Pentagon granted authority to pay, equip foreign forces

[maddezmom]

Critics worry the military program could be abused
By GREG MILLER
Los Angeles Times

WASHINGTON - Moving into an area of clandestine activity that traditionally has been the domain of the CIA, the Pentagon has secured new authority that allows U.S. special operations forces to dole out millions of dollars in cash, equipment and weapons to international warlords and foreign fighters.


The U.S. Special Operations Command will have, the new policy states, as much as $25 million a year to spend providing "support to foreign forces, irregular forces, groups or individuals" aiding U.S. efforts against terrorists and other targets. Previously, military units were prohibited from providing money or arms to foreign groups.

Pentagon officials said the new capability is critical in the war on terrorism, enabling America's elite soldiers to buy off tribal leaders or arm local militias in pursuing al-Qaida operatives and confronting other threats.

But the idea of entrusting soldiers with a job traditionally reserved for spies has raised concerns that the program might lead to abuse. Even those who support it say they worry that it could be used to fund and arm unsavory foreign elements that later might use their U.S.-provided weapons and equipment against American interests.

more: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/2875888

Haven't we been down road before....like OBL!!!

[chicagojoe]

1. The Radical Right continues its quest...

... to arm every potential future enemy of the US.
Who do you think got Saddam up and running?!?!

[saigon68]

2. Mercenarys Wait until they make an appearance in AMERIKA

scary stuff kids

[teryang]

3. As if they haven't corrupted the Armed Forces enough

...by encouraging torture and violations of international law.

[DoYouEverWonder]

4. Oh this is a good idea, not.

Let's just arm our enemies and then we can have endless war. That way people like the Bush family and their friends can make even more money, killing more people.

If only they would support birth control. It would be so much easier and a lot less messy.

[Rose Siding]

5. Just how does the Pentagon "secure new authority"

What a joke to consider ourselves a democracy OR a republic.

snip>
The new authority is contained in a little-noticed provision in the Defense Department authorization bill that was signed by President Bush on Friday. The changes are designed to make special forces units less dependent on the CIA.
---------------------------

That's EXACTLY the kind of bill for which a "no" vote will render one political roadkill. So the whole fat mess passes and suddenly (!)"the Pentagon has secured new authority"

[maddezmom]

10. this is the intelligence reform the Pentagon wanted, not the 9/11 Comm

[soothsayer]

6. Score one more for the military industrial complex n/t

[w4rma]

7. Everything else is being outsourced, I guess this one was coming, too (nt)

[Spider Jerusalem]

8. Civilisation has made Romans too soft.

We must look to the barbarians for our new legions.

[JohnOneillsMemory]

9. OUTSOURCING THE US CONSTITUTION.

All the world's a mercenary to be bought.

Ooh, look! A ball game! This is the purpose of corporate-run team sports: to keep young men socialized in mock warfare for later use by the mil/ind. complex.

Um, waiter. Is there another planet I could sit at that isn't so close to the humans?

[lovuian]

11. They can make their own army and its not US

and Americans can pay for it Unfreakingbelievable!!!