tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15453937.post114062239379690919..comments2024-01-10T17:36:15.040-07:00Comments on The Lippard Blog: Ports acquisition issueLippardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826768452963498005noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15453937.post-1140735487487472272006-02-23T15:58:00.000-07:002006-02-23T15:58:00.000-07:00Sheldon Richman over at Free Association makes a c...Sheldon Richman over at Free Association makes a couple salient points <A HREF="http://sheldonfreeassociation.blogspot.com/2006/02/dubai-or-not-dubai.html" REL="nofollow">here</A> and <A HREF="http://sheldonfreeassociation.blogspot.com/2006/02/more-on-dubai-deal.html" REL="nofollow">here</A>, and <A HREF="http://sheldonfreeassociation.blogspot.com/2006/02/what-to-do-about-ports.html" REL="nofollow">here</A>.Einzigehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06406227217230727209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15453937.post-1140728419279514822006-02-23T14:00:00.000-07:002006-02-23T14:00:00.000-07:00BTW, TPM recently wrote (http://www.talkingpointsm...BTW, TPM recently wrote (http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/007733.php):<BR/>"See the problem here? They aren't just hoisted on their own petard here; the petard is engaging them in an unnatural act, presumably pre-detonation. The White House's whole premise seems to be that the DPW just isn't involved in the security side of port management. Since that's the case, the whole security argument is bogus.<BR/><BR/>But if they need to pledge to cooperate and assist with security and counter-terrorism then clearly they are involved in port security."<BR/><BR/>Mr. Marshall is assuming that there are no security considerations for a company that isn't directly involved in the providing of security services, but that's just a mistake. There are security implications in *any* business. P&O is not responsible for providing security to the ports, but the mere fact that the company is operating at the ports means that it has its own internal security to be concerned about. It's not as black-and-white as Mr. Marshall's comment suggests.Lippardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16826768452963498005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15453937.post-1140727824443054992006-02-23T13:50:00.000-07:002006-02-23T13:50:00.000-07:00Michael, thanks for your post. I agree with you t...Michael, thanks for your post. I agree with you that the last five years supply plenty of evidence to support the supposition...<BR/><BR/>I'm not entirely clear on the structure of the government in Dubai--I've read that in the UAE, if the federal courts provide no solution then Sharia courts are invoked, but also that Dubai is not part of the UAE federal court system, but operates independently. <BR/><BR/>One website says:<BR/>"Laws are issued in the following ways. First consideration is given to federal law, if no solution is provided then to the provisions of Dubai's relevant laws, if still no solution was found, then Sharia law is applied. Though in normal cases only inheritance and family issues are subject to Sharia."<BR/><BR/>http://www.dhcc.ae/en/Default.aspx?type=1&id=36Lippardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16826768452963498005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15453937.post-1140714415782853062006-02-23T10:06:00.000-07:002006-02-23T10:06:00.000-07:00Apparently the Bush administration is more concern...<I>Apparently the Bush administration is more concerned about the flow of information than the movement of physical materials.</I><BR/><BR/>I think the last 5 years supply plenty of evidence to support that supposition.<BR/><BR/>There is a major <I>political</I> difference between Singapore and Dubai though. It is essential because of the nature of Dubai's Islamist govenment -v- Singapore quasi-socialistic regime: Socialists - at least of the Singaporan variety - are not known as being amongst the world's current leaders in anti-western terrorism. The fact that Dubai is one of America's closest middle-eastern allies in the battle against such doesn't change the <I>political</I> assumptions of extreme anti-islamist Americans though. That little factoid is easily dismissed when fear overrides reason.<BR/><BR/>This observation is from a person who sees <I><B>much</I></B> to warrant extra concern when dealing with Islamic governments.<BR/><BR/>I've just seen a story where the Admin is asking Dubai for non-standard assurances in order to let the deal proceed. I'm sure you're aware of the latest developments in this regard, so will just say thanks for providing an alternate view.<BR/><BR/>A little balance in one's POV helps make any decision more coherent and relevant to the issue at hand.Michael Bainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13734972725056899460noreply@blogger.com