WH had secret deal with Dubai company, given preferential treatment

[BushOut06]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=post&forum=364

Arab Co., White House Had Secret Agreement
Feb 22 9:20 PM US/Eastern
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By TED BRIDIS
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON

The Bush administration secretly required a company in the United Arab Emirates to cooperate with future U.S. investigations before approving its takeover of operations at six American ports, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press. It chose not to impose other, routine restrictions.

As part of the $6.8 billion purchase, state-owned Dubai Ports World agreed to reveal records on demand about "foreign operational direction" of its business at U.S. ports, the documents said. Those records broadly include details about the design, maintenance or operation of ports and equipment.

The administration did not require Dubai Ports to keep copies of business records on U.S. soil, where they would be subject to court orders. It also did not require the company to designate an American citizen to accommodate U.S. government requests. Outside legal experts said such obligations are routinely attached to U.S. approvals of foreign sales in other industries.

(story continues at link)

[tularetom]

1. I wonder if the secret deal was arrived at

after the UAE confronted * with a statement that they knew where a weapon was in one of the ports and if they didn't get the contract (or these "special" reporting exemptions) they'd let it blow? Either that or they have something on the little twit and they're blackmailing him with it.