Protests over high fuel prices and short supply are all over the world

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Saturday, 23 September 2000

Protests over high fuel prices and short supply are all over the world

THEY used to be a distinct ''monopoly'' of the Philippines. Public protests over escalating prices of oil products and shortage of supply are being staged in major capitals of the world these days. The British Broadcasting Corp. on television two days ago devoted most of its news broadcasts and feature programs to the widespread discontent.

On the same day, the London Stock Exchange had an equivalent of $36.00 per barrel of crude oil in its price index. The New York Stock Exchange quoted $37.00.

At the United Nations different councils are one in saying that the Oil Producing and Exporting Countries (OPEC) members are looking the other way on the negative effects of their recent maneuver.

These moves are: one, the unrealistic pricing structure of their crude oil products now in the world market; and two, limiting production of oil extracted from their fields. Thus, forcing prices to go up every now and then.

Developed countries are even adding fuel to the already smoldering crisis. They are condemning OPEC for their utter disregard of the plight of Third World countries which can barely afford to buy big quantities of crude oil and refined products.

The United States is up in arms against the manipulation of OPEC, warning the cartel that developing nations will likely go under because of the prohibitive prices of crude.

Japan which can very well afford any subsequent price increases of oil is also criticizing producers for their impractical pricing schemes.

Protests, protests

The BBC reports enumerated the following countries as actively waging protests against OPEC's absurd prices and their cutting of volume of production:

* Israel: statewide truckers were threatening to stop doing their work if they were not assured by both government and private suppliers of enough and sufficient supply.

* Great Britain: for days the kingdom seemed to be standing there paralyzed last week ever low oil stocks. The situation crippled mass transport passengers and employees, as well as private motorists.

A few days ago, protesters returned to work when assured of enough supply of oil.

* France: government plans of reducing fuel taxes in order to bring down pump prices were met with massive demonstrations.

* Germany: the European Union no less also lambasted the Bonn government of its plans to slash government taxes on imported oil.

* In both cases, protesters were saying that the proposed tax cuts would drastically reduce their benefits and subsidies coming from the government.

* Norway: eleven oil terminals in major cities were barricaded by angry workers and professionals. Their reason - high prices of oil products. For a time, the country's governance and private enterprise were "grinding to a halt."

* Finland: oil refineries were fenced off by citizens for selling lofty and senseless prices of their products.

* Spain: fishermen and trawlers blocked seaports in an effort to convince the Madrid government to scale down prices of fuel products.

Street terminals; other S.T.'s

House Speaker Manny Villar's much-talked about "S.T." television commercials are being given new snickering meanings by cynics.

The snail-pace flow of vehicles in and around the periphery of the Batasan area everyday is tagged with the "S.T." label by irate motorists - "Sobrang Trapic!"

Passers-by are suggesting that Villar assign some Marines and private security guards to help maintain order.

"S.T. ("Sarap ng Tulog") lang naman ang mga yan!"

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is getting the brunt of criticism by passengers and motorists everytime FX and ordinary taxis are due for their required calibration.

The disgusting and oftentimes unmoving bumper-to-bumper situation is always the cause of nightmares of residents and commercial establishments along East Avenue, V. Luna Road and the Piqahan district.

http://www.mb.com.ph/OPED/Cinco/2000/ec000923.asp

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), September 23, 2000

Answers

Sounds like the war cry of the masses in many countries will soon be (to their governments), "Throw the Bums out." (Hope the same attitude prevails in our country, come elction time, Nov. 7.)

-- JackW (jpayne@webtv.net), September 23, 2000.

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