Port Nonsense

[jaguar]

my point is that you see say, the muslim brotherhood and the UAE as pratically the same thing.

[richlevy]

I was watching 'The Cost of Freedom' on Fox and they were blaming the whole port issue on the Democrats. One of the commentators even used the word 'treason'. Someone needs to remind themselves that Republicans are the ones who control both houses of Congress.

'Fair and balanced?'

[jaguar]

you sound surprised richlevy.

[Griff]

Originally Posted by wolf

Doesn't matter whose name is on the paperwork, the mob runs the waterfront. That is not going to change.

Arab companies? Feds are worried about the mafia at ports

NEW YORK (AP) -- Justice Department lawyers warned eight months ago that a nefarious element had infiltrated important East Coast ports, but they weren't talking about terrorists or Arab shipping companies.

They were talking about the mafia.

[Cyclefrance]

Globalisation is a two-way street. One of the risks you have to bear. You buy their's then they buy yours.

Big Cat's - sorry, Jaguar's assessment of the UAE isn't so biased a view IMO. They are probably the most-forward-looking of the Middle East nations. The way Dubai has expanded as a container hub, Emirates Airlines and, more currently, the drive towards tourism, and real-estate ventures such as Palm and The World are all examples of their extremely active and financially aggressive approach to developing their nation and expanding their interests beyond their immediate shores.

Also, it’s a bit late in the day to complain that business activities will not be all true blue and above board. The deal will undoubtedly involve back-handers and politicians on the take when the stakes are so high and opportunites so available. When has it been any different? Strip away these issues and fundamentally it must be far better that the UAE finances are directed into positive and peaceful initiatives such as those described above, than to funding terrorist and/or other subversive organisations. The West stands to gain more getting closer to a nation that shares its goals and objectives especially when that nation is so geographically important (Straits of Hormuz, proximity to Iran, etc.,) – makes a nice change not having to contemplate invasion, that’s for sure.

The ports deal and its Arab connotations is bound to be controversial, what with terrorism’s tentacles spreading ever further and deeper. But the surface fear that this generates has to be tempered by the solid fact that the goals of Al Quaeda are not shared by the majority of Arabs, and certainly not by nations and rulers such as those of the UAE. Our governments will do more to protect the long-term interests and safety of its peoples by fostering strong and positive relations with such an entity, whether it is Arab or not, than nurturing and responding to the immediate fears being voiced whose basis is unfounded if not very shaky, to say the least.

[Cyclefrance]

Trade talks scuttled after DPW fiasco
------------------------------------
REPERCUSSIONS are already being felt from the US Congress forcing Dubai Ports World to dispose of its newly acquitted American terminal holdings. Only hours after DPW announced plans to transfer ownership of the US contracts that it bought as part of the global P&O Ports takeover, plans for the next round of talks on a bi-lateral US-UAE free trade agreement were scuttled. The US Trade Representative said on Friday that more time is needed to prepare for the fifth round of talks in light of the DPW fiasco. That announcement came as President Bush told newspaper editors that blocking the DPW deal could have a chilling effect on foreign investment, a comment echoed in remarks by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. "If I were in the shipping industry, the maritime industry, the cargo industry ... I would be concerned about measures that would strangle business and put workers out of work in this country," Chertoff told the Financial Times. Meanwhile, four Republican politicians from Georgia were in Dubai over the weekend to mend fences. Senators Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss and congressmen Phil Gingrey and John Linder all said after their talks that the Emirates would remain a strong ally. "Our countries have been friends and will continue to be friends," Chambliss said after meeting with DPW executives and the UAE vice president.
Lloyd's Register - Fairplay web links

[Cyclefrance]

From today's shipping news email:

No way to treat a friend: UAE about US
----------------
INITIAL reaction from the United Arab Emirates to the collapse of part of the DP World/P&O deal leaves observers in no doubt that relations with the US have soured. In a strongly-worded opinion piece in today's edition of Gulf News, Dr Abdul Khaleq Abdullah, professor of political science at UAE University in Al Ain, comments: "No one should pretend it's business as usual, at least not here in the United Arab Emirates." He says the UAE's until now pro-American business community has been insulted and it should come as no surprise if there was a response. Similarly the people and government of the UAE are unlikely to forget the way the US Congress questioned Dubai's trustworthiness. "People in America will forever remember 9/11. They will always make connection between 9/11 and the UAE ... Was this a tit-for-tat? Are we even now? One thing is certain," he adds, "the two countries are now further apart." The academic concludes: "The US-UAE relationship is not at its peak. Government, businessmen and the public at large in the UAE are bitter. The ports controversy has left a huge dent in the usually friendly relationship between the countries. This time around it is up to Washington to compensate the UAE and it is for the good-hearted Americans to make it up with the generous people of the UAE."
Lloyd's Register - Fairplay web links

[Trilby]

I love and embrace my Muslim brothers where ever they may be (and I SPIT on my Muslim sisters, as is customary in Islam). It just seems that no matter what the US does, we're fucked. If we play nice, we're pussies, if we play hard-ball, we're bastards. Whatever. Perhaps it's a knee-jerk reaction (which would be shocking coming out of DC, dontcha think?) but sometimes knee-jerk reactions happen.

*no attack on Cyclefrance, but, it is easy to point out the mistakes the US has made as our news is splashed all over the damn world. Monday morning quarter-backs and all that. Pip, pip!

[Cyclefrance]

As our government has screwed up big time at virtually every turn it makes (health, immigration, funding, defence, investment, marriage, peerages, royalty, pensions, welfare, transport, housing, education... the list is endless) feel free to attack any time.

Governments everywhere must have an endless supply of feet - they certainly need them as they seem to shoot them off at every opportunity.

[Urbane Guerrilla]

There is no war on terror. There is a war on Islam . . . There was no terrorism coming out of Iraq. It was coming out of Afghanistan.

Rewriting history, I see. No wonder you know just all about that.

For just one instance, here's something you are incapable of admitting, because your neurotic, imbalanced ego is involved: paying death benefits for Palestinian suicide bombers is sourcing terrorism. Aiding and abetting, to be exact. So, "no terrorism" -- ha.

I get this; you never will. That's why I'm smarter than you are, tw, which I will demonstrate as many billion times as I care to, and about which you can do nothing as long as your mind is as it currently is. While you don't have to feel bad for me to feel good, and it doesn't help, in the words of the quip -- your postings go a long way to demonstrate how lame those who oppose me so often are... so very often.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Oh yeah, that's the answer. Beat them by concentrating on taking out their cheerleaders in Iraq instead of the players, elsewhere.

[Cyclefrance]

Another piece of related news...:

SSA devising terminal strategy
SSA MARINE, named by many as a potential suitor for Dubai Ports World's US holdings, has retained Citigroup to "explore its strategic alternatives." The Seattle-based terminal operator said it has received enquiries from many companies looking to partner with, or invest in SSA Marine, as well as to acquire additional operations." In a statement issued on Friday, company spokesman Bob Watters said: "none of the alternatives we are exploring would involve selling control of our US operations to a company owned by a foreign government." SSA's announcement follows DPW's move to retain bankers and lawyers to begin the expedited sale of the US terminal and stevedoring contracts bought in the larger global sale from P&O Ports. SSA has contracts on the US East, Gulf and Pacific coasts as well as well as in Mexico, Panama and Chile.
Lloyd's Register - Fairplay web links

[Urbane Guerrilla]

Bruce, I've said before the Iraq campaign is part and parcel of the overall war. It isn't the entire war -- only a piece of it.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Oh, I see. Iraq is just part and parcel of the Bush war on the American people and their annoying Constitution.
Thanks for clearing that up.

[Urbane Guerrilla]

Bruce, quit being a jerk: the Constitution is substantially and in all ways better supported by this administration than its disgraceful and maladroit predecessor. Bush's war is my war. It should be your war too, since more democracies 'round about the planet would be good for this democracy. I can see that; why can't you? Too many drugs in your past? Too much antipatriotism? Damned disgusting.

Try thinking. Try understanding your own interests -- that should help you understand mine.