http://apnews1.iwon.com//article/20060224/D8FV4SKG5.html, I know those American Ports was already owned by a British Company
WASHINGTON(AP) – Weeks before one of its companies sought U.S. approval for its ports deal, the United Arab Emirates contributed $100 million to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, officials confirmed Thursday.
The Bush administration said the money it received from the United Arab Emirates was nearly four times as much as it received from all other countries combined. Other countries, including some in the Middle East, also pledged large contributions but have not yet sent the money.
The Whitehouse said the $100 million for storm victims demonstrates the close relationship between the two governments now caught in a firestorm over the potential security risks of state-owned Dubai Ports World running operations at six major U.S. ports.
The money from the United Arab Emirates was previously described by the State Department only as a “very large” contribution. The White House said so far it has received $126 million in international donations, including the UAE money.
The administration said there was no connection between the request for U.S. approval of the $6.8 billion ports deal and the UAE contribution. It disclosed details about the donation to support President Bush’s description of the nations as important allies.
“There was no connection between the two events,” said Adam Ereli, the deputy State Department spokesman.
Robert Kimmitt, deputy secretary at the Treasury Department, told senators Thursday that Dubai Ports World first approached U.S. officials Oct. 17to discuss a proposed purchase of London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co., which runs significant operations at six large U.S. ports.
Kimmit tsaid the company informally approached Treasury officials to discusspreliminary stages of the purchase. A formal review of the proposedsale started on Dec. 16, Kimmitt told the Senate Armed ServicesCommittee.
The UnitedArab Emirates sent its $100 million Katrina donation on Sept. 21 usingan electronic transfer to an account at the State Department, the WhiteHouse said. Two-thirds of the money was given to the Federal EmergencyManagement Agency to help coordinate aid to 100,000 families. The restwas sent to the Education Department to help rebuild schools anduniversities near New Orleans that were damaged by the storm.
The UnitedArab Emirates has long-standing ties to the Bush family. Records showthe UAE and one of its sheikhs contributed at least $1 million before1995 to the Bush Library Foundation, which established the George BushPresidential Library in College Station, Texas. The executive chairmanof Dubai Ports World, Ahmed bin Sulayem, is not listed among donors.