Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-08-18

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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. 149/98 -- 18.8.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey rejects flight Moratorium.

[02] Turkey - pseudostate undersea water pipeline project.

[03] Denktash says USA trying to prevent crisis.

[04] Denktash defends presence of Turkish occupation troops.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey rejects flight Moratorium

Miller is reported to go to Ankara with a proposal package including a suggestion for a flight moratorium on Cyprus.

Sukru Sina Gurel, Turkish Minister of State Responsible for Cyprus, said that Turkey many times reiterated that she won`t accept the S-300 missiles as an element of bargaining, adding ``there is nothing new to change our opinion at the moment.''

Gurel blamed Greece, the Greek Cypriot side, and the European Union (EU) for the bottleneck in the talks. Gurel pointed out that as long as the attitudes of these sides aren`t changed, then there is no need for Turkey to assume a new attitude.

When recalled that although Miller didn`t come with the issue of the S-300 missiles, but the proposal to declare a flight moratorium on the island, Gurel said that such a bargaining was unacceptable.

``We feel a threat stemming from the missiles and we have started to take the required measures against this threat'' said Gurel adding that it will be a wrong step for the Greek Cypriots to plan the purchase of the S-300 missiles as an element of the bargaining.

Miller was claimed to go to Ankara with a proposal package including the prevention of the coming to the island of the S-300 missiles in return for implementing a flight ban on Cyprus.

Gurel pointed out that Ankara will assume a negative attitude against the proposal for a moratorium, although it will be conveyed as dependent on the S-300 missiles and added ``Turkey will continue to take the required measures related to Cyprus''.

Miller, during his two day visit, is scheduled to meet with Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister, Gurel, the Minister of State Responsible for Cyprus and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister.

Meanwhile, diplomatic sources said that Miller requested to go to Ankara in July, but this request was turned down on grounds that it wasn`t appropriate.

Miller is expected to proceed to Athens following his contacts in Ankara and won`t be coming to Cyprus.

[02] Turkey - pseudostate undersea water pipeline project

``The Project to Carry Water to Cyprus From Anamur´s Dragon Stream'', whose feasibility study by the Alarko Firm is close to completion, will enter the construction phase in the first months of the next year. The project aims at laying 78-nautical-mile-long pipelines to transport 75 million cubic meters of fresh water to the pseudostate every year.

The feasibility work carried out by Alarko Alsim firm is specifically concerned with making the water transportation as economical as to allow its use even in agriculture. Besides considerations of cheapness and continuous water flow and storage, the feasibility work has also seriously considered how to prevent the reservoir in the occupied area, where the water will be stored, from leaking water to the free areas of Cyprus.

The promotional report on the feasibility study says in the section concerning this matter: ``The Morphou aquifer came to mind first for the storage of the water to be brought to Cyprus, but this idea was given up when the subsequent studies showed that one-third of the aquifer lies within the Greek Cypriot sector. Following further studies, it was found appropriate to bring the pipelines onto the shore at Morphou Bay and then pump the water for storage in a reservoir to be built in Panagra valley.''

Coming after the water transportation by balloons, the project prepared by Alarko is made up of three steps: The readying of water for transportation, its transport to Cyprus, and its storage.

The project, worked out in great detail, also has calculated the pseudostate´s yearly water need, its salination, and its own water resources.

The Dragron Stream has ample water resources. The yearly water flow of the stream is said to be around 746 million cubic meters.

Following will be the facilities to be built in Turkey and the pseudostate for water transportation: ``Alakopru Water Storage and Filling Facilities, Alakopru-Anamur Conduit, Anamur Stabilizing Storage, The Sea Transit (pipeline laying), Vasilia Pumping Station in Cyprus, Moprhou-Panagra Conduit, and Panagra Reservoir that would also incorporate the old Panagra pool.''

The water will be transported to the occupied area via 78-nautical-mile- long pipelines that will be laid in the sea with the inverse hanging method. The project, prepared to enable the operation of this system, has the following components: ``The readying of water: This part of the project includes the transportation, through a natural flow, of the water via a 23 kilometer conduit to a coastal depot from a pool that will be created by raising further the barrier of Alakopru Dam and Hydropower Plant, which the Electricity Works Department is planning to build on Anamur´s Dragon Stream.

The transportation of water to Cyprus: This part covers the 78-kilometer- long (here kilometer rather than nautical mile is used), 1,600-mm wide, HDPE (High Density Underwater Pipe) natural-flow undersea conduit from Anamur coastal depot to the Morphou shore.

The storage of water: This part covers the transfer of water to Panagra Reservoir, to be built in Panagra valley with 30 hm3 (million cubic meter) capacity (preceding figures as published), through a three kilometers conduit from the pumping station on Morphou shore''.

Alarko´s feasibility study has determined that the channel between the Cape Anamur and Cape Kormakiti is the most suitable and shortest for the undersea pipeline. The report says the Dragon Stream is best suited for the project because of its closeness to Cape Anamur and for its water capacity and quality. According to studies, the report adds, ``Cyprus´yearly water needs from the Dragon Stream has been put at 75 million cubic meters per year.''

The report explains in detail the technique of laying the underwater pipeline, which constitutes the most important part of the project: ``The floating pipeline systems: In this case, the pipelines made from material lighter than water (HDPE pipes have a specific density of 960 kg/cubic meter) float at certain depth in the sea.

The fact that the HDPE pipes are flexible and have a long life (its theoretical life span is more than 100 years) has been the second reason for its choice for the project.

The anchorage system has been designed by also taking into account the fact that the lighter fresh water will give further buoyancy to the pipelines floating in the heavier sea water. The Anchored System: The pipelines will be like an invese (concave) suspension bridge anchored to the seabed with weights. To ensure long life, the anchorage system is made up of plastic cables, concrete weights and plastic mooring materials. The patent for the system has already been filed by the Turkish Patent Institute in the name of Kemal Gurbuz Orun. The file is dated 20.9.1996 and numbered 96/742. The European Patent Institute in Vienna has been notified about it. The HDPE underwater pipes, each 500 meters, will be produced in a special method in a pipe factory to be set up near SEKA (Turkish Cellulose and Paper Mills Administration) port in Silifke. They will be stored at the same port and will be taken to the assembly point by sea route.''

[03] Denktash says USA trying to prevent crisis

Denktash has said that this is the problem the US Special Coordinator Thomas Miller has to solve during his contacts.

The Turkish Cypriot leader, commenting on Miller´s contacts, said that the US envoy will be visiting the Islam in September. Stressing that the US objective is to maintain the balance in the region, Denktash urged the EU to check the Cyprus government`s attempt to tilt the balance in the region.

Denktash further has claimed that the Turkish side does not have neither the plan nor the policy to settle the Cyprus problem through the force of arms.

He concluded by repeating his known views regarding the Turkish side´s rights stipulated by the 1960 Treaties.

[04] Denktash defends presence of Turkish occupation troops

He said this when he met the outgoing commander of the occupation troops Lt. General Ali Yalcin and Brigadier General M. Aydin Sen, who will take over the command of the occupation forces in Cyprus.

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

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