FRANCE: Government sends in riot police to free up fuel depots and students protest in Paris

Record ID: 340342

  • Title: FRANCE: Government sends in riot police to free up fuel depots and students protest in Paris
  • Date: 16th October 2010
  • Summary: RUNGIS, FRANCE (OCTOBER 15, 2010) (REUTERS) LINE OF TRUCKS AT RUNGIS, PARIS' MAIN FRUIT MARKET (3 SHOTS) (SOUNDBITE) (French) DRISS, A TRUCKER, SAYING: "We're filling up at petrol stations as much as possible, to save the fuel we have in depots as much as possible. But if this carries on, we won't be able to last too long either. We'll have to go fishing." TRUCKS (SO
  • Embargoed: 31st October 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA27QHIY7LMMXHF8RYE51Y1S9E5
  • Story Text: The French government on Friday (October 15) sent in riot police to clear at least half of the union blockades of fuel depots around the country in a bid to stave off threatened fuel shortages in the latest twist in the bitter standoff between President Nicolas Sarkozy and unions over plans to raise the minimum retirement age.
    As much of France was rushing to the fuel pumps to fill up and beat shortages, riot police lifted union blockades at four major depots around the country. Elsewhere, riot police clashed with students who were taking to the streets in increasing numbers to protest the reforms.
    No incidents were reported outside refineries by midday, but union officials protested the move and said they would cause problems in other areas as part of their protest against the measures. The government says the reforms are essential to ensure the long-term survival of the pension system.
    At Fos-sur-Mer refinery and depot, a line of police in full riot gear stood by as trucks entered to fill up on fuel to deliver to petrol stations where fuel was beginning to rule out.
    "This isn't the end of it. The government's got to understand that it's going to have to sit round a table. If they push us out, it must be because we're been a problem for them. So we'll cause them problems elsewhere in any case," said a shop steward of the CGT trades union.
    But at Donges in western France, striking refinery workers had built a barricade of burning tyres as they waited for the arrival of the police, which they viewed as inevitable.
    In Paris, one trucker said he feared fuel stocks were starting to run out.
    "We're filling up at petrol stations as much as possible, to save the fuel we have in depots as much as possible. But if this carries on, we won't be able to last too long either. We'll have to go fishing," he said.
    Striking railway workers turned out to show their support, as union officials decried the government's tactics.
    In central Paris, a group of high school students tried to protest outside the Prime Minister's offices, but were kept back by a line of riot police.
    In Paris, a small group of students tried to protest outside the prime minister's office, but were held back by riot police.
    A far greater quantity -- several hundred -- demonstrated in the port city of Marseille chanting slogans critical of the government and demanding the project be withdrawn.
    And in Lyon, police fired teargas to disperse a few hundred students who had gathered to protest the measures.
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