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Strike postpones launch of Russia's Soyuz rocket from space site in French Guiana

A new launch date has not been set yet, sources in the operator company Arianespace said

© AP Photo/Henri Griffit

PARIS, April 3. /TASS/. The launch of a Russian space rocket Soyuz from the Kourou space site in French Guiana has been postponed due to the continuing strike, sources in the operator company Arianespace told TASS.

"The launch was postponed as the strike goes on. A new launch date has not been set yet," the source said.

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Originally, this year’s first launch of a Soyuz rocket from Kourou was scheduled for April 4.

Earlier, the launch of the European rocket Ariane-5, expected to take place on March 23, had to be put off.

At the end of last month an open-ended general strike was announced in French Guiana. All schools, colleges, government offices, port facilities and many businesses closed down. Strikers have planted quite a few roadblocks hindering motor traffic. The road blockade interfered with the operation of the Kourou cosmodrome.

French Guiana’s population rose in revolt against poor working and living conditions amid the general crisis of the regional economy. In particular, the protesters demand better local infrastructures, health service and education and complain about problems with security.

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