Bipartisan Outcry Over Port Operations Deal Shows No Signs of Abating

Follow-up to yesterday’s posting, Proposed Sale of Port Operations Raises Serious Concerns on the Hill, related news and government documents, as the controvery escalates:

  • AP: Arab Co., White House Had Secret Agreement
  • New York Times: Big Problem, Dubai Deal or Not – “I’m not worried about who is running the New York port,” one senior inspector for the International Atomic Energy Agency said, insisting he could not be named because the agency’s work is considered confidential. “I’m worried about what arrives at the New York port.”
  • Bush Unaware of Ports Deal Before Approval
  • U.S., UAE Have Sensitive Relationship – “The United Arab Emirates is a U.S. military partner in the global war on terrorism, but the relationship is so politically sensitive in the UAE that the Pentagon does not openly discuss details.”
  • Quotes on Port Security from cabinet officals and members of Congress.
  • Bush Port Defiance Fuels Bipartisan Anger
  • Roll Call ($) reports that “White House officials were expected to brief national security advisers to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) today, hoping to squelch increased opposition on Capitol Hill to approval of a port management contract for a company based in the United Arab Emirates, a senior GOP aide said.”
  • Mayor O’Neill (on behalf of U.S. Conference of Mayors) Sends Port Security Letters (in PDF) to Congress, Administration: House | Senate | Administration (2/21).
  • CNN – White House: Port deal should have gone to Congress earlier – UAE firm hires Dole to lobby amid bipartisan concern about takeover.
  • White House Press Briefing by Scott McClellan, February 22, 2006 – Port decision
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    Posted in: Congress, Government Documents
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