- Title: FRANCE: FARMERS JOIN TRUCK DRIVERS IN PROTEST AGAINST HIGH FUEL PRICES.
- Date: 5th September 2000
- Summary: DOUCHY LES MINES, FRANCE (SEPTEMBER 4, 2000)(REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. MV/GV: BONFIRE BUILT BY FRENCH FARMERS OUTSIDE FUEL DEPOT TO MARK THEIR SUPPORT FOR TRUCKERS (3 SHOTS) 0.18 2. MV: VARIOUS OF TRUCKERS AT BLOCKADE/ VARIOUS OF FOOD, WINE (3 SHOTS) 0.42 3. GV/MV: TRUCKERS SITTING BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES ON BALES OF HAY (3 SHOTS) 1.00 4. GV/CU: VARIOUS OF TRUCKERS COOKING SAUSAGES ON BARBECUE (2 SHOTS) 1.21 5. GV: TRUCK BLOCKING ENTRANCE TO FUEL DUMP 1.27 6. MV: FRENCH NATIONAL POLICEMAN SOCIALISING WITH TRUCKERS AT BLOCKADE 1.30 7. GV/PAN/CU: TRACTOR FORMING PART OF BLOCKADE, SIGNALLING SUPPORT OF FRENCH FARMERS WHO ARE ALSO PUSHING FOR LOWER FUEL PRICES/ BANNERS (5 SHOTS) 2.08 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 20th September 2000 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: DOUCHY LES MINES, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Reuters ID: LVA1ZY2Q2WU6DTZG37JEDV3LI8TZ
- Story Text: The athmosphere on one of France's biggest blockades at
a fuel reservoir in northern France was more reminiscent of an
annual fete than a dispute that threatens to throttle the
country's energy supplies.
The dispute that threatens France's energy supplies
entered its first night on Monday (September 4), with
something of a carnival atmosphere prevailing at one of the
largest blockades, at a fuel depot in the north of the
country.
Children played in the grass, while their parents cooked
sausages on a barbecue and tucked into bread and red wine,
vowing to keep on manning the baricades until the French
government gave in to their demands.
Local farmers, who say that expensive fuel is costing them
their livelihood, joined in the protest at the giant oil
storage facility just south of Valenciennes.
They brought with them food and wine and lit a giant
bonfire outside the plant to show their support.
The protest was one of several that blockaded petrol
depots and refineries across France, and, by the afternoon,
pumps ran dry after panic buying in some cities.
The protesters started blocking roads, heading out of
depots with their trucks at midnight on Sunday (September 3)
and settled in with food for a protracted stay.
Federation of Road Hauliers (FNTR) said access to 60 oil
depots and 10 refineries was cut off. The protest spread to
the Paris area after midday.
Off camera, at the depot in Douchy, farmers and truckers
said they expected to be there for at least one week.
And the carnival athmosphere did not last. A Reuters
journalist was threatened by several truckers who did not want
the celebrations to be filmed.
And the French police, as in so many recent disputes that
have blocked the country, stood by.
(ik/lh)
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