DP WORLD EXECUTIVE NOMINATED FOR PRESITIGOUS US GOVT POSITION

DP World . Press Releases

Well, well, well... what have we here?

Dubai, 24 January 2006: - Global ports operator DP World today welcomed news that one of its senior executives, Dave Sanborn, has been nominated by US President George W. Bush to serve as Maritime Administrator a key transportation appointment reporting directly to Norman Mineta the Secretary of Transportation and Cabinet Member.

The White House has issued a statement from Washington DC announcing the nomination. The confirmation process will begin in February. Mr Sanborn currently holds the position of Director of Operations for Europe and Latin America for the Dubai-based company

Mohammed Sharaf, CEO, DP World said: “While we are sorry to lose such an experienced and capable executive, it is exactly those qualities that will make Dave an effective administrator for MarAd. We are proud of Dave’s selection and pleased that the Bush Administration found such a capable executive. We wish him all the best in his new role.”

Ted Bilkey, Chief Operating Officer, DP World said: “Dave’s decades of experience in markets around the world, together with his passion for the industry and commitment to its development, will allow him to make a positive contribution to the work of the Maritime Administration. We wish him well for the future.”

Mr Sanborn, a graduate of The United States Merchant Maritime Academy, joined DP World in 2005. He previously held senior roles with shipping lines CMA-CGM (Americas), APL Ltd and Sea-Land and has been based, besides the US, in Brazil, Europe, Hong Kong and Dubai during his career. He has also served in the US Naval Reserve. Mr Sanborn is due to take up his new role based in Washington DC later in 2006.

It would appear that the reach of the White House goes all the way to Corporate UAE... not just into corporate America. Is this the reason why Bush has promised to veto any bill that would restrict US port operation to US firms and governmental agencies? At least they had the decency to seek out a US citizen. I say that not because I am anti-world trade, but because when it comes to security I do not want foreign corproations or countries managing US security in any way, shape or form. At this point in time I am even suspciious of US corporations because of their propensity to put greed above all or our government under this administration because it doesn't seem to understand the basics of security in the first place.

Bush Says Dubai Port Deal Should Proceed, Threatens Veto
"Feb. 21 (Bloomberg) -- President George W. Bush said a Dubai company's bid to manage six major U.S. ports should go forward, threatening to veto legislation that blocks the transaction because of security concerns.

`After careful review by our government, I believe the transaction ought to go forward,' Bush told reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned to Washington from a speech in Golden, Colorado. `We believe this is a legitimate deal that will not jeopardize the security of the country and at the same time send out a signal that we're willing to treat people fairly.'"

Some of the televison pundits are asking if we have a double standard because the ownership of the company that was already managing these same six ports. I have never held to a double standard. I have been speaking about the vulnerability of our ports since before the events of 9-11. Whether is is a British-owned company or a company run by the UAE, I don't care. It wouldn't matter if it were an Italian corporation... our security is our own to manage.

"In a statement, President Bush is reported to have said, 'I also want to address another issue I just talked to the press about on Air Force One, and that is this issue of a company out of the UAE purchasing the right to manage some ports in the United States from a British company. First of all, this is a private transaction, but it -- according to law, the government's required to make sure this transaction does not in any way jeopardize the security of the country. And so the people responsible in our government have reviewed this transaction. The transaction should go forward, in my judgment. If there was any chance that this transaction would jeopardize the security of the United States, it would not go forward. The company has been cooperative with the United States government. The company will not manage port security. The security of our ports will be -- continue to be managed by the Coast Guard and Customs. The company is from a country that has been cooperative in the war on terror, been an ally in the war on terror.'"

Yep, it's a private matter involving big business. Bush and his crew have never met a big business deal that they couldn't support. We shouldn't be surprised given the no-bid contracts awarded to Halliburton that have never been put up for secondary bids or through a proper renewal process or a complete review.