http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/u-s-admits-funding-syrian-opposition-1.987112
cue Bamford 's Blowback
Manning Assange cablegate
Canuck Broadcasting Corp maher arar
Posted: Apr 18, 2011
cue Bamford 's Blowback
Manning Assange cablegate
Canuck Broadcasting Corp maher arar
Posted: Apr 18, 2011
The U.S. State Department acknowledged Monday it has been funding opponents of Syrian President Bashar Assad, following the release of secret diplomatic cables obtained by WikiLeaks that document the funding.
The files show that up to $6.3 million US was funnelled to the Movement for Justice and Development, a London-based dissident organization that operates the Barada TV satellite channel, which broadcasts anti-government news into Syria. Another $6 million went to support a variety of initiatives, including training for journalists and activists, between 2006 and 2010.
Asked point-blank by reporters whether the United States is funding Syrian opposition groups, State Department spokesman Mark Toner told a news conference Monday, "We are — we're working with a variety of civil society actors in Syria with the goal here of strengthening freedom of expression."
However, an April 2009 diplomatic cable from the U.S. mission in Damascus recognizes the risky optics of the funding.
"Some programs may be perceived, were they made public, as an attempt to undermine the Assad regime.… The Syrian Arab Republic government would undoubtedly view any U.S. funds going to illegal political groups as tantamount to supporting regime change."