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Add to Google Subscribe in Rojo Subscribe in NewsGator Online Add to My AOL Subscribe in Bloglines Subscribe in FeedLounge Alerts MSN Alerts Credits Editorial Assistants Scott Keyes Alec Oveis Movable Type 3.2 Copyright © 1998-2006 by Taegan D. Goddard. All rights reserved. Political Insider Ad Network Advertise Liberally Contact Got a scoop? Email your tips, memos and suggestions to the editor. Premium Blog Ad Blog Ads Classifieds Full Digital Replicas IFRAME: http://www.pressdisplay.com/affiliate/aw.asp?A=115&G=41&Task=Get Visit Our Sponsor! Archives [Select Category.........] Archives Index March 01, 2006 Dubai and Our Ports: Who's Taking Over What? In this post, guest contributor Robert Reich gets to the real issues in the recent ports controversy. Before we go nuts about an Arab company taking over some of our ports -- or for that matter a Chinese company taking over one of our oil companies or, say, a Russian company taking over an American nuclear power plant, or a Turkish company taking over an American chemical plant, or a Bulgarian company taking over a military supplier -- we've got to know what it means for them to "take over" something of ours. In the global economy, whos them? Whos us? And what's a "takeover?" Theres a world of difference between ownership, management, day-to-day operations, and control. Ownership depends on who puts up the money. And these days money is coming from all over. The Emir of Dubai, who owns Dubai Ports World, has been investing worldwide in casinos, shipping lines, hotels, financial companies -- wherever he can get the best return. Hes even bought the Essex House in New York. Yes, there are some people in Dubai who hate America. A few of the terrorists who blew up the World Trade Center came from there. But face it: There are some people in lots countries who hate America, and a few of these people could become terrorists. Yet this frightening fact has almost nothing to do with the issue of ownership. About 80 percent of American ports are already run by foreign companies. These companies usually hire Americans to do the day-to-day management. After all, global companies want the best talent they can get. Dubai Port Worlds chief operating officer is Edward Bilkey, who's an American. Its former American executive, David Sanborn, was just nominated to be U.S. Maritime Administrator. And if this deal goes through, Dubai Ports World will probably keep most of the American executives who have been working for the British company that now runs the six ports in question because theyve made the company lots of money, which is why Dubai Ports wants to buy it. Whatever the arrangement, the day-to-day operations at the ports will still be done by American longshoremen, clerks, and technicians. And control over port security will remain with the U.S. government, the Coast Guard, Customs, harbor police, and port authorities, who make and enforce the rules. I dont mean to minimize the real danger that a terrorist might sneak into an American port or plant a nuclear bomb in a container heading toward an American port, or a container mounted on a truck that crosses an American border headed for Kansas City. But if that happens it won't be because of the nationality of the company that has a contract to run a port, or of its managers, or even its workers on the ground. It will be because this nation didn't want to pay for the gamma-ray monitors and radiation scanners and inspectors necessary to oversee more than a tiny percent of containers heading into America. Because we didn't want to bother with security checks and special ID cards with fingerprints and other biometrics for workers at all ports and border crossings. Because all of this would cost about $7 billion a year, out of a defense and homeland security budget of hundreds of billions, and might slow down commerce through our borders just a bit, and reduce some corporate profits. You see, the real issue here isnt about nationality. Its about what were prepared to pay for our security, and whether we pay mostly for a war in Iraq or we finally get serious about security here at home. -- Robert B. Reich, former Labor Secretary in the Clinton administration, is Professor of Public Policy at the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California at Berkeley. Categories: Guest Contributors Newsletter: Get Political Wire via free email delivery every morning. Just enter your email address below: ______________________________ Sign me up! 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Goddard is the creator of Political Wire, a political column updated around the clock with the most interesting news, buzz and commentary. You Won - Now What? Goddard is also co-author of You Won - Now What? (Scribner, 1998), a political management book hailed by prominent journalists and politicians from both parties. In addition, Goddards essays on politics and public policy have appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country, including the Washington Post, USA Today, Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, Chicago Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer and Christian Science Monitor. This is a personal site and does not necessarily reflect the views of any company, political campaign or advocacy group. Site Meter [noscript?tag=youwonnowwhat]