CONGRESS: Stevens will hold a hearing on the subject the same day the agreement is set to become final.
WASHINGTON -- Alaska's congressional delegation isn't saying much in the political firestorm over Dubai Ports World, a company owned by the United Arab Emirates that is poised to take over operations at six U.S. ports.
Sen. Ted Stevens, while not taking sides, says he'll hold a hearing on the subject in the Commerce Committee, which he chairs.
"It is important for us to get the facts and avoid speculation," Stevens said in a written statement. "This hearing will help us make informed decisions to ensure the security at our nation's ports."
His spokeswoman, Courtney Boone, said Stevens was traveling and hasn't made his opinion of the deal known.
The Port of Anchorage is owned by the city, which acts as a landlord, leasing terminals to shipping companies like Tote and Horizon Lines.
At most other ports, companies that lease terminals provide their own security, said deputy director Kevin Bruce. But in Anchorage, security is handled by the port itself, which contracts with Doyon Universal Services for about $1.5 million a year. The port charges users a 40-cent-per-ton tariff to help cover the cost.
The national ports management storm seems to be gaining strength in Washington, with several powerful Republicans joining vociferous Democrats in bashing President Bush for approving the Dubai Ports takeover.
Stevens will hold a Senate Commerce Committee hearing March 2. Two other Senate committees, Armed Services and Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, have also scheduled hearings for March 2, the day the Dubai Ports deal is set to become final.
Congress is in recess this week, and Alaska's delegation has left town. Sen. Lisa Murkowski was traveling in Alaska. Calls to her Washington press aides Wednesday were not returned.
Alaska Rep. Don Young, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, hasn't made known his views on the Dubai Ports transaction either.
When asked Wednesday, his committee spokesman, Steven Hansen, referred a reporter to a nearly 4-year-old committee press release, in which Young celebrates passage of the Maritime Transportation Anti-terrorism Act of 2002. Young is quoted as saying port security is essential and that the bill creates a comprehensive national anti-terrorism system.
Daily News reporter Liz Ruskin can be reached at lruskin@adn.com. Reporter Kyle Hopkins can be reached at khopkins@adn.com or 257-4334.
