Renzi Opposes Decision to Outsource Control of US Ports

Says Action Puts America's Most Vulnerable Transportation Hubs At Risk WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Rick Renzi (AZ-1) on February 21, 2006, expressed opposition to the decision permitting a United Arab Emirates company to take control over several U.S. seaports. The issue arose after the acquisition of a British company currently operating six U.S. ports by Dubai Ports World, a state-owned business in the United Arab Emirates. Congressman Renzi contacted the Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff expressing his opposition to the deal and called on Chertoff not to complete the final port handover. "America's ports are the weakest link in our national security," said Congressman Renzi. "It is no secret that several of the 9/11 hijackers used the United Arab Emirates as an operational hub and there are reports of shipment transfers of smuggled nuclear components that are sent to North Korea and Iran. It is shocking that a deal of this magnitude would not be made public until after its conclusion. I am working with my colleagues on emergency legislation prohibiting the sale of port operations to foreign governments."