Dubai Ports Request 45 Day Investigation

News:
DP World has asked the U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment for a 45-day investigation of its acquisition of P&O's U.S. terminal operations. The request came after a huge uproar in Congress over the sale of security at U.S. ports to a United Arab Emirates-owned company. A spokesperson for the White House said, "he was pleased that Dubai Ports reached a middle ground with Congress." National Security adviser, Stephen Hadley said he and his people will work with Congress as long as it does not block the transaction.

Is this really a big deal?

Yea, yea, yea it's bad but it's not new or even strictly Republican. Reagan started it and every president since has continued down this path. Dubai won't be the first nation that sponsored or at least covered up terrorism that runs ports in the US or other important places. China is running a large number of ports and they also control both ends of the Panama Canal. Both Singapore and Taiwan run ports and even Saudi Arabia are currently running ports inside of the US. So now tell me why the this UAE deal is news?

Have a look at the posting "45 Days??" this deal has been kicking around for a while.

The white house had commented that they did not know this was going on which I usually believe but in this case I'll point to a comment during the State of the Union Address. Remember Bush had some crazy line that nobody could figure out about protectionism? Could this be what he was talking about?

By webweaveFebruary 28, 2006 - 9:26am