Extra security already part of ports deal

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- The Bush administration says concerns about security at U.S. ports to be operated by an Arabic company are already addressed in the deal's contract.

Amid fierce opposition from Democrats and Republicans, administration officials said "safeguards" had been written into the agreement for Dubai Ports World that will expose it to more intense scrutiny once the transaction goes forward, the Wall Street Journal reported.

DP World has agreed to pay the British-based P&O $6.8 billion for commercial operations at five ports on the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico.

The New York Times said independent experts, like Dr. Irwin Redlener of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University, warn of the risk that "a lot of critical information about the movement of cargo is now accessible to new owners."

However, Stewart Baker, an assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security said such fears are unfounded, the Journal reported.

"There are more safeguards in this transaction than in any past port" deal, Baker said.