This section briefly summarizes the factual background of this arbitration to the extent required to rule upon Respondent’s Request of 6 February 2006 (hereinafter the “Request”) that Claimants confirm that section II.A of their Reply on the Merits and Counter-Memorial on Jurisdiction dated 18 January 2006 (hereinafter “Claimants’ Reply”) contains allegations on the merits as opposed to jurisdiction, and that Claimants limit their allegations to jurisdiction and not address the merits of the case in their Rejoinder on jurisdiction due on 27 March 2006.