Reply #50: AP [update) Bush: Ports Deal Collapse May Hurt U.S (trade and terror)

[rodeodance]

Bush: Ports Deal Collapse May Hurt U.S.

By JENNIFER LOVEN, Associated Press Writer 41 minutes ago

WASHINGTON -
President Bush said Friday the collapse of the Dubai ports deal could hurt U.S. efforts to recruit Mideast governments as partners in the worldwide war on terror.


Separately, in what may have been an aftershock to the failed transaction, a new round of trade talks between the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates was postponed.

On Thursday, Dubai-based DP World backed away in the face of unrelenting criticism and promised it would "transfer fully" its U.S. operations to an American entity. But the company's announcement was unusually vague, and the Financial Times reported late Friday that DP World is considering retaining a 49 percent share in U.S. port operations. The London newspaper attributed the information to a person involve/d in the deal.

Reached late Friday, a DP World spokesman said he did not know whether the Financial Times report was accurate.

It was unclear what impact such a decision might have in Washington. Leading congressional critics said previously they will closely monitor the anticipated sale of DP World's U.S. operations.