Dubai Might Hit Back

That's what the headlines are starting to suggest. I wouldn't blame them, though I suspect some of this is for pressure purposes and like all multi-nationals, they'll make decisions in their best economic interests above anything else. But be sure and read the full article to see how significant our business interests actually are.

I believe our trade deficit was in the headlines just a day or so ago. Goodbye Boeing, hello Airbuse ... yay, Congress, way to go. Don't think Boeing isn't halfway to Haster's office, if they aren't already there. And that doesn't even begin to address the possible loss of their co-operation in military logistics or the GWOT.

Afterall, why should they be concerned for us, if our message to them is, we really don't like you. It truly is sad to see such ignorant forces at work on such a large scale in America, and the ignorant, self-centered, profit hungry pundits using this issue to grow ratingss or traffic while potentially doing America real harm.

If we as a nation remain this ignorant and self-satisfied in the face of the unstoppable trend of economic globalism, we won't have a prayer of emerging on top.

Dubai is threatening retaliation against American strategic and commercial interests if Washington blocks its $6.8 billion takeover of operations at several U.S. ports.

As the House Appropriations Committee yesterday marked up legislation to kill Dubai Ports World’s acquisition of Britain’s Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation (P&O), the emirate let it be known that it is preparing to hit back hard if necessary.

A source close to the deal said members of Dubai’s royal family are furious at the hostility both Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill have shown toward the deal.

“They’re saying, ‘All we’ve done for you guys, all our purchases, we’ll stop it, we’ll just yank it,’” the source said.

Update below via Instapundit through CNN. If you scan the e-healines, you see everything from UAE divesting itself of US business, to the US terminals being off-loaded to a US entity. It's possible the press has blown again in their rush to get out the news.

SEN. JOHN WARNER (R), VIRGINIA: ... that what I had to say might bear on your remarks. Mr. President, I have had the opportunity to work very closely with the White House and the administration, with our distinguished leader, Bill Frist, and others in the Senate, several of the senators, on this question. And I've had the opportunity to meet and work with representatives of the DP World company, who came to the United States for the purposes of really acknowledging to the world the importance of this contract and their perspective.

I shall not recount the events that have occurred here in the last few days, but i've just been contacted by Edward Bilkey, chief operating officer of DP World, and in an effort to get this message to all interested parties as quickly as possible, I indicated a willingness to read a press release that is now being issued by DP World and Edward Bilkey.

It reads as follows, "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 Ports North America to a United States entity. This decision is based on an understanding that DP World will have time to effect the transfer in an orderly fashion, and that DP World will not suffer economic loss. We look forward to working with the Department of Treasury to implement this decision." End statement.

His highness Shaikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, prime minister of UAE, has advised the company that in the interest of the UAE, the nation, and the United States, that this action is the appropriate course to take in the future.

Comments

[Sgt. York]

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RE: "members of Dubai’s royal family"

Should read, "the seven dictators who rule Dubai and their extended families"

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[Right]

Sgt. York, You should visit Dubai! Its a land of opulent hotels, underwater restaurants and colossal shopping malls, there is simply no such thing as over the top. It'so modern and its the envy of the middle east...

[MrsLevy]

“They’re saying, ‘All we’ve done for you guys, all our purchases, we’ll stop it, we’ll just yank it,’”

Ba-bye now.

MrsLevy

[Steve W]

They can come over here and buy a lot of things - but not out ports. They can buy all the fast food restaurant chains, 7-11's, computer companies, and a whole host of other enterprises.

But this Texas born & raised Republican is saying NO to camel jocks owning our ports, or owning ANYTHING related to the security of our country.

There are PLENTY, P L E N T Y of business opportunities for UAE here in America - but don't let them NEAR our ports.

Friend today - maybe martyr tomorrow. They do not have enough HISTORY of being USA allies to allow us to hand over this type of business.

England fought and died with us in WWII and would have stood to the last man - so don't go comparing this foreign country to England. There is no comparison. The Arabs are too duplicitous to trust with this type of venture.

We aren't saying NO to Arabs owning USA companies - we aren't saying go away - we are simply saying: FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO DO WITH YOUR MONEY AND TIME - THERE ARE MILLIONS OF VENTURES YOU ARE FREE TO PURSUE HERE - SO WHY THE $*&%^&*$ DO YOU WANT TO RUN OUR PORTS SO BAD?

If they want to cry like babies because we didn't let them buy into major control over a port of entry into the USA - too f'ing bad - they are not mature enough to run such an enterprise if that is the case.

This one one of those rare times when I disagree with Dan on a subject.

[kate]

looks like dp world handled this in a classy way. they also seem to be pretty smart cookies when it comes to business. can i buy their stock - i need to go look that up.

[roy]

osted by: Steve W | Thursday, March 09, 2006 at 05:33 PM

Who the %^&#! do you think you are to determine where they should invest their money.
You sound like someone who has problems distinguishing his ass from his face.

[Captain Joe]

I gotta think that the Chinese running the West Coast ports and the Panama Canal are a bigger threat than the Sheiks running the East Coast ports. Of course, if I were on the East coast wondering if my shipment of crude were at risk, I might have a different opinion. Ah Hell. Let 'em starve and freeze in the dark.

[splashtc]

The american people run america and we have spoken.

[jkatl]

Dan, good god get over yourself on this port deal, sounds like you have a personal stake in the deal. It is irresponsible to suggest the Boeing deal is dead because of this, it is not. Every day more information comes to light that suggests DPW running these ports is not worth the risk. Today Rep. Duncan on Hardball said in 2003 nuclear triggers were shipped through the port of Dubai. It is known among traffickers if you want to ship bad things to bad guys you use the port of Dubai run by Dubai Ports World. Their specialty is masking shipments, masking the shipper, masking the receiver. If you want anonymity use the port of Dubai.

"Dubai is threatening retaliation against American strategic and commercial interests if Washington blocks....

If that is a serious statement that is garbage, why in the world do you want let them manage and operate critical U.S infrastructure if that is their attitude. I've heard and read some of the arguements for the port deal, they are an ally in the gwot, UAE is one of the only countries in the world where the US has a significant trade surplus, UAE is a critical staging point for our military. I don't think these factors will be affected if DPW hands off US port management to a US company. There is simply just too much not to like about UAE owned DPW managing and operating critical US infrastructure. This is really not rocket science.

[oopersann]

An American company??? Can anyone say "Halliburton"??? I, as an American that supported DPO, would love Halliburton to buy this contract---hahaha

[Dan]

Dan, good god get over yourself on this port deal

I don't tell you what positions to take, or what comments to make. If you have a substantive comment, make it, but save the personal BS for the NH threads.

[jkatl]

Dan, your right, taking a second look I should have made that post without that first sentence. Sorry, didn't mean to get personal, my bad.

[Sincerely]

What many fail to realize is they would not OWN ANYTHING. They would be running operations of shipping. The US would STILL OWN and hold security on these ports. Like we do with the ports owned by other countries here in the states. I am sure a good number of people were just as shocked to know a British Company held these ports over the last several years. Throw in the Dubai and people panic. Funny the same ones that panic are the same who do not support the War on terrorism

[COLUMBO]

see DUBAI DUETS

http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=9492

[COLUMBO]

Anyone smell anything? Bush elder and Bubba chair the Katrina Fund, and shake down UAE for 100M, then W and HRC claim that they knew nothing of this deal until it was announced? Again, see above article.....