Miners Join Anti-Government Protests Sweeping Bulgaria; Violence Feared

Thousands of miners went on strike Thursday in this depressed industrial town, joining a desperate wave of protest across Bulgaria against the government over inflation that is devouring savings.

Lines formed out the doors of banks and exchange offices in Sofia, the capital, as people tried to withdraw savings and change them to dollars and other foreign currencies.

Tension soared on the day after President Petar Stoyanov gave the former Communists, the Socialist Party, another chance to form a government. For the first time, people were openly expressing fear of violence.

Protests against the Socialists were in their 24th day, and rumors spread that emergency measures could be imposed to ensure order.

Until this week, the protesters were mostly white-collar workers and students. But the miners’ strike in Pernik means the Socialists are losing their traditional supporters--blue-collar workers.

Trade union officials said 250,000 workers had heeded a call for a nationwide strike, which so far has encompassed mostly one- or two-hour warning strikes by transport workers and others.