PALLONE STATEMENT ON DUBAI PORT COMPANY'S DECISION TO DIVEST ITSELF OF U.S. HOLDINGS

CONGRESSMAN FRANK PALLONE, JR.
Sixth District of New Jersey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Andrew Souvall or
Heather Lasher Todd
(202) 225-4671

March 9, 2006

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) issued the following statement this afternoon in response to news that Dubai Ports World would divest itself of its U.S. holdings, which included the potential operation of six U.S. ports.

"Dubai Ports World made the right decision today in pulling out of this questionable deal. However, Congress still needs to approve legislation that I sponsored in the House that will prevent our ports from being owned or operated by foreign governments.

"It's still up to Congress to investigate why the Bush administration approved the deal without going through the proper channels. Congress should also amend the law to ensure that these decisions are no longer made in secret backroom meetings."

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