Posted on 02/22/2006 8:08:17 AM PST by MNJohnnie
How many of the Port deal crtics know this?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1583009/posts
Flashback - December 13, 2004: Dubai, U.A.E., Joins U.S. Container Security Initiative (State Dept.) US Department of State ^ | December 13. 2004
Posted on 02/21/2006 2:43:48 PM PST by new yorker 77
Becomes first Mideast port to participate in U.S. program
The United Arab Emirates has joined the U.S. Container Security Initiative (CSI) to help secure maritime cargo shipments against the threat of terrorism.
In a December 12 news release, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency (CBP) said the agreement will enable all cargo destined for the United States through the port of Dubai to be prescreened.
CBP will station a small team of officers at Dubai ports to identify sea containers destined for the United States; Dubai customs officials will be responsible for screening containers identified as potential terrorist risks, the U.S. agency said.
Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation is the sixth-largest port operator in the world and the first in the Middle East to join the CSI, according to the news release.
To date, governments representing 21 countries around the world have signed up to the CSI program, launched by the United States following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Following is the text of the news release:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Department of Homeland Security
First Middle Eastern Port Formally Commits to Target, Pre-Screen and Secure Cargo Destined for the U.S.
12/12/2004
Dubai, UAE -- Today Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation joined the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Container Security Initiative [CSI] making it the first Middle Eastern port to participate. CBP Commissioner Robert C. Bonner and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, signed a declaration of principles to acknowledge the agreement that will enable all cargo destined for the U.S. through the port of Dubai to be targeted and pre-screened.
"The threat of terrorism is real and, it's a global threat. Dubai Customs recognizes the absolute importance of protecting cargo against the terrorist threat. I applaud their bold action of assuming a leadership role in the Middle East," said Commissioner Bonner.
CBP will deploy a small team of officers to the port of Dubai, the 6th largest port operator in the world whose mission will be to target sea containers destined for the United States. Dubai Customs officials, working with CBP officers, will be responsible for screening any containers identified as a potential terrorist threat.
The primary purpose of CSI is to help protect the global trading system and the trade routes between CSI ports and the United States. By collaborating with foreign customs administrations, CBP is working towards a safer, more secure world trading system.
Under CSI, CBP has entered into bi-lateral partnerships with other governments to identify high-risk cargo containers and to pre-screen them before they are loaded on vessels destined for the United States. Today, governments representing 21 countries have signed up to implement CSI.
"I congratulate the Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation on this historic event. They are now partnering with the United States and are a leader in protecting the global trading system," said Ambassador to the UAE [United Arab Emirates] Michele Sison.
CSI did not exist before 9/ll. It was proposed by Commissioner Bonner and launched in January 2002. CSI has been accepted globally as a bold and revolutionary initiative to secure maritime cargo shipments against the terrorist threat. This initiative will continue to expand to strategic locations around the world.
The World Customs Organization (WCO), the European Union (EU), and the G8 [Group of Eight major industrialized economies] support CSI expansion and have adopted resolutions implementing CSI security measures introduced at ports throughout the world.
The 32 operational ports in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America include: Halifax, Montreal, and Vancouver, Canada; Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Le Havre, France; Bremerhaven and Hamburg, Germany; Antwerp and Zeebrugge, Belgium; Singapore; Yokohama, Tokyo, Nagoya, and Kobe, Japan; Hong Kong; Goteborg, Sweden; Felixstowe, Liverpool, Southampton, Thamesport, and Tilbury, United Kingdom; Genoa, La Spezia, Naples, and Gioia Tauro, Italy; Busan, Korea; Durban, South Africa; Port Klang and Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia; Piraeus, Greece; Algeciras, Spain; and Laem Chabang, Thailand.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the protection of our nation's borders. CBP unified Customs, Immigration, and Agriculture Inspectors and the Border Patrol into one border agency for the United States.
Correct - Egypt was the first ( and Sadat paid with his life) and Jordan followed in 1994.
Amen and thank you.
I'm sorry. Rush is the man and all that but... I'm not sticking my head in the f***king sand just because a guy with an R is allowing this deal, in addition, to the millions of illegals running the 10k across the border. And all for the same reason: greenbacks.
F! the bottom line, I'm worried about post 9/11 security On this issue, that Bush-bot check ain't cashin'
Interesting....MUCH more against...
Hew = New
Maybe he is on the stuff again
I fully agree. It is amazing to me that so many elected officials are willing to do so much overall damage for what they see as their political advantage. There are very few true leaders and grownups out there.
Where? When?
Yes, absolutely Jordan and Egypt recognize Israel. As part of bilateral peace deals resulting in land exchanges. But the rest of the Arab League passed a resolution about 25 years ago saying that non-contiguous states would not recognize Israel unless there was a settlement. If we can ever take care of Syria, we'd be in better shape. But Kuwait and most of the Gulf States are pro-Western, but have some portion of their populism that is Islamo-Fascist. The Government of the UAE--as Rush as JUST said--is pro-west. And Terror is BAD FOR BUSINESS.
That's like cutting your nose off to spite your face :)
Bush and Rush can both go to hell. They've sold out this war.
Fox, Coming up from all I can tell.
That is the scary story of our time. I remember a time during the Cold War that politics really DID stop at the water's edge. Right now, this country needs unity and the Dems can't bring themselves to supply it. Read Tony Blankley's "The West's Last Chance". I finished it last week. His argument is that we have to fight this like we fought against Nazi Germany (where we had to ally with the totalitarian Communists to beat the Nazis).
Rove would not do anything to disrupt the GOP's chances in 2006 elections.
If you really think that he would go out of his way to wreck all the gains we've made over the past 6 years, then YOU are the one on something.
I have no doubt this is a strategic political move. The Democrats are currently cornering themselves on the issue of national security by screaming to the high heavens about this deal. ATTENTION PEOPLE: THIS IS THE PARTY THAT PRACTICALLY WANTS A BILL OF RIGHTS FOR TERRORISTS!
Those who are fretting and panicking just need to calm down and relax, and let the grown-ups made the calls.
1) It is unwise to underestimate your enemies; it also is unwise to overestimate your allies.
2) While it can’t hurt to study this deal a little more thoroughly (which would be a face-saving measure for all concerned), it is not obvious that national security will be compromised by giving the UAE a green light.
3) Finally, we need to have security measures in place that are failsafe--no matter who is managing the ports.
http://corner.nationalreview.com/06_02_19_corner-archive.asp#090576
Thanks...
Everyone said that Jordan was such a great ally during Desert Storm. I have a couple of ammo cases in my basement that read "Property RJA"
That is because you and others have your heads stuck somewhere darker and smellier. Each and every one of you against this deal have no clue what you are talking about.
ditto on all 3 points.
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