For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, March 3, 2006

Within days of the Bush administration approving the purchase of London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company by a government-owned company from the United Arab Emirates, I urged President Bush to block the deal which would allow Dubai Ports World control of terminal operations at six strategic U.S. seaports.

 

This week I supported legislation that would give Congress – not the White House – the final say in rejecting this deal.  The legislation has strong bipartisan support.

 

Our ports should remain under American control.  Whether an ally or an enemy, we cannot risk putting our homeland security in the hands of a foreign government, especially one with known ties to terrorist organizations.

 

The ports are one of our most vulnerable targets for a terrorist attack.  Despite the administration’s efforts to improve port security, only 5 to 6 percent of the containers entering our country are physically inspected.  A single terrorist incident at a port facility would cripple our economy and have a devastating effect on our nation’s confidence.

 

Everything that we have learned since Sept. 11 tells us we cannot be too careful.  Dubai Ports World’s control over six of our ports is a risky proposition that should be rejected.

 

Congress is taking this threat seriously.  The House Armed Services Committee, of which I am a member, is looking closely at the proposed deal.  This past Thursday, we convened a hearing and demanded answers from Undersecretary of Defense Eric Edelman about the threat this would pose to our defense and homeland security.  I have serious concerns about the fact that as the administration reviewed this merger transaction, security concerns were raised, but the concerns were ignored.

 

This deal has also brought to light the fact that more than 30 percent of our maritime ports are under foreign control.  Though all foreign companies managing our ports are based in friendly countries, the fact is that today’s ally could be tomorrow’s enemy.  While Dubai Ports World has agreed to a 45-day national security review of the deal, I do not believe that is enough.  Congress must protect America’s security interests.

 

After countless pleas from members of both parties, I would like to see President Bush put a stop to this deal.  If that does not happen, legislative action must be taken.  It is my hope that this incident will serve as a wake-up call to the administration and Congress to review security at all of our ports of entry.

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