FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 21, 2006
CONTACT: William Tranghese (202) 225-5601

NEAL OPPOSED TO UNITED ARAB EMIRATES OWNED COMPANY RUNNING U.S. PORTS
Lawmaker will support legislation in Congress to block sale

(WASHINGTON) Congressman Richard E. Neal is strongly opposed to a decision by the Bush administration that would allow a United Arab Emirates (UAE) owned company to acquire control of six major seaports on the East coast of the United States. The proposed $6.8 billion sale, approved by the Committee for Financial Investment in the United States (CIFUS), would permit Dubai Ports World to manage operations at ports in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New Orleans and Miami.

Congressman Neal announced today that he intends to support legislation in Congress that would suspend the sale to Dubai Ports World on March 2. He has also called on the Homeland Security Committee to hold immediate public hearings focusing on the issues involved in the DP World transaction.  

"I believe the Bush administration has shown poor judgment in hastily approving this sale to a company that is owned and controlled by the United Arab Emirates. I intend to support legislation in Congress next that will block the UAE port deal.

This is not a partisan issue. It is a national security issue. We should not be outsourcing our homeland security duties to foreign countries. Both Democrats and Republicans in Congress agree that this questionable transaction needs to be examined more thoroughly, and that is why I support Congressional hearings to fully investigate this contract."

President Bush has until March 2 to make a final judgment on the CIFUS recommendation. The group includes members of the Departments of State, Justice, Commerce Defense, Justice and Homeland Security.

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