Syria Activists Share Advice on U.N. Mission
Anti-regime activists in Syria on Tuesday advised fellow citizens to be well prepared and have their facts ready ahead of a visit by a U.N. team set to tour the country to monitor a fragile ceasefire.
In messages posted on several Facebook pages, the activists listed 10 key points to keep in mind as the monitors prepare to visit several hot spots across the strife-torn country and speak to the local population.
"One million people should not speak at the same time to the monitors," advised the activists, including the Local Coordination Committees.
They added that any issues to be raised with the monitors must be discussed and prepared in advance and that well-spoken men, women and children should be picked to address the team.
The activists also advised that it would be best if locals who meet with the monitors in various towns or cities are able to speak a foreign language and if grievances are documented on paper.
They said that in addition, the monitors should be given maps of various towns and cities with identifiable landmarks so as not to be duped by authorities when travelling through the country.
"Present an honest picture without exaggerating," the activists advised.
They added: "Speak the truth, that's what freedom is about."
An advance team of unarmed U.N. military observers arrived in Damascus at the weekend to oversee a ceasefire aimed at ending 13 months of violence that the United Nations estimates has killed more than 9,000 people.
The U.N. has said it plans to increase the number of observers to 250 but not before certain conditions are met.
Source: Agence France Presse
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