Dubai Ports World and US National Security
An industry-government advisory panel calls for tighter US port security(www.dcexaminer.com://12/12/06.p.20). We could have begun that last summer if politicians had put port security before self-interest. We had the perfect opportunity to strengthen security through agreements with Dubai Ports World, a foreign terminal operator that was about to begin US operations.
Politicians of both parties reacted with hysteria at the news that a company owned by the Government of Dubai, one of the United Arab Emirates, would operate terminal facilities in 6 US ports (not "own" the ports, as was widely reported). They had been silent when a British firm managed those facilities, but when DPW bought that company, politicians and reporters overreacted, mangled the facts and did the nation a disservice. DPW agreed to sell its US rights; it announced a deal with AIG Investors, last week.
Before it was shouted out of the country, DPW had committed to work with the US Government to introduce extra security measures; that wasn't good enough for the alarmists who ignored the facts: DPW, one of the largest terminal firms, is recognized as the most high-tech and the most efficient. It ships cargoes into US ports every day from facilities around the world -- most of which are monitored by US Government agencies, as are cargoes shipped by other terminal operators. Homeland Security, Customs and the Coast Guard recognize the importance of monitoring operations overseas and on the high seas. They do so, and they will heighten their operations here in the US under new legislation providing $60 million for port security upgrades.
So the panel is correct; we need to increase US port security. Now, if we can only keep the hysterics out of it.
Politicians of both parties reacted with hysteria at the news that a company owned by the Government of Dubai, one of the United Arab Emirates, would operate terminal facilities in 6 US ports (not "own" the ports, as was widely reported). They had been silent when a British firm managed those facilities, but when DPW bought that company, politicians and reporters overreacted, mangled the facts and did the nation a disservice. DPW agreed to sell its US rights; it announced a deal with AIG Investors, last week.
Before it was shouted out of the country, DPW had committed to work with the US Government to introduce extra security measures; that wasn't good enough for the alarmists who ignored the facts: DPW, one of the largest terminal firms, is recognized as the most high-tech and the most efficient. It ships cargoes into US ports every day from facilities around the world -- most of which are monitored by US Government agencies, as are cargoes shipped by other terminal operators. Homeland Security, Customs and the Coast Guard recognize the importance of monitoring operations overseas and on the high seas. They do so, and they will heighten their operations here in the US under new legislation providing $60 million for port security upgrades.
So the panel is correct; we need to increase US port security. Now, if we can only keep the hysterics out of it.
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