Introduction

The Registrar:

The Tribunal will today hear argument in the Request for provisional measures in respect of the M/V Saiga. The case has been named the M/V “SAIGA” (No. 2) case and it has been entered in the Tribunal’s List of cases as Case No. 2.

The Registrar was informed by letter dated 12 February 1998 that the Agent of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will not be able to be present today. By the same letter the Registrar was informed that his Excellency, Mr. Carl Joseph, Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, will head the delegation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines today.

The President:

This public sitting is being held, pursuant to article 26 of the Statute of the Tribunal, for the oral proceedings in the Request for the prescription of provisional measures submitted by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the M/V “SAIGA” (No. 2) case.