"PORTGATE" - MUST READ

TOP STORY
Behind ports controversy
UAE’s leadership, terror links, extremism

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G2 Headlines
Author: Joseph Farah

© 2005 G2 Bulletin
Publishing date: 22.02.2006 15:30

Most Americans are instinctively opposed to turning over control of six major U.S. ports to a foreign, Arab-owned company. But are there strategic reasons to deny a company partly owned by the United Arab Emirates a contract to supervise sensitive port operations near some of the U.S.’ largest population centers?

Sheikh Mohammed It is not a secret that the UAE had ties to Osama bin Laden, al-Qaida and the Sept. 11, 2001, hijackers specifically. As far back as 1999, U.S. intelligence spotted bin Laden at a desert training camp in Afghanistan for about a week. There was an opportunity to destroy the entire camp with cruise missiles. But the operation was called off because an official aircraft from the UAE was spotted, along with members of the royal family.

It turned out bin Laden was hunting with the princes of the UAE. Concerned that the princes might be collateral damage in a strike, the mission was called off. Two years later, 3,000 Americans were killed as a result. In addition, at least two of the 19 hijackers were from the UAE. The UAE was one of only three countries in the world to recognize the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

UAE banks have also been found to be a source of terrorism financing – before 9-11 and after. The UAE has proved less than cooperative with American investigators tracking that funding. But the UAE is attempting to moderate its image. Last month, a new ruler of the kingdom assumed power following the death of Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Maktoum. On Jan. 4, Sheikh Mohammed became the ruler of Dubai. Just in case “ruler” isn’t definitive enough, the next day the Supreme Council elected him vice president, too.

What do we know about the new face of the UAE? Well, he writes bad poetry – or at least poetry that doesn’t translate well to English. Here is one of his offerings – about the murder of Muhammad al-Dura, the 12-year-old boy killed in a shootout between Israeli police and Palestinian terrorists. His death became a cause celebre for Muslims worldwide, despite the findings of several investigations that strongly suggest he was killed by the Palestinians.

Pressed back, without supporter A child defenceless, confronting aggression Hiding, the bullets of tyrants Have no mercy for a child, so young Seeking shelter, slaughter him the criminals Savages, whose tyranny never waned Oh Mohammed, in Paradise of the eternal Oh Mohammed, your voice reverberates throughout Oh Mohammed, with you, the God of the Worlds Whose mercy enfolds you forever Oh Mohammed, who saw you grieved And all, if we could, would sacrifice A thousand million, the Muslims All for you, Mohammed, fathers Alas, where is the peace of the just?

The peace you seek is futile Lost it, without doubt, the usurpers When allowed their hatred to renew And boiled the blood of Arabs, East and West When Sharon visited the mosque Oh Arabs, comrades for years Bury that which passed, as became Our greatest concern, to defend against aggressors Who against Al Aqsa their aggression began My nation, would that you unite In lines, terrified then the enemies Follow Zayed, the leader of the wise Who called for unity and initiated Oh Saladin, oh the greatest conquerors Oh Omar, oh the dignified and the generous The state of the nation allures the greedy We seek naught but unity to satisfy This is the face of “moderation” in the Mideast.

Not only was Muhammad al-Dura's death not the responsibility of the Israelis, several investigations showed conclusively it was staged -- then used to mount hysteria through the Arab and Muslim worlds. Then there is the question of how much difference it will really make if the UAE company is controlling port operations. Last weekend, the peputy director of the Port of Miami, Khalid Salahuddin, defended the deal.

"They (the Arabs) are not buying the Port of Miami," he said. "They are buying part of one of the operators at the port." This came just one day prior to the closure of an Ohio-based Hamas charity, KindHearts, whose South Asia Division coordinator, Zulfiqar Ali Shah, has been linked to Salahuddin. In September of 2002, along with an entire cadre of Islamic radicals, Salahuddin was featured with Shah at a Davie, Florida, event inappropriately titled, "A United and Secure Florida for All." A lecture by Salahuddin, "Belief in the Unseen," is featured on the MeccaCentric Da'wah Group, an organization that sells videotaped speeches made by numerous Islamic radicals.

This includes Siraj Wahhaj, a man whose name appears on a U.S. Attorney's list of potential co-conspirators to the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. In November of 2001, Salahuddin, who is an ex-member of the Nation of Islam, was caught up in a scandal, whereby convicted felons - with cases ranging from attempted murder to pedophilia - were hired to work at the Port of Miami. About this, Salahuddin stated, "From our standpoint, what benefit would it do to kick him out on the street? We see none." The Australian government's Departent of Foreign Affairs and Trade currently offers the following "Travel Advisory":

"We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in the United Arab Emirates because of the high threat of terrorist attack. We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks against Western interests in the United Arab Emirates." Joe Kaufman, chairman of Americans Against Hate, said in response: "Of course, Mr. Salahuddin wouldn't mind the purchase of American ports by the United Arab Emirates, a country that presents a potential terrorist threat to the United States and her allies abroad.

Salahuddin's involvement with Islamist radicals is well documented. We call on the United States government to investigate Khalid Salahuddin and consider him a liability in the sensitive position he holds in this strategic area of Homeland Security."