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Skriven 2006-02-22 23:36:18 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (060222b) for Wed, 2006 Feb 22
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Fact Sheet: The CFIUS Process And The DP World Transaction
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 22, 2006

Fact Sheet: The CFIUS Process And The DP World Transaction



>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 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. The
company operates ports in different countries around the world, ports from
which cargo has been sent to the United States on a regular basis."

- President George W. Bush, February 21, 2006

President Bush Strongly Supports The Decision To Move Forward With The DP
World Transaction

The Administration, As Required By Law, Has Reviewed The Transaction To
Make Certain That It Does Not In Any Way Jeopardize National Security.
Under the process conducted by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the
United States (CFIUS), officials carefully reviewed the national security
issues raised by the transaction and its effect on our national security.
Twelve Federal agencies and the government's counterterrorism experts
closely and carefully reviewed the transaction to make certain it posed no
threat to national security.

DP World Has Provided Strong Security Assurances To The United States. DP
World has signed a letter of assurances making commitments to meet and
maintain security standards for the port terminals that they will own and
operate in the United States. There are a number of safeguards that are in
place in the agreement, and the American people should feel confident that
the transaction will in no way harm the security of the Nation's ports.

DP World's Bid For The London-Based Peninsular And Oriental (P_

The Administration Has Taken A Principled Position Based On The Security Of
Our Nation And Careful Review Of The Transaction. The President has made
clear that he stands firmly behind the decision to allow the DP World
transaction to move forward. Preventing this transaction by a reputable
company to go forward after careful review would send a terrible signal to
friends and allies that investments in the United States from certain parts
of the world are not welcome.

The Port Security Of the United States Is The Administration's First And
Foremost Concern

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Is Always In Charge Of The
Nation's Port Security, Not The Private Company That Operates Facilities
Within The Ports. Nothing will change with this transaction. DHS, along
with the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and other
Federal agencies, sets the standards for port security and ensures that all
port facility owners and operators comply with these standards.

The Transaction Is Not About Port Security Or Even Port Ownership, But Only
About Operations In Port. DP World will not manage port security, nor will
it own any ports. DP World would take on the functions now performed by the
British firm P_

Background On The CFIUS Process

The CFIUS Process Was Rigorously Followed, And CFIUS Agencies Carefully
Reviewed The Transaction. Ensuring the protection of our national security
is the top priority of all members of CFIUS. In reviewing a foreign
transaction, CFIUS brings together 12 Federal agencies with diverse
expertise to consider transactions from a variety of perspectives and
identify and analyze all national security issues.
  þ 

    The Department of the Treasury, which chairs CFIUS, receives notices of
    transactions, serves as the contact point for the private sector,
    establishes a calendar for review of each transaction, and coordinates
    the interagency process.
  þ 

    During the initial 30-day review, each CFIUS member agency conducts its
    own internal analysis of the national security implications of the
    transaction under review. CFIUS also consults with the intelligence
    community. In this case, the Departments of Transportation and Energy
    were also brought in to widen the scope and add to the expertise of the
    CFIUS agencies involved in the review process.
  þ 

    All CFIUS decisions are made by consensus of the entire committee. The
    review process allows any agency that sees a potential credible threat
    to the national security to raise those concerns.
  þ 

    In the course of the review of this transaction, DHS reached an
    agreement with DP World to mitigate security concerns.

    DP World Has Played By The Rules, Has Cooperated With The United
    States, And Is From A Country That Is A Close Ally In the War on
    Terror. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been a solid partner in the
    War on Terror. The UAE has been extremely cooperative on
    counter-terrorism and counter-proliferation and has provided
    considerable support to U.S. forces in the Gulf and to the governments
    and people of Iraq and Afghanistan.
  þ 

    The UAE Is A Partner In Shutting Down Terror Finance Networks. The UAE
    has worked with us to stop terrorist financing and money laundering,
    including by freezing accounts, enacting aggressive
    anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorist financing laws and
    regulations, and exchanging information on people and entities
    suspected of being involved in those actions.
  þ 

    The UAE Is An Established Partner In Protecting America's Ports. Dubai
    was the first Middle Eastern entity to join the Container Security
    Initiative (CSI) - a multinational program to protect global trade from
    terrorism. Dubai was also the first Middle Eastern entity to join the
    Department of Energy's Megaports Initiative, a program aimed at
    stopping illicit shipments of nuclear and other radioactive material.

    Port Security Begins Abroad. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
    created the CSI to enable CBP to inspect 100% of high-risk containers
    at foreign seaports before they are loaded onboard vessels destined for
    the United States. Dubai was the first Middle Eastern entity to join
    CSI. Cooperation with Dubai has been outstanding and a model for other
    operations.
  þ 

    DP World currently manages 19 container terminals and has operations in
    14 countries. The United States government has a strong working
    relationship with DP World.

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