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U.S., UAE seek to restore ties after ports fiasco

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Friday, March 24, 2006

ABU DHABI — The United States and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to resume cooperation talks amid congressional opposition to a Dubai takeover of major American ports.

UAE Finance Minister Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qassimi has met senior Bush administration officials during her visit in the United States. The minister's visit was meant to restore economic cooperation in wake of the failed attempt by the state-owned Dubai Ports World to operate six major U.S. ports. The ports had been operated by the London-based Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co.

[An Israeli firm Checkpoint has withdrawn its offer to buy a U.S. defense subcontractor in wake of objections from the FBI and CIA, Middle East Newsline reported. Checkpoint had offered to buy the U.S. firm Sourcefire for $264 million.]

"The deal has taken a security turn and it is well-known that security issues are of high concern and sensitivity to the United States, especially after the Sept. 11 [2001 Al Qaida strikes] events," Ms. Al Qassimi told the official UAE news agency Wam.

On March 13, the two countries canceled Free Trade Agreement talks in Washington amid congressional efforts to block the DP World deal. Many House and Senate members said the Dubai state-owned firm was not capable of ensuring security at U.S. ports.

DP World has pledged to relay U.S. port operations to an American company. Officials said the process could take months.

Ms. Al Qassimi said no date has yet been scheduled for the next round of FTA talks. She said the next round would be held in Abu Dhabi and might take place over the next six weeks.

"The postponement was decided before the P&O [Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co.]deal because some negotiating teams have not completed their work," Ms. Al Qassimi said. "The postponement was for technical reasons and has nothing to do with the deal." =


Copyright © 2006 East West Services, Inc.

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