http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0602/23/ldt.01.htmlThe White House has repeatedly failed to make that distinction between a government-owned company and a foreign company. The White House is ignoring what we've been reporting here for some time, that terminal operators themselves do play a critical role in protecting our ports and preserving security.
Bill Tucker tonight reports from one of those ports in Brooklyn, New York.
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BILL TUCKER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): When it comes to port security, it is the case of the administration that protests too much.
MCCLELLAN: This not about control of our ports, this is not about the security of our ports. And let me be very clear, one thing we will never do is outsource to anyone the control and security of our ports, whether that's Dubai or any other entity that operates terminals at our ports.
TUCKER: The White House is wrong. It is about control of our ports. And security is routinely outsourced. Port security is very different from airport or border security. It is a public-private partnership and private companies play a key role.
SAL CATUCCI, AMERICAN STEVEDORING INC.: We're at every ship, and we watch everything that's going on. We know of everything that's going on within the port. And the security right now happens to be the top priority of the company.
TUCKER: In simple terms, at most ports security works like this: while the ship is in the water, it's under the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard. While docked at the port and those goods are being unloaded, it's under the jurisdiction of Customs and Border Protection. But the minute those goods come off of the ships and land on the dock, security is the sole responsibility of the terminal operator.
The security plans are reviewed by the Department of Homeland Security, but the terminal operator is solely responsible for the execution of those plans. The plans are classified secret. If a foreign government gains control of the terminal it becomes privy to the classified security arrangements. Not wise, in the opinion of this terminal operator.
CATUCCI: I think we're in trouble right now because it's happening. It's -- you're going to have to give that -- they're going to have a blueprint of that security.
TUCKER: The port authority's authority at most ports ends at the roads leading to and connecting the terminals.
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TUCKER: Now, the cost for lighting, fencing, closed-circuit TV, Lou, those are shared by the port and the terminal operator. But when it comes to the security guards, they are hired, fire and paid by the terminal operator.
In this case, it happens to be American Stevedoring, one of only two American terminal operators left in the ports of Newark, New York and New Jersey -- Lou.
DOBBS: Thank you very much.
Bill Tucker setting the record straight on whether or not terminal operators are involved in security at the ports.
Tonight, the largest port complex on the East Coast is filing suit to block this Dubai government port deal. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey set to file a lawsuit as early as tomorrow to stop Dubai Ports World from taking over a Port of Newark container terminal. Port authority officials say the federal government failed to assure them that this deal would meet their critical security standards.
It is important to note tonight that almost every governor whose ports would be affected in a Dubai government company takeover is completely opposed to this dangerous deal. Pennsylvania's governor, Ed Rendell, says if this deal goes through, he will fight to make certain a terminal lease is the Port of Philadelphia is not renewed.
The governor says, "We can just not renew the lease. 'Trust us' isn't good enough."
New Jersey's governor, Jon Corzine, said on this broadcast here last night that he's filing state and federal lawsuits to block the deal. The governor says, "It's just outside of the realm of reason that we are going to without complete disclosure believe this isn't a risk."
New York's governor, George Pataki, saying, "Ensuring the security off New York's port operations is paramount, and I am very concerned."
Maryland's governor, Robert Ehrlich, "We needed to know before this was a done deal, given the state of where we are given security."
Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco: "We in Louisiana take the management and safety of our ports seriously and we expect the same from Washington."
Only one governor out of six says that he's not concerned about the takeover by a foreign-owned firm. It is none other than Governor Jeb Bush of Florida, who says, "I have full confidence that the president of the United States will make the right decision as it relates to our national security interests."
Still ahead here, a special report on the Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States. Did in fact this committee break the law when it approved the port deal?
And why Bush administration officials are so intent on possibly compromising national security in order -- in order to favor high- powered corporate friends.