For Immediate Release:
Thursday, March 2, 2006

WASHINGTON D.C - U.S. Representative Dan Boren, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, heard testimony today on the national security implications of the proposed agreement that would put management of six key U.S. ports in the hands of the United Arab Emirates, a country with known ties to terrorists.  The committee heard from national security experts, the departments of defense, homeland security, and treasury, as well as executives from Dubai Ports World, the company seeking the take over.

 

“I am pleased that a 45-day review period has been imposed on this deal, allowing Congress time to investigate the security risks involved,” Boren said.  “But 45 days from now it will still be irresponsible to put port security in the hands of a foreign government.”

 

Information was presented to the committee showing that the Coast Guard expressed concern over the transaction when the administration was reviewing it, but the deal was approved anyway.

 

“When the agency responsible for port security raises concerns about the security of our ports, those concerns must be addressed,” Boren said.  “International relations are important, but not at the expense of national security.”

 

Seeing no sign that the administration intends to stop the agreement, today Boren cosponsored H.R. 4807, which would require a thorough investigation of the port deal and give Congress – not the White House – final approval of the transaction.

 

“Congress is taking this issue seriously,” Boren said.  “Members from both sides of the aisle – Democrat and Republican, urban and rural – want this stopped.”

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