Posted on 3/1/2006, 6:29:36 PM by Sub-Driver
Federal judge nixes NJ lawsuit against ports deal
JANET FRANKSTON Associated Press
NEWARK, N.J. - A federal judge on Wednesday ruled against a request by New Jersey to order an investigation into a United Arab Emirates-based company's takeover of some U.S. port operations, including Port Newark.
U.S. District Judge Jose Linares also said the state will not be privy to documents the company gave to a federal committee reviewing the deal. Linares said the state "needs to show an immediate need for those documents."
The $6.8 billion acquisition would allow Dubai Ports World to buy major commercial operations at ports in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, Miami, New Orleans and Philadelphia. Critics of the deal say it could compromise national security.
The Bush administration agreed Sunday to the company's request for a 45-day investigation of the deal's potential security risks; the judge on Wednesday said that review should be sufficient.
"The very action now is taking place," said Linares, who added that if the review does not take place, the state could reargue its case.
Earlier in the day, state Attorney General Zulima Farber said New Jersey needed to see the documents viewed by the federal committee to weigh how Garden State officials would respond to potential risks. The state had also argued in court that the company's promises of a 45-day review was not enough of an assurance it would occur.
(Excerpt) Read more at philly.com ...
EXCELLENT news! Just excellent. I hope Corzine feels like an idiot.
Ping. Maybe Corzine is deeply saddened.
Hate to say it...but anyone that would voluntarily live in New Joisey is an idiot!
Been waiting for some news about this. Absolutely GRAND!
I'd pay money to see Corzine's face when he got the news.
PING
Good news! A defeat of the left!
Federal Judicial Service:
U. S. District Court, District of New Jersey Nominated by George W. Bush on August 1, 2002, to a seat vacated by Alfred J. Lechner, Jr.; Confirmed by the Senate on November 14, 2002, and received commission on December 3, 2002.
oops, forgot the link on Judge Linares, Jose L.
http://www.fjc.gov/servlet/tGetInfo?jid=2978
Yup -- I'll bet you're right that a Clinton appointee would have ruled differently. We should use this as an example of how important it is to have a Republican in the WH making judicial appointments when we run across the Bush bashers that have been out in force the last few weeks around here.
Hey Gov.....You were elected to govern New Jersey, not the United States. If you think you can buy the presidency, it's up for grabs in 08.
Has anyone, of national significance, asked why there are no US companies wanting to manage our ports? Does Congress wonder why we have foreign companies competing in our backyard? IMHO, everyone is avoiding the big, pink elephant in the room.
It seems that federal judge believes the US has a vested interest also.
The judge might be right, in terms of handing over documents, but that doesn't mean that the Port Authority won't put the kibosh on the deal.
I find it hard to believe the Port Authority will nix the deal. I suppose it's theoretically possible but I believe they have more to lose than gain by doing so.
Ping
Ping
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