Sort of...
The company that owns the ports - P&O (of cross-channel ferry fame) - has been bought by the Dubai-based firm DPW. The deal includes the sale of five US ports - and oddly enough, everyone except President Bush is going fucking nuts over it.
Instead of trying to explain all the ins and outs of what I've been reading today, here's some links to news stories that detail the progression and stupidity of the whole damn thing:
A Reuters article on recent Arabian investments in the US, detailing - amongst other things - Saudi shares in America's biggest Bank and Apple computers, recent investment in Chrystler and DPW's investment in another port-owning company, the CSX Corporation.
An editorial piece from a UAE-based news service, the Khaleej Times, discussing the ports purchase in the context of a time of economical growth in the Middle East. Isn't the pursuit of wealth and the creation of a healthy, prosperous nation one of the US's founding ideals?
Also from Khaleej Times, this report of a radio interview:
"The Oklohoma bombing was carried out by an American. That does not mean Americans are terrorists. There were bombings and killings in Britain, but that does not mean you cannot deal with Britain"
An article on the imminent purchase from Jan 28th. Which rather spits in the face of Bush's assertions that he didn't know about it until Monday.
Al Jazeera's front page. No wonder Bush wanted to bomb them. The big US news is relegated to a minor subheadding.
A report from Media insider site Mediamatters on how US TV has been reporting the news - and the oh-so-surprising bias against anything Arabian.
A talkback board from the Lawrence Journal, Kansas:
"These Saudis have business relations with the Bush family. So is "Reckless Spending George" gaining a kickback? Seems right up his alley...
How many times do we want the Nations security bought and sold?"
Friend or foe? Both at the same time, according to the New York Times.
A fascinating rant from the heart of Bush country, the hilarious and outraged Bayou Buzz has this to say:
"America is not going to deal with terror and we are not going to allow a country to control our ports—especially one with a long history of helping a terror network in its own borders.
You can call this position as being anti-Arab--all you want. We call it doing what is right and what is safe. And, we are not going to be bullied by your one-sided news--not now, not ever."
And now, the shocker:
While all this furore is kicking off about sea ports being owned by UAE-based companies, the US has just invested in a UAE-based SPACEport!
Have this article from Travel Daily News, or this one from Travelvideo.tv, or this one from "the ultimate Middle East business resource".
Finally, voices of reason are being heard in the strangest places - Threatswatch, and of all places, Indymedia!
My take on it? Glaringly obvious anti-Arabian bias for all to see. The rest of the world is watching these senators and news networks throwing their toys out of their prams and they're all either flabbergasted, incredulous or dismissive. And those are pretty much the same reactions I'm having.
