The politics on the DPW deal (that's gone through, btw) is, in my opinion, short term political "gains" at the expense of actual long-term security. There's only been one voice on the news I've seen recently (and I really haven't seen much news), so I'm digging all the quotes I can search out on Kim Childs, VP of
The American Business Group of Abu Dhabi. An expanded 2nd quote's being replayed during BBC World's coverage.
"If the deal is blocked on terms that aren't consistent with a due diligence process, that sends a loud and clear message to our friends that maybe they should rethink investments in the U.S.," said Kim Childs, ABG executive vice president.
"We deeply regret what appears to have been an uninformed rush to judgment by some opponents of the transaction, as well as inflammatory language that some have adopted," she told reporters in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi.[1]
Much of the uproar is coming from "people in Washington who have never been here or worked here," said Kim Childs, executive vice president of the American Business Group of Abu Dhabi, who first came to the United Arab Emirates 11 years ago from Pennsylvania. "Most of us have raised our children here and have our businesses here," she said. Some of the criticism of the emirates has been like "slapping your best friend in the face," she added. [2]
"A delegation will go this month to educate politicians on relations between the UAE and the United States," said Kim Childs, executive vice-president of the Abu Dhabi-based American Business Group.
"The UAE is a reliable and trustworthy partner and one of our closest allies," she said. [3]
1
U.S.-UAE trade at risk from ports deal-business group, Reuters, 03/08/2006
2
U.S. Businesses Are Lining Up Behind Dubai, NYT 03/08/2006
3
US House committee votes to keep Dubai firm from US ports, Middle East Times, 03/09/2006