Polish Fishermen Begin Fuel Protest

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Polish Fishermen Begin Fuel Protest

WARSAW, Sep 25, 2000 -- (Agence France Presse) Fishermen demonstrated against high petrol prices in most of Poland's fishing ports Sunday, launching the latest in a wave of fuel protests to hit Europe, the principal fishermen's organization said.

Around 300 trawlers lowered their flags and sounded their foghorns at around midday (1000 GMT) in a demonstration planned to last four hours.

"The protest is intended to bring our situation to the government's attention," said Maciej Dlauhy, president of the national fishermen's association. "We're trying to get a meeting with the finance minister."

The fishermen are seeking government compensation for increased fuel costs as well as minimum price guarantees for the fish they sell, Dlauhy said.

The Polish government announced the suspension of customs duties on fuel imports last Wednesday, after taxi drivers and truckers mounted go-slow protests a week ago. ((c) 2000 Agence France Presse)

http://www.centraleurope.com/polandtoday/news.php3?id=202662

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), September 25, 2000


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