Dubai Ports Deal Shines Light on Bigotry

Good report - there is a qualitative difference between the American experience and the European, for reasons that go beyond the colonial, and despite recent perceptions of changes in the American polity, things are indeed different this side of the pond:)

President Bush today defended keeping the ports under the control of a company which has been purchased by a company owned by the government of the United Arab Emirates.

"I want those who are questioning it to step up and explain why all of a sudden a Middle Eastern company is held to a different standard than a Great British company," Bush said. "I am trying to conduct foreign policy now by saying to the people of the world, `We'll treat you fairly.'"

This might be the pivotal moment in the Bush presidency that he's seizing hold of - in opposition to those he let slip by

On a related note, Indian Express in a good editorial today sees little benefit in giving French the preferential treatment.

More readership - this post has been cross-posted to Blogcritics and thence Google News with a more compelling title - Dubai Ports Deal Shines Light on European Bigotry

I like the new title :).

excellent article Vikas...

America is the product of free trade and individualism. Europe is traditional and ethnic and naturally, unless otherwise stated, they are racists.

excellent read, thank you!!!

Thanks for the compliments Lakshmi - though as always I take both your compliments and brickbats with a pinch of salt :).

Timely article Vikas, I couldn't believe my ears when O'Reilly supported President Bush's stance. He clearly pointed towards double standards and then I switched to CNN and saw the whiny Lou Dobbs sprew his socialistic bigotry about the same issue.

u are welcome to do that :-)

i argue for knowledge sake and i expect that all the people in the discussion to grow in ideas and prosper in concepts; or atleast people have to be aware of different points of view originating from rationally extending assumptions which are different from that of their own. If that ain't happening then I consider my arguments to be a failure. :-((

*i know i have a cut and dry method* ;-)

post #10 pertains to post #8

Vikas:

...lost in this brouhaha is the fact that the US ports are a vulnerable area...accidents are waiting to happen...as Jau said in a 2001 paper:

Almost a year later, in another telling, if controversial, "experiment" that exposed the gaping holes in America's port security, ABC News borrowed 15 pounds of depleted uranium from an environmental group and carried it by train from Austria to Istanbul, Turkey. The contents were clearly marked and packed in a container with wooden horse carts and terra cotta vases before being successfully shipped overseas to New York. Through it all, the depleted uranium in the container went undetected--seven countries, 25 days, and 15 pounds of uranium, without a single question asked.Irving Jau>

and the percentage of container cargo that is inspected has not changed much since this Senator Schumer speech:

Schumer said that while over 95% of US overseas trade is conducted at the nation's 361 seaports, just 2% of total cargo is inspected, creating the potential for terrorists to bring in weapons of mass destruction including nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, and making the ports and cities that house them highly vulnerable to terrorist acts. Schumer

Secretary of the Treasury, is one of the people to make a killing on it. See the link:
http://tinyurl.com/lnped

That's interesting news, DrPolitics, and worth reporting, but not a big deal, really, in an immensely interconnected world of global capitalism, connections, even close ones are not hard to find. and this is a business-friendly administration after all.

How exactly did the Carlyle Group participate in this deal? Let's start with Carlyle's purchase of CSX's container business.

http://www.google.com/ search?hl=...n&q=CSX+Carlyle

GOP Governors Threaten to Block Port Deal.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1643569

DrPolitics, please make your URLs links

And why not? Pataki has been known to harbor Presidential ambitions for 2008!

It is a great political stick to beat this administration with and it looks like everything is having a go at it! Not that I blame them for it - after all this administration itself has exploited the fear of terrorism to the hilt when it suited them.

But in any case, it is still kudos to Mr. Bush for sticking to his guns on this issue. Lets see if he does a flip-flop on it in the coming days.

All told, almost half of American presidents from 1789 to 1974 had suffered from a mental illness at some point in life, according to a recent analysis of biographical sources by psychiatrists at Duke University Medical Center. And more than half of those presidents, the study found, struggled with their symptoms -- most often depression -- while in office.

West Wing Blues: It's Lonely at the Top

Hello

You are quite correct about making your point with regards to the difference in ideology. However, I just can't understand how so many people (including media people), be so ignorant about certain issues at the same time.

President Bush has many other reasons to support UAE, many financial reasons. However, regarding the PORTS issue I dont understand how they can say that UAE has links to 9/11. Just cos some of the terrorists at one point in their life transited through Dubai Airport!!! I mean half the worl that goes from East to West transits through Dubai!!

Also, the racism and arrogance Europe showed towards the Mittel's deal was shocking!! I mean how is it OK if any European and British or American company takes over corporation all across the world and when few Indians, Chinees or Arabs do it, they forget all about FREE TRADE and CAPITALISM!! Its just shocking!!

Great article and thanks for visiting my blog and article on desicritics.

Regards

This is an interesting slant on things, but I'd like to point out that the vast bulk of commentary on this issue from the US, from congress, and from the US press, has been overwhelmingly bigoted and racist, in general making the assumption that any Arab group is either terrorist or terrorism supporters. President Bush's lack of bigotry on this issue is very much the minority in the US.

Therefore. I'd say this article is more anti-European distortion, than insightful.

Your central point is valid. It is a view shared by commentators in the UK and many Europeans (including this one).

However, only Belgium, France, Luxembourg and Arcelor have expressed opposition to the bid. Hardly the whole of Europe. Accusing the European people as "xenophobic" based on this "evidence" would be akin to describing Islam as "evil" based on the actions of a minority.

Elected representatives of the US people have, however, have successfully blocked a Chinese bid for the US firm Unocal, citing "national security" reasons. In what respect does the Unocal bid differ from the Arcelor bid?

And let us not in our eagerness to denounce Europe forget US mistakes, past and present. Both the US and Europe have done things that neither should be proud of.

"Elected representatives of the US people have, however, have successfully blocked a Chinese bid for the US firm Unocal, citing "national security" reasons.'

Not really.

The Chinese National Oil Company itself pulled out of the bidding process. Quite a few oil companies (independents) opearting in US are foreign-owned. Nobody blocked them.

Congress made a lot of noise - just noise but nothing really happened.

It matters not one iota that CNOOC's withdrawl was voluntary. That congress saw fit to oppose the move because of CNOOC's Chinese ownership exposes Mr Chowdhry's article for what it is.

And what is it?

F. Lopsky: "Both the US and Europe have done things that neither should be proud of."

You are right about that but you certainly cannot deny the xenophobia in Europe about not only non-European countries but an intra-European xenophobia as well. Who can forget the "Curious incident of the Polish Plumber"? (refresh you memory here and here).

Is the US Congress beyond reproach? No! But when it comes to supporting the policies of free trade and globalization, the Americans can usually be counted to come through and that's something you can never say about the Europeans.

PS: I'd also like to know about what my article is?

me too!! me too!!!

Your opinion piece, is, I belive, a baseless anti-European rant.

Like Arcelor, the "Polish plumber" incident is only indicative of French opinions. Not European. Indeed, in the very article you cite, Frits Bolkestein and Pascal Lamy - EU trade officials - express support for Poland. Contrary to your baseless assertions, I can deny Europe-wide "xenophobia", and am.

However, you haven't responded to my central point. How can you label Europe as "xenophonic" based on the actions of France, Luxembourg and Belgium?

Chowdhry (on free trade & globalisation): "Americans can usually be counted to come through and that's something you can never say about the Europeans."

The US on cotton: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3662183.stm

The US on steel: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_steel_tariff_2002

I'm not claiming that the EU is perfect. Far from it. Both (unfairly) subsidise their farmers and manufacturers. But it is wrong to claim that the EU is compratively worse in this area. They both have agricultural subsidies. They both have export subsidies. They both limit imports.

Lopsky: There are far too many examples for my assertion that Europe is far worse than the US when it comes to supporting free trade. I suggest that you subscribe to The Economist. It is published from Europe and it lays bare the reluctance of Europe to put its money where its mouth is when it comes to free trade.

@As some one who has lived in both US and Europe(UK and France) I can assure you that Europe is far less xenophobic than the US(atleast the middle America).

I whole heartedly agree that you cannot term whole of Europe as xenophobic based on the actions of few nations. Remember EU is a union of 25 nations. Most of Mr.Mittal's assets are in the EU.

As for free trade, most Europeans are socialists and most of the opposition to foreign companies(Pepsi, Mittal steel etc) is ideological than anything else. Particularly in France where politicians pander to every whim of the trade unions, the opposition to Mittal deal is just a ploy to retain the vote base just like the Indian politicos who oppose disinvestment. Nothing more and nothing less.

Anil : Did you really live in the Middle America or is this coming from hearsay? Having lived in the mid-west all through my time in the US - I'd say that I've not seen a friendlier group of people so I find your assertion hard to believe.

I do concede that a lot of resentment against free trade in Europe is politically motivated which is wrong and sad because the Europeans - when they were benefitting from free trade were all for it but now when the developing nations are in a position to claim their share of the pie, the Europeans are sulking!

I lived in Boston(cambridge) which I think is the most friendly city in the world. But I have travelled across Red America(particulary the Dakotas, Utah and Tennasse). Believe me, I have never felt so unwelcome anywhere in the world.

Anil: Since I've never visited those states I will have to defer to your personal experience.

Chowdhry: There are far too many examples for my assertion that Europe is far worse than the US when it comes to supporting free trade.

Do you have any in mind? Would you care to provide some, rather than waving your arms about? Would you care to comment on Chapter 11 protection for US airlines?

Anyway, I digress. Your article is not about free trade. Protectionism is not bigotism. Your article accuses Europe of being bigoted, compared to the "virtuous" America. You have yet to provide evidence of this.

And if we're going to be dredging up the past, recall the roots of the country we now know as the United States.

Lopsky : Here's something that you might want to chew upon.

While we are at it - I'd also like to know which European country makes you a de-facto citizen of that country just by the virtue of being born there?

Are you going to address my points? Or will you continue to make vague, unsubstantiated accusations while moving the goal posts?

The article you linked address racism at football games. Are you aware that fans who participate in the chanting are prosecuted? Are you labelling the entrie EU population of 450m as racist, bigoted, xenophobes based on the actions of a few hundred? According to your line of reasoning, it follows that the US is a country of racist homophobes!

Lopsy : It is obvious that you and I have different opinions about Europe and the United States. In my view, while both Europe and United States have had a stained past - US has done much more to make up for it than Europe has ever tried.

US as a whole is much more receptive to immigrants and people of other races and that is simply an accepted fact - support for which can be found in the labs, schools and offices across the US. Apart from UK, Europe is not exactly a melting pot of cultures, is it (and that is why I use the term mainland Europe)? You may bury your head in the sand but the fact remains that Europe is a rapidly declining power on the world stage which can be attributed in no small part to its failure to come to terms with a globalized and flat world and its fear of people from other cultures overrunning its own. This is precisely the reason for Europeans blocking the entry of Turkey into EU, for "three nations" that you mention throwing a fit over Mittal's takeover attempt, for France trying to ban Muslim headscarves and Sikh turbans.

I have a friend who lives and works in Germany and is practically a German citizen and everytime he visits US, he is wistful seeing the rights and freedoms of immigrants in the US.

I think it is a fool's errand to try and convince you of the upper hand of American attitude towards globalization, race and free trade compared to Europe and bottom line for me is that based on my experience, I am glad that I moved to the US rather than mainland Europe.

The US is a melting pot of cultures because it is by its very nature a nation of immigrants. That Europe is not so is not necessarily indicative of racism. However, for what it's worth, I think you shall find that the US, UK, France and Germany have comparable levels of resident foreign born nationals.

Increasing globalisation is causing problems in the IT, customer service and manufacturing sectors in Europe. In your rush to depict Europe as barbarians, do not forget the disquiet in the US about the very same challenges faced by the US.

It is a common misconception that France banned Muslim headscarves and Sikh turbans. France actually banned conspicuous religious symbols, including, but not limited to: headscarves, turbans, skullcaps and conspicuous crucifixes. To depict the ban as racist would ignore France's prized secularist history. Indeed, chcolates depicting Saint Nicholas were banned under this law.

I shall attribute the same credibility to your "German friend" as I do to "Anil".

You have admitted above to not having visited Europe, so know not of the experience of which you talk. If, however, you would like to make broad statements, based on my "experience" of US attitude towards racial segregation, universal healthcare, welfare, homosexuality, Darwinism, Iraq, the environment, and the seperation between church and state - to name a few - I prefer Europe. So let's agree to disagree.

I shall attribute the same credibility to your "German friend" as I do to "Anil".

Sorry, not a criticism of your credibility, Anil. Merely to (clumsily) demonstrate that you and Mr Chowdhry have opposing views on this matter, and that neither viewpoint is more or less valid.

neither viewpoint is more or less valid.

Anil: Obviously a first-hand account has slightly more credibility than "I have a friend...".

And: P&O (a British company) controls the US ports in question. P&O also have seven ports in Europe. No objection has been raised in Europe (as far as I'm aware) towards Dubai Port's acquisition of P&O. Make of it what you will.

"You have admitted above to not having visited Europe, so know not of the experience of which you talk."

Now where did I admit that? I've been to Europe, albeit as a visitor and not to work and that is why I gave you the example of my friend who works and lives in Europe because it was more pertinent to our discussion rather than my experience as a tourist.

WASHINGTON -- In a bold rebuke of President Bush, Republicans in Congress joined Democrats in taking the first significant step to reverse a Dubai company's takeover of management of operations at five U.S. ports, putting White House efforts to rescue the deal in serious jeopardy.

"Notwithstanding any other provision of law or any prior action," the measure says, the acquisition by DP World of P&O's U.S. facilities "is hereby prohibited and shall have no effect."

Looks like all that stands between principles of free trade and bigotry is Mr. Bush's threat of a veto. Sigh! Adam Smith must be rolling in his grave today.