Posted on 11/03/2012 4:22:24 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
The Obama administration's decision to drop its recognition of the Syrian National Council as the leading Syrian opposition group and propose creating a new umbrella organization surprised and puzzled close U.S. allies, diplomats said Friday.
The U.S. government gave no advance notice of its intention to renounce the council as the lead umbrella group, diplomats of three countries said. They said their governments learned about the initiative from news accounts.
Diplomats criticized Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for using what they called inappropriate language in describing the council as made up of people who haven't been in Syria for decades; many of its members, the diplomats said, left the country only after the uprising against President Bashar Assad began 19 months ago.
"We have recommended names and organizations that we believe should be included in any leadership structure," Clinton said Wednesday in announcing the administration's break with the council, a move that, unusually, was made public in a statement to reporters who were traveling with her, after a meeting with the president of Croatia. "We've made it clear that the SNC can no longer be viewed as the visible leader of the opposition."
...There was no word from Britain on its position, but as America's closest ally, the government of Prime Minister David Cameron was expected to support the new effort.
Clinton's intervention is sure to have repercussions for Arab League-sponsored meetings that start Sunday in Qatar, at which the Syrian National Council planned to elect new leadership and reorganize its structure.
"Doha is very confused," the diplomat said.
(Excerpt) Read more at kansascity.com ...
Jonathan S. Landay contributed to this article from Washington.
No matter who wins Tuesday’s election, U.S. likely to become entangled in Syria’s war
By Jonathan S. Landay
http://www.thestate.com/2012/11/01/2504699/no-matter-who-wins-tuesdays-election.html
Ruh roh.
I’m going out on a limb here.
The SNC was the faction least hostile to America?
They all yell “Allah Akbar!” when they kill.
Odd switchoff right after Benghazi, don’t you think? No consultation with our so-called allies? Stinky socks.
Lead from behind in war. Get out in front of scandals.
Ben Gahzi fallout.
did the Muslim Brotherhood drop out of the SNC??
wouldn’t surprise me.
Indeed, I believe there's a definite connection. I wonder if we'll ever know the truth.
/bingo
Zero et al are doing a little damage control.
BTTT
Some allies are apparently cooking up some pos erection Iran smackdown.
Dear Syrian opposition: watch your backs. Obama and Hillary are telling the people supporting your enemies in the Syrian government that they received and understood the message from Benghazi. All the money making schemes are on hold until Soros and the Democrats figure out whether they should deny, bluff or bluster. They just threw you out onto the street.
Cover those tracks before republicans can figure it out.
There are no good guys in this fight...just like Egypt and Libya. Too late now. Way to go Hilterly and BamBam.
Weird indeed.
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