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[humanist]

http://www.cyprusweekly.com.cy/default. ... wsID=304_5

TCs ask govt for gas

Turkish Cypriots ask government for gas

WRITTEN REQUEST SUBMITTED BY PRIVATE COMPANY

By Philippos Stylianou

As the supply of gas to the Turkish Cypriots through the free areas continues, Energy Director Solon Kassinis has categorically stated that this was in response to a formal request in writing to the Cyprus government.

He was commenting on press reports and statements in the north that the occupation regime was not buying gas from the government-controlled areas.

“Jet Gas, a company that used to do business in the free areas, called me up on Friday and asked to buy gas; I told them to put it in writing and address it to the Energy Director, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, which they did the next day,” Kassinis told the Cyprus Weekly yesterday.

He added that after informing President Christofias and consulting with the Minister he went ahead to grant a licence for 400 metric tons.

Intergaz in Larnaca was contracted to supply the requested gas quantities in full conformity with the directions of the Ministry.

Although the request was made by a private company, the occupation authorities are most likely to be behind it due to the acute shortage of fuel for households and social utility outlets such as hospitals.

Both the Government Spokesman and the Commerce and Industry Minister said that the Government had responded to a request to supply gas for humanitarian reasons.

Initial reports blamed the gas shortage in the north to rough seas that prevented the ships from Turkey from accessing the unloading installations on the Boghaz coast. But according to more reliable information the gas quantities destined for the Turkish Cypriots was diverted to the local market in Turkey due to the heavy winter there.

The Turkish Cypriot press is now describing the failure to store extra gas for winter as a “scandal.”

INTERGAZ General Manager Demosthenes Demou said they still had about 210 metric tons to deliver, in full conformity with the procedure set out by the Commerce and Industry Ministry.

The gas is transported in their containers to the Strovilia checkpoint where it is transferred to Jet Gas containers.

“The billing follows the regulated price set by the government and payment is being made through our Cypriot bank,” Demou said, noting the Turkish Cypriots were very cooperative.

INTERGAZ was the only company that could respond to the extra demand posed by the Turkish Cypriot request, as it has two boats of its own bringing gas to Cyprus from around the Mediterranean as far as the Black Sea.

[Oracle]

Honour amongst thieves ....