ALL ROYAL AIR FORCE PLANES IN MALTA WERE GROUNDED AFTER THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) CLAMPED DOWN ON DUTY FREE OIL SUPPLIES FOR THE R.A.F. -- THE LATEST MOVE IN THE ISLAND'S CAMPAIGN AGAINST BRITISH DEFENCE CUTS. OIL FIRMS WERE ORDERED BY THE COMPTROLLER OF CUSTOMS TO CUT OFF AVIATION FUEL SUPPLIES AFTER THE R.A.F. REFUSED TO PAY THE DUTY.

AN R.A.F. SPOKESMAN SAID ALL FLIGHTS HAD BEEN SUSPENDED WHILE INSTRUCTIONS WERE AWAITED FROM LONDON. THE OIL DECISION, WHICH DOES NOT AFFECT CIVILIAN AIRCRAFT, WAS INCLUDED IN A WIDE-RANGING BAN IMPOSED BY THE CUSTOMS NOT TO RELEASE GOODS UNLESS DUTY WAS PAID ON THEM. THIS STEP IMPLEMENTED THE GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO DENY BRITISH FORCES "ALL RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES AND FACILITIES" THEY ENJOYED UNDER THE 10-YEAR-OLD DEFENCE TREATY SIGNED TWO YEARS AGO.

IN AN INTERVIEW, THE PRIME MINISTER, DOCTOR BORG OLIVIER SPOKE OF THE MOOD OF HIS PEOPLE.