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Obama Statement on Administration's Approval of Plan to Outsource U.S. Ports to United Arab Emirates

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington Contact: Robert Gibbs or Tommy Vietor, (202) 228-5511
Illinois Contact: Julian Green (312) 886-3506
Date: February 21, 2006

Obama Statement on Administration's Approval of Plan to Outsource U.S. Ports to United Arab Emirates

WASHINGTON -- Senator Barack Obama Tuesday issued the following statement about the Bush Administration's approval of a deal whereby Dubai Ports World, a business owned by the United Arab Emirates, would take over a British company, Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co., which runs major operations at ports in Baltimore, Miami, New Jersey, New Orleans, New York and Philadelphia.

"Over four years after the worst terrorist attack in our history, not only are we failing to inspect 95% of the cargo that arrives at U.S. ports, but now we're allowing our port security to be outsourced to foreign governments. Clearly, more time should have been spent investigating this deal and consulting with homeland security experts and local officials. I support my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who are seeking a full review of this deal."