In vino violence

Militant French winemakers issue ultimatum.

In a tape sent anonymously to French TV a month ago, the shadowy militant organisation known as CRAV (Comité Régional d'Action Viticole or regional winegrowers' action committee) threatened violent action if new President Nicolas Sarkozy did not take measures to help economically desperate wine growers in the France's vast Languedoc-Roussillon area.

'If Sarkozy does not support the interests of the wine industry, he will be entirely responsible for what happens,' a spokesman in the video said. 'We are at the point of no return.'