DRIEBERGEN, 13/09/00 - Angry lorry drivers continued to take action yesterday, in the Netherlands and elsewhere. They blocked numerous busy motorways with their lorries in protest against the high fuel prices, while demonstrating taxi drivers caused enormous traffic jams on the ring road round Amsterdam.

Finance Minister Gerrit Zalm announced yesterday that the Cabinet will not make any decision about the possibility of compensating transport companies for the diesel price before Princes Day, next Tuesday. But he did say that solutions would be looked for. Zalm does not see any possibility for reducing taxes on fuel, as the French intend.

Locations blockaded by the campaigning lorry drivers yesterday included the Velser tunnel and the Benelux tunnel, and traffic was held back for hours on many other major motorways. Later in the day, various transport organizations held consultations on the situation, and the plans being made by many drivers for an organized day of action on Friday.

Meanwhile, the thousand or so Dutch canal boat transporters are also dissatisfied. High fuel prices have led to a considerable drop in their income. However, a spokesman for the barge operators claimed that there was no question as yet of protest action on the waterways as well.

In Belgium, the city center of Brussels was yesterday completely blockaded for the second consecutive day. Oil depots near Liege, Tournai, and Feluy were also besieged by lorries. In Germany, too, farmers and taxi drivers joined in the protests.

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the actions have already led to shortages. Thousands of petrol pumps were 'dry' yesterday. In Poland, road transport organizations are considering blockading access roads to oil refineries.