Reverse Spin: Dubai Paper Slams Congress, Praises Bush on Port Deal

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With Republicans and Democrats both up in arms over the port deal with the United Arab Emirates, what are the newspapers in the UAE saying about the controversial deal? Today’s Gulf News, a Dubai-based newspaper that has an English language edition on the Web, has an article today that throws all of its fire at those in Congress who would block the Dubai Ports World from taking over operations at six major U.S. ports -- Hillary Clinton is singled out -- while a second article gives President Bush pretty good reviews for standing firm.

For an insight into how the port fight is being portrayed in the region, here’s an excerpt from the February 22 story by GulfNews.com staff writer Shakir Husain, which heavily quotes a pro-Dubai article from the Financial Times:

The opposition to the deal, which has received Bush administration clearance, is prompting questions about the motives of some US politicians who want to prevent an Arab firm from managing container terminals, citing security concerns.

"The bluster about national security conceals one of the uglier faces of US protectionism the one with the slightly racist tinge," the Financial Times said yesterday.

It said the furore among Washington politicians, including Democrat Senator Hillary Clinton, "says more about" the US Congress than the UAE....

Speaking to Gulf News yesterday, Tim Power of Drewry Shipping Consultants dismissed the security argument. "There are already several foreign companies managing terminals at US ports."

"In practical terms nothing is going to change at US ports in day-to-day operations. DP World's taking over P&O does not mean a lot of people are suddenly going from Dubai to the US to manage the ports."

The Financial Times urged the senators to "do the math" and see the benefits that DP World will bring to the US economy.

"Leading Dubai companies such as DP World bring with them certain advantages. They habitually: spend money to make money; headhunt the best professional [in DP World that includes top Americans]; and produce high rates of growth."

So who’s biased, our media or theirs?