Re: Bush threatens veto in ports row

If Bush vetos he'll have another "Harriett Meyers moment". That veto will
be overriden in both houses. There's an election in 9 months and no
incumbent, Rep or Dem, can afford to be perceived as not being tough enough
on homeland security issues.

- Jim McLaughlin

Reply address is deliberately munged.
If you really need to reply directly, try:
jimdotmclaughlinatcomcastdotcom

And you know it is a dotnet not a dotcom
address.
"Jack Linthicum" <jacklinthicum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1140556363.680619.162400@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The threat came as Bill Frist, leader of the Republican Party in the
Senate, said he would move a blocking law if the government did not
delay the deal. Critics fear an increased risk of terrorist attacks,
pointing out that the UAE was the home of two of the hijackers involved
in the 11 September 2001 attacks.

Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said: "Nothing changes with respect
to security under the contract. The Coast Guard is in charge of
security, not the corporation.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4737940.stm

Bush threatens veto in ports row

US President George W Bush says he will veto any law blocking a deal
giving an Arab company control of six US ports.

The threat came as Bill Frist, leader of the Republican Party in the
Senate, said he would move a blocking law if the government did not
delay the deal.

The deal would put six of the largest ports in the hands of Dubai Ports
World of the United Arab Emirates.

Some lawmakers say the US will be more vulnerable to terrorism but
officials say safeguards are in place.

The ports are currently run by British ports and shipping firm P&O,
which has agreed a $6.8bn (£3.9bn) takeover by DP World.

The other ports are Philadelphia, Baltimore, New Orleans and Miami.

President Bush called on opponents to explain why they opposed a Middle
Eastern firm taking over when they did not oppose a British company
being in control.

"I am trying to conduct foreign policy now by saying to the people of
the world, 'We'll treat you fairly'," he said.

Hijackers

Senator Frist, the majority leader in the Senate, said the deal "should
be put on hold until the administration conducts a more extensive
review of this matter".

If it did not call a delay, he said he would introduce legislation to
ensure the postponement.

Sen Frist is the most senior Republican and the most senior figure in
the Senate to oppose the deal.

However, the deal has alarmed both Republicans and Democrats.

Critics fear an increased risk of terrorist attacks, pointing out that
the UAE was the home of two of the hijackers involved in the 11
September 2001 attacks.

Democratic Sen Charles Schumer of New York said: "This company is
coming out of a country that has had a strong al-Qaeda presence.

"In this post 9/11 world, we cannot consider approving this contract
until a much more thorough investigation takes place on this security
matter."

The administration has rejected the concerns, saying the deal was
thoroughly vetted.

Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said: "Nothing changes with respect
to security under the contract. The Coast Guard is in charge of
security, not the corporation.

"We all deal with the UAE on a regular basis. It's a country that's
been involved in the global war on terror."

P&O and DP World say they are confident the deal will go ahead, the
latter insisting that security was "at the forefront" of its business.


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