[h=1]News Transcript[/h]
[h=3]Department of Defense Press Briefing by Secretary Hagel and Gen. Dempsey in the Pentagon Briefing Room[/h]Presenters: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin E. Dempsey
September 26, 2014
we'll be happy to take your questions.
Q: Who is the head of the free Syrian opposition, the moderate rebels that you are planning to train?
And, Chairman Dempsey, do you need spotters on the ground to be more precise in your airstrikes in Syria and is that what's stopping you from helping the Kurds along the Turkish border right now?
SEC. HAGEL: Well, first of all, we're in the process of setting up the vetting system for those that we will begin training, moderate opposition Syrian fighters.
Q: But who is the head of that opposition?
SEC. HAGEL: Well, we don't have a head of it, in that we are vetting and will continue to vet through our regional partners, State Department, intelligence departments, as they will build their coalitions with our help, We're not gonna instruct them as to who their leaders are. They'll make their own decision on who their -- who their leaders are.
[h=3]Department of Defense Press Briefing by Secretary Hagel and Gen. Dempsey in the Pentagon Briefing Room[/h]Presenters: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin E. Dempsey
September 26, 2014
we'll be happy to take your questions.
Q: Who is the head of the free Syrian opposition, the moderate rebels that you are planning to train?
And, Chairman Dempsey, do you need spotters on the ground to be more precise in your airstrikes in Syria and is that what's stopping you from helping the Kurds along the Turkish border right now?
SEC. HAGEL: Well, first of all, we're in the process of setting up the vetting system for those that we will begin training, moderate opposition Syrian fighters.
Q: But who is the head of that opposition?
SEC. HAGEL: Well, we don't have a head of it, in that we are vetting and will continue to vet through our regional partners, State Department, intelligence departments, as they will build their coalitions with our help, We're not gonna instruct them as to who their leaders are. They'll make their own decision on who their -- who their leaders are.
