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A United Nations convoy makes its way through Douma, Syria, on Tuesday.
DOUMA, Syria -- Surrounded by ancient olive groves, Douma is just ten miles from Damascus but it feels like another world. It is a city under occupation.
In Damascus, vehicles slow to a halt due to traffic jams. In Douma, there is no traffic. Only a few empty cars are parked on the roadside.
Shoppers crowd the capital's sidewalks and restaurants do a brisk business. But in neighboring Douma, sidewalks are empty and most of the shops are shuttered with corrugated metal sheets or padlocked steel doors.
NBC's Ayman Mohyeldin answers Syria questions
A few people walk quickly down the empty streets on what must be only the most necessary of errands. They stare straight ahead or look down as they walk.
Except for the noise of our three-vehicle convoy speeding through town, there is silence.
ITV's Bill Neely reports from both sides of the frontlines in Syria. Each side accuses the other of the same crimes and neither is willing to stop fighting.
On Tuesday, we drove behind two vans of United Nations observers on a mission to Douma and Harasta to monitor the cease-fire.
Both cities have been bastions of resistance against the regime where residents stage flash demonstrations even after months of brutal crackdowns.
Report: Syria rebels get better weapons as US boosts support
However, there isn't much of a cease-fire left to monitor. Syria is wracked by mounting violence and the U.N. teams have been caught up in two explosions and a shooting.
Opposition activists said the Syrian security forces have even opened fire on a funeral procession, killing at least 21 people. NBC's Ayman Mohyeldin reports.
So it's no surprise they speed down the streets and get out of their vans only twice in violence-prone Douma.
Some residents seem worried that the U.N. presence will spur attacks. A man standing with his little daughter and son pulls the girl inside and yanks his unwilling and crying son behind the metal door of his house as we pass. He slams the door shut.
A message to Assad? War games held miles from Syria border
Our driver points out snipers in the tall building in front of us.
Every few blocks we pass through military checkpoints, with armed troops behind sand-bagged barricades.
Little interaction
Led by a Moroccan, the U.N. monitors stop briefly at checkpoints to ask Syrian security if there has been any violence. A U.N. 'blue cap' shakes hands with a tiny child in a car stopped at a checkpoint. Otherwise, we do not see the U.N. interact with or talk to civilians.
They get out of their vans at a main checkpoint and the team leader waves us away as he goes to talk with a plainclothes officer in private. As we wait, police, soldiers and plainclothes security look nervously around.
Fifty-five people were killed and 372 were wounded when two cars exploded in Damascus, Syria earlier on Thursday. NBC's Richard Engel reports.
A soldier explains why they are on edge. "They shoot at us from here and there," he says as he points to neighboring buildings.
He claims the opposition still manages to evade the tight security cordon to spirit in weapons and ammunition. But the military shoots back.
Syria violence spills into streets of Lebanon's Tripoli
According to activists, a civilian was killed in Douma the day we visited and YouTube video which NBC News cannot verify later showed snipers shooting randomly at the city's streets.
We cross into Harasta, a much livelier town. It is market day. A few shoppers check out vegetables heaped on trays.
We jostle for position with other cars. Some stores are open and a few shoppers buy bread from a functioning bakery.
Oddly, the town is still silent. There is no chatter or laughter as people go about their business.
It is as if the city is on mute.
We pass back through the tense quiet of Douma on our way to the main highway to Damascus.
We are rejoined by a car full of Syrian intelligence and three carloads of journalists from pro-regime Syrian TV and Al Dunya TV who accompanied us to Douma. They had elected to wait outside the city, unwilling to risk the anger of local residents.
Our visit, however fleeting, revealed a part of Syria normally seen only in grainy activist video.
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Leave a Comment:
It looks like every time these governments are undermined in the name of democracy, the battles turn into terrorist free for all. The decent people are the ones that are punished.
I agree many people are caught in the fire between the rebels and the military. It does seem to be a breeding ground for terrorists, which to me represents another interest then the two already fighting.
We all define 'terrorism' our own way. The military definition is; the use or threat of violence in order to impose one's religious, political or ideological beliefs on another - kinda like what the U.S. did in Iraq, what al-qaida does day to day or what Timothy McVeigh did in OK. I define terror as mind-numbing, muscle-paralyzing fear. 2 ways to combat it - Be a good neighbor & pray, or go to the corner of the room furthest from the window, pull your knees up under your chin, put a blanket over your head & repeat "it's not real, it's not real, until you get tired of livin' like that.
Like the Russian revolution in 1917?
In the context of what most people call terrorists today, is not necessarily true of those fighting Assad's military....Granted there may be some terrorists running around in Syria, but that does not mean those who are fighting and have been fighting against ASSad are terrorists, as most define a terrorist,,Once this is over and things are sorted out, then judge who was a terrorists...speculation is just that speculation and no one here can prove 100% that all those fight ASSad are terrorists...
For a change, why can't the Jewish lobby in the US and Jews of Israel permit Shiites and Sunnis kill each other?
It is better to have patience instead of jumping gun every time.
Wait for the enemies to become weaker.
Ain't nothing new. In the Nam, while Hue was going through a ball-busting cataclysm, Saigon was conducting busines as usual. The names on both sides (terrorist, rebel, patriot, ad nauseum...) change according to whose side the journalist is on. And journalists know, the paycheck equals the drama. You have 3 options - join the one you think will win, join the side you think is right or stay innocent. But the innocents have the highest mortality rate. The U.N. are pretty much useless, as proven in the last few weeks.
My bad. Fourth choice - sell the guns to both sides. In war, the only winner is the supply Sgt.
Ghost - That is the real science behind these quagmires $$$. Big money to be made in the military business, by the Zionist, banks that control the economies of the world.
Assad is one of the best rulers compared to Saudi, Kuwaiti and other Sunni rulers.
The rebellion is orchestrated by the highly bigoted Sunni Saudis, UAE and other Sunni Arab League members and kept alive by propaganda blasts by their agents in oil companies, media and political agents.
These rebels are supported by the Saudi al-Qaida, Muslim brotherhood and other Sunni extremist groups.
How many look into what go on in Bahrain, Yemen, Iraq and other Muslim nations?
We have no roles in the Shiites vs Sunni battles.
Let them kill each other to hearts content.
Not being sarcastic - you don't think CIA has chips in this game? I mean, Syria is a perfect jump off point if one were contemplating goin' into Iran.
For CIA, Pakistan should be jump off point. Or else, it was total waste of time and monies to have kept Pakistan alive in the map.
Even on Syria and Iran, wait for a decade to let Shiites and Sunnis kill each other.
Then worry about whomever we want.
Let's get one thing strait. I don't care about the Syrian government or the "Rebel" groups. They are one in the same. It's the culture of these backwards nations that's the problem.
The media is trying to build support for the rebels like they are the good guys. Nothing will change if Assad falls. It will be the same crap different leader.
The year 1775, civilians fighting against tyranny. Oh well, that was just a fairy tale.
Fairy tale maybe - but we can choose to live the dream. FIRST - "we must all hang together or yadda, yadda, yadda...
Nothing but a form of population control. The UN is a useless org. as it says NOTHING about Mexico. The UN longs to become the NWO dictators to the worlds nations.
You know its funny when we try to define movements , the people in Iraq were terrorist when they were trying to fight the NATO invaders , the rebels in Libya were freedom fighters , even thought they were mostly Alqaeda THUGS THAT Qatar and NATO brought in to fight another thug , the Qaddafi regime , The Alqaeda in , ( Chechnya) , Russia they were freedom fighters , these thugs in Syria, even thought that our own Leon Penatta , said they were Alqaeda , But to us they freedom fighters and we are supplying them , it just happened that the Euhud Barrack from Israel just called on NATO and the US and Turkey to send troops to Syria, and off course they want them to attack Iran as well , Have anyone notice that the whole US policy surround the countries that Israel have problem with, It does not matter if these countries ever done anything to harm the US or not , It's what Israel and these no good oil rich countries want us to do , When are we going to have a politician that have the guts to tell Israel , Enough is Enough , we are not going to lose our troops and our money to defend their war monger policy and greed, When are we going to stand up for the Saudis and tell to answer us about 9/11 , Or does any of them care ,
Ain't that the truth. War used to be the last resort when politics failed. Now, war is just louder politics & there are a lot of Jewish votes in Nueva York & Miami.
Sounds like Obamas vision for America. Probably never get the Muslim Brotherhood in over here but he can at least replicate their economy.
"CHILDREN SEEKING WORLD PEACE" (Short Film Script)
Opening Scene;
We see the Outside of the United Nations Building next we see a man dressed in a suite carrying a brief case walking into the building he approaches the Desk of the Chairman of the United Nations, pulls out a very large manila envelope and hands it to the Chairman. The Chairman opens the envelope, reads the paper work and scratches his head, looks up at the Special Carrier with a bewildered look on his face and says; Wow this is an Extremely Unusual Request and it comes from very unusual sources this is a First for me.
Carrier
What do you mean unusual request, who sent the letter ?
Chairman
Did you notice the Post Marks on this letter ?
Carrier
Yes I did, and it also has so many different kinds of stamps on it from around the World.
I have never seen so many Stamps on one envelope in my life, so who is it from and what are they want ?
Chairman
It appears that they are following up on an idea that originated from a Film Script Writer in America who came up with an Idea of writing a short Film Script he Calls "Children Seeking World Peace" The writer posted it on line and some of the Country Leaders around the World liked the idea so that they implemented it.
Carrier
Implement what ?
Chairman
Every Country in the World picked two Young Students from one of their schools a boy and a girl to represent their Country and are asking for a "SPECIAL UNITED NATION'S MEETING" that will be attended by all of the Leaders in the World but this is the Catch.
The adults are not to speak at this meeting, only the Children will be allowed to speak at this Special meeting called"CHILDREN SEEKING WORLD PEACE"
Carrier
Wow, I see what you mean when you said an unusual request and that is comes from an unusual source you were right about that.
Chairman
There's more this request gets even more stranger they are requesting that we install a large garden area next to the United Nation Building before this meeting takes place that we don't plant anything in the garden area just leave it bare dirt, there are to be small signs placed every two feet next to the rows in this garden area with the names of each Country in the World next to each one of these signs there will also be a watering can containing water.
Carrier
Do you think that the Board will consider this bizarr & unusual request ?
Chairman
Yes I do after all these are the Children of the World, the next Generation seeking the opportunity for them to be part of the Peace Process from their Generation and we should give them the opportunity to do so.
Scene Two;
We see the inside of the United Nations building where many young children are standing paired off one boy and one girl facing all of the Adult Leaders from around the World these Children are from all walks of life all different nationalities and all dressed differently.
Every Girl is holding a small pot containing a different flower in it in one hand and a small shovel in their other hand.
Each Boy is holding a small pot containing a different kind of plant in one hand and a small shovel in his other hand.
(all of these flowers and plants are beautiful and very colorful)
Every Boy & Girl from their Country are wearing Name tags with their Countries names on the tags. The Children are just standing there in silence.
The inside of this building is silent at first then we hear whispers coming from the Adult Leaders, what is this all about, what do they want, this is strange.
Next we see a girl step forward from the row of children following behind her is another girl and a boy they are all three standing there for a minute and the room gets silent.
Then the boy speaks,
I have been chosen to speak on behalf of all of the Children in this room. We are standing here before all of you representing the Worlds Next Generation, Your Worlds Next Generation. We only have a few words to say to all of you here today.
All of us had several things that we wanted to say to all of you today but we all decided that words are not enough without all of Our WORLD LEADERS making a Solid Commitment to end all Wars in Our World Today ! ! !
So, we only have three words to say to all of you here today... " PLEASE JUST STOP"
(one of the girls standing next to this young boy translates this message in all languages)
The three young children stand there for a minute in silence then one of the two girls step forward she says, we only have one more request to ask from all of you in this building today, please follow us to the garden area located just outside this building.
(the other girl translates this request in all languages)
The other children in the building follow the three children exiting the building followed by the Adults.
Third Scene;
We see all of the children lined up still holding their flowers and plants in one hand and their shovels in their other hand they are paired off one boy and one girl standing along side of the garden rows facing their Countries signs that are placed in two foot sections of their Special Garden.
(we see all of the Adult Leaders standing around this garden in groups whispering to each other we can't make out what they are saying to each other but they have a confused look on their faces)
Next the same Girl that spoke earlier in the building is holding a flower in one hand and a small shovel in her other hand says, I would like all of the Adult Leaders from their Countries to stand in front of their Countries signs facing each of us. (translated by the girl standing next to this girl)
The Adult Leaders line up in front of their Countries garden signs facing these children then every child bends down at the same time and digs a small hole in the ground in their two foot section of this Special Garden. (each two foot garden section now has two small holes dug in them and everyone is silent)
Next we see the same girl that spoke earlier stand up after digging her hole in the garden she hands her Adult Counter Part Leader her Potted Flower and says, each one of these Flowers that all of us has brought here today Represent WORLD PEACE for Our Future.
she continues..
All of the Children Around the World requested this SPECIAL UNITED NATIONS MEETING to beg all of the Leaders of Our world to help us Plant our Flowers here today to end all Wars in our World Immediately and all of the Plants that the Boys brought here today represent Commitment To Do So.
(translated again by the girl standing next to her)
Next we see the Boy that spoke earlier at the meeting hand his Adult Counter Part his potted plant then the Girl that is speaking looks over at all of the other Children that are still standing next to their garden and she nodes her head.
Then, All of the Children say the words together, in their own languages in a loud & begging tone. "PLEASE JUST STOP"
Next, We see all of the Children reach in their pockets, pull out a small bag and pour out a few of seeds into each of their Adult Counter Parts hands.
The Girl speaker then says,
we are giving all of you our seeds to take home with you so you can plant them in your gardens as a reminder of your Commitment all of you made here today to; END ALL WARS In Our World IMMEDIATELY..THESE SEEDS ALSO REPRESENT FORGIVENESS for without forgiveness there can be no PEACE, so please pass these seeds on to your transgressor so the Peace Process can begin. (translated by the girl standing next to her)
Last Scene
We see all of the Adult Leaders bent down next to the Children planting the Children's Flowers & Plants together in their"Special World Peace Garden" Located in Front Of the "UNITED NATIONS BUILDING"
Fade Out..
Written by, Michael V. Caldwell, Always Striving To Be Part Of The Solution, Using Respect & Common Sense As My Guidelines To Follow At All Times...
Respectfully,Thank all of You, for taking the time to read this IMPORTANT & Very Badly Needed message.
"DREAM BIG DO BIG"
________________________________________________________________________________________
All Countries Have A Choice Of What Kind Of Road They Build Together & What Kind Of Road They Build Will Determine Where That Road Takes Them.
"ROAD TO PEACE" (film short story)
Opening Scene: (filmed in black & white, silent film)
We see an old Soldier walking down a dirt road with a machine gun under his arm
and carrying his young son on his shoulders.
The young boy and his father are dressed in their combat clothing and the boy
also has a machine gun gun tucked under his arm, suddenly they stop.
(our camera pans to a person sitting on a large rock on the side of the road)
We see the back of this person only, the person is wearing a black hooded robe
with their hood raised up.
(we pan back to the old soldier and his son)
The old soldier places his son on the road then pushes him in the direction
of the hooded stranger.
The young boy walks cautiously up to the stranger with his gun drawn
upwards as he gets closer we notice the person is small in stature then the boy
points
the gun at the back of the strangers head.
The stranger turns around slowly then we see it is a young girl, the girl
is the same age as the boy.
The young girl places a daisy in the barrel of the boy's gun.
(at that instant our film changes to color and remains in color)
Next, we see they young boy standing there with a blank look on his face he
then drops the gun on the ground, the gun vanishes and where the gun was we see
three books there instead.
The boy picks up the books curiously, then turns and looks in the direction
where his father was with an astonishment look.
(we show a close-up on boys face then we pan our camera to the father)
The boy's father is now standing there dressed in a white shirt and slacks and
holding sets of plans tucked under his arm in the place of a gun.
(we pan back to boy and girl)
We see the boy standing there dressed in the same attire as his father, with
three books tucked under his arm in place of his gun staring at the girl that
is still sitting on the rock, the girl has long curly brown hair and is now
wearing white clothing, she also has three books sitting next to her.
Closing Scene:
We see the backs of all three of them walking down the road towards the setting
sun, the boy and the girl are holding hands both of them carrying three books
tucked under their arms.
The father has three sets of building plans tucked under his arm and is walking
with his head up high..
Fade Out End...Or Beginning Of A Brighter Badly Needed Future For Our World.
zzzzzz.....
shorten it up, gasbag
zzzzzz..... agree
And as the articles illustrates, once again the UN does their level best to do nothing.
The so-called monitors barely got out of their van and when they did, spoke to one Assad's plainclothes men and then shook the hand of a child. I'll sure the kid and the secret policeman gave him all kinds of useful infomation and lots of insight to what's going on.
you wanna know why it's become a breeding ground for terrorist..... the U.S has been supplying wepons to Al-CIA-Da...... just like Libya.... just hope ur boy Obama don't start sending those drones there
another war go figure
Israel and arabia are suplying all this terrorists with money arms weapons ,gulliani was in london pushing to send the terrorist organization of macks to disturbe in syria, when the usa will do somethingh in arabia, most of the terrorist that attack the usa en 9-11 where arabians, why the usa and nato do not do nothingh in bahrain, the goverment is supresing the people that want to trow the kings there, why the media here did not say a thingh???? you want to now why??? arabia, is a friend of usa, so we did not say nothingh about the revolt there and the brutality, that the police there is doing there,
Because we pick and choose our friends , Saddam was a good man when he fought the Iranians , we gave him the chemical weapons , and Rumsfield was there shaking his hand and hugging him , till his job was done and we went after him, and so was QADDAFI and Noriaga in Panama , so they are good guys as long they were our SOB'S , and they turn real bad when we done with them , Assad is the only leader that allow Christians to live in peace and practice their religion , and you what these Muslim Wahhabi killers doing to them now. Just like they did in Iraq,Libya , Egypt, and now Syria , and what we doing about it , Send arms to these Alqaeda rebels. we should be ashamed , Ask the SAUDIES IF YOU CAN PRACITCE YOUR CHRISTIAN RELIGON THERE OR IF YOU CAN BRING A BIBLE TO THERE COUNTRY.
Well why do we really give a crap what happens over there? Our meddling in their business just cost americans to much money and they know how to handle their people best. There will never be any peace over in some of the countries. We don't need any of the immigrants from over there. Send the muslins back and let them fight it out. We need to take care of our countries needs first. If we have billions and trillions of dollars to waste, then why are we in such distitute need of jobs. Just send all americans who have been paying in all these taxes a huge refund or get the social security payments up to livable rate and no cost insurance. To heck with throwing away another dollar on the rag heads.
So Civilians are scared and hide in rebel occupied areas and in the capital & other (military strongholds) people just go about there business. Can you see who the people are really afraid of here.