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Bush unaware of ports deal before approval
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-23 09:01
President Bush was unaware of the pending sale of shipping operations at six
major US seaports to a state-owned business in the United Arab Emirates until
the deal already had been approved by his administration, the White House said
Wednesday.
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] |
Defending the deal anew, the administration also said that it should have
briefed Congress sooner about the transaction, which has triggered a major
political backlash among both Republicans and Democrats.
Bush on Tuesday brushed aside objections by leaders in the Senate and House
that the $6.8 billion sale could raise risks of terrorism at American ports. In
a forceful defense of his administration's earlier approval of the deal, he
pledged to veto any bill Congress might approve to block the agreement involving
the sale of a British company to the Arab firm.
Dubai Port's top American executive, chief operating officer Edward H.
Bilkey, said the company will do whatever the administration asks to enhance
shipping security and ensure the sale goes through. Bilkey said Wednesday he
will work in Washington to persuade skeptical lawmakers they should endorse the
deal. At least two Senate oversight hearings already are scheduled.
"We're disappointed," Bilkey told The Associated Press in an interview.
"We're going to do our best to persuade them that they jumped the gun. "The UAE
is a very solid friend, as President Bush has said."
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