Challenge To Arab Port Ownership

"Outrageous, reckless and irresponsible," said Baltimore mayor Martin O'Malley of the the Bush administration's approval of the takeover of a Miami port operator by the United Arab Emerites.

He's right. Our ports should not be in the hands of the Chinese, as they are in Long Beach, or Arab states, as proposed in Miami. Continental Stevedoring & Terminals Inc., the target of the takeover, has filed a lawsuit to stop the sale, saying it was prohibited under its partnership agreement with a British firm, and that the sale "may endanger the national security of the United States."

It asked the court to block the takeover because it does not believe the company, Florida or the U.S. government can ensure he acquirer, Dubai Ports World, can comply with American security rules.

The Bush administration approved the sale, following in the dubious footsteps of the Clinton administration, which approved the Chinese purchase of rights to Long Beach.

If our presidents can't do something so fundamental as protect our ports of entry from countries that could become our enemies, then Congress or the courts need to protect us.

Related Tags: Miami, UAE, Ports, Arabs, Bush administration