[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
[February 21, 2006]
[Pages 313-314]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks on Dubai Ports World
February 21, 2006

    I've just come back from a really good trip to the Midwest and the 
West talking about our need to change how we use energy--very encouraged 
by the technology that I saw and inspired by the scientists and 
engineers that are working on these new technologies.
    And I also want to address another issue I just talked to the press 
about on Air Force One, and that is this issue of a company out of the 
UAE purchasing the right to manage some ports in the United States from 
a British company. First of all, this is a private transaction. But it--
according to law, the Government is required to make sure this 
transaction does not, in any way, jeopardize the security of the 
country. And so people responsible in our Government have reviewed this 
transaction.
    The transaction should go forward, in my judgment. If there was any 
chance that this transaction would jeopardize the security of the United 
States, it would not go forward. The company has been cooperative with 
the United States Government. The company will not manage port security. 
The security of our ports will be--continue to be managed by the Coast 
Guard and Customs. The company is from a country that has been 
cooperative in the war on terror, been an ally in the war on terror. The 
company operates ports in different countries around the world, ports 
from which cargo has been sent to the United States on a regular basis.
    I think it sends a terrible signal to friends around the world that 
it's okay for a company from one country to manage the port but not a 
country that plays by the rules and has got a good track record from 
another part of the world, can't manage the port.
    And so, look, I can understand why some in Congress have raised 
questions about whether or not our country will be less secure as a 
result of this transaction. But they need to know that our Government 
has looked at this issue and looked at it carefully. Again, I repeat, if 
there was any question as to whether or not this country would be less 
safe as a result of the transaction, it wouldn't go forward. But I also 
want to repeat something again, and that is, this is a company that has 
played by the rules, that has been cooperative with the United States, a 
country that's an ally in the war on terror, and it would send a 
terrible signal to friends and allies not to let this transaction go 
through.

[[Page 314]]

    I want to thank you for your interest in the subject.

Note: The President spoke at 3:50 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White 
House.