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.
|