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Re: Petrol problems in Europe

To: mgraziano@mindspring.com
Subject: Re: Petrol problems in Europe
Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2000 17:01:45 -0700
Cc: Ajhsys@aol.com, spridgets@autox.team.net, mgs@autox.team.net
Organization: WFO Racing
References: <Springmail.105.968884299.0.60647000@www.springmail.com>
At least "they" are doing something.

mgraziano@mindspring.com wrote:

> from CNN:
>
> Fuel protests: UK government gets the blame
>
> Taking time out in the petrol queues
> September 12, 2000
> Web posted at: 7:37 PM EDT (2337 GMT)
>
> By Ann Busby, CNN.com writer
>
> LONDON, England -- The motorists cramped in their cars in the long queues 
>outside UK petrol stations on Tuesday may have been frustrated, but most were 
>agreed that the inconvenience was a price worth paying.
>
> For as fuel protests continued across Europe, there was general agreement in 
>Britain -- where the demonstrations have hit hardest -- that the disruption 
>was not the fault of the hauliers and farmers blockading oil depots.
>
> Tempers may have been running high as fuel supplies ran low or dried up 
>altogether, but the anger of motorists was aimed at the government and its 
>high fuel taxes.
>
> "Motorists in this country are being ripped off and I agree with what the 
>protesters are saying even though what they're doing affects me," Jonathan 
>Braimah told CNN.com, after he visited 15 petrol stations in London in an 
>unsuccessful bid to fill up his car.
>
> "People understand that the government needs to raise money to fund schools 
>and hospitals but I think they'd prefer to pay a penny more in income tax -- 
>that's more honest at least than taking more and more from drivers."
>
>    MESSAGE BOARD
> Inside the United Kingdom
>
>
>
>    ALSO
> Blair moves to end growing UK fuel crisis
>
> Alternative power sources: pros and cons
>
> Fuel protests: Head to head debate
>
> Fuel crisis could endanger life: NHS
>
> Stalemate amid Belgian fuel protests
>
> Oil prices drop
>
> Clinton says watching oil market 'very closely'
>
>
>
>
>
> It is a feeling echoed around the country.
>
> "The protest causes major disruption, which I disagree with, but overall I 
>agree with the protesters," one disgruntled driver in Scotland told the BBC.
>
> Beryl Rhodes, from the northern English town of Rotherham said: "It's 
>worrying because lack of fuel affects so many other things -- emergency 
>services, supplies of food -- but petrol is just too expensive in this country 
>and people sympathise with the demonstrators."
>
> One woman told CNN: "I think it's great. It's time British people stood up 
>for themselves."
>
> Words like "horrendous", "scandalous" and "ridiculous" are frequently used to 
>describe the price of fuel in the UK, which is the highest in Europe.
>
> And the protesters, angry at UK Prime Minister Tony Blair's refusal to follow 
>the French government in making concessions, are confident they have the 
>support of the public.
>
>
> There is widespread support for the blockades
> "Tony Blair has made a gross mistake and has grossly underestimated the will 
>of the country," said Brynle Williams, a spokesman for protesting farmers and 
>truckers.
>
> Certainly members of the public were showing their support for demonstrators 
>outside BP Amoco's gigantic refinery at Grangemouth, on the Firth of Forth in 
>Scotland.
>
> As passing drivers honked their support, local people handed out mugs of 
>vegetable soup to guard against the chilly autumn day.
>
> "It's a load of rubbish. We'll strangle London… We will bring it to its 
>knees," he said outside the Woodford oil terminal near the north-western city 
>Manchester, where he was one of around 50 people setting up camp for the night.
>
> Some motorists are less certain of the demonstrators' determination.
>
> "I suspect it'll blow over soon because people in this country are fickle. 
>Those taking the action will abandon their principles once their personal 
>lives become inconvenienced," Joanne Walker, from Manchester, told CNN.com.
>
> Her friend Fiona Wall is hoping that is the case. She is getting married in 
>Manchester on Saturday. Her mother and siblings live in Newcastle, in the 
>north-east, more than 230 km (144 miles) away.
>
>
> Beating the blockades in Belgium: One man's solution
> "I'm getting increasingly worried that they won't be able to make it to my 
>wedding," she said.
>
> Tony Blair's hard line has won support from environmentalists.
>
> "Greenpeace agrees with the government - it is absolutely right not to reduce 
>fuel taxes," said Stephen Tindale, a British spokesman for the environmental 
>group.
>
> But the Prime Minister may be mistaken if he believes, as he said on Tuesday, 
>that the British people understand the government cannot change policy in 
>response to illegal blockades.
>
> In the words of motorist Colin Spriggs: "Tony Blair says he's adamant that 
>he's not going move on this issue but I think he better had or he could well 
>find himself moving in the next general election."
>
> Ajhsys@aol.com wrote:
> > What's going on over there?  Is there a shortage, or are protesters just
> blocking delivery?  How are you getting about?  Is the air pollution getting
> better now that nobody can drive?  Is this problem a result of the last list
> thread on petrol prices in the UK?
>
> Just curious to hear more from our friends across the pond.
>
> Allen Hefner
> SCCA Philly Region Rally Steward
> '77 Midget
> '92 Mitsubishi Expo LRV Sport


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