Crisis talks between truckers and the French government looked set to continue into Thursday
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.
The most popular articles
Ensuring that women are protected from physical, sexual or psychological abuse if they flee abroad is what lies behind the proposed European Protection Order.
more »
Remnants of Tropical Storm Agatha dumped more rain across Central America, killing at least 73 people in the region, and forcing scores of others to flee their homes.
more »
Ninety-three-year old Lim Guan Siew looks back, with regret, on her experience of the long-dispelled Chinese custom of foot-binding.
more »
Ahead of the 2010 No Tobacco Day (Monday 31st May), the European Commission unveils the results of a Eurobarometer survey which shows that a strong majority of EU citizens support stronger tobacco control measures.
more »
Enviromentalist and endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh puts his body to the test in thin air and cold water to highlight shrinking glaciers in high mountain ranges.
more »
It’s a dog’s life for the 1,500 unwanted strays who spend their days in a slum-like shelters in Brazil’s southern city of Caxias do Sul.
more »
Three resolutions on the situation in Thailand, the pre-election climate in Burma and religious freedom in Pakistan were adopted by the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday.
more »
Growing numbers of children enroll in kung-fu schools to learn self-defense techniques after a series of school attacks in recent weeks spark wide-spread concern in China.
more »
Homosexuality in the military can be a thorny issue around the world, with gay and lesbian soldiers often hiding their sexual preference out of fear.
more »
European Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding will urge EU Member States to swiftly ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities during a May 19 Ministers’ meeting in Zaragoza, Spain.
more »