.- The U.S. government has funded opposition groups in Syria, according to diplomatic documents published by the website Wikileaks, said today the Washington Post. Among the programs of U.S. assistance to the Syrian opposition figure Barada television channel based in London, which began broadcasting in April 2009 and has intensified its work "with the coverage of street protests" that are now occurring in Syria.
This operation "intended to overthrow the country's autocratic ruler, Bashar al-Assad," the newspaper said. TV Barada is closely linked to the Movement for Justice and Development, a network of Syrian exiles who also works from London. "The U.S. diplomatic messages reserved indicate that the State Department has channeled up to six million dollars to this group since 2006 for the operation of channel satellite television and the funding of other activities in Syria, "the newspaper said.
Released by WikiLeaks cables show that U.S. money for the Syrian opposition "began to flow under President George W. Bush after he froze, in fact, diplomatic relations with Damascus in 2005," says The Washington Post. The funding continued for at least one term of office of current President, Barack Obama, even though his government has tried to restore relations with Assad and "last January became an ambassador in Damascus (U.S.) for the first time in six years." According to the newspaper, "it is unclear whether the Department of State continues to finance the Syrian opposition groups, although the messages indicate that the allocated money for that at least until September 2010." Although some of the money also supported programs and dissidents inside Syria, The Washington Post has decided not to disclose certain names and details of programs at the request of the Department of State has indicated that such revelations could jeopardize the personal safety of recipients, "says the paper.
The State Department, meanwhile, had no comment on the authenticity of the messages and answered questions on the financing of the television station Barada. 
This operation "intended to overthrow the country's autocratic ruler, Bashar al-Assad," the newspaper said. TV Barada is closely linked to the Movement for Justice and Development, a network of Syrian exiles who also works from London. "The U.S. diplomatic messages reserved indicate that the State Department has channeled up to six million dollars to this group since 2006 for the operation of channel satellite television and the funding of other activities in Syria, "the newspaper said.
Released by WikiLeaks cables show that U.S. money for the Syrian opposition "began to flow under President George W. Bush after he froze, in fact, diplomatic relations with Damascus in 2005," says The Washington Post. The funding continued for at least one term of office of current President, Barack Obama, even though his government has tried to restore relations with Assad and "last January became an ambassador in Damascus (U.S.) for the first time in six years." According to the newspaper, "it is unclear whether the Department of State continues to finance the Syrian opposition groups, although the messages indicate that the allocated money for that at least until September 2010." Although some of the money also supported programs and dissidents inside Syria, The Washington Post has decided not to disclose certain names and details of programs at the request of the Department of State has indicated that such revelations could jeopardize the personal safety of recipients, "says the paper.
The State Department, meanwhile, had no comment on the authenticity of the messages and answered questions on the financing of the television station Barada.
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