Thursday, February 28, 2013

US may decide on direct military aid to Syrian opposition: Voice of ...

The US may start sending bullet-proof vests and armoured vehicles, humanitarian aid and military instructors to train militants directly to the Syrian opposition forces.

But no firearms or offensive weapon systems have thus far been mulled, since Washington is apprehensive that these might land in the hands of terrorists.

According to the Washington Post, the US Secretary of State is going to meet America?s European and Middle East allies this week to discuss the proposed policy.

However, officials say it is far from being decided on. Until now, all aid provided to the Syrian opposition has been indirect and limited to communications equipment delivered by intermediaries.

Last year, the then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, then-CIA Director David Petraeus and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta put forth the direct aid plan only to have it shot down in Congress.

Syrian opposition falls under extremist control ? Lavrov?

The Syrian opposition has been increasingly becoming more extremist, a tendency that leaves an even slimmer chance for immediate nationwide talks than was the case only a few days ago, Russia?s foreign chief Sergei Lavrov has said at a meeting with his Dutch counterpart.

Speaking in Moscow, Mr. Lavrov said that the situation had deteriorated in a matter of days. He stressed the conditions for talks between the regime and the opposition seemed to be more favorable, with more and more activists calling to discuss Syria?s future.

Russia?s top foreign official pointed out the opposition then went back on their words, adding the reason for such a dramatic change of heart was probably linked with extremists getting the upper hand in the Syrian Opposition Coalition, who are intent on blocking peace initiatives to go ahead with a military campaign.

Syrian opposition rejects dialogue with Damascus under extremists' influence - Lavrov

Extremists have evidently prevailed in the Syrian opposition, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

"It seemed to us just a few days ago that conditions for all sides to sit down at the negotiating table and start to discuss their country's future took shape, and calls appeared in favor of such a dialogue without preconditions. But these approaches were subsequently denied," he said at a press conference after talks with Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans in Moscow on Tuesday.

Syrian opposition members reiterated earlier that they were prepared for talks with the Syrian government only if President Bashar al-Assad agreed to step down.

"Apparently, extremists who are placing their bets on a military solution to the Syrian problem and blocking any initiatives leading to this dialogue have prevailed in the opposition, including the so-called National Coalition, at the current stage," Lavrov said.

Voice of Russia, Interfax, RIA, TASS

Source: http://english.ruvr.ru/2013_02_27/US-Administration-may-decide-on-sending-military-aid-to-Syrian-opposition/

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