In message <>, Jordi Robert-Ribes
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes
>Dear friends of the Cafe,
>
>There's been a recent/current discussion in the Cafe that even if it's
>going on in Catalan, may be of interest to everyone. Below you have my
>little explanation of what's going on.
>
>Please, let me know if you want me to keep updating/translating what can be
>of interest.
The translations are appreciated. I find the discussion interesting but
in this forum we should perhaps try to remain focused on issues with
special relevance to Andorra. I see this as a discussion group about
Andorra. If it develops into a discussion group for Andorrans, it may
lose part of the wider audience.
>Feel free to participate in the discussion. Write in pseudo-Catalan (it's
>not a grammar exam!) or in English and it will be translated by me (if time
>permits) or (hopefully) someone else.
>
I have added a few comments below but tried to keep them brief.
Apologies that I have too little Catalan even to attempt a translation.
If anyone wishes to follow up, I would suggest taking it to direct e-
mail unless it is felt to be of interest to the majority of readers.
>Jordi
>-----
>
>Msg: Constitucio i Democracia.
>Anonimous message questioning that the Cosntitution has brought democracy
>to Andorra. No strong sindicates, no left parties.
>
Perhaps an indicator of Andorra's prosperity? Trade unions and parties
of the left tend to be strongest where there is a large underclass with
low income and social injustice. Andorra's prosperity, however, relies
heavily on the hotel and retail trades. These are industries which
globally tend to be low wage. The potential for social injustice may,
therefore, exist behind the apparently prosperous appearance. It is not
possible for a foreigner such as myself to judge whether the prosperity
benefits all or is concentrated in the hands of an influential minority.
>Msg: pk2
>pk2 = internet acronym for sinners.
>Democracy? And what happens to the hashish?
>I'm fed up of having to smell the smoke from people smoking. Rights for
>non-smokers!
>
Rights for both non-smokers and smokers (of tobacco)! Travelling in
France and Andorra, I find greater tolerance than we have here in
England where I believe we have become too regulated. For example there
is no longer any provision for smokers on public transport. France
still has smoking areas on the trains.
>Msg: re pk2
>By Bernat Escoda.
[ ]
>The canabis derivatives topic must be approached globally, not just
>repressively. All drugs (legal and illegal) must be taken into account.
>Hope that politicians will take this debate on board.
>
The economy of Andorra has a long history of benefiting from disparities
of price and availability compared with its neighbours. For those
things which are generally lawful it is healthy competition. However,
it can be a source of friction with neighbouring countries, as for
example with the recent discussions on tobacco taxation.
Whether this should extend to things which are illegal in other
countries is another matter. Whenever there is something which is
unavailable or highly taxed elsewhere, Andorra tends to become the
centre of attention. Andorrans should be free to control what goes on
in their own country as they think best but, being a readily accessible
country, they cannot entirely disregard what is unacceptable to their
neighbours. What is allowed in one country inevitably has a wider
impact.
--
E. J. Jewell (Hon. Librarian, Andorran Philatelic Study Circle)
<URL:http://www.chy-an-piran.demon.co.uk/>
<URL:http://www.chy-an-piran.demon.co.uk/index-fr.htm> (en fran�ais)
<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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