Rice to soothe fears over ports row - Visiting UAE on Thursday

[Kadie]

Rice to soothe fears over ports row
Thursday February 23, 01:55 AM

RIYADH (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will seek to soothe fears of U.S. hostility over a ports deal on a visit to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.

Rice's trip to Abu Dhabi was scheduled before a political row erupted in Washington over the sale to an Emirates-backed company of operations at six major U.S. ports.

However, Rice stressed on the eve of her visit for a regional conference that the Gulf state was a trusted ally in the U.S. war against terrorism in spite of American lawmakers' concerns that the deal could be a threat to national security.
"It has been a stalwart partner. And we believe that this is a deal, a port deal, that serves the interests of the United States, serves our security interests and serves the commercial interest as well," she said at a news conference in Saudi Arabia on her Middle East tour.

Senior U.S. officials travelling with Rice said they expected the UAE to seek explanations about the debate in Washington, but doubted it would affect ties because the Bush administration had backed the deal.

"They probably feel unfairly treated," one official said. "(But) the issue is not going to be troublesome, since it is a different branch of government (raising objections)."

more...
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/23022006/325/rice-soothe-fears-ports-row.html

[Erika]

1. I wonder if she'll bring up the human rights violations

Nah.

[rpannier]

2. Yeah that'll make it better

The worst and least diplmatic Secretary of State, plying her craft in diplomacy.

That'll make it all better. (sarcasm)

[Don Claybrook]

3. Why would this soothe fears?

Did it soothe anyone's fears when Bush spent time frolicking on the ranch with Prince Abdullah? Condi making nice with the UAE won't do a thing to asuage people's fears.

[Cassandra]

7. Their fears.

You didn't think she was worried about ours, did you?

[StClone]

4. Rice as Prez material

Soothing fears to the UAE and not give a rats ass about America. Fits the Bush model for King Kleptocrat rather than any Democratic Nation's head.

[spindrifter]

5. Oh, Condi will throw oil on troubled waters.

[niallmac]

10. Just don't throw water on Condi or she'll start melllllting! n/t

[pinto]

6. No prob..."different branch of government" = Congress. Admin doesn't care.

This Administration is like spring break for mid level true believers....

[KittyWampus]

14. doesn't that indicate their contempt for Congress very well?

[pinto]

15. So very well. I find it extremely unsettling, to be mild about it.

[neuvocat]

8. She's nothing but a big-mouthed gap-toothed skank.

Bush is too stupid to realize how arabs view women in power either, despite how close he is with them.

[canichelouis]

9. Havin' a lot of fun in the new job Condi?

She sure doesn't look like a happy camper these days.

Almost frightened in a way. That makes me verrrrrryyyy uncomfortable.

[w8liftinglady]

11. I wonder if Liz Cheney is going,too?

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=73284&d=16&m=11&y=2005
Liz Cheney, US deputy assistant secretary of state for Near East affairs and daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney, said that it is part of her job to correct the perceptions about her country and its policies because these perceptions hurt America’s image abroad

[KittyWampus]

12. Abu Dhabi- that is what Bush called Abu Grahib during a press conference

I remember that very well and didn't realise it was an actual name.

[Catrina]

13. So Condy isn't worried about 'soothing the feelings' of Americans who

feel betrayed by her boss, but is really, really worried about soothing the feelings of the disgustingly wealthy UAE royals? Who's paying her salary??

It becomes more and more clear every day, these people care nothing about this country or its people, their loyalties are elsewhere ~ how much longer can this country take the abuse?