My Answer
You're right, Jim, I don't think anyone is unAmerican for disagreeing with the President on the ports deal, because I understand the reluctance. As I said originally, I felt the same way. However, in addition to the people you mention who are in favor of this deal, there is also Gen. Peter Pace, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In this article, there is a little bit of explanation of how this deal was reached and admittedly, there is some reason for concern regarding the United Arab Emirates and their loyalty to our cause.
Here is what Pace has to say:
The U.S. has a “superb” military relationship with the country, General Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters this week. He also said U.S. forces use UAE seaports and air fields for logistics support and for training of Air Force pilots.
“In everything that we have asked and worked with them on, they have proven to be very, very solid partners,” Pace said.
As I understand it, they won't actually have "control" of our ports, as you put it. The day-to-day operations and security will remain the same, and I daresay will stiffen a little when the people who are opposing this deal get through with it.
Condoleezza Rice says, “The UAE is a good partner in the war on terrorism,” Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during a Middle East trip. “It has been a stalwart partner. And we believe that this is a deal, a port deal, that serves the interests of the United States, serves our security interests and serves the commercial interest as well.”
Perhaps there are some factors behind the scenes here that we are not privy to. I have a lot of faith in Bush, Rumsfeld, Pace, and many of the people who are a little closer to this who are in favor of it, especially when it comes to national security. I know he's not above making a mistake, but if what the people opposed to this deal are saying is true, this would be a whopper. At the end of the day, I guess we'll all just have to wait and see how this plays out.
Here is what Pace has to say:
The U.S. has a “superb” military relationship with the country, General Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters this week. He also said U.S. forces use UAE seaports and air fields for logistics support and for training of Air Force pilots.
“In everything that we have asked and worked with them on, they have proven to be very, very solid partners,” Pace said.
As I understand it, they won't actually have "control" of our ports, as you put it. The day-to-day operations and security will remain the same, and I daresay will stiffen a little when the people who are opposing this deal get through with it.
Condoleezza Rice says, “The UAE is a good partner in the war on terrorism,” Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during a Middle East trip. “It has been a stalwart partner. And we believe that this is a deal, a port deal, that serves the interests of the United States, serves our security interests and serves the commercial interest as well.”
Perhaps there are some factors behind the scenes here that we are not privy to. I have a lot of faith in Bush, Rumsfeld, Pace, and many of the people who are a little closer to this who are in favor of it, especially when it comes to national security. I know he's not above making a mistake, but if what the people opposed to this deal are saying is true, this would be a whopper. At the end of the day, I guess we'll all just have to wait and see how this plays out.
posted by Jennifer at 4:30 AM
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