Colo. senators voice opposition

M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News

Published February 23, 2006 at midnight

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WASHINGTON - Both of Colorado's U.S. senators have joined the backlash against a plan to let a business owned by the government of the United Arab Emirates take over management of six U.S. ports.

Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez told The Associated Press that the transaction would not put the UAE-run company in charge of port security.

But that has not stopped criticism from countless members of Congress, both Republicans and Democrats.

"My primary concern about this plan is national security," Republican Sen. Wayne Allard said in a statement Wednesday.

"I am asking the president to reconsider this takeover and to put it on hold immediately."

Allard, who rarely criticizes President Bush, said the president needs to conduct a thorough review and consult more closely with Congress.

Sen. Ken Salazar, a Democrat, also raised concerns about the deal Wednesday, citing worries about terrorism and homeland security.

"The ports subject to this contract are the eye of the needle through which millions of cargo containers pass each year," Salazar said in a statement. "We need to make sure safeguards are in place so that America is as safe as possible."

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