FRENCH CUSTOMS CONTROLS AT THE MONACO FRONTIER WERE TIGHTENED YESTERDAY (SATURDAY) AT THE HEIGHT OF THE CHRISTMAS RUSH.

A HUGE TRAFFIC QUEUE FORMED ON THE SEASIDE ROAD TO NICE SHORTLY BEFORE NOON AS REINFORCED FRENCH CUSTOMS TEAMS STARTED MINUTE INSPECTION OF MONEGASQUE, FRENCH AND TOURIST CARS. AS CARS AND LORRIES TRICKLED THROUGH THE CONTROL BARRIER, MONEGASQUE MOTORISTS ANGRILY SOUNDED THEIR HORNS.

CUSTOMS OFFICIALS - SIX INSTEAD OF THE USUAL TWO - TOLD REPORTERS THEY HAD INSTRUCTIONS FROM PARIS TO STEP UP THE CONTROLS "UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE" BECAUSE OF THE FRANCO-MONEGASQUE TAX DISPUTE. THE MOVE CAME AS A SURPRISE IN VIEW OF LAST TUESDAY'S NEW MONACO CONSTITUTION AND THE PROMISE IT SEEMED TO BEAR OF AN EARLY RESUMPTION OF FRANCO-MONEGASQUE TALKS.