Dubai Ports World Transfers Operations to U.S. Entity
Dubai Ports World has agreed to turn its ports contracts over to an American entity, according to a statement read by Sen. John Warner:
Because of the strong relationship between the United Arab Emirates and the United States and to preserve that relationship, DP World has decided to transfer fully the U.S. operation of P&O Operations North America to a United States entity,” DP World’s chief operating officer, Edward H. Bilkey, said in the statement that Warner relayed to other senators.
It is still not clear from this what “a United States entity” means. Is it merely an American subsidiary of the same company?
The early evidence is sketchy with AP reporting “It was not immediately clear whether the announcement would be enough to cool widespread sentiment in Congress to pass legislation blocking the deal” and WaPo confident that, “The announcement appears to head off a major confrontation that was brewing between Congress and the Bush administration over the controversial deal.”
See OTB News for updates to the story.
Update: More pandering by Congress. From a press release by Majority Leader John Boehner:
The American people raised serious and genuine concerns about this proposed transaction. When it comes to the operation of our nation’s ports and borders, our national security is our first and foremost concern. Americans have the right to feel confident and comfortable with the security arrangements their government sets for them, and House Republicans were obligated to take action to respond to the concerns Americans have expressed about the proposed deal.
Riiiiight.
Update 2: Bithead comments that “there is but one firm capable of dealing with operation of so large scale a project: Haliburton.”
Now that would be sweet! And here you thought Rove and Cheney were losing their touch!
Update 3: Glenn Reynolds is thinking along the same lines: “If Halliburton gets the deal, will people think the whole thing was a sucker-punch?” Heh. Indeed.
That is what Eagle Marine is, they are an American subsidiary of Cosco. As I’ve pointed out, this is typical here in the U.S., American companies just don’t run the terminals.
I would point out that absent external investment there is but one firm capable of dealing with operation of so large scale a project;
Haliburton.
Savor that one for a moment.
The decision by DPW to sell off this deal is a large blow to dhe Republicrats as well as the Democrats. It took the wind right out of their sails ans now they have no place to go, port that is.
We will now have to pause for a period of crying, whining and complaining from the likes of Hilly Mae, Schumer, Dodd and Good ole Harry, the pride of the Dems.
That was my first thought when I saw all the Dems climb on board this fiasco. They may end up putting Halliburton in charge of all our ports. I’d indeed laugh at the fools if that is how it turns out. It is at times like this that I wonder if perhaps Democrat is a synonym for Dumb Ass.
No, the Dems were probably hoping Bush would really be bull-headed enough to stick to his veto threat (this time). Some Repubs were ornery enough to let the Pres hang himself, but this caving by the Dubai company saved Bush’s bacon (whether he knows it or not). Wonder what they were promised in return…?
legion,
See the top post. DP World may have backed out, but the U.A.E. isn’t happy. There could serious long term ramifications from losing such a source of intelligence. Like I said, Dumb Ass.
While I am a of a liberal mind even having grown up repugNUT, I WAS actually hoping that Bush would be foolish enough to veto what he swore he would and end up looking more like the buffoon he continually shows himself to be.
BTW…in 2000, I would have voted McCain if Rove hadn’t slurred him and promoted Bushbaby.
So he had to ask his cohorts in crime to cover his assets…..That IS after all how Bush HAS been successful, certainly not on Business know how. Daddy’s name and position has gotten Bushbaby where he is today, NOT his own merits!!!!!
‘repugNUT’
Only a died in the wool tin foil hat wearing moonbat liberal would use such a term.