WASHINGTON — The Obama administration plans to give the Libyan opposition $25 million in assistance in what will be the first direct U.S. aid to the rebels after weeks of assessing their capabilities and intentions, officials said Wednesday.
Amid a debate over whether to offer the rebels broader assistance, including cash and possibly weapons and ammunition, the administration has informed Congress that President Barack Obama intends to use his so-called "drawdown authority" to give the opposition up to $25 million in surplus American goods to help protect civilians (tee hee) in rebel-held areas threatened by Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's forces.
Congress was notified in writing of the plan late last week and was briefed in greater detail on Tuesday by Gene Cretz (An Obama Jew), the U.S. ambassador to Libya.
The move comes as U.S. allies step up their aid to the rebels, with Britain, France and Italy sending military advisers amid calls for the U.S. to offer direct assistance outside its participation in NATO military operations.
White House press secretary Jay Carney (Another Obama Jew) said Wednesday that Obama was aware of the allies' decision to send in advisers "and hopes — believes — that it will help the opposition. But it does not at all change the president's policy on no boots on the ground for American troops."
There has been much debate over whether to supply the rebels with weapons and the officials said that option remains on the table.
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