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Angry Hauliers Plan Slovakia-wide Traffic Blockade If Demands Aren't Met
Monday 11 January 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, January 11 (TASR) - Discontent small and medium-sized hauliers can take part in Monday's talks on the new road-toll system and a possible cut in excise tax on fuels at the Government Office in the afternoon, but only if they stop their protests, said head of the Government Office press department Brano Ondrus on the same day.
"Prime Minister (Robert) Fico insists on his demand. He will hold talks with the hauliers only if they terminate the blockade of Roznavska Street (one of Bratislava's main traffic arteries)," said Ondrus.
Representatives of the Association of Slovak Hauliers (UNAS) came to the Government Office at the planned time of a meeting with Fico - 10 a.m. on Monday, despite the fact that the premier had already announced that he wouldn't meet them due to the continuing protests. Roznavska Street has been blocked by more than 100 lorries since Thursday, January 7.
UNAS completely rejects Fico's demands. "We won't end the blockade. We aren't making hostages out of the people of Bratislava, but the premier is, because he refuses to meet us despite the fact that we live in a democratic country," Jaroslav Polacek from UNAS said after the meeting with Ondrus. At the same time, he pointed out that the blockade could culminate in the sealing-off of all important traffic junctions in Slovakia. Polacek called on the premier to come to see Roznavska Street for himself and talk to the hauliers there.
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