Foreign Control of U.S. Port Terminals
NPR.org, Feb. 22, 2006 · U.S. lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have balked at a deal to give DP World, a state-owned firm in Dubai, control over several U.S. port terminal operations. Citing national security concerns, some Democratic and Republican members of Congress are pushing for legislation to delay the deal. President Bush supports the deal and says he will veto any attempt to block it. Read a sampling of opinion on the growing controversy:
Ports in a Storm
Baltimore Sun Editorial Board
The Baltimore Sun
February 21, 2006
Potentially lost in this uproar is a clear understanding of what a stevedoring firm such as P&O does. For the record, its employees do not touch cargo. They aren't in charge of port security. They do not oversee shipping manifests. Stevedores are the middle managers who tell longshoremen when and where to unload cargo. That's pretty much it. In Baltimore, P&O employees are local people, most with extensive port experience, who help manage container operations at the Seagirt and, to a lesser extent, Dundalk marine terminals.
The President and the Ports
New York Times Editorial Board
The New York Times
February 22, 2006
The Bush administration has followed a disturbing pattern in its approach to the war on terror. It has been perpetually willing to sacrifice individual rights in favor of security. But it has been loath to do the same thing when it comes to business interests.
Bush Must Say No to Ports Deal
by Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) in
The Philadelphia Inquirer
February 22, 2006
If our ports are not protected, then, truthfully, neither are we. While the United Arab Emirates has been an ally over the last few years, it certainly has ties to Islamic fascism, and trusting that it will remain on our side in the war on terror is not a risk that I am willing to take.
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Port Security Humbug
Washington Post Editorial Board
The Washington Post
February 21, 2006
Much Ado over DP World
Mohammed A. R. Galadari
The Khaleej Times (Dubai, U.A.E.)
February 20, 2006
Ports' Security in Whose Hands?
by Cal Thomas (syndicated columnist)
The Miami Herald
February 22, 2006