This is the 500th issue of AWN.
When the newsletter started over 10 years ago I did not think that it would
still be going strong, let alone that I would still be editing it, so far into
the future. Many thanks to the various other people who
helped when I was away on holiday etc. and especially to Carolyn Colvin-Smith
who was editor for several years after I left Andorra. May I congratulate any reader who has
managed to read all 500! Ed.
MAIN NEWS
TO SHOOT OR NOT TO SHOOT (CONTINUED)
More than 600 hunters began the isard shoot for 3 days starting on
September 11 with licences to kill 146 animals although only 103 were counted
by the wardens in the wild (the reports do not state whether this number
includes females and kids who are protected from shooting). The Director of the
Environment in Catalunya, Ramon Luque, said he was keeping a close watch on the
situation. However the first day on September 11 ended with a major incident.
The police and wardens are investigating the shooting of an adult female Roe
deer, which was hidden, found near the river Sant Josep at Pas. They are
legally protected from being shot. 4 further isards have been found shot. None
carried a ring, which would have showed that they were part of the legal quota.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Joel Font (Ministry of Economy) has rejected the idea that drivers should
have driving licences with points which could be deducted for driving offences.
The Ministry has judged that the system is “unnecessary in view of the low
number of accidents.” Sr. Font is however in favour of stronger sanctions
against certain offences such as drink-driving and speeding.
The Constitutional
Court has warned the
Government that it is going about the situation, regarding the Madriu valley, the
wrong way. The Tribunal has reported this to the Comus
of Escaldes and Encamp who are seeking to reverse a United Nations decision to
protect the valley from development.
The new school term stared on September 12 with a total of 648 more
pupils than last year. The French system still has the highest number of
pupils, but the biggest increase was in the Andorran schools. The Andorran
pupils in La Massana returned to new classrooms. The kindergarten and primary
section opened with 232 pupils. The majority (except for the very young pupils)
had been studying up till now in prefabricated classrooms.
Andbanc
was awarded the 2005 prize by the prestigious British magazine Banker for being
the best bank in Andorra. The bank was formed 3 years ago by the merger of Banc Agricol and Banca
Reig.
Torrential rainfall on the evening of September 6 flooded the basements
of several buildings. The Fire Service was called out many times to pump out
water. especially in Escaldes and Encamp.
Josep
Maria Cabanes, Minister for Justice and the Interior, has defended himself and
the police against criticism by the Syndic. He has however admitted that the
police are overworked.
The forfait (season ticket) for Gran Valira,
which covers Pas-Grau Roig and Soldeu-el Tarter, will now extend to “Porte des
Neiges” with its new chairlift and ski slopes.
A resident in Andorra for the last 3 years, Pablo Cauto, aged 38, was killed in a motorcycle
accident at about 5
am. on September 10.
It is believed that he lost control whilst riding over the “sleeping policeman”
and hit a tree and lamppost.
The mountain rescue team were called to retrieve the body of a Dutch
motorcyclist, aged 44, who came off his bike and fell 20m down a gully near Os
de Civis.
The Director General of Radiotelevisio Publica, Gualbert Osorio, stated
that this year they would look to Catalunya if a suitable candidate could not
be found in Andorra to sing as the countries’ entry in the Eurovision Song Contest. He said
that he had studied local talent.
The work on modernising the Avenue Carlemany will start in the second
half of 2006.
The government has approved an annual quota 4750 immigrant workers. The
quota, which used to be 6-monthly, will be annual from now on.
The secretary of the Trade Union, USdA, Jordi March,
was sentenced to 8 months, conditional, for ill-treating a 7-month-old baby in
his care.
A 39-year-ols Philippino workman fell 7 metres
from an empty building in Paraires
Street, Escaldes on
September 16. He is now in intensive care.
The cost of public transport will go up from the beginning of next year
because of the
increased cost of diesel.
Andorra’s
football team drew with Finland in its latest game. This has helped them climb one place in their group
so that they are no longer bottom. They had previously beaten Macedonia
and drew with them in the return match.
AROUND THE PARISHES
Sant Julia de Loria
has two places at la Rabassa and la Peguera that could receive ashes from the
new incinerator all the year round. An investigation shows that of the six
possible sites none was totally satisfactory.
Encamp There will three
more policemen at Pas from this autumn, according to the Minister of The
Interior. They will combine 24-hour shifts at the frontier with more street
patrols, to calm the population’s fears about increased violence and robberies.
Escaldes. A serious technical
error that has only just been detected in Prat del Roure has caused the comu to
call an extraordinary session before signing the contract for the works.
HEALTH MATTERS
8 years after the incident of contaminated water at Besillosa the case
has finally reached the courts Teixido water blames the comu for the 1997
contamination. The company owner, Guillem Areny, admitted that he might not
have done enough but blamed the comu for the fecal matter which found its way
into the supply. The judge found that there had been other problems caused by
the lack of upkeep.
The government together with all the health workers in the country agreed
that the Health Service must be reformed. The increase in cost is the main
reason.
Andorra
has asked Spain for help in the case of a flu epidemic this winter. The Minister for
Health recently met her Spanish opposite number and this was one of many
matters discussed.
(JUST) OVER THE FRONTIER
A landslide on the C-14 near Oliana will delay roadworks near the fall.
The Working Community of the Pyrenees (CTP) closed its 23rd
meeting in Barcelona by demanding that an urgent plan to develop the
French/Spanish infrastructures be started immediately especially extending to a
link road to Seu airport
GENERAL AND CLUB
There will be a memorial
service for Peter Shepherd on Saturday 24 at 11.30
am. in Arinsal Church. Light
refreshments will be served after the service.
Do not forget the trip to
the Barcelona Boat Show on October 27 and 28. You should already have received
a circular but if you would like to book or get more details please contact Ron
Spiers on 841817.
The Christmas Wine Party
will be on Wednesday November 23 at Hotel Xalet Ritz, Sispony. Wine and
generous canapés will be served and Ian West will entertain. Members
11 Euros Non-members 13 Euros. Come along for a great social occasion.
Contact Richard Hooker 835142 or bpl@andorra.ad
CLUB NEWS FOR
INCLUSION IN THE NEWS WEEKLY SHOULD PLEASE BE FAXED OR E-MAILED TO ME BY LATEST
5PM ON THE WEDNESDAY
PRECEDING THE DATE OF ISSUE, at my home 00 33 565 29 78
85 or bdore@wanadoo.fr
NEWS WEEKLY MAILING
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE BY E-MAIL to Henri FEILBERG
fielberg@andorra.ad Fax/Tel 837118 and Diana
Stansby stansby@andorra.ad Fax/tel
836210)
Email JOHN
PINNELL, CIA Box 182 Credit Andorra La Massana
