Spanish truckers set to begin protest about the high fuel costs

The Associated Press

6/7/2008

MADRID, Spain — A drivers group says Spain’s truckers will begin nationwide protests about high fuel costs with a slow drive into the center of Madrid.

Transport Defense Platform spokesman Juan Antonio Jimenez says the “snail” protest, featuring scores of trucks from around the country, is the first of a series of actions due to culminate in a countrywide strike likely to paralyze food and fuel deliveries.

Jimenez says trucks are to meet in Morata de Tajuna, 40 kilometers (25 miles) southeast of the capital, on Saturday evening and then drive to the Development Ministry.

Analysts have estimated that if the transport strike holds much of Spain will begin to run short of fuel and food by Thursday.