COMMENTARY:

Bush Approves Sale of US Military Parts Suppliers to UAE Government

Since "...the plants make turbine blades for tanks and aircraft, the deal was reviewed by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., which sent it on to Bush for a decision, a step used only when the potential security risks or political considerations are particularly acute," according to CBS' Market Watch. "...One official who was briefed on the Doncasters transaction said there would be provisions in the agreement protecting American military secrets. But it was unclear whether that would satisfy Congressional objections."

"The committee almost never met, and when it deliberated it was usually at a fairly low bureaucratic level," Richard Perle said. Perle, who has worked for the Reagan, Clinton and both Bush administrations added, "I think it's a bit of a joke."

"The formal CFIUS review is not the most important element in the approval process. CFIUS does not require unanimity among all the agencies involved, but a disputed decision to approve a sale would be escalated to the cabinet level or to the President for appeal....In 1993, Congress amended Exon-Florio to require foreign, government-controlled companies to obtain CFIUS approval before acquiring U.S. companies when the foreign purchaser is 'controlled by or acting on behalf of a foreign government' and the acquisition 'could result in control of a person engaged in interstate commerce in the U.S. that could affect the national security of the United States."

Established in 2004, Dubai International Capital LLC. [DIC] is a Dubai-based international investment company owned by the government of the United Arab Emirates that primarily focuses on private equity. The deal was originally announced by DIC.

Dubai International Capital LLC lists both the Carlyle Group and Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) as co-investments.

George H.W. Bush (41), former U.S. President, was a Senior Advisor to the Carlyle Asia Advisory Board from April 1998 to October 2003, almost two years after his son took office.

Among the Carlyle Group notables are: current Secretary of the Treasury and chairman of CFIUS John W. Snow; former Secretary of State Colin Powell; and former Secretary of State and 2000 Bush campaign advisor James Baker III.

According to Doncasters, "This investment follows a series of strategic, value-driven investments by DIC"--Dubai International Capital – including "a US$1 billion investment in DaimlerChrysler."

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