French Crisis Talks As Strike Squeezes Fuel

Published: 8 September 2000 y., Friday
Crisis talks between truckers and the French government looked set to continue into Thursday night as leaders sought to end protests over fuel taxes that have blocked roads and choked petrol supplies across the country. Although Premier Lionel Jospin drew the line at a 15 percent cut on Wednesday, out on the front line angry truckers blocking petrol stations and refineries seemed bent on forcing the government into a 20 percent reduction in diesel fuel taxes in a display of unrest now raising questions in Brussels. Farmers tried to block the Channel Tunnel freight train entrance and cab drivers traveling at a snail's pace in a protest code-named ``Operation Escargot'' also joined the protest. Transport Minister Jean-Claude Gayssot talked with truck union leaders for 90 minutes late on Thursday. The leaders left to consult their supporters and Gayssot agreed to meet them again separately at 1900 GMT and 2100 GMT respectively. Several hundred taxis turned out to protest at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, 600 in Bordeaux and 1,000 each in Lyon and Marseille, taxi union chief Alain Estival said.
Šaltinis: dailynews.netscape.com
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.

Facebook Comments

New comment


Captcha

Associated articles

The most popular articles

Debate on immigration and the environment in the EU

This Saturday, 24 April, the Carlos de Amberes Foundation is hosting two conferences of European experts on the environment and sustainability and immigration policies in the EU, organised by the Allianz Cultural Foundation in the context of the Allianz Alumni Academy. more »

Mumbai's Oberoi hotel to reopen

The Trident-Oberoi Hotel in Mumbai to reopen, following renovations after militant attacks in 2008 more »

Stranded tourists shelter in Harlem

Fresh from their wedding in Jamaica, British tourists Siobhan and David Monteith never thought for a minute that a volcano would interrupt their honeymoon. more »

Manila's bicycle message

The streets of Manila filled with a colourful display on wheels, just days before the world celebrates Earth Day’s 40th anniversary. more »

World's youngest king celebrated

Tens of thousands of Ugandans flocked to the hilltop palace of Africa’s youngest tribal ruler for two days of noisy parties marking a decade in power for the 18-year-old king. more »

Ancient arts performance in Taiwan

Colourful warriors leap across the stage at the 6th annual Songjiang Battle Array, in Neimen, southern Taiwan. more »

Product safety update

Consumers benefit from greater use of European product safety alert system and more effective market surveillance. more »

Migrant integration: Commission announces a new EU strategy and presents the third 'Handbook' at the Zaragoza Ministerial Conference

Representatives from all Member States are gathering for two days in Zaragoza from 15 to 16 April to discuss how migrant integration can become a driver for social cohesion in the EU. more »

1 million signatures for popular democracy

The much heralded "citizens initiative" to change EU laws has been given a cautious welcome by MEPs. Under the scheme - a major innovation of the Lisbon treaty - a million people can back a plan to introduce European legislation. more »

Michel Platini: Football and local authorities working together will score on social inclusion

Football shares Europe's values of integration, solidarity and social inclusion, and can play a significant role in helping the EU to promote them, especially at the local level where clubs are part of their local communities. more »