[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 24 (Wednesday, March 1, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H474]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             DUBAI PORTS WORLD DEAL RISKS NATIONAL SECURITY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Ramstad) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, my constituents in Minnesota and I are 
overwhelmingly opposed to the administration handing over day-to-day 
management of six U.S. ports to a company owned and operated by the 
United Arab Emirates.
  Mr. Speaker, this port management deal poses a very real risk to 
national security, as many experts have pointed out. As the former 
Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security, Clark Ervin, 
said last week, ``It is true that our Coast Guard would remain in 
charge of port security. But that means merely setting standards that 
ports are to follow and reviewing their security plans. Meeting those 
standards every day is the job of port operators. They are responsible 
for hiring security officers, guarding the cargo and overseeing its 
unloading.''
  As another security expert put it, you cannot separate port security 
from port management. Our ports are on the front lines of our homeland 
defense, and terminal operators play a key role. It is undisputed that 
under the contract to manage the six U.S. ports, Dubai Ports World 
would handle shipping arrivals, departures, unloading at the docks, and 
many other security-related functions.
  The UAE-owned company would be responsible for keeping cargo 
containers secure from the time they are unloaded from foreign ships 
until the containers are taken away on trucks. In addition, terminal 
operators work with port security plans that contain sensitive security 
information.
  They are responsible for securing the perimeter of the terminals and 
they conduct security training for dock workers.
  Mr. Speaker, the fundamental question is this: Do we really want a 
company owned by a foreign government that has been a home base for 
terrorists, do we really want that company in charge of these 
functions? I think not.
  Moreover, Mr. Speaker, we also know the United States Coast Guard 
conducted an intelligence assessment of Dubai Ports World and its 
owners in the United Arab Emirates. As a result of that December 13, 
2005 intelligence assessment, the Coast Guard warned: ``There are many 
intelligence gaps concerning the potential for DPW assets to support 
terrorist operations that preclude the completion of a thorough threat 
assessment of the merger.''
  The intelligence assessment also stated: ``The breadth of the 
intelligence gaps also infer potential unknown threats against the 
large number of potential vulnerabilities.''
  Mr. Speaker, this Coast Guard assessment raises serious questions on 
the overall security environment at DP World facilities, the background 
of some personnel and foreign influence on company operations.
  As a cosponsor, Mr. Speaker, of H.R. 4807, authored by Chairman Peter 
King of our Homeland Security Committee, I strongly support this 
critical legislation that would allow Congress to block the ports deal 
following the current 45-day investigation.
  Mr. Speaker, the security of our homeland must be our highest 
priority. That is why we need to pass this important legislation.

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