Whitehouse Defends Approval of Arab Port Takeover
New York, NY —
The Bush administration is defending the approval of a multi-billion dollar sale that gives a company based in the United Arab Emirates control over operations at six major American ports including some in New York and New Jersey.
REPORTER: Senator Charles Schumer and other lawmakers say the firm Dubai Ports World should be investigated for terrorist ties since the UAE was an operational base for the hijackers who carried out the September 11th attacks. White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan says the sale was reviewed by a committee that considers security threats.
MCCLELLAN: There is a rigorous review that goes on for proposed foreign investments for national security concerns.
REPORTER: Mayor Bloomberg and the Port Authority say they are doing their own review of their lease agreements with the new company.
