CNN's Wolf Blitzer is here in Dubai today doing interviews with several Dubai Ports World and government officials. He is currently broadcasting live from Madinat Jumeriah. Among his planned interviews is one with the Economics Minister, Sheikha Lubna al Qasimi.

She is a very capable and delightful woman whom I had the good fortune to meet a few years ago while I was teaching at MIT. It was she who encouraged me to consider teaching here in the Emirates.

9:37 PM interview begins:

WB: "Dubai is considered an economic model for the region..." (Welcomes Sheikha Lubna al Qassimi.)
She's studied in the US and used to work in the US. Do you understand the opposition to this deal in the US?

SLAQ: Yes (she understands). There is a perception in the states that is not correct. This is a business deal that won't affect security.

WB: What does taking over ports mean?

SLAQ: The security impact is substantial. It is not the work of the port operation.

WB: Senator Schumer says port operator is vital to security.

SLAQ: Port operators handle "boxes" as they come through but are not responsible for security.

WB: What do you know that you can share with American public that will reassure the US public, 60% plus who oppose.

SLAQ: This is a business deal. There is an impact on employment that will be positive. This is not the first port that DPW will manage. It is a world class port operator.

WB: UAE recognized the Taleban. Two 9/11 hijackers came from here. Nuclear materials from AQ Khan's network were shipped through here. Money laundering for terrorists before and after 9/11 has been traced here. How do you reply to these objections.

SLAQ: We, the UAE, did not share the Taleban's ideology as evidenced by the fact that I, a woman, am the Economics Minister. We later broke relations with them. Two hijackers did come from here. Terrorists are really multi-national. Two don't make the UAE. The UAE has been a global player in war on Terror. The nuclear shipments were trans-shipments (not originating here and not destined for here). Dubai was the first country to adopt the States' new port security measures. UAE is tightening up measures to combat money laundering.

WB: Do the UAE support an economic boycott against Israel.

SLAQ: The boycott is practically non-existent. Most restrictions are in the process of being lifted and once WTO talks are completed, it wil; essentially be non-existent. Already handles containers from ZIm, the Israeli shipping firm.

WB: Will the DPW go through.

SLAQ: It will. It is a business deal. It can effect business world wide. As soon as legislation is put in to business deals, it will hurt business and competition for business investments globally.

WB: Thanks. I will be here a few more days learning about the business environment.

SLAQ: I hope more people can travel to Dubai and learn about us.

End Interview

If I can get a full transcript I will post it shortly. In the mean time, please read a few of my posts about the Dubai Ports World deal.

The Unions, The Senators, and the Ports
The Unions, The Senators, and the Ports, Part II
Port Authority II: Torrents of Arabia
Port Authority