On May 23, 2002, the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (hereinafter “ICSID” or “the Centre”) received from Siemens A.G. (hereinafter “Siemens” or “the Claimant”) a request for arbitration against the Argentine Republic (hereinafter “the Respondent” or “Argentina”). On June 7, 2002, the Centre acknowledged receipt of the request in accordance with Rule 5 of the ICSID Rules of Procedure for the Institution of Conciliation and Arbitration Proceedings (hereinafter the “Institution Rules”) and informed the Claimant that it would not take further action until it has received the prescribed lodging fee as provided by Institution Rule 5(1)(b). On June 13, 2002, the Centre acknowledged receipt of the prescribed lodging fee by the Claimant and transmitted a copy of the request to Argentina and to the Argentine Embassy in Washington, D.C. in accordance with Institution Rule 5(2).