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Bush unaware of ports deal before approval
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-23 09:01
Bush faces a rebellion from leaders of his own party, as well as from
Democrats, about the deal that would put Dubai Ports in charge of major shipping
operations in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami and
Philadelphia.
While Bush has adamantly defended the deal, the White House acknowledged that
he did not know about it until recently.
"He became aware of it over the last several days," McClellan said. Asked if
Bush did not know about it until it was a done deal, McClellan said, "That's
correct." He said the matter did not rise to the presidential level, but went
through a congressionally-mandated review process and was determined not to pose
a national security threat.
"The president made sure to check with all the Cabinet secretaries that are
part of this process, or whose agencies or departments are part of this
process," the spokesman said. "He made sure to check with them — even after this
got more attention in the press, to make sure that they were comfortable with
the decision that was made."
"And every one of the Cabinet secretaries expressed that they were
comfortable with this transaction being approved," he said.
Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, told the AP in an interview: "They are
not in charge of security. We are not turning over the security of our ports.
When people make statements like that you get an instant emotional reaction."
Treasury Secretary John Snow said failure to complete the transaction would
send the wrong message overseas.
"The implications of failing to approve this would be to tell the world that
investments in the United States from certain parts of the world aren't
welcome," Snow told reporters Wednesday following a speech in Connecticut to a
fuel cell manufacturer. "That sends a terrible message."
The sale's harshest critics were not appeased.
"I will fight harder than ever for this legislation, and if it is vetoed I
will fight as hard as I can to override it," said Rep. Pete King, R-N.Y.,
chairman of the Homeland Security Committee. King and Democratic Sen. Charles
Schumer (news, bio, voting record) of New York said they will introduce
emergency legislation to suspend the ports deal.
McClellan dismissed any connection between the deal and David Sanborn of
Virginia, a former senior DP World executive whom the White House appointed last
month to be the new administrator of the Maritime Administration of the
Transportation Department. Sanborn worked as DP World's director of operations
for Europe and Latin America.
"My understanding is that he has assured us that he was not involved in the
negotiations to purchase this British company," McClellan added.
"In terms of David Sanborn, he was nominated to run the Maritime
Administration because of his experience and expertise," the spokesman said.
Sanborn is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. He is an operations
professional.
Earlier, several lawmakers determined to capsize the pending sale said they
would not be deterred by Bush's veto threat.
Sen. Joseph Biden (news, bio, voting record), D-Del., said the bipartisan
opposition to the deal indicated "a lack of confidence in the administration" on
both sides. "Sure, we have to link up with our Arab friends but ... we want to
see and those in Congress want to know what ... safeguards are built in," Biden
said on ABC's "Good Morning America."
Bush's veto threat sought to quiet a political storm that has united
Republican governors and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee with
liberal Democrats, including New York Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Schumer.
To assuage concerns, the administration disclosed some assurances it
negotiated with Dubai Ports. It required mandatory participation in U.S.
security programs to stop smuggling and detect illegal shipments of nuclear
materials; roughly 33 other port companies participate in these voluntarily. The
Coast Guard also said it was nearly finished inspecting Dubai Ports' facilities
in the United States.
Frist said Tuesday, before Bush's comments, that he would introduce
legislation to put the sale on hold if the White House did not delay the
takeover. He said the deal raised "serious questions regarding the safety and
security of our homeland.
House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., asked the president for a moratorium on
the sale until it could be studied further.
Lawmakers from both parties have noted that some of the Sept. 11 hijackers
used the United Arab Emirates as an operational and financial base. In addition,
critics contend the UAE was an important transfer point for shipments of
smuggled nuclear components sent to Iran, North Korea and Libya by a Pakistani
scientist.
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