The former Chairman of the 9-11 Commission, Republican Tom Kean has joined Congressman Ford and a majority of Americans and has announced that he is 100% against outsourcing the security of our ports to foreign governments.Here is what former Governor Kean had to say about the situation:
"The former chairman of the Sept. 11 commission blasted the offer by a United Arab Emirates company to run operations at six major U.S. seaports, saying it should never have been brokered in the first place.
"It shouldn't have happened, it never should have happened," Thomas Kean said during today during a telephone interview with The Associated Press.
Kean, who also is a past governor of New Jersey, said the quicker the Bush administration can get out of the deal, the better. He also criticized the administration, saying "somebody has a tin ear over there."
"We're in a no-win situation," Kean said, referring to the United Arab Emirates. "There's no question that two of the 9/11 hijackers came from there and money was laundered through there."
Kean added that the UAE is now being helpful by allowing the United States to dock ships there, and helping the U.S. out with intelligence.
"From our point of view, we don't want foreigners controlling our ports," Kean said. "From their point of view, this is a legitimate company that had a legitimate bid and won, and here are all these congressmen saying all these things about not wanting this company. It looks to them like its anti-Arab."
Kean said Bush should have not only gone to Congress, but to the governors who control the ports.
"I think this deal is going to be killed," Kean said. "The question is how much damage is this going to do to us before it's killed."
Hopefully President Bush will soon realize he is fighting a losing battle on all fronts regarding this port deal.
Our nation's security is in the balance--that is clear.
I am proud Congressman Ford is dedicated to protecting the American people.
Read the Coast Guard's disturbing report on port security here!
Read the United Arab Emirates' extensive list of connections to terrorism here!
Read Congressman Ford's letter regarding port security here!
