Bush worried about Dubai ports defeat

[sabra]

http://www.africasia.com/services/news/newsitem.php?are...


Bush worried about Dubai ports defeat

President George W. Bush said Friday he was worried about the impact that the forced withdrawal of a Dubai government-owned company from controlling six US ports would have on US allies.

"I'm concerned about a broader message this issue could send to our friends and allies in the world particularly in the Middle East," Bush said one day after Dubai Ports World (DP World) said control of the six US ports would be transferred to a US "entity".

"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."

He called the United Arab Emirates "a committed ally in the war on terror. They are a key partner for our military in a critical region."

[jsamuel]

1. Just tell them we want to control our own ports.

[Richardo]

2. So reward them with a couple hundred McDonald's franchises...

...not the freakin' ports.

[central scrutinizer]

3. message: if you support terrorists, you can't do business with us

anything wrong with that? (except for the hypocrisy - the US has been the biggest supporter of terrorism, especially in Central and South America, in the world)

[rodeodance]

5. hey I think I have that mantra from the WH over and over.

[Why Syzygy]

34. It is our top export.

And I would like to know exactly what Dubai has done in this terrorizing war known as the war on terror.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

4. gwb got himself burned on this one. He was too successful in scaring the

daylights out of a significant portion of the country, by conjuring up the evil Osama, at his political whim.

Then, he wants that same group of frightened folks to snuggle up with the "monster".

Being someone unable to grasp nuance, he just can't get it...MKJ

[Why Syzygy]

35. lol

That is it in plain terms. Well stated.
IOW, be scared until they start getting paid, then don't worry.

[rodeodance]

54. Military docking is one of the prime concerns

....He called the United Arab Emirates "a committed ally in the war on terror. They are a key partner for our military in a critical region."

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

55. International relations and diplomacy are complex , and communicating

the cogent issues of those relationships requires a thorough understanding and an ability to make these issues accessible to the average citizen.

Needless to say, "paint it black or white" gwb is not equipped in any way to communicate the "quid pro quo" diplomatic dynamics, in a way that resonates.

He's stuck with the simplistic world he's put out to the uninformed who live on sound bytes and are easily frightened. And, there will, sadly, probably be many more diplomatic snafus in the future, that could ultimately (continue to) endanger our military and our overseas interests.

With gwb, we have a man with a jackhammer attempting to cut a diamond. MKJ

[saigon68]

56. Project "You can't trust the guys with the diapers on their HEADS"

HELD ON WITH A FAN BELT


WASHINGTON, Sept 20 () - Congressional Representative John Cooksey (R-LA) encouraged already heated feelings of discrimination and hatred when he asserted that "someone who comes in that's got a diaper on his head and a fan belt wrapped around that diaper on his head, that guy needs to be pulled over," on Louisiana radio stations Monday.

Cooksey's remarks are particularly shocking in light of the ongoing national backlash against Muslim Americans as a result of last week's terrorist attack in New York and the Washington, DC area, stated a press release issued by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC).


The Great American Diaper-head hunt

http://themaneater.com/article.php?id=11618

By Jon Patterson, Public Affairs. Posted October 02, 2001.
Jon Patterson - Fall '01

If I see someone come in, and he's got a diaper on his head and a fan belt around that diaper on his head, that guy needs to be pulled over and checked." — Rep. John Cooksey, U.S. House of Representatives (Sept. 17, 2001)

The practice of racial profiling, of which the distinguished gentleman from Louisiana presumably speaks, has been roundly condemned by both the president and attorney general. And yet, it continues to make its way around the talk circuit and news publications, usually spoken about in hushed tones as an afterthought by those suppressing twinges of guilt or with an air of healthy indignation, as if to say, "Well, it's just common sense."

[rodeodance]

6. a US "entity".---sounds like a star trek show.

[daleo]

20. Unidentified American Entity = U.A.E.

An interesting little coincidence.

[grytpype]

7. NOW he's worried about our image.

War and torture are a little worse for our image than not trusting the Emirs.

[Binka]

8. Hey Fucker Stop Blowing The Shit Out Of Men Women & Kids In Iraq

"I'm concerned about a broader message this issue could send to our friends and allies in the world particularly in the Middle East,"

He's MotherFucking Insane.

[soothsayer]

9. Don't worry georgie, i'm sure bandar bush will still hold your hand,

french kiss you, whatever you kids do

[Carni]

10. Hey ASSHOLE! THEY ARE YOUR FRIENDS NOT OURS!

Excuse that freeperish cap yelling thing I just did, but listening to that vermin lecture about tolerance and "our friends" just about pushed me over the edge...

Why, oh WHY... do I listen to IT when IT comes on TV?

[KansDem]

11. It's easy, George. Just have Andy Card whisper in your ear...

"The Deal is off," then sit there and do nothing. No worries.

It's worked before...

[Solly Mack]

12. He would - a broker never likes his deals to fall through

screws up the commission

Bush screwed the deal long before it ever took place - with his lies and rhetoric surrounding 9/11 and the Iraq invasion. He can blame himself and no one else - if he were honest, that is.

Continuing to use the "war on terror" as a rallying point isn't helping his position any - as it's been the lies and rhetoric of the "war on terror" that helped to amp up the opposition to the port deal.

Some people object to foreign owned ports period - and some, unfortunately, hear "Arab" and think "terrorists" - well, Bush can take credit for promoting that stereotype.

Maybe if Bush had not lied about the UAE involvement with 911, this port deal problem of his wouldn't be an issue (since it would have never taken place). Instead Bush opted to reward those actually connected to 911 and to illegally invade a country that had nothing to do with it. Choosing to lie about a connection between 9/11 and Iraq to get his war. Welcome to the backlash, Mr Bush. Enjoy it - it's of your own creation.

[Sadie5]

13. Anybody with half a brain

pays attention to anything Bush puts forth about terror these days. The house of cards are falling.

[Solly Mack]

14. Unfortunately, that still includes far too many Americans

who still buy into the war on terror

[Why Syzygy]

36. They have been manipulated into it!

I have to admit that with George Bush at the wheel, I'm a little terrified.
I don't think about it every day but really nothing shocks me anymore. I get angry. But not shocked. Oh. No more terror.

Above article goes on to state:

Karlyn Bowman monitors public opinion at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington.

"Most Americans believe that there will be another terrorist attack on our soil," she said. "A good chunk of them believe that they themselves could be victims of terrorism. And so, it is always in the background, concern about another terrorist attack in the United States."

http://www.voanews.com/english/2006-03-10-voa41.cfm

[Redstone]

15. Fucking cynical asshole. It's OK to murder Iraqi children in their beds,

but HEAVEN FORBID that we "offend" Dubai?

Balls.

Redstone

[Binka]

16. No Shit See Post #8

The malignant narcissist is about to have a breakdown. I fucking broke one of those bastards once and I have never witnessed a more beautiful sight in my life. Death of The Narcissist....man was it sweet.

Come on Bush I know the look you are just about to come unhinged....

[skypilot]

17. "...a broader message..."

I think they got the broader message in March of 2003 and everyday since then.

[daleo]

18. Tell them countries at war control their own ports

If they are actually at war that is, rather than playing at war for political benefits.

I know that real people are being killed while Bush chooses to go to war - by "playing at war" I mean Bush is choosing to make war against countries that pose no threat (or no substantial threat) to the U.S. Thus, he feels that letting a country with a known history of infiltration control U.S. ports doesn't really pose a threat, because in his mind the threat was never real or substantial - just a convenient cover for aggressive and criminal foreign policy.

[Felix Mala]

19. Boo Hoo - The "scary Arab" plank of the Bush/GOP platform smacks him

in the ass and he wants to know why? Is he just playing dumb because it makes him look charming?

[Why Syzygy]

37. Yeah

so then you wanna go drink a beer with him. And watch as he makes an even bigger ass of himself.

[onehandle]

21. What Bush is worried about is future business deals.

Newsflash, smirk. The only "friends" we have in the Middle East, thanks to you, are the ones you are in bed with.

[Julius Civitatus]

22. Bush concerned about ports message [pissing off his Dubai friends]

Bush very "concerned" about his rich pals and business partners. Not so much for the safety of the American people, of course.

Bush concerned about ports message

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The collapse of efforts by a Gulf Arab company to manage U.S. ports may send a worrying message to Middle East allies, U.S. President George W. Bush said on Friday, a day after his stinging defeat on the deal.

"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," Bush told newspaper editors.

In a possible repercussion, the United Arab Emirates broke off talks on a free trade agreement with the United States the day after the ports deal fell apart.

Bush suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of his own Republican allies in the U.S. Congress when state-owned Dubai Ports World surrendered to unrelenting criticism and gave up trying to manage some terminals at six major U.S. ports.

The UAE company said it would transfer the ports to a U.S. entity at the behest of Dubai's ruler, to allay U.S. concerns that the deal posed a threat to American national security. Details of the transfer were not outlined.

A leading critic of the ports deal, New York Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer (news, bio, voting record), said questions remained about the company's transfer of port operations to a still-unidentified U.S. entity and promised to keep pressing the issue.

"If things are as they appear, this is a great victory for national security. But make no mistake, we are going to scrutinize this deal with a fine-tooth comb to make sure the separation between American port operators and Dubai Ports World is complete and security is tight as a drum," Schumer said.

Dubai Ports Chairman Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, asked whether the company would sell the management rights of the U.S. ports, told Reuters: "All this is being worked out by our parties in the States." He could not say immediately how separate the U.S. entity would be from Dubai Ports.
(...)

- More in the article -

[OrokuSaki]

23. Think? Nah...

Maybe he should have thought of that before...

[NanceGreggs]

26. Yeah, like before he said ...

"We will not negotiate with terrorists, or the countries who aid them or harbour them."

[Zinfandel]

24. That's the spin the talking heads will be putting on it this week end

Safety for Americans and loyalty to Arabs...Instead of the truth...a multi-billion dollar business deal for his friends went bad...That's what really hurts Bush and pisses him off!

[mdmc]

25. fear is such a big stick

think about that before you mihop again, jerk!

[TomInTib]

27. "we have got to"- sheesh, all that education and he says that...

all the time.
So does Cheney.

[Julius Civitatus]

28. He uses that stupid form all the time

"we have got to" "we gotta" "you outta."

He's an ignorant idiot, we know that.

[emulatorloo]

29. I remember them deriding Kerry for saying we needed to engage moderate

Arab countries in 04. Cheney gave one of his horrible speeches and the Bush lovers just ate it up.

[Mabus]

30. Everything changed after 9/11

Why doesn't Bush get that?

[katty]

31. too bad-you can eat it, shrub!

[MissMillie]

32. No concern about this when he invaded Iraq

What did our friends in the Middle East think of us when we were invading a sovereign nation that had no WMDs, no terrorists, and posed no threat to us whatsoever?

I don't imagine that he thought of that when he was promising Halliburton a bunch of lucrative contracts.

[Why Syzygy]

33. Here's another one

http://www.voanews.com/english/2006-03-10-voa41.cfm

President Bush had threatened to veto any congressional attempts to block the deal. And even though the political squabble with his fellow Republicans may be settled for now, Mr. Bush does worry about the implications for U.S. foreign relations.

"I am concerned about a broader message this issue could send to our friends and allies around the world, particularly in the Middle East," said Mr. Bush. "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."

***

He comes up with more excuses to fight the imaginary war. He is starting to look like a kid playing with gi joe against an imaginary foe. There are terrorists. Undoubtedly. Is he really fighting them? No. His policies are creating more and more every day. So I would say he doesn't know how to wage an effective war AT ALL. And when he tells us what we must do to "win", I laugh and then I cry.

[NIGHT TRIPPER]

38. JUST TELL THE TRUTH- YOU HAVE A PERSONAL CASH INTEREST IN IT

.
He should just SAY IT !!
-->* is going to lose a lot of cash money right out of his own pocket
if he doesn't come through for his Shiek business partners...

OR worse yet...
Maybe he's having a hissy because
his underbosses were planning a MIHOP 911 style event through these ports!!
his underbosses have
to come up with a brand new scenario for the next 911.


now we have to postpone invading Iran because our new 911 has to be re-located!

Waaa Cry sob

[marcapolo]

39. stupid, cruel irony

"I'm concerned about a broader message this issue could send to our friends and allies in the world"??? Would these be the friends we're bombing? Or the friends we're threatening to bomb? Or all the other friends we've made throughout the world with insane, ignorant foreign policy? 'Cause I'm confused. Then again, this is from the man who delivered a speech about health care from a fast food chain's headquarters. The man has no sense of irony.

[meganmonkey]

40. Bullshit

That's all

[twaddler01]

41. He isn't worried

jacka$$

[lovuian]

42. Bush concerned over collapse of Dubai Ports deal

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.

snip...
'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.'

snip...

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.

snip...
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...

[FloridaPat]

43. The real message: the people are catching on to GWB. Things are

changing.

[lovuian]

44. FloridaPat ... BINGO!!!

Carlyle and Dubai sitting
in a tree
K i s s i n g!!!

[Coastie for Truth]

45. This was a deal to enrich

Carlyle, John Snow, and ultimately Halliburton.

And Bush hyped the racism against Arabs to get re-elected in 2004.

[truthisfreedom]

46. America to bush: "go **** yourself."

we've got no tolerance for bushmischief.

[cliss]

47. I've got news for George Bush.

He's got FAR bigger things to worry about.

Like the upcoming election in November. And his upcoming impeachment right afterwards.

[barb162]

48. Bush worries?

then he should phone "Upstairs"

[anitar1]

49. the chimp will feel better when Halliburton takes over. n/t

[rodeodance]

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

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.

[rodeodance]

51. "Thursday's action spared Bush an embarrassing showdown"

......En route Friday to a presidential inauguration in Chile, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice echoed Bush. The failed ports deal "means that we are going to have to work and double our efforts to send a strong message that we value our allies, our moderate allies, in the Middle East," she said.

Thursday's action spared Bush an embarrassing showdown, which he seemed likely to lose, over the veto he had threatened of any attempt by Congress to block the transaction.

[rodeodance]

52. "the silence from Republicans on Friday was telling."

.....After weeks of questions from lawmakers of both parties about whether giving a state-owned company from an Arab country control of significant port operations could increase terrorist dangers, the silence from Republicans on Friday was telling. The only statements came from Democrats who sought to keep the issue alive......

[rodeodance]

53. investors in the Persian Gulf: "rooted in anti-Arab bias,"

...There were some signs the president's worries about the impact abroad were warranted.

Analysts said the developments could make cash-rich investors in the Persian Gulf, where there is the widespread belief that the furor was rooted in anti-Arab bias, wary of high-profile investments in the United States.

And the latest round of negotiations on a new free-trade arrangement between the U.S. and the UAE, scheduled for Monday in the United Arab Emirates, was postponed.

Both sides hastened to dispel speculation that the delay was the result of the ports controversy......

[gulliver]

57. But let's not let the GOP Congress off the hook.

They were looking for a way to unhitch themselves from the "unpopular president." They think this does it for them. They are wrong.

The GOP Congress is a spineless bunch of lock-step Bush rubber stampers.

[54anickel]

58. He's worried about his FTA, meanwhile India is on course with theirs

U.S., United Arab Emirates Postpone Free Trade Negotiations

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=aQd...

March 10 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. and United Arab Emirates put off plans to hold a fifth round of negotiations for a free- trade agreement this month, the U.S. trade office said.

``In order to get an agreement that both sides can successfully implement, we need additional time to prepare for the next round of negotiations,'' said Neena Moorjani, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Trade Representative's office.

The talks, which had proceeded without controversy since they began in November 2004, were scheduled to resume this year when the planned acquisition of six U.S. ports by Dubai, United Arab Emirates-based DP World sparked outrage in Congress over the potential security risks. Dubai, the second-largest member of the UAE, was found by the U.S. to have been home to two of the Sept. 11 hijackers.

snip>

The UAE trade agreement was part of a drive by U.S. President George W. Bush to form an economic link between the U.S. and the Middle East. In addition to the UAE, the U.S. has completed negotiations with Oman, which could come up for a vote in Congress as early as this month, and a separate agreement with Bahrain that has already been ratified by lawmakers.


India-GCC free trade pact likely by year-end

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1645257,00020008...

India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are likely to finalise a free trade agreement (FTA) in goods by year-end, a senior official said on Wednesday.

"We hope to finalise the GCC-India FTA in goods by year-end though similar agreements in investment and services will take time as the GCC member countries are still to harmonise their rules in these two areas," said MVPC Sastry, joint secretary in the ministry of commerce and industry at a briefing ahead of the second GCC-India Industrial Conference at Muscat March 25-26.

Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates make up GCC.

snip>

Saying that the GCC countries were keen to work closely with India not only for boosting bilateral trade but also for "consolidation of partnership" in technology transfer and research and development, Al Hasani said the Muscat conference would focus on these areas.

snip>

The GCC is also looking at technology transfer and research collaboration with India in various areas to reduce the region's reliance on the West for technology inputs, said Al Hasani.

more...


Edit to add:

Oh yeah, and what's the rush?

U.S., Malaysia to launch free-trade talks
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1155AP_US_Malays...

WASHINGTON -- The United States and Malaysia announced Wednesday that they have agreed to begin negotiating a free trade deal to eliminate trade barriers between the two nations.

The decision was announced at a crowded Capitol Hill news conference attended by lawmakers from both political parties, marking an effort by the administration to build bipartisan support for its trade policies at a time when the country is running record trade deficits.

By selecting Malaysia for free trade negotiations, the administration chose a country that is already America's 10th largest trading partner with $44 billion in two-way trade. The administration announced last month that it planned to launch free trade negotiations with South Korea and free trade talks with Thailand, another economic power in the region, are already under way.

snip>

The administration is rushing to complete as many free trade agreements as it can before the July 2007 expiration of its authority to negotiate trade deals under special procedures requiring Congress to expedite its consideration of the deals.

snip>

Bush has aggressively pursued free trade deals, pushing the number of foreign countries with such agreements from four - Canada, Mexico, Israel and Jordan - when he took office, to 17 currently.

more...

[mdmc]

59. the UAE will always allow us to use their ports

or less they will be easily classified as "with them" as opposed to "with us" in the war on terror.

[Megahurtz]

60. Too Fucking Bad! n/t