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3/8/2006
Statement of Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) on Transferring Control of Six U.S. Ports to Dubai Ports World
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) is a co-sponsor of Senator Chuck
Schumer’s (D-NY) legislation, which would require a 45-day review of
the port deal and that the Department of Treasury and Homeland Security
brief Congress on the review’s findings, and give Congress the
authority to reject the deal within 30 days of the review’s completion.
“I have grave concerns about the Bush Administration’s decision to
allow Dubai Ports World to assume management and control of some of the
nation’s biggest ports. I believe this raises a host of security
concerns that have not been adequately addressed. That is why I
strongly support efforts in Congress to place a temporary hold on this
transfer so that a further investigation can be conducted, and Congress
can review these findings before any final decision is made.
“The Administration’s casual approach on this just underscores that
Congress has to be vigilant and exercise oversight of this review.
“It is not enough for the Bush Administration to say ‘trust us.’
The White House failed to conduct the 45-day review required by law,
and completely disregarded concerns expressed by the Coast Guard about
the national security implications of the deal.
“More than four years after the September 11th attacks, security at our
nation’s seaports remains dramatically underfunded. The American people
deserve to know that all necessary steps have been taken to protect
homeland security before this deal is allowed to go forward.”
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