Re: united arab emirates -- world

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04/26/25 2:26:35am

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Subject: Re: united arab emirates

Author:
krz

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Date Posted: 02/25/06 9:40:26pm
In reply to: tjm 's message, "Re: united arab emirates" on 02/25/06 5:31:36pm

>a quick look at the situation tends to make one's head
>spin:
>
>why would we do a deal that puts authority into the
>hands of a country that has for years supported
>radical islam in this country and outside; supports
>anti-american hatespeech within its borders; jails
>homosexuals; allies with our enemies; personifies the
>anti-thesis of our pro-democracy and pro-individialism
>efforts in Iraq

I agree - what I haven't heard is why the Brits chose to sell the rights to manage the ports? Why was this up for mangerial change and why is it not being managed within the US (labor costs- that's just my first guess?).

>someone should explain it to me because i haven't
>heard or read enough about it to really have an
>informed opinion
>
What I've read so far (limited information) is that "experts" (never by name) say that there really is no security risk because of the control of the ports authority locally in the country of origin and because of the coast guard security on open waters. I heard Bush state that he feels uncomfortable saying the Brits are OK but the Arabs are not simply on face value (can't say I disagree with that one).

Which is why I wonder why we don't use this as a test case to ask the UAE to put their money where their mouth is in order to get the contract. Condie has been all over the mid-east this week trying to convince states to pressure Hamas to back down on the elimination of Israel position. We plan on witholding aid to Palestine until such time as Hamas meets some pre-ordained demands. So, why not ask for a little public commentary up front? If the management of our ports is financially advantageous then why not ask for a little something in return?

>the whole situation we find ourselves in with
>islamo-fascism vs. the rest of the world is our
>reality. there's no mistaking it.

I know - hindsight is always 20/20. At this point in time - are you in agreement with our going into Iraq? I'm uncomfortable with our performance over there and not completely happy with the outcome, but still think it was the right thing to do. Geo and I have been reading John Adams (David McCullough - ?sp). What has struck me in the reading is how long the transition to democracy really happened - and how we are so impatient with the expression of a democratic process now in Iraq. I've also been struck by the opportunities in having slow mechanisms for communication. The truth is perhaps not told in full wtihout a real time sense of the chaos, but urgencies are not exaggerated either - creating a chaos where one might not exist.

I'm still struggling with Dubai Ports deal - thinking we are missing an opportunity here and wondering why no one has asked that question.

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Replies:

Subject	Author	Date
.	tjm	02/25/06 9:52:33pm