Kerry: US Ready to Up Syrian Rebel Aid

Kerry: US Ready to Up Syrian Rebel Aid

Assures Backing for Rebels' 'Fight for Freedom'

by Jason Ditz, May 22, 2013

Print This | Share This

Secretary of State John Kerry has once again pledged an increase in US aid to the Syrian rebel factions in that nation’s ongoing civil war, saying that the Assad government could really expect that aid to get increased if it is unwilling to cooperate with the June Geneva conference.
Which of course the Assad government has already said it will cooperate with. The Geneva conference is the anticipated result of US and Russian efforts to start a new peace process, something Syrian officials have endorsed, but which US-backed rebels have condemned.
Still, every meeting with a rebel official or even another government official perceived as pro-rebel by Kerry is met with more pledges of aid, and this time the promise came after a meeting with his Jordanian counterpart. Jordan is openly backing the rebels too, and allowing US trainers for the rebels in their territory, but officials there are also growing disquieted by the Islamist rebel presence along their border, which they see as destabilizing.
Kerry’s comments continue to completely ignore other officials in the administration, who are growing concerned by the Islamist domination of the rebel movement and the grim sort of regime change it could portend. Kerry capped his statement by promising to continue US support for their “fight for freedom.”

Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz

• Poll Shows Overwhelming Opposition to US Attacking Syria - May 22nd, 2013
• Kerry Confident Syria Counter-Offensive Will Fail - May 22nd, 2013
• Karzai Gives India 'Wish List' of Military Gear - May 22nd, 2013
• Report: Obama May Restart Gitmo Transfers - May 22nd, 2013
• Ten Dead in Latest Round of North Lebanon Fighting - May 22nd, 2013

end quote from:

Kerry: US Ready to Up Syrian Rebel Aid