Friday, February 24, 2006
Strategic Concerns Drove Dubai Deal
Geo-strategic military concerns likely played a significant role in the Bush administration's decision to approve a controversial deal for a United Arab Emirates-based company to manage six major U.S. ports, Gen. Paul Vallely [Ret.] said Thursday.
Asked if the U.A.E. is of particular strategic importance because of its proximity to Iran and the Straits of Hormuz, Gen. Vallely told Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes":
"It certainly is, because of the facilities that we have used there, not only the airbase, but the port facilities. And they've been very important for our fleets over there, as well as our aircraft."
The one-time top military man said there was "no doubt" that the U.A.E.'s strategic value would have been factored into any decision to approve a deal for Dubai Ports World to run U.S. ports.
The U.A.E. sits directly across from Iran on the west shore of the key waterway, through which 25 percent of the world's oil supply passes. Last month Iran threatened to shut down the straits if the U.N. imposes sanctions as a result of its nuclear program.
The U.A.E.'s al-Dhafra airbase hosts Air Force U-2 spy planes and Global Hawk unmanned surveillance aircraft, along with KC-10 aerial refueling planes.
According to GlobalSecurity.org, the 763rd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron conducts in-flight refueling missions out of al-Dhafra covering Southwest Asia in support of Operation Southern Watch, a coalition force tasked to monitor United Nations Security Council resolutions restricting air and ground operations in Southern Iraq.
Al-Dhafra is said to have played a key role in both the Iraq and Afghanistan air wars.
Geo-strategic military concerns likely played a significant role in the Bush administration's decision to approve a controversial deal for a United Arab Emirates-based company to manage six major U.S. ports, Gen. Paul Vallely [Ret.] said Thursday.
Asked if the U.A.E. is of particular strategic importance because of its proximity to Iran and the Straits of Hormuz, Gen. Vallely told Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes":
"It certainly is, because of the facilities that we have used there, not only the airbase, but the port facilities. And they've been very important for our fleets over there, as well as our aircraft."
The one-time top military man said there was "no doubt" that the U.A.E.'s strategic value would have been factored into any decision to approve a deal for Dubai Ports World to run U.S. ports.
The U.A.E. sits directly across from Iran on the west shore of the key waterway, through which 25 percent of the world's oil supply passes. Last month Iran threatened to shut down the straits if the U.N. imposes sanctions as a result of its nuclear program.
The U.A.E.'s al-Dhafra airbase hosts Air Force U-2 spy planes and Global Hawk unmanned surveillance aircraft, along with KC-10 aerial refueling planes.
According to GlobalSecurity.org, the 763rd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron conducts in-flight refueling missions out of al-Dhafra covering Southwest Asia in support of Operation Southern Watch, a coalition force tasked to monitor United Nations Security Council resolutions restricting air and ground operations in Southern Iraq.
Al-Dhafra is said to have played a key role in both the Iraq and Afghanistan air wars.
