Home>News Center>World
         
 

Delay possible on ports, Dems want probe
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-24 08:54

Bush administration officials opened the door Thursday to a delay in allowing a state-owned United Arab Emirates company to assume significant operations at six U.S. ports as lawmakers pushed for a new 45-day investigation of the deal.

The company, Dubai Ports World, signaled to Congress that it, too, would be willing to accept a short delay while lawmakers review the deal.


A cruise ship sits docked at the New York City Passenger Ship Terminal, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2006, as seen from across the Hudson River in Weehawken, N. J. The facility is one of several affected by a controversial proposal to hand over shipping operations at six major US seaports to Dubai Ports World, a company owned by the United Arab Emirates. President Bush is facing stiff opposition from both Republicans and Democrats over the proposed sale. The city-owned and city-based terminal is the fourth busiest cruise terminal in the United States. [AP]

"People don't need to worry about security," President Bush said shortly before administration officials who approved the transaction told a Senate committee their 90-day review did not turn up a single national security concern to justify blocking it.

Karl Rove, the president's chief political adviser, said Bush was willing to accept a slight delay in Dubai Ports World's purchase of terminal leases and other operations at six U.S. ports from a British company.

"There's no requirement that it close, you know, immediately after" a British government review of the $6.8 billion purchase is completed next week, Rove said on Fox Radio's "Tony Snow Show." "What is important is that members of Congress have the time to get fully briefed on this."

Lobbyists for Dubai Ports World indicated that while the company is eager to close the deal, it is willing to agree to a delay to satisfy demands by members of Congress, according to a person familiar with the conversations.


Page: 12



Anti-Japanese rally in South Korea
German army battle to halt bird flu spread
Iraqi soldiers on guard as sectarian violence broke out
 
  Today's Top News     Top World News
 

Housing, education and jobs top urbanites' worries

 

   
 

US plans more WTO cases against China

 

   
 

China joins Russia in Iran diplomacy

 

   
 

IPR violators put on notice

 

   
 

'Great Wall's little wall under fire

 

   
 

Poor health takes toll on police force

 

   
  Roof collapse in Moscow kills at least 56
   
  Pentagon told to release Gitmo transcripts
   
  Roof collapse at Moscow market kills 40
   
  Germany has first suspected farm bird flu case
   
  Baghdad toll at 53 as sectarian attacks go on
   
  Magnitude 7.5 earthquake hits Mozambique
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
Manufacturers, Exporters, Wholesalers - Global trade starts here.
Advertisement