Feb. 21, 2006 - 23:35 MST

KEEPS BOILING

I read in our newspaper today that UK owned P&O have been running operations at the aforesaid six U.S. Ports and then that company was sold to Dubai Ports World. This from an article by Devlin Barrett of the Associated Press in this morning's Rocky Mountain News. The article in part here:

ARAB TIES TO PORT PLAN SPARK OUTCRY

"Two Republican governors on Monday questioned a Bush administration decision allowing an Arab-owned company to operate six major U.S. ports, saying the may try to cancel lease arrangements at ports in their states."

"New York Gov. George Pataki and Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich voiced doubts about the acquisition of a British company that has been runnming the U.S. ports by Dubai Ports World, a state-owned business in the United Arab Emirates."

"The British Company, Peninsuar & Oriental, runs majkor commercial operations at ports in Baltimore, Miami, Newark, N.J., New Orleans, New York and Philadelpia."

"I have directed the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to explore all legal options that may be available to them in regards to this transaction," said the New York governor, who is still in the hopsital recovering from an appendectomy. Erlich, concerned about security at the Port of Baltimore, said Monday he is "very troubled" that Maryland officials got no advance notice before the Bush administration approved an Arab company's takeover of the operations of the six ports."

"The state of Maryland is considering its options, up to and including voiding the contract for the Port of Baltimore, Erlich said, adding "We have a lot of discretion in the contract."

"The govenors are the latest elected officials from both parties to complain about the deal."

"House Homeland Security Chairman Peter King, R-N.Y., has been one of the most vocal, saying secret assurances obtained by the government don't go far enough to protect the nation's seaports.

" Democratic New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez joined the chorus of complaints on Monday." "Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., said Monday they will introduce legislation prohibiting the sale of port operations to foreign governments."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Of course the Bush administration is defending their actions -- as per their preemptive usual.

As far as I am concerned there is no reason to allow any foreign country, however allied to us, to run port operations of any port in our country. Have we, some where down the line, admitted that we are incomptent to run operation of our own ports ? Rather than, cherchez la femme, perhaps it should cherchez la moola ? ? ? ? ?

I do hope something good comes from the heat rising over this scandalous affair, meanwhile, the pot KEEPS BOILING . . . . . . . . .

Blog