Column: Statesman Soapbox; White House might be right, Dubai deal isn’t as dangerous as it sounds

The one-sentence letter on the president’s desk was signed Sue Myrick.

“Dear Mr. President: In regards to selling American ports to the United Arab Emirates, not just NO – but HELL NO!”

Myrick, a Republican representative from North Carolina, isn’t the only congressperson right of center to oppose the White House in the deal that would sell control of shipping operations of six major U.S. ports to Dubai Ports World, a state-owned company in the U.A.E.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., and House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., have also raised concerns about the deal.

In fact, bipartisan opposition to the deal is enough that most believe Congress could override a presidential veto should Congress try to stop the deal and the president counter.

Controversy over the sale of operations of ports in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Philadelphia and Miami is high because the United Arab Emirates has a mixed record with terrorism. In some instances, it has been an ally in the so-called “War on Terror.” Yet, the U.A.E. was also home to one of the terrorists who piloted a plane into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. The country’s banks have also been used to funnel al-Qaida funds through.

Democrats, it seems, have struck gold. Selling control of major U.S. ports to a country with ties to known terrorists is a potential national security concern and it is a card that will certainly be played against Bush and the White House. Still, I worry it is only iron pyrite.

After an initial review of the deal, the U.S. review committee unanimously approved the sale and U.S. intelligence agencies reported they had found no derogatory information about Dubai Ports World. The review was placed under question, however, because the administration did not require the company to keep copies of business records on U.S. soil, where they could be subject to subpoenas from American courts.

The White House has essentially admitted that national security concerns exist by stipulating in the agreement that Dubai Ports World would have to cooperate with future U.S. investigations, but the congressional outrage seems somewhat unwarranted.

In hopes of quelling tension and averting a showdown between Congress and the White House, Dubai Ports World has agreed to a 45-day investigation into the security concerns of the deal.

If the sale is approved, the Coast Guard and U.S. Customs will remain in charge of security and inspection. Ships will still be unloaded by American longshoremen. The only difference is that the checks will be coming from the U.A.E.

To me, stopping the deal entirely wreaks of xenophobia.

Bipartisan opposition to the Bush Administration is long overdue. I just think the timing is off. All Arabs are certainly not terrorists and that appears to be the message Congress is currently sending.

With Iraq on the brink of civil war and no flag, embassy or KFC safe from cartoon-inspired arson, improved relations with any Arab country seems like a positive.

For once, this White House might be right.

It hurts just to type that and I’d imagine saying it out loud feels like a kick to the stomach.

Aaron Falk is the news editor of the Utah Statesman. Questions and comments can be sent to acf@cc.usu.edu.