U.S. Democrat Offers Bill to Arm Syria Rebels
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
A top U.S. Senate Democrat introduced a bill Monday that authorizes arming rebels in Syria, a step Washington has been weighing after President Barack Obama said the Damascus regime may have used chemical weapons.
Senator Robert Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced the Syria Stabilization Act of 2013 that would give "increased authorization to provide lethal and non-lethal assistance to Syrian armed opposition."
The bill is seen as intensifying pressure on Obama to take action in Syria after U.S. and other intelligence assessments that the regime has used chemical weapons, something Obama has warned would be a "game changer."
"The Assad regime has crossed a red line that forces us to consider all options," Menendez said in a statement.
"The greatest humanitarian crisis in the world is unfolding in and around Syria, and the U.S. must play a role in tipping the scales toward opposition groups and working to build a free Syria."
The measure specifically bars the administration from transferring portable, shoulder-fired missile or grenade launchers known as MANPADS, amid concern that such weapons have been finding their way from places like Libya into the hands of extremists who might use them against U.S. interests.
It also increases sanctions on arms and oil sales to strongman Bashar Assad's regime, and authorizes a "transition fund" of some $250 million per year aimed at helping a civilian opposition in Syria prepare for a switch to some form of democratic rule.
The bill is likely to garner some bipartisan support, as a handful of Republicans including Senator John McCain have long said it was time to consider arming vetted opposition groups.
The Obama administration has expressed worry about the risks of pouring more arms into a volatile conflict, and has so far stuck to providing humanitarian assistance and non-lethal aid.
But Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel acknowledged last Thursday that Washington was taking a fresh look at whether to arm Syria's outgunned rebels.
07 May 2013, 09:05
01
America has failed to take the lead on the Syrian situation. Such failure is an opportunity for the anti American feeling in the middle east to dwell in and hence promoting the values of the american policies in such fragile region.
The Obama administration should not only supply arms to the opposition , it should take actions " look in the eyes of the Russian and tells them, that is not on..full stop"!
The mistakes in Irak are not relevant here! That theroblem of the west, unable to see what the east can see clearly.
The Lebanese people have suffered for thirty years under such tyrannies and abuse, our lessons are never learnt at the foreign policies of western universities.
To lead is to predict the future and act upon it, to follow is to wait and see, there where you become a follower and that the difference.
Obama lead and take the bet , history will not judge you on eliminating bin laden alone. History is made by those who have the courage to say No and act upon it.
07 May 2013, 10:12
10
US has no interest in helping Syrians or other arab countries. As for sufferance, there are many people suffering without wars and no one is helping them. I had been many times to Lebanon, and didn't see much sufferance there. Mostly show offs and arrogance and exploiting the poor people from Sri Lanka, Ethiopia and Philippine etc. Your problem is psychological, so you really need a doctor not the US.
