Fund cryptically suggested that he "got a security briefing" on UAE anti-terror efforts that he "can't talk about"

Summary: Wall Street Journal columnist John Fund stated that he "got a security briefing" on United Arab Emirates actions to assist U.S. anti-terror efforts but suggested he "can't talk about" what he learned, leaving viewers to wonder what the "security briefing" consisted of, whether he was privy to classified information, and, if so, why.

In support of his assertion that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is "with us" in the "war on terrorism," Wall Street Journal columnist John Fund stated -- on the February 27 edition of MSNBC's Scarborough Country -- that he "got a security briefing" on UAE actions to assist U.S. anti-terror efforts, but suggested he "can't talk about" what he learned. Fund, who was discussing the proposed takeover of port terminals in six U.S. cities by a company owned by the government of Dubai, a member state of the UAE, left viewers to wonder what the "security briefing" consisted of, whether he was privy to classified information, and, if so, why.

From the February 27 edition of MSNBC's Scarborough Country:

FUND: One of the saddest things in this whole debate has been the things we can't talk about.

It is certainly true the United Arab Emirates had a spotty record regarding terrorism before 9-11. Since 9-11 -- when [President] George Bush said, "You're either for -- with us or you are against us" -- the United Arab Emirates has decided they are with us.

There are things -- and I got a security briefing on this today -- there are things the United Arab Emirates has done to support the war on terrorism that are brave, that have put that government at risk, that we can't talk about, and our government can't talk about, because it would only mean more terrorist attacks on the United Arab Emirates.

So, they are silent. They can't speak for themselves. I am not pro-Arab. I am not pro-Muslim, but I am pro-common sense. Let's have the 45-day review, and let's have this debate after the 45 days, when we actually have all the information and all the facts.

—A.S.