Insight: France gambles on Syrian rebels as arms decision nears
(Reuters) - It's a warm day on the Turkish-Syrian border. France's recently recalled ambassador to Syria is incognito with his deputy and a security agent.
After checking the surroundings are clear, the diplomat pulls out a stash of brown envelopes stuffed with thousands of dollars. The recipients are "viable" rebels operating in zones no longer under President Bashar al-Assad's control.
The scene last September, recounted by French officials, could have come from a spy film. Now Assad's forces appear to be regaining the upper hand on the battlefield.
The change in the balance of power is causing alarm in Western and Arab capitals. Having clamored for Assad to step aside, none of his foes have been ready to take the risk of providing anti-aircraft or anti-tank weapons that could tilt the balance.
President Barack Obama authorized sending U.S. weapons to the rebels for the first time, a U.S. official said on Thursday after the White House said it has proof the Syrian government has used chemical weapons
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/14/us-syria-crisis-france-insight-idUSBRE95C0IL20130614
