The White House is trying to rescue an agreement giving a state-run Arab firm control of operations at six major US ports, saying US intelligence has fully vetted the controversial deal.
'The counterterrorism experts looked at it. The intelligence community did an assessment to make sure that there was no national security threat,' said Scott McClellan, chief spokesman for US President George W Bush.
Bush has vowed to veto any legislation stalling the deal, under which Dubai Ports World will acquire P&O, which currently manages the ports. Congressional critics argue that the move would hand sensitive seaport activities to a country with a mixed record on battling terrorism.
Bush's spokesman acknowledged that the administration should have done a better job of briefing the US Congress, where Democrats and Bush's Republicans have closed ranks against the agreement.
Unless US lawmakers prevent it, Dubai Ports World's acquisition will be completed on March 2. Ports affected by the deal are in New York; Miami; New Jersey; Baltimore, Maryland; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The White House has been surprised by opposition to the agreement, which may face congressional hearings and even lawsuits to block it despite Bush's aggressive effort to save it.
'The president believes it is the right thing to do. We shouldn't be holding a Middle Eastern company to a different standard than a British company,' said McClellan, who said halting the deal would send 'a terrible message'.
