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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Brad Sherman on Wednesday, speaking at a House hearing on the proposed takeover of terminal operations at six United States ports by a Dubai company, demanded that the UAE prohibit “contributions” by its citizens to Hamas and other organizations listed on the U.S. State Department terrorist list.
Sherman also demanded that the state-owned Dubai Ports World, and the UAE cease participation in a boycott of Israel.
“We cannot even begin to consider allowing the UAE government to control several of our ports while the UAE openly facilitates financing terrorism,” said Sherman.
He said the UAE had permitted a “telethon for terrorists,” facilitated funding for the militant Hamas organization, and noted that emirate leaders had ties to Osama bin Laden.
The Bush administration ignored a law requiring a review of security implications surrounding the ports deal, Sherman added. He blamed White House bungling for damaging U.S. relations with the Arab world, and asserted that the president and others are “now engaged in a whitewash” attempt to cover up their mistakes.
He said he will propose legislation to block the takeover of American ports by any company owned by a foreign government unless that government fully cooperates in the war on terrorism and enforces laws against funding organizations on the State Department lists of terrorist groups.
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