Garrison: forgeign governments shouldn't control our ports

For immediate release: Tuesday, March 7, 2006

CONTACT: Danielle Nelson at (614) 644-8728 or John Kohlstrand at (614) 466-9036

Garrison: Foreign governments shouldn’t control our ports

A resolution to be introduced today by state Representative Jennifer Garrison would put the Ohio General Assembly on record as opposed to foreign governments controlling American ports.

The concurrent resolution from Garrison, D-Marietta, would urge Congress to block the operation or management of American ports or port terminals by any foreign government.

Garrison’s resolution is prompted by President Bush’s decision to allow Dubai Ports World – a corporation owned by the royal family of Dubai, one of the United Arab Emirates – to manage port terminals in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, Miami, New Orleans and Philadelphia.

The United Arab Emirates were home to two of the hijackers involved in the 2001 terrorist attacks. Money to fund the plot passed through banks in Dubai. Also, it is believed that Dubai was used as a way station for the smuggling of nuclear weapons components from Pakistan to Libya, Iran and North Korea.

“Port security is critical in our fight against terrorism, because American ports are a natural target for those who would try to smuggle a nuclear or biological weapon into our country,” Garrison said.

“A lot of my constituents are having a very difficult time understanding why we would stand by and allow a foreign government to operate American ports,” Garrison added. ““It defies common sense to surrender American ports to a foreign government.”

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