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US Defense Secretary: Pentagon Ready to Help Protect Syrian People
Voice of America ^ | Thursday, April 19, 2012 | Cindy Saine

Posted on 04/19/2012 7:10:59 PM PDT by SunkenCiv

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told a congressional panel on Thursday that the Pentagon is providing "nonlethal aid" to the civilian-led opposition in Syria and that it is preparing additional measures if it becomes necessary to help protect the Syrian people.

Amid concern from some members of the U.S. Congress that the United States might be planning a military intervention similar to one in Libya last year, Panetta said there are similarities, but also important differences in the two situations.

He testified before the House of Representatives' Armed Services Committee, saying the United States stands with the Syrian people...

Panetta told the panel that the United States is sending "nonlethal" aid to the Syrian opposition, including communications and medical equipment. The Pentagon also is providing $25 million of humanitarian relief...

The Republican chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Howard "Buck" McKeon, and the committee's ranking Democratic member, Adam Smith, said they are opposed to U.S. military intervention in Syria at this time...

Several lawmakers expressed concern that the White House is preparing to intervene in Syria militarily, similar to last year's Libya operation that some of them opposed, without first getting authorization from Congress...

Panetta said President Barack Obama would act in consultation with international partners, and in accordance with the U.S. Constitution, working with Congress...

Panetta said that Syria is different from Libya in several important aspects. He said President Assad still appears to enjoy the support of a large segment of the Syrian military and that Arab countries are not lined up in support of military intervention. But Panetta said the intelligence community feels that the insurgency in Syria is so broad-based that Assad ultimately will be forced from office.

(Excerpt) Read more at voanews.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: leonpanetta; syria

1 posted on 04/19/2012 7:11:08 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; ColdOne; Convert from ECUSA; ...
Long road to freedom: Seven reasons why Syrian protesters have so far failed to topple Assad
Christian Science Monitor
4. Dialogue with the regime -- Dialogue with the regime hurts the cause of democracy in Syria because Assad is either unwilling or unable to reform and will work instead on co-opting and dividing the opposition movement through the offer of ultimately non-substantive dialogue. Assad's two-pronged strategy of repression and concession is meant to divide the opposition movement by giving its members false hopes and bogus promises to address their demands.

2 posted on 04/19/2012 7:12:24 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (FReepathon 2Q time -- https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: SunkenCiv

NNNnnnnnoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


3 posted on 04/19/2012 7:13:23 PM PDT by GeronL (The Right to Life came before the Right to Pursue Happiness)
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To: GeronL

LEON: : “We’re going to really boost their economy....gonna send the presidents Secret Service detail over there to spread around some major cash.”


4 posted on 04/19/2012 7:21:29 PM PDT by jmax (Goooooooooooooo NAVY .......)
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To: SunkenCiv
Hey Leon! Have you checked with Ivan about this? How about the Chinese? I'm sure the Persians will be on board.

Has 0bama checked in with Putin about this?

5.56mm

5 posted on 04/19/2012 7:22:14 PM PDT by M Kehoe
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6 posted on 04/19/2012 7:25:06 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (FReepathon 2Q time -- https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: M Kehoe
Obama bows down to Saudi King | American Thinker | April 02, 2009 | Clarice Feldman | Posted on 04/02/2009 8:19:47 AM PDT by rdb3
Obama bows down to Saudi King | American Thinker | April 02, 2009 | Clarice Feldman | Posted on 04/02/2009 8:19:47 AM PDT by rdb3

7 posted on 04/19/2012 7:26:14 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (FReepathon 2Q time -- https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: SunkenCiv

“He testified ... saying the United States stands with the Syrian people.”

There was a time when the United States stood for the American people.


8 posted on 04/19/2012 7:26:46 PM PDT by tumblindice (Our new, happy lives.)
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To: jmax

LOL!


9 posted on 04/19/2012 7:27:36 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (FReepathon 2Q time -- https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: GeronL
If your prophet had sex with a nine year old, raise your Koran

10 posted on 04/19/2012 7:27:36 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (FReepathon 2Q time -- https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: SunkenCiv

They’ll help out the Muslim Brotherhood any way they can just like they did in Libya.


11 posted on 04/19/2012 7:32:50 PM PDT by Jack Hydrazine (It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine!)
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To: SunkenCiv

lol.


12 posted on 04/19/2012 7:39:21 PM PDT by GeronL (The Right to Life came before the Right to Pursue Happiness)
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To: SunkenCiv

So I guess he (O) is a Sunni?


13 posted on 04/19/2012 7:44:49 PM PDT by Pearls Before Swine
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To: SunkenCiv

All we have to do is look at a map. Hussien and his Brotherhood are encircling the Mediterranean. This is a feat only accomplished by the Romans.


14 posted on 04/19/2012 7:55:21 PM PDT by logitech (Who's here so vile, that will not love his country? If any speak, for him I have offended)
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To: tumblindice

Shades of Clinton and Bosnia....


15 posted on 04/19/2012 7:55:34 PM PDT by griswold3 (Big Government does not tolerate rivals.)
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To: SunkenCiv
WTF? How are America's vital national interests served by engaging with the military in Syria?
16 posted on 04/19/2012 8:06:18 PM PDT by starlifter (Pullum sapit)
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To: SunkenCiv

Panella has no say in anything anymore, Generals of JCS to him to shove it


17 posted on 04/20/2012 3:22:21 AM PDT by SF_Redux (Sarah stands for accountablility and personal responsiblity, democrats can't live with that)
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To: SF_Redux
Panella has no say in anything

Panetta did however tell the Israeli's that Obama’s secret appeasement of the Iranians is going well, and that the Iranians are taking the opportunity to proceed faster toward a nuclear weapon, while continuing to increase efforts to hide more stuff.

With Tel Aviv gone, the Jewish problem will be solved, with NYC gone, income redistribution will proceed faster, with Rome gone, Catholics and Christians in general will be on the run. After those events Obama can relax.

18 posted on 04/20/2012 5:20:51 AM PDT by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now it is your turn ...)
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To: starlifter
How are America's vital national interests served by engaging with the military in Syria?

Your and our vital interests are not the same as Obama’s vital interests ...

Engaging militarily with the Syrians means going through the Russian naval group stationed at Tartus first. With China heavily involved in Syria as well - this is looking more and more like some prophecy from Nostradamus.

19 posted on 04/20/2012 5:30:02 AM PDT by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now it is your turn ...)
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