11.   Last week, French fishermen blocked ports and staged demonstrations until they reached an agreement with the Agriculture Ministry on Thursday to help offset their fuel prices.

12.   The demonstrations began quietly in August, with fishermen blocking a few ports to protest rising fuel costs.

13.   Greek sailors brought chaos to thousands of European and US holiday makers Saturday, blocking ports across the country.

14.   However two unions, the CFDT and CGT, said strikers would continue to block the port here during the negotiations.