Dubai Ports World

Today the United Arab Emirates decided to delay the transfer of port ownership and operations to the state owned company Dubai Ports World.  This comes after a whirl wind of press coverage that has turned the political landscape upside down.

Rasmussen Reports has found the following:

Just 17% of Americans approve of the port ownership transfer.

For the first time since 9/11 Democrats have a two point advantage over President Bush when it comes to national security, 43% to 41%.  At the present, this issue is a BIG winner for them.

The same poll though indicates that most people do not know much about how port ownership in this country works.  15% believe that the port in question is currently owned by a US company (it’s owned by P&O out of The UK) and 46% are not sure.

I have an open mind about this issue.   This transaction is nothing new in the world of globalization, and would not have made a single headline if it was sold to country that was non-Arab.  I want to list some facts that are helping me come to a conclusion.

1. 1/2 of all US ports are currently owned and operated by a foreign company.


2. The United Arab Emirates is a staunch ally in the war on terror.  What John Kerry referred to as “Window Dressing” in the 2004 Presidential election, the UAE provides among other things, access to their docks for ship repairs and permission to land on their air fields in conjunction with operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.


3. The UAE has a very modern western style economy that out passes many countries in the world, including 6.7% GDP growth and a 2.7% unemployment rate.  While its main source of revenue is from oil sales, they have made a calculated move towards capitalism and to participate in the global economy.  Dubai Ports World is an example of that.


4. Along side its other moderate Arab neighbor Qatar, which hosts CENTCOM forward headquarters that was and continues to be critical in the Iraq War, is slowly moving towards democracy.  Currently the members of their legislature are appointed. President Khalifa announced in December of 2005 that elections would take place in early 2006 for 1/2 of those seats.

Now if we want to have an honest debate about globalization and whether US shipping ports should or should not be owned and operated by non-US firms, than I am open to that debate.

What I am against is holding one country to a different standard simply because of their location, culture and religion.

I am still reserving judgment, but in order for me to appose this deal, I would need to see actual proof that the port currently owned and operated by P&O out of the UK would present an increased national security risk if that port was owned and operate by Dubai Ports World.

The only thing I have seen is guilt by association.