An apparent change in the terms of the sale of U.S. seaport operations by Dubai Ports World has U.S. Rep. Harold Ford confused, he said Wednesday.“If last week we heard the deal (for DPW to operate six U.S. ports) was dead, then why are we learning today there’s a four- to six-month window before they’re out of the picture, Ford, d-Memphis, said during a statewide teleconference with reporters. “I don’t believe we should outsource national security to anyone and I consider seaports a vital part of national security.”
Asked about the fact that management of ports does not include national security responsibilities, which are carried out by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Defense, Ford said he fears any country having access to U.S. security plans.
“If management is meaningless, then why do we pay them to do it?” he said. “I believe this company would have access to security plans in New York City, Miami, Baltimore and Newark, N.J.”
The sale of the ports management contract by a British firm to Dubai Ports World, owned by the government of Dubai, part of the United Arab Emirates, has created a storm of protest in this country because Dubai had diplomatic relations with the Taliban government of Afghanistan and two of the September 11th hijackers used the Emirates as an operational and financial base.
The administration of President George W. Bush says the deal was investigated and approved by all relevant federal agencies, but Democrats and some Republicans in Congress contend the deal was not sufficiently investigated and poses a threat to national security. The Bush administration continues to support the sale.
Last week DPW announced it would transfer its U.S. operations to an American company.
In the meantime, several members of Congress introduced legislation aimed at stopping the sale. But Sunday on ABC-TV’s “This Week with George Stephanopoulos,” Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tennessee, who earlier opposed the ports deal and then said it should be put on hold until a 45-day investigation is complete, said that if an American buyer is not found, and the Bush administration determines there are no security risks, a deal for DP World to manage and operate major U.S. ports still could go through.
“If everything that the president, the administration has said, and that is that there is absolutely no threatening or jeopardy to our security and safety of the American people . . . I don’t see how the deal would have to be canceled,” the Senate Majority Leader said.
Dubai Ports World announced Wednesday it would sell all its U.S. port operations within four to six months to an unrelated American buyer.
That’s a source of Ford’s confusion.
“I never imagined there was a four- to six-month window when DPW would operate the ports,” he said. “My opposition has nothing to do with the name of the country – I just don’t believe we should outsource our national security to any other country.”
Ford noted that while Israel has one of the best intelligence agencies in the world he would oppose turning U.S. intelligence gathering over to the Israelis.
“Britain has one of the finest navies in the world,” he said. “But I wouldn’t want to turn management of our Navy over to England.”
Ford said he is also confused about Frist’s stand on the ports question.
“He was against the sale, then he wanted a 45-day investigation and now he says he’ll abide by the administration’s decision,” Ford said. “This is important because Sen. Frist is going to be asked to vote on this soon.”
Almost six in 10 Americans, 58 percent, say they support the congressional opposition to the Dubai ports deal, according to a Pew Research Center poll released Wednesday.
But people are still not sure whether transferring operations at the ports to an American company will improve security. Less than half, 46 percent, said that was satisfactory, while more than half said it was either not satisfactory or they were not sure.
Until the sale is completed, DP World said its U.S. operations will continue to be managed independently by P&O Ports North America Ind., the wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary of the British company it bought. That sale was finalized last week.
The largest maritime firms are not based in the U.S., although nearly all of them own and operate U.S. subsidiaries. DP World’s suitors could include Seattle-based SSA Marine and New Jersey-based Maher Terminals Inc. At Miami’s port, an early critic of The Dubai ports deal, Eller & Company Inc., said earlier that it was considering an offer to buy out operations there and possibly at other ports.
Ford said the House will vote soon on a supplemental appropriations bill for Afghanistan, Iraq and hurricane relief that contains an amendment prohibiting the DPW purchase of U.S. port operations.
“If the House passes it, then the Senate has to act,” he said. “Sen. Frist has a vote in the Senate and I think Tennesseans deserve to know where he stands.”
Ford is a candidate in the August primary election for the Democratic Party nomination to run for the Senate post Frist is vacating after two terms.
Source: Dyersburg State Gazette
Once again I am proud of Congressman Ford's strong actions on this port deal.
He has shown everyone that he care deeply about our nation's security and will fight to see that it is not compromised in anyway.
Whether it was when he wrote his op-ed, ran his television ads, or went on a fact finding mission, Congressman Ford did it all in the spirit of securing our nation.
The Congressman is also running internet ads that show just how dedicated he is to protecting America.
The ads read: "20,000 cargo containers go uninspected daily. ONE dirty bomb would change the world. The Administration does nothing. Harold Ford, Jr believes we need 100% inspection. 20,000 reasons why he should be TN's next Senator."
We need Congressman Ford and his leadership skills in the U.S. Senate starting next year.
75 Days
Days of Congressional Inaction on Ethics
Above is the number of days that have passed since Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty to bribing Congressman.
It is also the number of days in which Congress has failed to pass an ethics reform bill that would limit private travel, ski and golf junkets, and would call for a full disclosure of expenses by lobbyists on members of Congress.
It is time for Congress to step up and pass an ethics reform bill that would do all of the above. In addition, it is time to end the pork barrel spending system as we know it and establish an independent ethics commission that would review ethics complaints against members of Congress.
I am proud Congressman Harold Ford Jr. is fighting for that reform!
Read Congressman Ford's call for reform of the House rules here!
