Governor Pataki Takes a Stand

Posted on February 21, 2006

Republican New York Governor Pataki and New Jersey lawmakers have stated that they are going to pursue legal action in order to stop the already-approved deal which would allow a Dubai-based company to control a number of major U.S. Ports. But they'd better hurry, since the Bush Administration is just as determined to allow the deal to stand.

Elected officials from New York and New Jersey are vowing to block a controversial plan that many say places our ports at risk. The Bush Administration is allowing an Arab company to assume control of several major ports including several in this area.
Governor Pataki wants the Port Authority to explore the state's legal options as the federal government goes ahead with plans to let a Saudi Arabian based company take over six major U.S. ports, including one in New York and one in New Jersey.
Senator Charles Schumer and Long Island Congressman Peter King are expected to announce emergency legislation to try and put a stop to this. Critics do point out that two of "9/11" hijackers did come from the United Arab Emirates. Rep. Peter King, (R) New York: "I'm confident, certainly very hopeful that if we speak loudly enough and really focus on this issue, we can get the contract delayed, get it frozen, get it held."
The port deal is said to be worth seven billion dollars.

Seven billion dollars? Yes, that's what this is really about: money. But what it should be about is the safety of the ports of the United States of America. Currently, only 4% of containers that come into this country are inspected. Our ports are our biggest weakness, from a terrorism standpoint. U.S. law requires that all airport security be handled by approved, American firms. The same standard should be applied to our ports.

Kudos to Governor Pataki for taking a courageous stand on this issue.