Transport associations threaten to blockade refineries

Representatives of 20 regional transport company associations, enraged by the continuous increases in fuel prices, will meet tomorrow to discuss whether they should start blockading Polish refineries. "We have turned to the Prime Minister to intervene in order to stop the price increases. We demand a decrease of diesel oil prices by 30%," said the National Transporters Protest Committee (OKPP) president Andrzej Majewski. Others say, the protesters must act because they are on the verge of bankruptcy. Polski Koncern Naftowy (PKN) Orlen assures a blockade will not influence the quality of services provided. "We have special emergency reserves," said Tomasz Zakrzewski from PKN Orlen. But Andrzej Szczesniak from the Polish Liquid Fuels Chamber (PIPP) says the protest will virtually paralyze the country. He adds, the ones to be blamed are not only the OPEC countries but also the Polish government for imposing very high excise duties on liquid fuels. (Puls Biznesu, page 9)