Coast Guard warned of 'intelligence gaps' in deal

[ProSense]

Coast Guard warned of 'intelligence gaps' in deal

Senate panel holds hearing on United Arab Emirates-owned firm's planned takeover of operations at 6 U.S. ports; language in report 'very troubling'

By Liz Sidoti
The Associated Press
Originally published February 27, 2006, 4:41 PM EST

WASHINGTON // Citing broad gaps in U.S. intelligence, the Coast Guard cautioned the Bush administration that it was unable to determine whether a United Arab Emirates-owned company might support terrorist operations, a Senate panel said today.

The surprise disclosure came during a hearing on state-owned Dubai Ports World's plans to take over significant operations at six leading U.S. ports. The port operations are now handled by London-based Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company.

"There are many intelligence gaps, concerning the potential for DPW or P&O assets to support terrorist operations, that precludes an overall threat assessment of the potential" merger, an undated Coast Guard intelligence assessment says.

"The breadth of the intelligence gaps also infer potential unknown threats against a large number of potential vulnerabilities," the document says.

more...

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/bal-ports0227,0,4807197.story?track=rss

[LSparkle]

1. This may be the "magic bullet" that kills this deal ...

Thank God if it does.

[EarlG]

2. EarlG warned of "intelligence gaps" in Bush administration