Chertoff Says U.S. Ports Takeover Would Tighten Grip on Security

[kpete]

Chertoff Says U.S. Ports Takeover
Would Tighten Grip on Security
By ROBERT BLOCK
March 7, 2006; Page A3

WASHINGTON -- Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff yesterday said the proposed takeover of terminal operations at five U.S. ports by a Dubai company would give U.S. law enforcement a better handle on security at U.S. terminal operations.

But the unprecedented access that the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies would have to monitor the United Arab Emirates shipping company's personnel and business records would "evaporate" if Congress stopped the deal from proceeding, he warned.


Mr. Chertoff has said on many occasions that he didn't consider Dubai Ports World's proposed $6.8 billion buyout of London's Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co. a security threat to the U.S. However, his statements to a group of Wall Street Journal reporters marked the first time that he has said that Homeland Security had something to lose if the deal fell through.

"We are in a position now where we can and, assuming this deal goes through, we intend to have a deep look into their practices, certainly in the U.S. ports," Mr. Chertoff said.

Mr. Chertoff also denied rumors he had any intention of resigning following criticism of how his department handled the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. On the contrary, he said that as the hurricane season approaches, he intends to remake the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He said he will recommend not just a new FEMA director, but an entire management team to head the agency, which has been without a director since Michael Brown resigned 10 days after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast.

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB114169156641590913-DH_N_GDk3qf89DkYVR6NfqRLnB4_20070306.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top

[bullimiami]

1. chertoff means stooge in english.

[mwb970]

6. It apparently means "devil's son" in Russian.

You have to admit, he looks demonic. How does he get his face to sink in like that?

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. Chertoff needs to get a grip, alright.

[Atman]

3. What's wrong with this picture?

"...assuming this deal goes through, we intend to have a deep look into their practices, certainly in the U.S. ports," Mr. Chertoff said.

Assuming the deal goes through?

That's like, I'm buying a house -- assuming I get the mortgage, I'll actually look at the house and call in the mechanical inspector after I close the deal. Fucking morons!

[Inland]

8. You know Bond movies? That's where the plan comes from.

Bond gets himself captured and the bad guy divulges all his plans and then James escapes and foils them. We let the UAE take over, and we see what they do with the keys to the front door. They think they have us, but we have THEM because we are going to use a laser or something to cut through the ropes and get away. See? Not like Moonraker, though, that movie sucked.

[Avalux]

4. But of course!!! Black is white, up is down.....

By now, the American people should be completely fed up with this bullshit. x(

[Inland]

5. Our staunch ally UAE needs to be bribed for cooperation.

It's either trust it with the key to the front door and a big set of contracts or the government won't cooperate with terror.

It's as if our big tough "wid us or agin us" bushistas turned into parodies of weak kneed wobblies.

[Just Me]

7. Why the f*ck would the UAE be basically granted immunity from,...

,...legal liability? THAT. IS. INSANE!!!! NO CO/CORP SHOULD BE GIVEN THAT KIND OF ESCAPE ROUTE FROM COMPLIANCE WITH OUR LAWS!!!

*shakes head*

Let's say a dirty nuke is allowed into one of those ports and it's a UAE citizen who delivers it. UAE will basically be shielded from any legal responsibility. Now, you tell me why? Why would ANY co/corp be granted such immunity? That's completely counter-productive not only to national security but also in a strictly business aspect 'cause no one would negotiate away such an important aspect of a contract.

It makes no damn sense. NONE. NA DA!!!

[Atman]

11. It makes no sense to you because...

...you're not getting a cut of the profits!

Silly rabbit. Tricks are for BushCo!

[BuyingThyme]

9. If we burn the church to the ground, we'll never have to worry about

it catching fire.

[BlueManDude]

10. So if you're against the Dubai Deal - then you are pro-terrorist!!

[no_hypocrisy]

12. What "1984" language that is.

Put it up there with:

WAR IS PEACE

FREEDOM IS SLAVERY

IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH

[adarling]

13. this man is a complete screw up

why is he getting attention again? the man is skeletor and a complete douche at that.

[spanone]

14. Lots of money changing hands and the spin machine rolls on....