Reply #42: Bush concerned over collapse of Dubai Ports deal

[lovuian]

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=3dfeea350211840c

President Bush says he is concerned about international reaction to congressional opposition to a Dubai-owned company managing operations at some U.S. ports.

Opposition led the firm to announce it would transfer port operations to a U.S. entity.

President Bush says it was never a question of security with Dubai Ports World, that his administration would never have approved the deal, if it made the nation more vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

But the White House failed to convince Democrats and Republicans in Congress that the deal should go through, and the state-owned firm announced Thursday that it would transfer operations at U.S. terminals to an American entity.

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'I'm concerned about a broader message this issue could send to our friends and allies around the world, particularly in the Middle East,' he said. 'In order to win the war on terror, we have got to strengthen our relationships and friendships with moderate Arab countries in the Middle East.'

U.S. public opinion polls showed overwhelming opposition to allowing the firm to manage operations at six U.S. ports. Despite threats of a presidential veto, Republican leaders in Congress told Mr. Bush the deal would not go through.

Speaking to officials from American newspapers Friday, President Bush said the United Arab Emirates is a committed ally in the fight against terrorism - servicing U.S. ships, sharing intelligence, and helping shut down the nuclear trading network of Pakistani scientist A.Q. Khan.

'UAE is a valued and strategic partner,' he said. 'I am committed to strengthening our relationship with UAE and explaining why it is important to Congress and the American people.'

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Talks between the United States and the United Arab Emirates over a free trade agreement have stalled. U.S. trade representative spokeswoman Neena Moorjani would not comment on any link to the ports controversy, saying delays are common.

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White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the decision by Dubai Ports World was made on its own, and shows the UAE's understanding of the broader importance of its relationship with the United States.
more...
Again I ask the press and Bush and Dubai ... why are you afraid of saying CARLYLE... using double speak US entity... WHY are you afraid??? caus its obvious they are...

The topper for me is that MR. BULLY ... is an I quote

'I'm concerned about a broader message this issue could send to our friends and allies around the world,...

WHY MR> BULLY??? or is it the real perception for the very first time a policy you tried to sneak throuh got stopped dead in its tracks

Is the world seeing the grip of Bush starting to weaken... thats the concern here...