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Peter King: Clinton Could Broker Dubai Deal

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New York Congressman Peter King, who first raised concerns last month over a White House-approved plan to have a Dubai company run some operations at U.S. ports, said Monday that ex-President Clinton could play a constructive role in brokering a solution to the controversy.

King told WABC Radio's John Gambling that the best way to break the impasse was to have an American firm take over operations for U.S. terminals purchased by Dubai Ports World.

"If we can separate out the American aspect of the contract completely and have that assigned to an American company with no input whatsoever from Dubai Ports World," King said, "then, to me, that is something that could satisfy both the requirement of port security and also the requirement of trying to maintain a stronger relationship with the United Arab Emirates."

The New York Republican suggested that Mr. Clinton would be the ideal intermediary to persuade Dubai officials to go along with such an arrangement.

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  Noting that the former president "does have a very close relationship with the United Arab Emirates," King said: "Listen, maybe he can sell them."

"That would be great if he could give them the advice to unload the contract - to sell it to another company, ideally an American company.

"That would be a great contribution by President Clinton," he added.

Dubai officials have funded Mr. Clinton with at least $1.6 million in donations to his presidential library and in speaking fees. During his presidency, Clinton secured a controversial contract to sell the United Arab Emirates 80 F-16 jet fighters.

He remains close to UAE defense minister, Sheik Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Rep. King called on Democrats to stop trying to make political hay over the ports controversy, saying Mr. Clinton's Dubai connections meant that "there's probably enough here where we can damage all sides."

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