European Fishermen Halt Strike, Farmers Surge On

Paris, France (AHN) - French and Spanish fisherman have returned to work Monday after holding protests against the rising fuel prices.

The announcement came after a series of negotiations in Madrid that involved an agreement from Brussels to send aid to the workers suffering from the 30 percent marine fuel price increase, the main issue of the three-week industry halt.

Despite the calm, however, European land workers decided to extend their protests with increasing violence. The protests have begun to turn into a series of riots involving the blockages of significant industry points all across France.

French officials have resorted to the use of tear gas in an attempt to disperse a fracas of farmers hurling bottles at the police while blocking the Total oil depot in the area of Frontignan.

Responding to the incidents, President Anibal Cavaco Silva of Portugal urged Portuguese strikers to subdue their protests and await results from the negotiations. He also expressed his anticipation of "positive results" to come from the Madrid dialogue.

Several other protests obtained the support of industry vehicle drivers, as 50 trucks and 100 taxi cabs blocked another Total depot in Marseilles, which took place simultaneous to other demonstrations in the areas of Nice, Lille, Cherbourg, and Strasbourg, among others.

According to Jean-Paul Deneuville, the secretary general of a French truckers' association, the workers are awaiting a response from the government regarding solutions to alleviate the workers' burdens brought about by the price increase.

Deneuville expects an answer from transport minister Dominque Bussereau "by the end of the week."

Reports revealed that British fisherman are set to launch their own protest, scheduled to be held Tuesday in front of the Agriculture Ministry located in London.