def _read_statements(filename):
    """
    reads sql statements from file, where statements are separated using a single
    newline
    :param filename: path to ascii file contaning sql statements
    :return: list of sql statements
    """
    with open(filename, 'r') as f:
        lines = f.readlines()
    # on unix, no windows compatibility not implemented
    statements = ''.join(lines).split('\n\n')
    return statements