Reply #3: red herring, by those who are adamantly opposed? [View All]

[MH1]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/18/AR2006071801195_pf.html

The U.S. Trade Representative's office acknowledged the Oman pact could allow an Omani company to perform such "landside" port functions as operation and maintenance of docks, loading and unloading of vessels and ship cleaning.

But all U.S. trade agreements include an "essential security" article that allows the president to block any business deal the United States believes raises security concerns, according to a USTR fact sheet.

The Congressional Research Service also said on Tuesday it was unlikely Dubai Ports World or any company would be able to establish a shell company in Oman under the pact in order to acquire U.S. port operations.

CRS is considered solidly non-partisan, as far as I know.