The Emirates Economist predictatron appears to have got one right: Dubai company moving ports ops to US entity: Senator :: Reuters.

Regular readers will know I take no pleasure in predicting this. Engagement with a friend of the US is such a better course. This is a shameful hour for the US Congress.

Thank you, Emirati, for the alert. Time for bed now.

TAGS: ports, Dubai, John Warner

UPDATE: Over at UAE community blog, nzm provides some wisdom and perspective. The Emirates Economist was perhaps a bit hyperbolic in its reaction above. nwm writes,

I wouldn't go as far to say that they've pulled out of the deal. They're still buying P&O, it's just that the US operations will be run by a "US entity" - whatever that means.

Knight-Ridder:

The surprise move came after congressional leaders told Bush on Thursday morning that there was no way to stop lawmakers from blocking Dubai Ports World's takeover of terminal operations at the ports.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers reacted cautiously to the company's apparent surrender, saying they needed to learn more about the details before abandoning their attempts to block DP World.
. . .
After Thursday's meeting of congressional leaders with Bush at the White House, DP World's chief operating officer, H. Edward Bilkey, surprised lawmakers when he issued a statement promising that the company would divest itself of its U.S. terminals.

"Because of the strong relationship between the United Arab Emirates and the United States and to preserve this relationship, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and rule of Dubai, has decided to transfer fully the U.S. operations of P&O Ports North America Inc. to a United States entity," Bilkey's statement said.

Here at The Emirates Economist, we are not surprised by the move. We remain deeply disappointed with the U.S. Congress and Senate who believe snubbing friends actually contributes to making America less vulnerable to terrorism.

Emiratis, I apologize for the cretinous behavior of my fellow Americans.