PARIS -- French authorities introduced fuel
rationing across large parts of the country
yesterday as a protest by freight-drivers and
farmers against spiralling oil prices triggered
the first shortages at the pumps.

. . .

Protesters also disrupted high-speed train
services from Bordeaux in the southwest,
setting fire to palettes and hay-bales along a
stretch of track in the Charente-Maritime
department, and forcing a dozen trains to be
delayed before the lines were cleared around
midday.

Dispatch Online

-- spider (spider0@usa.net), September 06, 2000