Seven US lawmakers called for a top-level US government review of the security implications of a deal giving a Dubai-based company control of six major US ports. The lawmakers sent a letter to US Treasury Secretary John Snow expressing reservations about the deal in which British port and ferries group Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company would be bought by DP World of Dubai.
US Senator Chuck Schumer, who voiced concerns earlier in the week about the takeover, was joined in the letter by three other senators and three members of the House of Representatives.
"This United Arab Emirates government-owned and operated company could be perfectly qualified to operate ports around the world, but the question that needs to be answered is whether or not they can be trusted to operate our ports in this post 9-11 world," Schumer said.
"The administration needs to take another look at this deal."
The US Committee on Foreign Investment, which is part of the Treasury Department, approved the 6.8-billion-dollar deal between the ports' current British manager and Dubai Ports World, that will make the UAE firm manager of facilities in New York, New Jersey, New Orleans, Miami, Philadelphia and Baltimore.
"Handing the keys to US strategic ports to a regime that recognized the Taliban is not a sound next step in our war against terror," said Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma.
"I urge Secretary Snow to investigate this agreement that could seriously undermine our national security."
New York Representative Vito Fossella said, "we cannot cede control of strategic assets to foreign nations with spotty records on terrorism."
"This decision seems inconsistent with American efforts to enhance our national security," the lawmaker added. "The lack of transparency has left many questions unanswered as to why the UAE would be granted control of United States strategic assets."
Also signing the letter were senators Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey and Chris Dodd of Connecticut; and representatives Chris Shays of Connecticut and Mark Foley of Florida.
