The UAE's foreign minister has described his country as an important U.S. ally in fighting terrorism.

"I would hope that our friends in Abu Dhabi would not be offended by the fact that in our democracy, we debate these things," Rice said in the interview with the Arab journalists.

© 2006 The Associated Press

© Copyright 2006 by Capitol Hill Blue

Comments

Since when do we let the fox guard the hen house.
Rice hopes our "friends" won't be upset because we discuss things in a democracy. Fire her and Chertoff.

Posted by Jean at February 20, 2006 09:16 AM

I saw this Chertoff interview on "Meet The Press"
IMO Chertoff is just another in a seemingly never ending series of bureaucratic nightmares when it comes to hiring.

He told Russert, I serve at the pleasure of the President and as long as the president wants me in this cabinet position, I will be there.

TRANSLATION: So the President hired a moron, a political ally, and you can't fire me, he won't so take that America. He is he said, in the process of making the needed corrections" after three US States were destroyed. It was HE, as the Cabinet head, Agency head who is responsible. It is HE who failed miserably in the preparations, responded after the fact so miserably, has no clue about the huge amount of graft and corruption (calling this "a few scoundrels") misusing the aid and now is in "meetings" to correct whatever.

In the meantime if the south gets hammered again and all the debris, still there more than 5 months later, somehow blows out to sea, he will then say, Well see...problem solved !! Of course, we will of course buy this excuse too because after all he serves at the pleasure of this President.

He is just one of many that MUST GO...PERIOD.

IN ALL FAIRNESS. This company may be and probably is on the up and up. But once again the secrecy of it all is mindboggling.

Plus they also know that most Americans won't care (until God forbid something happened) then they would go out and buy American Flags and yellow ribbons by the gross ton. Those that do care are under the required mathematical numbers to get things done or changed so this is what happens.

Posted by TRUTH 101 at February 20, 2006 09:16 AM

I'm a great grandmother in my mid seventies and I couldn't get aboard a plane to go anywhere, but those who financed the seven-eleven attack can "guard our ports"? Holy cats! I must be delusional, or can someone be making money for their post Bush Cheney job?

Posted by Catherine Smith at February 20, 2006 09:57 AM

Catherine.

IN A WORD: PROBABLY !!

Posted by TRUTH 101 at February 20, 2006 10:26 AM

I keep thinking these nuts that are running our government just can't surprise me anymore, but guess what an Arab country guarding our ports is insane.

Posted by Bev Harmon at February 20, 2006 10:32 AM

What we are seeing, is what I believe the greatest hostile corporate takeover ever, america is more of a corporation than a country, and these guys know that, this government is basicaly Enron on a grand scale, they have ran up a record debt, they make Billions in profit off no-bid contracts, Billions of profit on oil, spend as little as they can on what the people really need, this country is being looted, by its own gov. everyday,...now we will outsource our port security!...lets outsource the people that run this country before we are left with an empty shell of a once great republic.

Posted by wallyworld at February 20, 2006 11:30 AM

Your story of the takeover of 6 of our East Coast major ports by Arabs with connections to the AlQueda should have been at the top of your CHB page! elgee

Posted by elgee at February 20, 2006 12:58 PM

I saw sentiments on another site about "Arabs taking over the ports." The Arabs were referred to as "the same people who brought us 911." I asked the site if they had ANY evidence that there were ANY Arabs on ANY of the 911 planes. The site manager didn't have any such evidence. [For those who have been asleep, the ONLY evidence that there were any Arabs on any of the 911 planes is the list of 19 alleged hijackers that mysteriously appeared within a day or so of the event. At least seven people on that list have inconveniently surfaced alive, obviously innocent victims of identity theft.]

http://911review.org/Wget/members.fortunecity.com/911/september-eleven/hijackers-alive.htm

There are no airport videos, forensic reports or any paper or electronic media documentation that there were any Arabs on any of the 911 flights. Ergo, the Arab-baiting hysteria in Congress is venal and/or pitifully ignorant.

Posted by Gedlo at February 20, 2006 01:13 PM

That is why there haven’t been any charges with convictions against anyone who supposedly was involved with the 911 attacks! It also provides reason to why the president hasn’t made effort in locating Osama. During the 2004 presidential campaign Osama’s name was mentioned often, but his face never appeared. Did it? Of course not.

By George, . . . "I think my fellow-man has finally got it!"

It has taken years to witness my fellow Americans arise to THE TRUTH. You can bring a camel to the WATER, but you can't make them drink it! But we believe, mankind has finally developed a sweet taste for TRUTH! Water has the ability to cleanse and to heal. Keep drinking, . . . it does the body good!

Oh how many secrets yet untold! Oh how many secrets will soon unfold!

To wallyworld, . . . YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT! Out source the MID-EVILS! For they have no-good intentions for the public crowd!

Question: What if the commander in chief, or anyone in the office of the state and federal government had an EVIL and DISGUSTING face, while standing in front of us foaming at the mouth for more blood, clawing at the souls of the innocent, screaming out for more, more, more, hatred. Would you keep these so-called humans in your house and feed them and clothe them? NO? Ye shall be called a liar! For we are ALL clothing them and feeding them and housing them daily!

When we open our eyes and ears to THE TRUTH, we will see and hear, . . . The beasts knocking at our door to visit us, while wearing their sheep’s clothing, falsely preaching, . . . "peace, peace.”

P.S. If we can lavish our bodies each day with the cleansing of the water, then we SHOULD lavish our spirit each day with the cleansing of THE TRUTH!

Think about it my friends. THE TRUTH will set you free!

Posted by soul cleansing at February 20, 2006 02:02 PM

"TRUST US" FROM THE LYING SPYING GANG THAT CAN'T SHOOT STRAIGHT. THE "MORON IN CHIEF" SAID "YOUR WITH US OR YOUR AGAINST US" HE MUST HAVE FORGOT "OR YOU CAN BUY US"

Posted by LOUIS WENNER at February 20, 2006 06:00 PM

Howabout this for a suggestion let's just allow the Bin Laden family Corp. protect our ports and make it real easy for our so called "allies" like Saudi Arabia to screw us again! The Bu$h gang aren't just tone deaf as Lindsey Graham said the other day on Faux news their friggin moronic greedy traitors. Any notion that these ass klowns give a flying fuck about Nat'l or even Rational Security is completely by the boards with this insane deal. As to Condi Rice's fawning pleading hope that her Arab masters won't be offended by what's left of democracy in this country is beyond laughable. What in God's name are we doing having such a person representing us Int'lly? The criminal acts of this admin. just keep coming.

Posted by glenn at February 20, 2006 07:07 PM

One comment:

Clean out the cesspool before it runs all over the country........

Les

Posted by Lesley Varwig at February 20, 2006 08:08 PM

AMERICA IS NO MORE CALLED, THE LAND OF THE FREE. AMERICA IS NOW CALLED THE LAND OF "CAPITALISM."

CAPITALISM IS THE ENEMY OF GOD. CAPITALISM IS GOING TO BRING THE VISITING OF THE END FIRE TO AMERICA. WHEN ONE READS THE BOOK OF REVELATIONS, THEY WILL FIND, AMERICA IS GOING TO BURN UP IN ONE HOUR!

READ, STUDY AND RESEARCH. NOT ONLY AMERICAN HISTORY, BUT THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.(KJV)

FORGET NOT, THAT OUR ANCESTRAL FATHERS GROUNDED AMERICA ON THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, NOT ON THE UNSTABLE BASE OF CAPITALISM. THEY GAVE FOREWARNING AGAINST CAPITALISM, AND COMMANDED FOR THE PEOPLE TO ABOLISH ANY FORM OF GOVERNMENT, THAT REPLACED FREEDOM WITH IDEOLOGY.

SO HERE WE ARE. BARELY SURVIVING IN THE FORM OF A COMPLETE MESS. WE WERE ADMONISHED TO WATCH OUT FOR SUCH BY OUR GOD, WHO INTRUSTED OUR FOUNDING FATHERS TO SPEAK TO MAN IN HIS UNDERSTANDING, BUT DID MAN GIVE AN EAR TO LISTEN? A HEART TO OBEY? A MIND TO AVOID?

WHAT DO WE DO NOW? WE FIGHT! WE FIGHT NOT AGAINST MAN, BUT AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES. HOW? WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF TRUTH WALKED IN BY FAITH.

IT IS NOT AS DIFFICULT AS ONE MAY BELIEVE. LIFE AND DEATH WILL BE MORE DIFFICULT TO BEAR IF WE DON'T.

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT IS HEADING IN THE DIRECTION OF US? IF YOU THINK 911 WAS HORRIFIC TO WITNESS, AND ALL OF THE OTHER HORRIFIC EVENTS THAT HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THEN, WERE HEART BREAKING, . . . GIVE TIME TO WASTE, AND YOU WILL PERSONALLY EXPERIENCE A WRATH LIKE NO OTHER!

WE ARE ALL BEGINNING TO FEEL A SENSE OF IT ALL NOW. THERE IS NO LONGER GOOD FOOD, WATER, NOR AIR, TO SQUANDER!

AS MANY PEOPLE MAY HAVE THEIR SUSPICIONS OF 911 AND OTHER BOMBINGS, NONETHELESS, THEY COULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED WITHOUT GOD’S ADMISSION.

THERE IS A GRAND AMOUNT OF INFORMATION ONE CAN GATHER, AND USE IT AS REINFORCEMENT AGAINST THE BROKEN WALLS OF OUR NATION. PUT EVERYONE'S KNOWLEDGE TOGETHER, AND EVENTUALLY YOU WILL BUILD A NEW BUILDING!

WE MUST DO BETTER THAN WHAT WE ARE CURRENTLY DOING. IF NOT, AT LEAST OF ALL, DON'T SAY YOU WERE NEVER WARNED!

ALL THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS ALSO GIVEN IN HEART, FOR ALL GOVERNMENT'S. FOR EACH AND EVERY PERSON THAT HAS BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS, HAD BETTER CLEANSE THEMSELVES BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE! ONCE THE DOORS ARE SHUT, THEY ARE CLOSED FOR ETERNITY!


Posted by TRUTH speaks at February 20, 2006 09:29 PM

This country is going to hell in a hand cart. Every day brings new surprises.--now bringing in an Arab country to guard our ports--insane--!! The mess in Washington is tearing this country to pieces-- Give them another three years and there will no longer be a USA!!!! We have people in Washington who are supposed to represent us. What a joke.

Posted by Helen at February 21, 2006 01:38 AM

What's next? Border Security out-sourced to the Mexicans and The Federal Reserve to China.

Posted by Gerald Owens at February 21, 2006 10:13 AM

All of these comments mean little to nothing unless they result in action from the elctorate. BLA BLA BLA, I'm for this, I'm for that. It doesn't matter to them until election day. "WE THE PEOPLE" need to get off our apathetic lazy over opinionated, non-voting asses and fire EVERY last one of these good for nothing, lying and stealing, anti-constitutionalist, incumbant representatives, seeking re-election in november. Instead of voting when we don't know anyone or anything else, become informed and elect a balance of representatives who will at least look and sound like they are honest. And.......if they fail, vote thier asses out the very next term. Eventually these greedy self serving moronic thieves WILL get the mesage. For God and our still great (not for long) nation's sake, just do it before it's too damn late! It is pointless to just blog along. It make about as much sense as "They" do. The greatest turn over in American history should take place in this November's election. It's funny that once both sides began to feel the heat of the Lobbying scandal, they all spoke of reforms, but did anyone on either side speak of simply eleiminating the lobbbyists access to congress? NO. Dems. and Reps. alike need to get the point and VERY SOON!
So, in the name of God given good common sense,
VOTE THEM ALL OUT and impose our own brand of term limits. Good ones, bad ones, so what, we know there is corruption and debautchery in our government and we allow it every election by keeping the same losers in office. 8 and hit the gate!

Posted by Lisa at February 21, 2006 11:18 AM

Now, children -- can you say SELLOUT?

Tell me, when do we get to clean house and outsource Bu$h, Rice, Chertoff and the rest of the idiots? The UAE won't cooperate with 9/11 investigations, funds for terrorist operations were funnelled through their banks, and they are enaged in a huge cover up.

Now, we are handing them sensitive information critical to national security, and billions of dollars to boot. Maybe we should just outsource Bu$h and his staff of crooks and turn the White House over to the Saudis.

I cannot believe that the military is staying silent on all of this or that people like Colin Powell and John McCain haven't spoken up.

Is there going to be anything left of this country for our grandchildren?

Posted by Gracie at February 21, 2006 11:59 AM

To Gracie, with all due respect dear friend, . . . there is NO FUTURE to bank on. I have a son who is in his early twenty's, and he already knows, . . . there is no future of marriage and children for him, . . . the American government has "ROBBED THE BIG BANK CALLED, LIFE."

NOT ONLY DID THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT ROB FROM THEIR OWN CONSTITUENTS, BUT THEY ALSO ROBBED FROM THOSE WHO HAD ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM. HOW EXTREMELY SAD!

"We the people," need to get our furry muffs on and head out to DC, and DEMAND the firing of each and everyone that has their butts sinking in their own muck.

They know it's coming, . . . they just don't know when and how.

"We the people," should boycott one day and not go to work nor purchase anything! Close down the system!
Then we should gather early in the morning and walk until our feet swell up. Walk all the way to DC. And on our traveling, make new friends and get things DONE!

Pick a day Gracie. How is April 16 for your calender?

Posted by TRUTH at February 21, 2006 02:50 PM

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