Fitzpatrick Expresses Extreme Reservations on Port Sale Calls on President Bush to Stop Sale of Ports to UAE
Fitzpatrick Expresses Extreme Reservations on Port Sale Calls on President Bush to Stop Sale of Ports to UAE
Letter to President Bush
Washington, Feb 21 -
Yesterday, Congressman Michael G. Fitzpatrick sent a letter to President Bush outlining his extreme disappointment and concern over the administration's support of the decision by the Committee for Financial Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to allow Dubai Ports World to acquire operations at six critical American ports, including Philadelphia.
"I cannot understand why, at a time when homeland security has become such an important focus of the federal government that we could possibly allow a foreign government like the UAE to acquire operations at such critical U.S. instillations," Fitzpatrick said. "This sale makes no sense, and violates the public's trust in its government."
The UAE was one of only three countries to recognize the Taliban as Afghanistan's legitimate government before the U.S. invasion toppled it. Additionally, money routed through Dubai was used to finance terror operations, including the 9/11 attacks. Although it is considered an ally, the UAE has allowed smuggled nuclear components to pass through its territories; technology on its way to Iran, North Korea and Libya.
"Security experts have repeatedly said American ports are poorly protected. Each year, approximately 9 million cargo containers enter the United States through its ports and repeated calls to improve port security have mostly gone unheeded," Fitzpatrick stressed. "Given the Port of Philadelphia's strategic importance, we cannot allow the government to sell out our security to the highest bidder."
In October of 2002, Philadelphia Regional Port Authority was named the nation's 14th Strategic Military Port by the U.S. Defense Department, making it one of only 14 U.S. ports permitted to handle our nation's military cargoes destined for different points around the globe.
"If the administration cannot delay this process, I plan on introducing legislation to ensure that the deal is placed on hold until this decision gets a more thorough review," Fitzpatrick said. "It's the only way to prevent an existing tare in our homeland security to become a gaping hole and an invitation to terrorist attack."
http://fitzpatrick.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=39738