Bush Expresses Concern Over Ports Deal Collapse

As the deal to allow Dubai Ports World to take control of American ports falls through, US President George W. Bush has expressed concern and apprehension over the message being sent to their allies and the world. President Bush received a major setback on this front as the United Arab Emirates state-owned company announced it would back out of the deal already approved by the Bush Administration.

The political furor created by the souring of the deal has President Bush worrying about the strength of America's alliances in the Middle East. ABCNews.com reports Bush as saying, "I'm concerned about the broader message this issue could send to our friends and allies around the world, particularly in the Middle East. In order to win the war on terror we have got to strengthen our friendships and relationships with moderate Arab countries in the Middle East." The United Arab Emirates have been an ally of the United States throughout the War on Terror and the invasion of Iraq.

Another blow was dealt to Bush in the past few days, as the Republican-controlled House of Representatives have put the deal under immense scrutiny, leading to the deal's eventual demise. Even after Dubai Ports World agreed to transfer all American holdings to a US entity, Congress has decided to continue on a put forth a vote blocking the deal. This comes after Wednesday's vote by a Congressional Appropriations Committee vote to prevent Dubai Ports World from acquiring control of the ports passed 62-2. Republicans offered no support for President Bush, but did acknowledge that by sinking the deal, the United States were no closer to address the vulnerability of American ports.

Either as a side effect of the souring deal, or as a natural hiccup in negotiating, the current round of trade talks between the US and the UAE have been called off. This may or may not be linked to the port deal, as delays in such talks are commonplace, said a spokesperson from the United States Trade Representative's office.

Bush's only positive in this debacle is that he was not forced to use his veto power, which he had threatened to do if the Senate tried to block the deal. The use of the veto would likely have been a black mark on President Bush's record, and would not have helped his already slipping approval rates. Reuters.com reported statements made by a White House official, discussing the use of veto, and the principled position Bush felt he had on the matter. "At it's end, it still was his position, that he felt strongly about it, and the logical extension of the legislative process was that you'd be willing to veto a bill. We understand that made some people upset."

Reuters.com reports President Bush's approval rating at 37 percent, another brand new low.