European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 22, 1978, Darmstadt, Hesse The Ada proposal would sharply clip the wings of the co princes who currently Are the roman Catholic Bishop of nearby Urgel Spain and president Valerie Giscard d Estwing of France whose pictures hang in Andorra Banks and government offices. The French president is still paid a nominal annual tribute of 960 French francs about $200j. Us Spanish Bishop is paid 460 Spanish pesetas about $5.50 plus six hams 12 Capone and 24 slabs of cheese. In addition to such folklore attributes the co princes retain supreme legislative and judicial Powers. Approval is required from both if the andorran administration wants for instance to import pornographic magazines granted this year or to License gambling casinos still banned. Some reformists fear that the project will be stifled by a conservative Clannish majority in the elected 24 member general Council which actually runs Andorra. That clan s Call for casting Blank ballots was heeded by less than one third of the voters. The country demands that the co princes respect the popular Richard Filer Vil Juana an andorran lawyer and Ada Leader said. Ada presses for immediate recognition of Andorra As a modern constitutional state with a democratically elected president a parliament and separation of the now confused executive judicial and legislative Powers. The co princes role would be one of moderators Filer explained. They would have a status similar to thai of the Crown in England. There Are no plans to drop them be cause they Are the Best guarantee for our there Are no plans either to change the fiscal Par Adise status which is attracting five million tourists annually and a growing number of foreign investors seeking a Haven for their Money. Andorra s residents including a Mere 7.000 Andor ran passport holders 15,500 Spanish and 2.000 French nationals As Well As about 400 British retirees pay no income or any other direct tax. And there is practically no duty on goods either. Schools where pupils Are taught in the catalan French and Spanish languages Are paid for by France and Spain which also run postal services and Issue an Dorra Stamps in their currencies. The excellent roads Are maintained by a private company in return for exploitation of Andorra s hydropower resources. There is no tax on cars. Tourists most of them from Spain or France provide the funds for almost All of the state s $10 million annual budget. Consumer taxes of two to four per cent Are included in the prices of All goods ranging from cigarettes to fur coals and the most sophisticated stereo equipment. The bulk of those revenues come from gasoline sold Al about 1.13 a than a million cars Cross into Andorra every about 2,400 shops and nearly 200 Gas stations have transformed the one time sheep raising Vaneys and smuggler hideouts into a huge year and everybody Hub up because it s half the French a. Is once said Casimir Abajol Uro. President of he state tourist office. In addition there arc the 22 000 cars registered among Andorra s 26,500 people. All told about 2,400 shops and nearly 2w Gas Gallons have transformed the one Lime sheep raising valleys and smuggler hideout into a huge super Market with annual sales estimated at close to $300million. The bargains Are belter than in the Airport Juty free shops and the Cloice is much marvelled a Bel Gian tourist. Imagine. 150 pesetas about $1 80 for a bottle of whisky brought Down Here All the Way from sol land. I really Don t know How they do the peseta is the Basic Money but there is no official currency. A dozen Banks accept deposits in All Western currencies. Holders of Swiss francs scared off by Switz Erland s restrictions on deposits by nonresidents Are said to be increasingly turning to Andorra. This win grow As a financial Center predicted a broker who advertises his services As a consultant on secret numbered accounts. There Are no parties no unions and no nation Al Bank telling the Banks what to do and the secrecy is better than in Switzerland because there Are fewer people who arc in Iho business also is thriving in real esl Alc. Demand is Sliff. A four bedroom super deluxe House with imported american fillings Sells at $200.000 about half the Iriceil would fetch in Switzerland. Andorra s explosive growth As a summer and Winter tourism Center Here Are 380 hotel has caused enormous headaches. The crime rate is Low by we slim standards and violent crime is virtually absent the last murder Case was re corded in 1w2. Bui we do have our Saida Luni Aleix Camp director of Andorra s 12 Man nation Al police Force and controller of the 15-Inmatc jail. We arc grossly list August. 450.000 cars drove into Andorra a new monthly record so dirt Spanish us loss controls on inc Way Back caused weekend vehicle backups stretching almost six Miles from the Border to the capital. A companion concern is How to Cope with the hundreds of tons of wrapping paper plastic bags and other waste left behind by inc shoppers. Trash receptacles have been put up almost every 60 feel in the sir cols. But How to Dis pose of the contents we have been living Here for four years and it s no bad considering inc advantages one has observed a British tax exile. But on summer Days life Here can become a Nightmare. We always try to flee during the Peak of the tourist 5�t Luv 22, 1978 picturesque Corners of Andorra Are harder to find these Days. The stars and stripes us Ous Schuettler Page 15
