Panama diverts Unesco delegation

Residents of Casco Viejo had their flags and banners standing by in the past week, ready to unfurl them in time for the October 15 arrival of a Unesco  delegation. (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).

The representatives of the international body were scheduled to come to Panams to review the progress of promised three  studies of alternative ways   to build the third phase of the Cinta Costera, an encircling beltway a viaduct and a tunnel.

But, on the eve of the visit the government moved the meeting to January next year.

According to La Prensa Farank Levy, deputy director of the National Institute of Culture (INAC), the institution was to  bear all expenses and the funds were needed for other  purposes

Another wrench thrown into the works was the break up of the ruling coalition which led to the firing of the director of Inac,Maria Eugenia Herrera,  followed by the appointment of Levy, and then, a month later the re-instatment of Herrera. We must remember that breaking the alliance between government and the Panamanian Democratic Change, in Sandra Cerrud, director of Heritage,  indicated that no work will begin on the property of outstanding universal value in  the Old Town of San Felipe, until the World Heritage Committee of Unesco  has received the studies.
Panama undertook in June this year, to deliver the three studies of  likely options to the Committee. 

Meanwhile The Ministry of Public Works announced this week, the start of the first stage of the work of the third phase,

Members of the community and business association of Casco Viejo (AVACA) have described the postponement as a nightmare, and fear that the government is moving ahead to favor President Martinelli’s choices between a road around the old city  or a disfiguring causeway from Avenida Balboa to Avenida de los Poetas, fronting Chorillo.

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