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Irish Independent - The Road To Damascus
By Senan Hogan
Monday August 06 2007
PROTESTERS blocking the M3 motorway passing near the Hill of Tara have
now turned their attention to a similar campaign in the ancient
Biblical city of Damascus.
The Syrian government wants to build an eight-lane motorway through two
ancient districts of the Syrian capital to improve infrastructure.
Angry local residents face eviction orders and have been offered
compensation to relocate.
Both Tara and Damascus are on the 2007 World Monuments Watch List of
100 Most Endangered Sites.
Damascus, which is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, is
also listed as a World Heritage Site. According to the Bible, St Paul
was converted to Christianity while on the road to Damascus.
Tara Watch spokesman Vincent Salafia described the motorway plans in
Damascus as "an abomination. It is another infrastructure versus
heritage debate but there is always an engineering solution to these
dilemmas. The motorway can probably be re-routed if a little more money
is spent."
Damascus is getting a facelift as it has been selected as Arab Cultural
Capital for 2008 by the Organisation of the Islamic Conference. The
proposed motorway is to run between Bab al-Salaam and Bab Touma, two of
the city's old gates. The government believes the road will make it
easier to get into the old city and lessen traffic inside its walls.
But conservationists argue many of the buildings being demolished are
of significant heritage importance.
The planned M3 runs through the heart of the Tara Skryne valley in Co
Meath and opponents claim it will ruin the landscape and destroy many
archaeological sites.
Work on the M3 was due to begin last summer but unforeseen
archaeological discoveries have delayed full construction, particularly
along the controversial stretch between Navan and Dunshaughlin.
Tara Watch campaigners plan another protest to Leinster House next
month.
Monday August 06 2007
PROTESTERS blocking the M3 motorway passing near the Hill of Tara have
now turned their attention to a similar campaign in the ancient
Biblical city of Damascus.
The Syrian government wants to build an eight-lane motorway through two
ancient districts of the Syrian capital to improve infrastructure.
Angry local residents face eviction orders and have been offered
compensation to relocate.
Both Tara and Damascus are on the 2007 World Monuments Watch List of
100 Most Endangered Sites.
Damascus, which is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, is
also listed as a World Heritage Site. According to the Bible, St Paul
was converted to Christianity while on the road to Damascus.
Tara Watch spokesman Vincent Salafia described the motorway plans in
Damascus as "an abomination. It is another infrastructure versus
heritage debate but there is always an engineering solution to these
dilemmas. The motorway can probably be re-routed if a little more money
is spent."
Damascus is getting a facelift as it has been selected as Arab Cultural
Capital for 2008 by the Organisation of the Islamic Conference. The
proposed motorway is to run between Bab al-Salaam and Bab Touma, two of
the city's old gates. The government believes the road will make it
easier to get into the old city and lessen traffic inside its walls.
But conservationists argue many of the buildings being demolished are
of significant heritage importance.
The planned M3 runs through the heart of the Tara Skryne valley in Co
Meath and opponents claim it will ruin the landscape and destroy many
archaeological sites.
Work on the M3 was due to begin last summer but unforeseen
archaeological discoveries have delayed full construction, particularly
along the controversial stretch between Navan and Dunshaughlin.
Tara Watch campaigners plan another protest to Leinster House next
month.
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