somport tunnel

[pieter pannevis]

Update from the Vallee D'Aspe:

News from the anti-tunnel campsite

Work on the Somport tunnel is continuing 24 hours a day. The road between
Oloron and Somport is being broadened. The EU has blocked funding while
legal complaints against the EIA are still running. But the French and
Spanish governments are very determined to continue the works. The Aspe is a
hot national issue in France: by now there are 50 Comités de Somport all
over France and resistance is growing, but divided.
The action camp at the construction is facing increasing attention from the
police. On Monday 29 of September there was a three hours raid at the camp
site, carried out by riot-police. Although the police said they were looking
for materials to make firebombs (which were previously used by anonymous
activist to attack digging machines), they seemed very interested in things
like personal address books as well. After the 3 hours the police left empty
handed, leaving the tents in a big mess. In october people were arrested for
blocking a truck carrying ammonia. Eric Petétin, who was one of them, was
put in jail for a month.
11 till 13 November there was a big anti-militaristic meeting where about
1500 people attended. They did a symbolic action by forming a line through
the fields where the road will be built. They marked the trees that will be
cut. The 17th of december actions will be done in different places in
France.
Contact:
La Goutte d'Eau
64490 Cette-Eygun
France
Tel.: +3359347883