Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-01-04

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 2/00 -- 4.1.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] `Steel balloons� to carry water from Turkey to pseudostate.

[02] Eroglu: Greek Cypriots must accept ``state'' in north.

[03] Eroglu: Morphou is not a matter for negotiation.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] `Steel balloons� to carry water from Turkey to pseudostate

Mustafa Can, the so-called director of ``Water Department'' announced that the Mediterranean Water Distribution Company (Akdeniz Su Dagitim Sirketi, ASDS), which transports the water from Soguksu (in southern Turkey) to the island, has constructed containers from steel sheets, each with 10-million cubic meter capacity.

Can said that the weather conditions hampered the productive operation of the project for water transportation in (plastic) balloons that had been inaugurated by Turkish President Suleyman Demirel in a ceremony on 25 July 1988.

Nonetheless, he added, the project has not been shelved: ``The ASDS, which brings the water from Soguksu to the island, has constructed containers from steel sheets, each with 10-million cubic meter capacity. As of 2000, they will be used to transport the water. The tugboats will tow them to the water reservoirs in Morphou. In the meantime, the water transportation in plastic balloons, the first in world practice, will continue conditions allowing''.

Under the agreement signed with the ASDS, 17-million cubic meters of water had to be brought to the island in two years. But, so far only 300,000 cubic meters of water has been received due to frequent rupture of the balloons and bad weather conditions. The company is paid by the ``TRNC'' according to the amount of water it brings to the island. Some 4.2 Norwegian krone (nearly 50-55 cents) is paid for a cubic meter.

The yearly drinking water needs of the ``TRNC'', which faces water shortage especially in summer months, is around 25-million cubic meters.

The cost of the steel balloons would be borne by the ASDS and thus they will be no burden on the ``TRNC budget''.

[02] Eroglu: Greek Cypriots must accept ``state'' in north

Speaking about entrance of the Turkish Cypriot side to the European Union (EU), Eroglu said there should be an agreement in Cyprus first and that Turkey should approve this.

[03] Eroglu: Morphou is not a matter for negotiation

During a programme on illegal Bayrak Television, Eroglu further added:

``The Turkish Cypriot side must also take part in the EU and the desire of the people of the TRNC is towards that direction.''

In reply to a question, Eroglu pointed out that the occupied area of Morphou will never be a matter for negotiation.

Eroglu also stated that he has asked from Turkish Prime Minister, Bulent Ecevit, and State Minister, Sukru Gurel , 200 million dollars for the strengthening of the illegal Central Bank of the pseudostate.

According to Eroglu, Ecevit and Gurel promised that they will support ``TRNC'' in any possible way.

(DP)

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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