Posted on 03/13/2006 11:22:42 AM PST by Cannoneer No. 4
The United Arab Emirate’s central bank governor lashed out at US opponents of the Dubai Ports World deal, claiming it was wrong to mix politics and business in an unusually pointed statement by an Emirati official.
“What happened is very bad and it is not right to mix up political issues with commercial issues,” said Sultan Bin Nasser al-Suwaidi in remarks carried by the Emirati press on Monday.
“What the US is going goes against the tenets of international trade, which they created in the first place,” he said.
He added that it would affect the view of Arab investors towards the United States in terms of trade and investment.
Although the Emirati press has been vocal on the DPW deal, accusing opponents of xenophobia, officials in the Emirates have until now shied away from direct criticism of the United States, emphasizing that US congressional rejection of the deal would not affect their long-term ties.
Mr Suwaidi however has been an exception to the general conciliatory tone. Last week he said the controversy would have a negative impact on trade negotiations with the United States.
A round of talks aimed at cementing a US-UAE Free Trade Agreement was in fact postponed on Friday, but UAE officials insisted that the delay had nothing to do with the ports controversy.
Yeah, and it is bad business to finance the construction of Mosques world wide too.
I predict it won't.
Dubai only cares about making money. They will continue to trade with the US.
Yeah, and it is bad business to finance the construction of Mosques world wide too.
Why?
Maybe because it encourages Islam????
At a time when we should be appealling to 'moderate' muslims and giving them a reason to support us against the radicals, this sends the WRONG message.
Sorry, to those who want nativism and protectionism. That boat sailed off with Ross Perot in it. We need to learn how to function in this "global economy". There are no do-overs.
"Maybe because it encourages Islam????"
Which then can and does encourage/promote terror.
This is not rocket science, folks.
Business and trade is one thing. The WOT and our military presence in the UAE is quite another. Hopefully, this will not effect it.
What hippocrites, they are saying we shouldn't mix business and politics, this coming froma state owned business....hhhmmmm
You've been to Dubai?
Trying to seperate war from commerce. Doesn't work. Just horse-sense. ;)
"You've been to Dubai?"
LOL@ these "been there" posts.
I havent been to the North Pole, but I know it's cold there.
I agree with the UAE official. I think the President was right.
I think that Rep. King turned out to be a useful idiot for the Dems, who never did intellectually grasp the deal, but saw a way to hammer Bush from the right.
You want U.S. ports owned by Americans? Then pass a law and make it illegal for any foreign companies to lease terminals within our ports - which is what P&O was selling, btw, leases to operate terminals. The UAE was not going to "own American ports".
This was, IMO, a ridiculous tempest in a teapot. Democrats must be absolutely jubilant that they got away with spinning this deal in a way that both fractures the Republican party and weakens the President.
Feh.
Dubai only cares about making money. They will continue to trade with the US.
You think we are the only place they can get what they want?
Picture a situation -- say Boieng vs. Airbus -- where all the material elements are equal or equalize out(just for the sake of argument). If I was them, in the past I might have leaned towards the US. Now, if the $$ net the same, I would lean AWAY from the US.
This cowardice, uninformed bias, and stupidity on our part will cost us for a long time.
Your credibility is a mostly a figment of your imagination.
There is no requirement here on FR that you actually have any real knowledge before you pontificate.
Neither is there any requirement for anybody to take you seriously.
They will continue to dock our military ships as well. Without us, they are vulnerable to the wrath of the Islamofascists all around them.
"Maybe because it encourages Islam????"
Which then can and does encourage/promote terror.
This is not rocket science, folks.
No, it's not rocket science. Bigotry is the more accepted term.
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