TURMOIL

	September 13 , 2000
	This background report on the unrest in Europe over high oil prices is followed by a panel discussion.

JIM LEHRER: Now the oil uproar. In much of western Europe protests against high oil prices are leading to shortages at the gas pump. We have three reports from Independent Television News on the worst situation, the crisis in Great Britain. CAROLINE KERR: In Northrop, just before dawn today, farmers moved in to support drivers blockading a major oil distribution center. And that's an allegiance which is being repeated all around the country. With lorries and tractors side by side, these two groups are picketing most major fuel depots and refineries and bringing supplies to a halt across Britain. In Manchester, for example, there was no fuel at some petrol stations today. Others had sold out by mid morning, as hundreds of anxious drivers tried to stock up. The result: a wave of panic-buying creating huge queues at those garages which still had petrol to sell, and even there, supplies were rationed. In Edinburgh, there were more misery as drivers staged at the height of the morning rush-hour. Today the prime minister insisted such tactics would win no concessions from him. TONY BLAIR: We cannot and we will not alter government policy on petrol through blockades and pickets. That is not the way it is made policy in Britain, and as far as I am concerned, it never will be. CAROLINE KERR: But the protesters were not impressed by Mr. Blair's strong stance. PROTESTER: I thought always the duty of a government was to its inhabitants of that country. And I don't think Mr. Blair, you are looking after us. You are most certainly not doing what you were put in power for. CAROLINE KERR: With the blockade leaders determined to hold firm, they remained trapped all day. And by this afternoon, petrol companies were admitting that a quarter of garages were running out of fuel. PAUL DAVIES: Across the country, it turned into a desperate rush to fill up before the pumps run dry. A day of queuing and frustration, in the North where the protests first took hold to the south where London service stations are running out of fuel tonight, and tempers are becoming frayed. Well over half of all petrol stations in the country are now without fuel. Esso saved 50% of their stations have run dry. At Shell, it is 56%. Another 90%, BP, 67%, and Texaco say 67% of service stations have no petrol. There are claims tonight the protest outside fuel depots and refineries are starting to hit essential services. The health secretary says already operations are being canceled. In some parts of the country like Avon, the ambulance services stopped all but emergency work. The prime minister said tonight he hopes the tanker drivers will be able to resume their fuel deliveries within 24 hours. If he's wrong, it is thought all Britain will run out of fuel tomorrow, the capital is already facing that crisis tonight. This is one of the few petrol stations in London still operating. It has run out of unleaded and diesel and only small stocks of four-star left. As Tony Blair faces up to his first domestic crisis this protest is now affecting millions of motorists and threatening the economy -- a fact illustrated by an unusually quiet rush-hour on motor Rays around London as many motorists conserve their petrol, and the first signs of food rationing where leading supermarket is restricting sales of bread and milk because of fuel shortages. LINDSAY TAYLOR: They thought it was all over. One by one, the trucks have marched through the gates under police escort this morning -- the wagons rolling a welcome sight for the government after Tony Blair stated hope last night that things would begin to return to normal within 24 hours. Some trucks said to be delivering supplies to the emergency services were even applauded by protesters. Overnight, it looked like the band wagon might well go the government's way as the first of the lorries heeded the call to get moving, this to Esso distribution center at Hampshire. Elsewhere, there were similar scenes; it appeared government pressure on the oil companies was paying off. But back by mid morning, events started to take a different direction., indeed an about turn. Some gentle pleading from the protesters, and... SPOKESMAN: Carry on, boys. LINDSAY TAYLOR: Some drivers changed their minds about moving. If Tony Blair thought the disruption would start to fade, others had other ideas. In London, part of Park Lane was jammed as the protest neared the heart of government. With the message that lively -- hang in the balance because of high fuel costs.