Editor’s note: The below article is translated from Frances’ Le Figaro daily newspaper – http://www.lefigaro.fr/international/2013/06/11/01003-20130611ARTFIG00598-l-amerique-se-prepare-a-armer-les-rebelles-syriens.php

 

Worried about setbacks by opponents of Assad, Barack Obama is about to leap and lifting the arms embargo to help the Syrian rebels.

Very concerned about the advantage returned by Assad with massive help from Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, the U.S. administration has put on the menu for internal consultations this week. The United States had greatly underestimated the current scenario, being convinced that the regime was doomed to fall. Even if it is called “routine” meetings, canceling a trip to John Kerry in the Middle East, due to Syria, seems to signal an intense debate within the ranks of the Obama team. Some even argue that a decision could be made this week. “The idea under discussion is to say that the United States must play a central role in the delivery of weapons and support to the forces of the Free Syrian Army secularists, under command of General Salim Idriss, decrypts Frederic Hof research director at the Atlantic Council. This would also involve delivering some American weapons. “

The underlying consideration is the need to “centralize the distribution system to prevent arms patronage moves and weapons fall into the hands of radical groups such as al-Nosra,” he said. If states have no “insider information” Hof bet on a decision “probably this week.” AP The agency was the first to mention this event on Sunday. “Those who think a U.S. investment that could change that, as an open military intervention or supplies decisive weapons, may wait long,” however, plays Brian Katulis, a researcher at the Center for American Progress, convinced that rather be a “symbolic” action approach the Geneva conference.

“We look more closely at what we can do to help the opposition”
Jennifer Psaki, spokesman for the State Department

Until President, key decision maker on the Syrian issue, slowed their heels on arms supplies to the rebels, citing the risk of arming al-Qaeda. But the outburst of violence and the recent setbacks suffered by the insurgents, including al-Quseir, call for more resolute action. “We look more closely at what we can do to help the opposition” to regain ground, confirmed Jennifer Psaki, spokesman for the State Department.

It’s a long conversation held this weekend between General Salim Idriss, head of the military wing of the moderate opposition, and Assistant Secretary of State for the Near East, Elizabeth Jones, who apparently triggered change in position of Americans, according to Hof. The head of the Supreme Military Council of the opposition would have made a disturbing account of the weakening of the rebellion, and the need to obtain weapons more quickly to prevent a defeat in Aleppo.
Idriss threat to boycott the Geneva Conference

Idriss said that would participate in the Geneva Conference, the current state of the balance of forces, the insurgents would be to put in Assad’s hand. He had threatened to boycott the meeting if his troops do not receive weapons and ammunition in the meantime, finding that the decision of the British and French to start their arms deliveries in August was “a joke” because it was “too late. ” “General Idriss is highly respected within the Administration,” said Hof. The State Department seems to be at the forefront of the debate to change that. “Kerry wants to change Assad’s calculations and understands that they are based exclusively on the military situation,” said Hof.

Hawks Congress, Senator John McCain head squarely argue for the establishment of a zone of no-fly or raids able to nail the floor Syrian aviation, considering that it is already too late to a simple lifting of the arms embargo. But a bold option seems unlikely, given Obama’s reluctance to commit his country into a new military adventure. “The Administration is not ripe,” said Hof.