So in 2008, can a new president reverse the UAE contract?

[henslee]

[rusty charly]

1. i read elsewhere yesterday

that it would be very difficult to undo. but the bushies ran around and cancelled every contract and international agreement we had that they didn't like, so...

[stepnw1f]

2. Considering Bush Does Whatever He Wants to

I'd have to say YES.

[blm]

3. I think it should be an issue to run on.

.

[rpgamerd00d]

4. Two words : Emminent. Domain.

nuff said.

[henslee]

5. but they don't own the ports, they'll just be managing them.

[rpgamerd00d]

6. I don't think it matters. Emminent Domain takes control totally.

They kick everyone out and take over.

[pinto]

10. No, they get a lease for the terminals they use. There are still security

concerns, imo, but they are not going to "take over".

[brokensymmetry]

7. You've made two assumptions.

1) That we'll get a new officeholder in 2008.

2) That we'll still have a United States of America in 2008.

I am no longer so sure about either of those assumptions.

[henslee]

8. True enough.

[pinto]

9. Dubai Ports World will hold a lease on the terminals they use.

I think that's important to remember. They aren't going to own the ports, they will hold a lease from the local authority (usually a Port Authority) on the terminals within the ports that they use.

The security issue isn't about ownership, it's about the chain of oversight of a container ship's contents, from port of origin to the end point, an American port...the security vetting of terminal crews, at both ends...and the verification of shippers' manifests for Coast Guard/Port Authority review. If I understand the system correctly, the security gaps involve who has what information and what authority (multiple jurisdictions).

Thats the issue.

I think the meme that this deal is turning over ownership of our ports is unfortunate in that it misses the point entirely.