Correspondance

CORRESPONDENCE

CORRESPONDANCE 483

l. SPECIAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SOCIALIST PEOPLE'S LIBYAN ARAB
JAMAHIRIYA AND THE REPUBLIC OF MALTA

[See l, pp. 3-16]

2. THE REGISTRAR TO THE SECRETARY OF THE PEOPLE'S COMMITIEE FOR THE
PEOPLE'S FOREIGN LIAISON BUREAU OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

26 July 1982.

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of the letter Idated 19 July 1982,
signed by Your Exce\lency and by His Excellency the Minister for Foreign

Affairs of the Republic of Malta, constituting notification to the Court of the
Special Agreement between the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and
the Republic of Malta for the submission to the International Court of Justice of
a difference, signed at Valleua on 23 May 1976 and in force since the exchange

at Valletta, on 20 March 1982, of instruments of ratification, 1 have the honour
further to acknowledge receipt of certified copies of the Arabie and English
texts of the Special Agreement 2 in question, of an exchange of letters 3 thereto
4
annexed, dated 23 May 1976, of the procès-verbal of the 5xchange of instru­
ments of ratification and of the instruments of ratification themselves. I note
that the Special Agreement was registered jointly with the Secretariat of the
United Nations on 19 April 1982, in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter

of the United Nations.
I note further that Dr. Abdelrazeg EI-Murtadi Suleiman has been appointed
Agent for the Socialist People 's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya for the purposes of
this case and that communications intended for him may. for the time being, be

addressed to him at the Permanent Mission of the Jamahiriya to the United
Nations in Geneva.

(Signed) Santiago TORRES BERNÂRDEZ.

3. THE REGISTRAR TO THE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF MALTA

26 July 1982.

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of the letter dated 19 July 1982,
signed by Your Excellency and by His Excellency the Secretary of the People's

11,pp. 3-4.
2 1,pp. 5-8.
3 1,pp. 9-11.
• 1,pp. 12-13.
5
1,pp. 14-16.484 CONTINENTAL SHELF

Committee for the People's Foreign Liaison Bureau of the Socialist People's
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, constituting notification to the Court of the Special
Agreement between the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and the
Republic of Malta for the submission to the International Court of Justice of a
difference, signed at Valletta on 23 May 1976 and in force since the exchange
at Valletta, on 20 March 1982, of instruments of ratification. 1 have the honour
further to acknowledge receipt of certified copies of the Arabie and English
texts of the Special Agreement in question, of an exchange of letters thereto

annexed, dated 23 May 1976, of the procès-verbal of the exchange of instru­
ments of ratification and of the instruments of ratification themselves. I note
that the Special Agreement was registered jointly with the Secretariat of the
United Nations on 19 April 1982, in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter
of the United Nations.
1 note further that Dr. Edgar Mizzi has been appointed Agent for the Repub­
licof Malta for the purposes of this case and that his address for service at the
seat of the Court is c/o Blackstone, Rueb and van Boeschoten, Koninginne­
gracht 27, 2514 AB The Hague.

4. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

26 July 1982.

By a letter dated 19 July 1982 constituting the notification to the Court of a
Special Agreement between the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and
the Republic of Malta, and handed to me today, the Court has been informed
inter alia of your appointment as Agent of the Socialist People's Libyan Arab
Jamahiriya in the case thereby submitted.
1note that communications conceming this case may be addressed 10 you at
the Permanent Mission of the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 10 the
United Nations, 47 Avenue Blanc. 1202 Geneva, Switzerland. I shall be happy

to leam in due course of your address for service at the seat of the Court and
remain, need I say, at your disposai for any assistance or information in my
power to provide.

5. THE REGISTRAR T0 THE AGENT OF MALTA

26 July 1982.

By a letter dated 19 July 1982, constituting the joint notification of a Special
Agreement between the Republic of Malta and the Socialist People's Libyan

Arab Jamahiriya, which was handed to me today, the Court has been informed
inter alia of your appointmenl as Agent of the Republic of Malta for the pur­
poses of the case thus submitted.
1note that your address for service at the seat of the Court is c/o Blackstone,
Rueb and van Boeschoten, Koninginnegracht 27, 2514 AB The Hague, and
remain at your disposai for such help or information as may lie within my
power to ·provide. CORRESPONDENCE 485

6. THEREGJSTRAR TOTHESECRETARY-GENERA OLFTHEUNITEDNATIONS
(te/ex)

26 July 1982.

I have the honour to inform you, pursuant to Article 40, paragraph 3, of the
Statute of the Court, that on 26 July 1982 the Govemments of the Socialist

People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and the Republic of Malta filed in the Regis­
try of the Court a joint ·notification of a Special Agreement, dated 23 May
1976, "for the submission to the International Court of Justice of a difference",
which came into force on the exchange of Instruments of Ratification on
20 March 1982 and was jointly registered under Article 102 of the Charter on

l 9 April l982. Printed copies of the Special Agreement will be communicated
to you as soon as possible pursuant to Article 42 of the Rules of Court.

7. THEREGISTRAR TOTHEAGENTOFTHELIBYANARABJAMAHIRIYA 1

27 July 1982.

1 have the honour to inform you that the Vice-President of the Court, pur­
suant to Article 13, paragraph 3, and Article 44 of the Rules of Court, made an
Order 2 today fixing 26 April 1983 as the time-limit for the filing of Memorials
by the Parties in the case conceming the Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jama­

hiriya/Ma/ta).
I am transmitting to you under separate caver an official copy of the Order in
question. Printed copies of this Order wi\J also be dispatched to you very
shortly.

8. THEAGENTOFTHELIBYANARABJAMAHIRIYA TOTHEREGISTRAR

27 July 1982.

Ihave the honour to inform you, pursuant to Article 31 of the Statute of the
Court, and Article 35 of Rules of Court, that the Socialist People's Libyan Arab

Jamahiriya has chosen Mr. Eduardo Jiménez de Aréchaga to sit as judge ad hoc
in the Libyan-Maltese case which was brought before the Court by the two Par­
ties yesterday.
A brief biography of Mr. Eduardo Jiménez de Aréchaga is enclosed
herewith 3•

(Signed) Dr. Abdelrazeg EL-MURTADISULEIMAN.

1A communication in the same tenns was sent to the Agent of Malta.

2 l.CJ. Reports 1982, p. 554.
3 Not reproduccd.486 CONTINENTAL SHELF

9. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALTA

27 July 1982.

1 have the honour to infonn you that by a letter of today's date, of which a
copy is enclosed, the Agent of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in the case concem­
ing the Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta) has infonned me of
his Govemment's choice, in accordance with Article 31 of the Statute and
Article 35 of the Rules of Court, of Mr. Eduardo Jiménez de Aréchaga to sit as
a judge ad hoc in the case.
1further have the honour to infonn you that in accordance with Article 35,

paragraph 3, of the Rules of Court, the Vice-President of the Court has fixed
Friday, 10 September 1982, at 6 p.m., as the time-limit within which the
Govemment of Malta may furnish observations on the choice of the Govem­
ment of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.
1wish to draw your attention to the last sentence of paragraph 3 of Article 35
of the Rules of Court, which provides that: "If within the said time-limit no
objection is raised by the other party, and if none appears to the Court itself,
the parties shall be so infonned."

10. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

27 July l982.

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date in
which you notified me that your Government has chosen Mr. Eduardo Jiménez
de Aréchaga to sit as a judge <idhoc in the case concerning the Continental
Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta).
A copy of that letter has been transmitted to the Agent of Malta and the
Vice-President of the Court, has, in accordance with Article 35, paragraph 3, of
the Rules of Court, fixed Friday, 10 September l982, at 6 p.m., as the time­

limit within which such observations as the Government of Malta may wish to
make should be furnished.
1wish to draw your attention to the last sentence of paragraph 3 of Article 35
of the Rules of Court, which provides that: "If within the said time-limit no
objection is raised by the other party, and if none appears to the Court itself,
the parties shall be so infonned."

11. LE GREFFIER ADJOINT
AU MINISTÈRE DES AFFAIRES ÉTRANGÈRES D'AFGHANISTAN 1

20 aoOt 1982.

Le 26 juillet 1982 les agents de la Jamahiriya arabe libyenne et de Malte ont
déposéau Greffe de la Cour internationale de Justice le texte d'un compromis
conclu entre leurs gouvernements en vue de soumettre à la Cour \'affaire du
Plateau continental (Jamahiriya arabe libyenne/Malte). Ce compromis a été

1
Une communication analogue a étéadressée aux autres Etats admis à ester devant la
Cour. CORRESPONDENCE 487

signé à La Valette le 23 mai 1976 et les instruments de ratification ont été

échangésdans la mêmeville le 20 mars 1982.
J'ai !'honneur, à toutes fins utiles, de vous transmettre ci-joint un exemplaire
dudit compromis.

(Signé) PJLLEPICH.

12. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE UBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

8 October 1982.

With reference to Article 35, paragraph 3, of the Rules of Court, and further
to my letter of 27 July 1982 conceming the choice of Mr. E. Jiménez de Aré­
chaga by your Govemment to sit as a judge ad hoc in the case conceming the
Continental She/f (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta), 1 have the honour to inform

you that no objection to that choice was raised by the Govemment of Malta
within the time-limit of 10 September 1982 fixed by the Vice-President of the
Court and that none appears to the Court itself.
Mr. Jiménez de Aréchaga has therefore been infonned accordingly and sent
copies of the Special Agreement and of the Order of 27 July 1992. Hereafter he
will be supplied with the case documentation pari passu with the Members of

the Court.
The Agent of Malta will likewise be infonned.

13. THE AGENT OF MALTA TO THE REGISTRAR

19January 1983.

I have the honour to inform the Court pursuant to Article 31 of the Statute of
the Court and Article 35 of the Rules of Court that the Govemment of the Repub­

licof Malta will choose a judge ad hoc in the case between Malta and the Libyan
Arab Jamahiriya submitted to the Court on July 26, 1982, and that the name and
nationalityof the person so chosen will be notified to the Court at a future date.

(Signed) Edgar M1zz1.

14. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALTA

31 January 1983.

1 have the honour to acknowledge receipt of the letter of 19 January 1983
whereby you have informed the Court that your Govemment will choose a
judge ad hoc in the case conceming the Continental She/f (Libyan Arab Jama­
hiriya/Malta) and that the name and nationality of the person so chosen will be

notified at a future date.
Pursuant to Article 35 of the Rules of Court, a copy of your Jetter has been
transmitted to the Agent of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, who has been given to
understand that any observations that his Government may wish to make should
be communicated within six weeks of his being notified of your Govemment's
choice.488 CONTINENTAL SHELF

15. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

3 l January 1983.

With reference to Article 35 of the Rules of Court, l have the honour to
transmit to you herewith a copy of a letter dated 19 January I983 which I have
received from the Agent of Malta in the case conceming the Continental She/f
(libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta).

I shall in due course transmit to you a copy of any indication received from
the Agent of Malta regarding the name and nationality of the person chosen by
his Govemment to sit as a judge ad hoc, and am instructed by the President to
inform you that any observations that your Govemment may wish to make
should be fumished within six weeks of your being thus notified.

16. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALTA 1

(te/ex)

21 April 1983.

With reference to our telephone conversation I have the honour to confirm
that I shall be happy to receive the Agents of the Parties to the case conceming
the Continental She/f (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta) on Tuesday next 26 April
1983 at 10 a.m. The Agent of Libya has been duly informed.

17. THE AGENT OF MALTA TO THE REGISTRAR

26 April 1983.

Further to my letter of 19 January 1983 and pursuant to Article 31 of the Sta­
tute of the Court and Article 35 of the Rules of Court, I have the honour to

inform the Court that the Govemment of the Republic of Malta has chosen Mr.
Jorge Castafieda as judge ad hoc in the Continental She/f case between Libya
and Malta submitted to the Court on 26 July 1982.
A brief biography of Mr. Jorge Castafieda is enclosed herewith 2.

18. THE REGTSTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

26 April 1983.

Further to my letter of 31 January 1983 I have the honour to transmit to you
herewith a copy of a letter of today's date whereby the Agent of Malta in the

case conceming the Continental She/f (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta) has
informed the Court that his Govemment has chosen His Excellency Mr. Jorge

1A similar communication was sent to the Agent of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.
2 Not reproduced. CORRESPONDENCE 489

Castaii.eda to sit as a judge ad hoc, and also of the brief biography annexed
thereto.
I am, further, instructed by the President of the Court to infonn you, with
reference to Article 35 of the Rules of Court, that any observations which your
Govemment may wish to make should be fumished by 7 June 1983. In that

connection I would draw your attention to paragraph 3 of that Article, which
concludes: "If within the same lime-limit no objection is raised by the other
party, and if none appears to the Court itself, the parties shall be so informed."

19. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALTA

26 April 1983.

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of the letter of 26 April 1983
whereby you have infonned the Court that your Govemment has chosen His
Excellency Mr. Jorge Castaii.eda to sit as a judge ad hoc in the case concem­
ing the Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta) and supply brief bio­
graphical detailsof the person thus chosen.
Pursuant to Article 35 of the Rules of Court, a copy of your letter has been
transmitted to the Agent of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, who has been infonned

that any observations his Government _maywish to make should be fumished by
7 June 1983.

20. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

26 April 1983.

I
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of the Memorial of the Govem­
ment of the Socialist People's Lîbyan Arab Jamahiriya in the case conceming
the Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Ma/ta), filed by you today in
four books comprising also the Annexes, and accompanied by the copies
required under Article 52, paragraph I, of the Rules of Court. This pleading
was duly filed within the time-limit fixed therefor in the Order made by the
Vice-President of the Court on 27 July 1982.
1 further acknowledge the deposit of a full-size version of Map 2 facing page

16 of your Govemment's Memorial, and of the Sea-Bed Mode! mentioned on
page 30, together with a plaque providing a key to its colour-scheme. These will
be made available for the inspection of the other Party and Members of the Court.

21. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALTA

26 April 1983.

l have the honou.r to acknowledge receipt of two certified copies of the
Memorial 2 of the Government of Malta in the case conceming the Continental
Shelf (libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta), filed by you today in three volumes
comprising also the Annexes, together with 28 further copies. This pleading

1 1,pp. 19-395.
2 1,pp. 399-568.490 CONTINENTAL SHELF

was duly filed within the time-Iimit fixed therefor in the Order made by the
Vice-President of the Court on 27 July 1982. I understand thal you will very
shortly be providing me with the further copies required by the Registry under
Article 52, paragraph l, of the Rules of Court.

1 have also to inform you that the Agent of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, in
filing the Memorial of his Govemment, has today deposited a full-size version
of Map 2 facing page 16 of his Govemment's Memorial and the Sea-Bed
Model mentioned on page 30, together with a plaque providing a key to ils
colour-scheme. These are available for your inspection in the Registry.

1
22. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALTA

4 May 1983.

J have the honour to transmit to you herewith the official sealed copy of an
Order 2 made by the President of the Court on 26 April 1983, fixing time-limits
for the next stage of the proceedings in the case conceming the Continental
She/f (libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta). Further printed copies of this Order will

be supplied to you very shortly.

23. THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA TO THE REGISTRAR

11 May 1983.

I have the honour to refer to your Ietterf 26 April l983 {reference 69871) in
which you inform me, as Agent for the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahi­
riya in the case conceming the Continental She/f (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/
Malta), that the Govemment of Malta has chosen His Excellency Mr. Jorge
Castafieda to act as judge ad hoc.
I should like to infonn you that the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahi­
riya has no observation to make regarding th_ischoice by the Govemment of
Malta.

24. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALTA

30 May 1983.

With reference to Article 35, paragraph 3, of the Rules of Court, and further

to my Jetter No. 69872 of 26 April 1983, I have the honour to inform you that
by a letter of 11 May the Agent of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in the case
conceming the Continental She/f (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta) advised me
that the Jamahiriya had no observation to make regarding the choice by your

1 A communication in the same terms was sent to the Agent of the Libyan Arab
Jamahiriya.
l l.CJ. Reports 1983, p3. CORRESPONDENCE 491

Govemment of His Excellency Mr. Jorge Castai'ieda to sit as a judge ad hoc in
the case. I am also to tell you that no objection appears to the Court itself.
Mr. Castafieda is therefore being infonned accordingly and sent copies of the
documents at present in the case. Later case-documentation will be fumished to
him pari passu wilh the Members of the Court and the judge ad hoc chosen by
Libya.

The Agent of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya is Jikewise being informed.

25. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

30 May 1983.

1 have the honour to acknowledge receipt of the letter of 11 May 1983 by
which you infonned me that the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya had
no observation to make regarding Malta's choice of His Excellency Mr. Jorge
Castai'ieda lo sit as a judge ad hoc in the case conceming the Continental She/f
(Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Ma/ra) and to advise you, with reference to Article 35,
paragraph 3, of the Rules of Court, that no objection to that choice appears to
the Court itself.

Mr. Castai'ieda is therefore being informed accordingly and sent copies of the
documents at present in the case. Later case documentation will be fumished to
him pari passu with the Members of the Court and the judge ad hoc chosen by
Libya.
The Agent of Malta is likewise being informed.

26, L'AMBASSADE D'ITALIE AUX PAYS-BAS AU GREFFIER

10 juin l983.

L'ambassade d'Italie présente ses compliments à la Cour internationale de
Justice et a l'honneur de la prier, aux termes de l'article 53 du Règlement de la

Cour, de bien vouloir accorder le pennis de prendre connaissance des mémoires
de la Jamahiriya arabe libyenne et de la République de Malte par rapport à
l'affaire du plateau continental.

27. LE GREFFIER ADJOINT À L'AMBASSADEUR D'ITALIE AUX PAYS-BAS

lOjuin 1983.

J'ai l'honneur d'accuser réception de la note du 10 juin l983 par laquelle
vous demandez à recevoir communication des documents relatifs à la procédure
en l'affaire duPlateau continental (Jamahiriya arabe libyenne/Malte).
Je fais auprès des Parties la démarche prescrite par l'article 53, paragraphe 1,

du Règlement et ne manquerai pas de porter à votre connaissance la décision de
la Cour.492 CONTINENTAL SHELF

28. THE DEPUTY-REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA 1

10 June 1983.

I have the honour to infonn you that the Govemment of Italy has requested
that the pleadings and annexed documents in the case conceming Continemal
Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta) should be made available to it. Pursuant
to Article 53, paragraph 1, of the Rules of Court, I would accordingly ask you
to be so good as to infonn me whether the Govemment of the Libyan Arab

Jamahiriya has any objection to the request being granted.

29. THE REGtSTRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALTA 2

14 June 1983.

I have the honour to advise you that I am sending to you for information,
under separate cover, French translations of the Memorials filed in the case
conceming the Continental Shelf (libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta) as also of the
Technical Annex bound in Volume I of your Govemment's pleading.
The translations in question have been prepared by the Registry for the use of
Members of the Court and have no official character whatever.

30. THE AGENT OF MALTA TO THE REGISTRAR

21 June 1983.

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of the letter of 10June 1983 whereby
you informed me that the Govemment of Italy has requested that the pleadings

and annexed doduments in the case conceming the Cominental She/f (Libyan
Arab Jamahiriya/Malta) should be made available to it. You also asked me to
inform you whether the Govemment of Malta had any objection to the request.
The Govemment of Malta understands that it is the practice to keep written
pleadings confidential at least until the opening of the oral proceedings; and it
sees no reason why such confidentiality should not be kept also in the present
case. The objection is not directed against the Govemment of Italy, but would
have applied equally had the request been made by another Govemment.

31. LE GREFFIER AU MINISTRE DES AFFAIRES ÉTRANGtRES DES PAYS-BAS

29 juin 1983.

Me référant à l'accord du 26 juin 1946 entre Je Gouvernement des Pays-Bas

et la Cour internationale de Justice, j'ai l'honneur de porter à votre connais­
sance que, dans l'affaire du Plateau continental (Jamahiriya arabe libyenne!
Malte), MM. Eduardo Jiménez de Aréchagaet Jorge Castafieda ont étédésignés

1 A similar communication was sent 10the Agent of Malta.
2 A communication in the same tenns was sent to the Agent of the Libyan Arab
Jamahiriya. CORRESPONDENCE 493

comme juges ad hoc respectivement par les Gouvernements de la Jamahiriya
arabe libyenne et de Malte.
Je ne manquerai pas de vous faire connaître en temps utile la date de leur

arrivéeau siège de la Cour.

32. THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA TO THE REG!STRAR
(telex)

l l July l983.
1
I refer to your communications dated 10 June and 6 July 1983 ,related to the
request of the ltalian Govemment that the pleadings and annexed documents in
the case conceming Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta) should
be made available to ît. 1 have the honour to infonn you that the Govemment of
the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya has no objection to the request being granted.

33. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIR!YA

11 July 1983.

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your telex received today relat­
ing to the request of the Govemment of Italy that the pleadings and annexed
documents in the case conceming the Continental Shelf (libyan Arab Jamahi­
riya/Malta) should be made available to it.
1enclose herewith a copy of the reply I had received on 21 June 1983 from

the Agent of Malta on this subject.

34. THE REG!STRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALTA

Il July 1983.

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 21 June 1983 relat­
ing to the request of the Govemment of Italy that the pleadings and annexed

documents in the case conceming the Continental Shelf (libyan Arab Jamahi­
riya/Malta) should be made available to it.
I enclose herewith a copy of the reply I have today received from the Agent
of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya on this subject and would ask you to be so good
as to infonn me at your earliest convenience whether the Govemment of Malta
has any further views to express.

35. THE AGENT OF MALTA TO THE REGISTRAR

18 July 1983.

have the honour to refer to your letter of 11 July 1983 relating to the
request by the Govemment of Italy that the pleadings and annexed documents

1 Not reproduced.494 CONTINENTAL SHELF

in the case conceming the Continental Shelf (libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta)
shou\d be made available to it, and enclosing a copy of the reply of the Libyan
Arab Jamahiriya on the same subject.
The Govemment of Malta have taken note of the Libyan views. They have
also noted the different attitude taken by the Jamahiriya when a similar request

was made by Malta in Libya's case with Tunisia.
The Govemment of Malta, having considered ail relevant factors, confions its
objection to the request of the Govemment of Italy, and respectfully asks the
Court to endorse the view that at this stage ail the documents in the case should
remain confidential.

36. THE REG!STRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALTA

26 July 1983.

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 18 July 1983
conceming the request by the Govemment of ltaly that the pleadings and docu­
ments annexed in the case conceming the Continental Shelf (libyan Arab
Jamahiriya/Malta) should be made available to that Govemment. A copy of
your letter is being transmitted to the Agent of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya for
his infonnation.
1 shall not fail to infonn you in due course of the decision taken on the
request of the Govemment of Italy pursuant to Article 53, paragraph 1, of the

Rules of Court.

37. LE GREFFJER À L'AMBASSADEUR D'!TALIE AUX PAYS-BAS

13 octobre 1983.

Me référant à la note du 10 juin 1983 par laquelle vous avez bien voulu me
demander de recevoir communication des mémoires soumis à la Cour interna­
tionale de Justice par les Parties en l'affaire duteau continental (Jamahiriya

arabe libyenne/Malte), j'ai l'honneur de porter à votre connaissance qu'en
application de l'article 53, paragraphe I, de son Règlement la Cour, après s'être
renseignée auprès des Parties, a décidé,dans les circonstances présentes, de ne
pas accéder à votre demande.

38. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA 1

14 October 1983.

Further to my letter of 26 July 1983 conceming the request by the Govem­
ment of ltaly that the pleadings and annexed documents in the case conceming
the Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta) be made available to it, I

1 A communication in the same terms was sent to lhe Agent of Malta. CORRESPONDENCE 495

have now the honour to inform you that the Court, pursuant to Article 53, para­
graph 1, of the Rules of Court, has duly considered that request and has decided

not to grant it in present circumstances. I have so infonned the Govemment of
Italy.

39. REQUÊTE À FIN D'INTERVENTION DU GOUVERNEMENT DE L'JTALIE

[Voir II,p. 421-426]

1
40. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE L!BYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

24 October 1983.

I have the honour to inform you that the Govemment of Italy has today filed

in the Registry of the Court an Application for permission to intervene, pursuant
to Article 62 of the Statute of the Court, in the case conceming the Continental
Shelf (libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta). In accordance with Article 83, para­
graph 1, of the Rules of Court, I send you herewith a certified copy of the Appli­
cation in question and am to inform you that the President of the Court has
fixed Monday, 5 December 1983 as the time-limit within which your Govemment
and that of Malta may fumish written observations thereon.

41. LE GREFFIER À L'AGENT DE L'JTAL!E

24 octobre 1983.

J'ai l'honneur d'accuser réception de la requête à fin d'intervention en
l'affaire du Plateau continental (Jamahiriya arabe libyenne/Malte), fondée sur
l'article 62 du Statut de la Cour internationale de Justice, dont vous avez bien
voulu me faire remettre le texte ce jour et à laquelle était jointe la copie du
décretdu ministre secrétaire d'Etat aux affaires étrangèresen date du 23 octobre
1983 concernant votre désignation comme agent de l'Italie aux fins de l'affaire.

Conformément à l'article 83 du Règlement de la Cour, des copies certifiées
conformes de cette requêteont ététransmises aux agents de la Jamahiriya arabe
libyenne et de Malte, qui ont étépriés de présenter leurs observations écrites
dans un délaiexpirant le 5 décembre 1983.

42. THE REGISTRAR TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS

(telex)

24 October 1983.

I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that the Govemment of Italy
has today, 24 October 1983, filed an Application for permission to intervene,

1
A similar communication was sent 10 the Agent of Malta.496 CONTINENTAL SHELF

pursuant to Article 62 of the Statute of the Court, in the case conceming the

Continental She/f (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Ma/ta). A copy of the Application
will be transmitted to you shortly in accordance with Article 83, paragraph 2, of
the Rules of Court.

43, THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

26 October 1983.

have the honour to acknowledge receipt of the Counter-Memorial 1 of the
Govemment of the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in the case
conceming the Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Ma/ta) filed by you
today, together with the Annexes thereto, and accompanied by the copies re­
quired under Article 52, paragraph 1, of the Rules of Court. This pleading was

duly filed within the time-limit fixed therefor in the Ortler made by the Presi­
dent of the Court on 26 April 1983.

44. THE REG!STRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALTA

26 October 1983.

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of the Counter-Memorial2 of the
Govemment of Malta in the case conceming the Continental Shelf (Libyan
Arab Jamahiriya/Ma/ta), filed by you today, together with the Annexes thereto,
and accompanied by the copies required under Article 52, paragraph 1, of the
Rules of Court. This pleading was duly filed within the time-limit fixed therefor

in the Ortler made by the President of the Court on 26 April 1983.

45. LE GREFFIER AU MINISTRE DES AFFAIRES ÉTRANGèRES D'AFGHAN1STAN 3

17 novembre 1983.

L'article 83, paragraphe 2, du Règlement de la Cour internationale de Justice
dispose que le Greffier de la Cour transmet copie de toute requête à fin d'inter­
vention à tous les Etats admis à ester devant la Cour.
En conséquence, j'ai !'honneur de transmettre ci-joint à Votre Excellence
copie du texte imprimé bilingue, préparépar le Greffe, d'une requêtedéposée
le 24 octobre 1983 au nom du Gouvernement de l'Italie en application de l'ar­

ticle 62 du Statut de la Cour, à fin d'intervention en l'affaire du Plateau conti­
nental (Jamahiriya arabe libyenne/Ma/te).

1 Il,pp. 3-235.
2 II,pp. 239-417.
l Une communication analogue a étéadressée aux autres Etats admis à ester devant la
Cour. COR RESPONDENCE 497

46. THE REG!STRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

5 December 1983.

I hIve the honour to acknowledge the receipt today of the written observa­
tions which your Govemment has fumished, in accordance with Article 83,
paragraph 1, of the Rules of Court, on the Application by the Govemment of
haly for permission to intervene in the case conceming the Continental Shelf
(Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta). Those observations were submitted within the
time-limit fixed by the President of the Court.
With this letter I also transmit to you a copy of the written observations Iike­
wise fumished today on the same subject by the Govemment of Malta.

47, THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALTA

5 December 1983.

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt today of the written observa­
tions2 which your Govemment has fumished, in accordance with Article 83,
paragraph 1, of the Ru!es of Court, on the Application by the Govemment of
ltaly for permission to intervene in the case conceming the Continental Shelf
(Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta). Those observations were submitted within the
time-limit fixed by the President of the Court.
With this letter I also transmit to you a copy of the written observations Iike-.

wise fumished today on the same subject by the Govemment of the Libyan
Arab Jamahiriya.

48. LE GREFFIER À L'AGENT DE L'ITALIE

5 décembre 1983.

Me référant à la requête à fin d'intervention de votre gouvernement en
l'affaire du Plateau continental (Jamahiriya arabe libyenne/Malte), j'ai l'hon­
neur de vous transmettre ci-joint le texte des observations écrites présentéespar
les Parties en vertu de l'article83, paragraphe 1, du Règlement de la Cour, les­

quelles observations sont parvenues au Greffe le 5 décembre 1983.
En ce qui concerne la suite de la procédure, les audiences publiques au cours
desquelles la Cour entendra les représentants des trois gouvernements intéres­
sés, conformément à l'article 84, paragraphe 2, du Règlement de la Cour,
s'ouvriront au Palais de la Paix le mercredi 25 janvier 1984, à une heure que je
vous indiquerai ultérieurement. Afin de traiter de questions de procédure, le
Président recevra les agents de ces trois gouvernements dans son bureau la
veille,à 10 heures du matin.

Il,pp. 429-437.
Il,pp. 438-478.498 CONTINENTAL SHELF

Dans cette attente, j'attacherais du prix à ce que vous me communiquiez au
plus tard le 16 janvier 1984 Ia liste provisoire de vos conseils, et à ce que vous
me fassiez connaître si je puis transmettre cette liste aux Gouvernements de la
Jamahiriya arabe libyenne et de Malte.

49. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA 1

(te/ex)

6 December 1983.

Further to my conversation with you and the Agent of Malta concerning,

inter a/ia, the subsequent proceedings with regard to the Italian Application, I
am to inform you that the President will receive you with the Agents of Malta
and ltaly at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 24 January 1984. Those Agents have also been
so informed.

50. LE GREFFIER À L'AMBASSADEUR D'ITALIE

14 décembre 1983.

Me référant à notre récente conversation, j'ai l'honneur de vous indiquer ci­
après les noms des agents des Parties en l'affaire du Plateau continental (Jama­
hiriya arabe libyenne/Malte):

- M. Abdelrazeg EI-Murtadi Suleiman, professeur de droit international à
l'Université Garyounis de Benghazi, aux bons soins de la mission perma­
nente de la Jamahiriya arabe libyenne, 47, avenue Blanc, 1202 Genève
(Suisse).

- M. Edgar Mizzi, président de la commission juridique de Malte et conseiller
juridique spécial du Gouvernement de Malte, aux bons soins de Blackstone,
Rueb et van Boeschoten, Koninginnegracht 27, 2514 AB La Haye.

51, THE COUNSEL OF THE L!BYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA TO THE REGISTRAR

(tel ex)

11 January 1984.

I have the honour of informing you on behalf of the Agent of the Socialist

People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya that at the oral hearings conceming the Italian
Application to intervene in the Libya/Malta case the members of the Libyan
delegation will be as follows:

[See I.C.J. Reports 1984, pp. 3-4}

1 A similar communication was sent to the Agent of Malta. CûRRESPONDENCE 499

52. LE MINISTRE DES AFFAIRES ÉTRANGÈRES D'ITALIE AU GREFFIER

(télex)

13 janvier 1984.

[Voir C.I.J. Recueil 1984, p. 4-5]

53. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE L!BYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA 1

18 January 1984.

1 have the honour to draw your attention to the following provisions of
Article 71 of the Rules of Court :

"!. A verbatim record shall be made by the Registrar of every hearing,
in the official language of the Court which has been used ...

4. Copies of the transcript shall be circulated to the judges sitting in the
case, and to the parties. The latter may. under the supervision of the Court,
correct the transcripts of speeches and statements made on their behalf, but
in no case may such corrections affect the sense and bearing thereof ...

The transcript of the oral proceedings in respect of the Application of Italy
for permission to intervene in the Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya!

Malta) case, will be circulated to the States concerned in the proceedings as fol­
lows: the transcript of a hearing held from 10 a.m. to l p.m. wiH be a,;ailable
in the evening of the same day, and that of a hearing held from 3 to 6 p.m. will
be available during the moming of the following day.
In order to facilitate any superYision which the Court may feel it proper to

exercise, and to enable it to give its decision on the Application with the
rapidity required by Article 84, paragraph 1, of the Rules of Court, 1 shall be
obliged if you will hand your corrections to my secretary as soon as possible
after the circulation of each transcript, and in any event not later 6 p.m. on the

day following such circulation.

54. LE GREFFIER AU MINISTRE DES AFFAIRES ÉTRANGÈRES DES PAYS-BAS

19 janvier 1984.

Me référantau paragraphe V des principes générauxde l'accord du 26 juin
1946 entre le Gouvernement des Pays-Bas et la Cour internationale de Justice,
j'ai l'honneur de porter à votre connaissance que, selon les renseignements

actuellement à ma disposition, le Gouvernement de la République italienne sera
représenté comme suit aux audiences qui se tiendront à partir du 25 janvier
1984 et qui porteront sur la requêtede l'Italie à fin d'intervention en l'affaire
du Plateau continental entre la Jamahiriya arabe libyenne et Malte:

[Voir C.I.J. Recueil 1984, p. 4-5]

1 A communication in the same tenus was sent to the Agent of Malta. A similar com­
munication was sent to the Agent of ltaly.500 CONTINENTAL SHELF

55. LE GREFFIER AU MINISTRE DES AFFAIRES ÉTRANGÈRES DES PAYS-BAS

19 janvier 1984.

Me référantau paragraphe V des principes générauxde l'accord du 26 juin
1946 entre le Gouvernement des Pays-Bas et la Cour internationale de Justice,
j'ai l'honneur de porter à votre connaissance que, selon les renseignements
actuellement à ma disposition, le Gouvernement de la Jamahiriya arabe libyenne
sera représentécomme suit aux audiences qui se tiendront à panir du 25 janvier
1984 et qui porteront sur la requêtede l'Italie à fin d'intervention en l'affaire
du Plateau continental entre la Jamahiriya arabe libyenne et Malte:

[Voir C.I.J. Recueil 1984, p. 3-4]

56. LE GREFFIER AU MINISTRE DES AFFAIRES ÉTRANGÈRES DES PAYS-BAS

19 janvier 1984.

Me référantau paragraphe V des principes générauxde l'accord du 26 juin
1946 entre le Gouvernement des Pays-Bas et la Cour internationale de Justice,

j'ai l'honneur de porter à votre connaissance que, selon les renseignements
actuellement à ma disposition. le Gouvernement de la République de Malte sera
représentécomme suit aux audiences qui se tiendront à partir du 25 janvier
1984 et qui porteront sur la requêtede l'Italie à fin d'intervention en l'affaire
du Plateau continental entre la Jamahiriya arabe libyenne et Malte:

[Voir C.I.J. Recueil 1984, p. 4]

1
57. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT,OF MALTA
(telex)

19 January 1984.

1 have the honour to confirm that the President of the Court will receive the
Agents of the Parties in the Continental Shelf case and the Agent of ltaly for a
meeting in his office at10 a.m. on Tuesday, 24 January 1984 to discuss practical
arrangements for the ora1 proceedings on the Application by Italy to intervene.
The oral proceedings themselves will open at 10 a.m., on Wednesday, 25 Jan­
uary 1984.
In this connection the Court may wish to consider ma.king accessible to the

public, as from the opening of the oral proceedings, the written observations
filed by the Panies on the Application of ltaly. The Application itself has
already received wide circulation (Rules of Court, Art. 83 (2)). I shall therefore
be grateful if any views you may wish 10 express on this point could be made
known to me before the meeting with the President on 24 January 1984, at the
latest.

1 A communication inthe same terms was sent 10 the Agent of the Libyan Arab
Jamahiriya.A similar communication was sent to the Agent of Italy. CORRESPONDENCE 501

58. LE GREFFIER À L'AGENT DE L'!TALIE

20 janvier 1984.

En prévision des audiences qui se tiendront à panir du 25 janvier 1984 au
sujet de la requêtede votre gouvernement à fin d'intervention en l'affaire du
Plateau continental (Jamahiriya arabe iihyenlie/Ma/te ), j'ai l'honneur de vous
faire connaître que, selon les renseignements que m'ont communiqués jusqu'ici
les agents de la Jamahiriya arabe libyenne et de Malte, leurs gouvernements
respectifs y seront représentéscomme suit:

[Voir C.I.J. Recueil 1984,p. 3-4]

59. THE REG1STRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

20 January 1984.

With reference to the oral proceedings to be held as from 25 January 1984 in
respect of ltaly's Application for permission to intervene in the case conceming
the Continental Shelf (libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Ma/ra), I have the honour to
inform you that, according to the information so far communicated to me by the

Agents of Malta and ltaly, their respective Govemments will be represented at
the hearing by the following persons:

[See I.C.J. Repons 1984, pp. 4-5/

60. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALTA

20 January 1984.

With reference to the oral proceedings to be held as from 25 January 1984 in
respect of ltaly's Application for permission to intervene in the case conceming

the Continental Shelf (libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta), 1 have the honour to
inform you that, according to the information so far communicated to me by the
Agents of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and Italy, their respective Govemments
will be represented al the hearing by the following persons:

[See I.C.J_ Reports 1984, pp. 3-5]

61. THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA TO THE REGISTRAR

23 January 1984_

I have the honour of informing you on behalf of the Socialist People's
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya that at the oral hearings conceming the ltalian applica­
tion to intervene in the Libya!Ma/ta case the members of the Libyan delegation
will be as follows:

[See I.C.J. Reports 1984, pp. 3-4]502 CONTINENTAL SHELF

62. THE AGENT OF THE L!BYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA
TO THE REGISTRAR

23 January 1984.

I have the honour of acknowledging receipt of your telex of 19 January 1984
confirming the appointment of the Agents of the Parties and of the Agent of
Italy with the President of the Court at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 24 January 1984.
1 refer also to your request in that telex for the views of Libya regarding

making accessible to the public the written observations filed by the Parties on
the application of ltaly. Libya would have no objection if such an action is
considered desirable by the Court.

63, L'AGENT DE L'ITALIE AU GREFFIER

23 janvier 1984.

Me référant à votre aimable lettreI n° 71051 du 20 courant, j'ai 1'honneur de
vous informer que la délégationitalienne, quant à elle, exprime son accord à ce

que la Cour envisage de rendre accessible au public, à partir du début de la pro­
cédure orale, les observations écrites présentéespar les Parties.

(Signé) Roberto GAJA.

64. L'AMBASSADEUR D'ITALIE AU GREFFIER

25 janvier l984.

Faisant suite au télégramme n° 312/C du 13 janvier 1984, j'ai l'honneur de

vous communiquer la liste définitive des conseils de la République italienne:

[Voir C.I.J. Recueil 1984, p. 4-5]

65. LE GREFFIER À L'AGENT DE L'ITALIE

27 janvier 1984.

J'ai l'honneur d'accuser réception de la lettre du 23 janvier 1984 par laquelle
vous avez bien voulu me faire savoir que l'Italie n'avait pas d'objection à ce

que soient mises à la disposition du public les observations écrites présentées
par les Parties dans la phase de l'affaire du Plateau continental (Jamahiriya
arabe libyenne/Malte) relative à la requêtede l'Italie à fin d'intervention.

1 Voir ci-dessus n° 57. CORRESPONDENCE 503

66, THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE UBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

27 January 1984.

I have the honour toacknowledge receipt of the letter dated 23 January 1984
in which you give your views on the accessibility to the public of the written
observations of the Parties on Italy's Application for permission to intervene in
the case conceming the Continental Shelf (Lihyan Arah Jamahiriya/Ma/ta).

67. THE AGENT OF MALTA TO THE REG1STRAR

6 February 1984.

I have the honour to refer to the question put by Judge Oda to Malta and
Italy at the sittingof 30 January 1984, in the oral hearing held on lta\y's appli­
cation for permission to intervene in the Lihya-Malta Continental She/f case,

and to enclose the reply by Malta to the above question.

Question by Judge Oda 1

"Considering that the expressions 'median line' and 'equidistance line'
are used in the 1958 Convention on the Continental Shelf in two different
situations, is the sector between B and C of the red line on the map on the
easel regarded as a median line in the case of opposite States or an equidis­

tance line in the case of adjacent States, in the sense of these concepts in
the 1958 Convention?"

Rep/y by Malta

Malta notes in the first place that the dichotomy between on the one hand
"median line in the case of opposite States" and "equidistance line in the case of
adjacent States" is not entirely exact. The Convention on the Continental She\f of

1958, Article 6, in relation to opposite coasts speaks of "the median line, every
point of which is equidistant from the nearest points of the baselines ... ", while
in relation to adjacent coasts it does not use the expression "equidistance line"
but says that "the boundary shall be determined by the application of the prin­
ciple ofequidistance from the nearest points of the baselines ... ". Thus white the

expression "median line" is expressly used in relation to opposite coasts, its use
is not excluded in relation to adjacent coasts, especially since the equidistance
method is, in the circumstances stated in the Article, applicable to both.
Malta also notes, in passing, that ltaly isnota party to the 1958 Convention.

Another pertinent observation of a general character is thal the expressions
"opposite coasts" and "adjacent coasts" do not represent ail the geographical
situations in which the delimitation of continental shelves is to be effected; nor
are such geographical situations easily classifiable into these two classes only.

1
See Il, p. 646.504 CONTINENT AL SHELF

As may be clearly seen from the Libya-Tunisia Continental Sheif case and the
Anglo-French Continental Shelf case, there are geographical situations which
possess both "opposite coasts" and "adjacent coasts" features and even ones
which are neither exactly the one or the other, but cases of "laterally re\ated
coasts", as the Atlantic region between France and the United Kingdom was
described in the Anglo-French case.
lndeed in the case just referred to, and in relation to the Atlantic region
which is quite comparable to parts of the geographical situation of Malta and
ltaly, the Courtof Arbitration in paragraph 242 of its decision expressly stated:

"In so far as the point may be thought to have importance, the Court is
inclined to the opinion that the Atlantic region falls within the terms of
paragraph I rather than paragraph 2 of Article 6. As the United Kingdom
emphasizes, there are a number of precedents in which equidistance bound­
aries between 'opposite' States are prolonged seawards beyond the point
where their coasts are geographically 'opposite' each other: and the as­
sumption seems to be that these are prolongations of median lines."

It is therefore quite in consonance with these views that Malta has from the
outset and also by reason of its island character, treated ail the delimitation
situations by which it might be effected as being "opposite coasts" situations.
Language corresponding to this first appears in Malta's Continental Shelf Act,
1966, where section 2 provides that

"... where in relation toStates of which the coast is opposite that of Malta
it is necessary to determine the boundaries of the respective shelves, the
boundary of the continental shelf shall be that determined by Malta and
such other State or States or, in the absence of agreement, the median line,
namely a line every point of which is equidistant from the nearest points of
the baselines . . .".

In its relations with ltaly Malta has not distinguished between "opposite
coasts" and possible "adjacent coasts" situations, or perhaps more accurately a
situation of "laterally related coasts". When referring in its Note Verbale of
31 December 1965, to the provisional arrangement with Italy, Malta treated the
whole situation as an "opposite States" situation and used the simple expression
"median line".
Malta's position in this regard has been consistent as may be seen from the
terms of the drafl delimilation agreement presented by Malta to Italy at the dis­
cussions of 19 June 1975 (see draft auached to Annex 15 to Malta's obser­
vations on ltaly's Application). This draft was entitled "Agreement between the
Govemment of the Republic of Malta and the Govemment of the Republic of
Italy relating to the delimitation of the Continental Shelf between the two coun­
tries". This was clearly intended to be a comprehensive agreement, settling the
whole of the continental shelf boundary. Article 1 drew no distinction between
"opposite" and "adjacent coasts"; and the boundary of the continental shelf
appertaining to each of the Contracting Parties is the median line every point of

which is equidistant from the points nearest to the baselines from which the
breadth of the territorial waters of Malta and Italy is measured, with the excep­
tionof the Islands of Linosa and Lampedusa.
The position taken by Italy is quite similar to that of Malta. Thus the Italian
Continental Shelf Law of 21 June 1967 refers to the "median line", even though
the delimitation might, in certain circumstances, e.g., near the termini of the
land boundaries with France and Yugoslavia, involve an "adjacent coasts" situ­
ation. CORRESPONDENCE 505

In truth it may be said that very often the terms "median line" and "equidis­
tant line" are used interchangeably and no safe conclusions can be drawn from
the use of either of these terms. For example, the geographical situation be­
tween ltaly and Tunisia is not exactly and in all respects one of opposite States
and yet the two countries agreed that the "boundary of the continental shelf be­
tween the two countries shall be the median line ... with the exception of
Lampione, Lampedusa, Linosa and Pantalleria" (Agreement of 20 August
1971). Conversely, the geographical situation between Italy and Spain, namely
between Sardinia and the Balearic Islands is almost exactly that of opposite
coasts; this notwithstanding the words used in the Agreement of 19 February
1974 is the following: "The dividing line of the continental shelf between Spain
and Italy will remain established following the criterion of equidistance from

respective baselines."
ln conclusion Malta wishes to state that it has provided a somewhat full
answer in order to be as much of assistance to the Coun as possible. However
in the absence of an indication of the issue to which the question is intended to
relate, Malta must reserve the right to supplement or qualify this answer should
any later developments in these or other proceedings so require.

68. L'AGENT DE L'ITAUE AU GREFFIER

Romé,le 6 février 1984.

En vous priant de bien vouloir les soumettre à l'examen de la Cour, j'ai
l'honneur de vous envoyer les réponses du Gouvernement italien aux questions
posées oralement par MM. les juges Oda et de Lacharrière au cours de
l'audience du 30 janvier 1984.

P.-S. - A toutes fins utiles je vous joins aussi une cane avec les indications
à la réponse au juge de Lacharrière.

1
Reply to the Fol/owing Question Put by Judge Oda
toPro/essor Arangio-Ruiz on January 30th, 1984

"As Counsel will be aware, the expressions 'median line' and 'equi­
distance line' are used in the 1958 Convention on the Continental Shelf in
two different situations. 1 wonder whether Professor Arangio-Ruiz, or Pro­
fessor Virally, and Mr. Lauterpacht regard the sector between B and C of
the red line on the map on the easel as a median line in the case of oppo­
site States or an equidistance line in the case of adjacent States, in the
sense of these concepts in the 1958 Convention."

1. Professor Arangio-Ruiz is aware, as well as the eminent Judge, of the dif­

ference set fonh in Anicle 6 of the 1958 Convention on the Continental Shelf,
between a median line as a boundary line between States "whose coasts are

1See II, p. 646.506 CONTINENT AL SHELF

opposite each other" and the "principle of equidistance" by "application" of

which should be determined the boundary line between "two adjacent States".
2. With regard to line 8-C in the map used by counsel for ltaly during the
oral procedure (January 25-30, 1984), it was meant to correspond to the line as
drawn on the map presented to the Court by counsel for Malta in March 1981.
As stated by counsel for Italy during the recalled oral proceedings, that line was

presumably understood by Malta as a line of equidistance, drawn as a continua­
tion of line A-B. Line A-B in its turn seemed to be understood by Malta, as
corresponding to the line provisionally agreed upon with Italy for the part of the
sea-bed situated between Sicily and Malta.
ltis possible that in the Maltese conception, line 8-C was intended more

for the purpose of delimitation between adjacent coasts than of delimitation
between coasts facing each other.
3. In any case, considering the very small coastal and territorial dimensions
of Malta as compared to Sicily and the southern part of continental Italy (and
other Italian islands ), and considering also, in addition to geography, the geo­

logy and geomorphology of the area, counsel for ltaly finds il very difficult, as
he stated before the Court, to understand how the line B-C could ever be justi­
fied in law, either as a "median" line, or as a line of "equidistance".
4. lt should also be noted that, in the measure indicated in the ltalian Agent's
reply to the question put by the eminent Judge de Lacharrière the area situated

south of line B-C is considered by Italy to be part of the ltalian continental
shelf.

Réponse de l'agent du Gouvernement italien à la question qui lui a étéposée
en date du 30 janvier 1984 par M. le juge de Lacharrière 1, dans les termes sui­
vants:

«Monsieur l'agent pourrait-il donner des indications précises sur les
zones de plateau continental sur lesquelles l'Italie considère qu'elle a des
droits?»

l. L'agent du Gouvernement italien croit interpréter la question qui lui a été

adressée dans le sens qu'il lui est demandé de préciser seulement les zones de
plateau continental sur lesquelles l'Italie considère avoir des droits et qui sont
comprises dans la région qui est vraisemblablement l'objet de l'affaire en cours
devant la Cour internationale de Justice.
2. L'agent du Gouvernement italien croit, qu'au cours de la phase orale du

débatqui a eu lieu à La Haye du 25 au 30 janvier 1984, lui-mêmeet les conseils
de l'Italie, notamment M. Arangio-Ruiz, lors de son intervention du 25 janvier,
ont fourni des renseignements assez détailléssur les revendications italiennes et
sur leur localisation géographique. Toutefois, dans l'actuelle phase de la procé­
dure, il n'a pas paru approprié de s'entretenir trop longuement sur une question

qui devra êtreapprofondie lors de l'examen du fond.
3. L'agent du Gouvernement italien est toutefois en mesure de préciser
davantage les zones sur lesquelles l'Italie considère avoir des droits et remercie
le juge de Lacharrière de l'occasion qu'il lui a offerte de revenir sur ce point
important. Il se réserve, si la demande à fin d'intervention de l'Italie sera

1 Voir II,p.646. CORRESPONDENCE 507

admise, d'indiquer avec tous les détails nécessaires sur quels principes et règles
de droit international l'Italie fonde ses différentes prétentions.
4. La première zone sur laquelle l'Italie considère avoir des droits est la zone
géographique délimitée à l'ouest par le méridien 15° JO'(qui passe par l'origine
de la ligne de base de Capo Passero); au sud par le parallèle 34°30' N; à l'est
par la ligne de délimitation gréco-italienne et sa prolongation; au nord par les
côtes italiennes de la Calabre et des Pouilles.
Il est évident que, dans la panic sud de cette zone, la ligne de délimitation
entre le plateau continental italien et libyen devra êtredéfinie d'un commun
accord entre les parties ou par d'autres procédures juridiques agréées.Le même

vaut pour la délimitation entre l'Italie et Malte dans la panie sud du côtéouest
de cette zone.
5. En ce qui concerne cette première zone, l'Italie estime avoir le droit de pani­
ciper à la détermination d'un point triple, qui intéresse en mêmetemps Malte,
la Libye et l'Italie. Ainsi que l'a expliqué le Conseil de l'Italie, M. Virally,
il s'agit du mêmepoint qui doit marquer l'extrémitéorientale de la ligne de
délimitation entre Malte et la Libye.
6. Une deuxième zone sur laquelle l'Italie considère avoir des droits est la
zone où se croisent les prolongations des lignes de délimitation tuniso-libyenne
(définie par l'arrêtde la Cour en date du 24 février 1982), et ita\o-tunisienne
(définie par l'accord italo-tunisien du 20 août 1971).
Cette zone est délimitéepar des lignes qui joignent les poinis suivants:

i) Je point terminal sud-est de la ligne déterminéepar \'accord italo-tunisien
cité;
ii) les points Xet G, indiqués sur la cane présentée à la Cour le 25 janvier
1984;
iii) le point 34°20' Net 13°50' E;
iv) le point qui se trouve sur le mêmeméridien 13°50' E, au nord du point

précédentet à l'est du point terminal donnéau chiffre i).
Dans cette zone, doit trouver sa place le deuxième point triple (qui pourrait
êtreaussi quadruple, ainsi que l'a montré le professeur Virally) qui marquera à
l'ouest le point terminal de la ligne de démarcation malto-libyenne. L'Italie a
évidemment le droit de paniciper à la détermination de ce point.

7. Il y a, dans la région, d'autres zones (à l'ouest du méridien 15°10' E,
notamment au nord et à l'ouestde Malte) sur lesquelles l'Italie considère avoir
des droits. L'Italie estime cependant, d'après les données dont elle dispose, que
ces zones ne rentrent pas dans l'objet de la présente affaire.

69. THE REGlSTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

9 February 1984.

1 have the honour to transmit herewith copies of the replies fumished by
Malta and Italy to questions put by Judges Oda and de Lacharrière on 30 Jan.
uary 1984 in the hearing devoted to ltaly's Application for permission to inter·
vene in the case conceming the Continental Shelf (libyan Arab Jamahiriya/

Malta), together with the unofficial Registry translations thereof prepared for
the judges' use.508 CONTINENTAL SHELF

70. THE REGJSTRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALTA

9 February 1984.

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt on 7 February 1984 of the reply
to the question put by Judge Oda on 30 January 1984 in the hearing
by Malta
devoted to ltaly's Application for pennission to intervene in the case conceming
the Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta).
I further take this opponunity of enclosing the replies received from ltaly to
questions put by Judges Oda and de Lacharrière, likewise on 30 January 1984,
together with the unofficial translations of all three answers, prepared by the
Registry for the ju~ges' use.

71. LE GREFFIER À L'AGENT DE L'ITALIE

9 février 1984.

J'ai l'honneur de vous communiquer ci-joint copie d'une lettre que l'agent de
Malte en l'affaire du Plateau continental (Jamahiriya arabe libyenne/Malte)
m'a adressée le 6 février 1984 et qui contient la réponsede son gouvernement à
la question poséeen audience par M. Oda.
J'y joinsà toutes fins utiles la traduction de cette réponseen français. Celle­
ci est établiepar le Greffe et n'a, comme vous savez, aucun caractère officiel.

72. LE GREFFIER À L'AGENT DE L'ITALIE

20 février 1984.

J'ai l'honneur d'accuser réception de votre lettre du 6 février 1984 transmise
par S. Exc. l'ambassadeur d'Italie à La Haye, lettre par laquelle vous m'adres­
sez les réponses du Gouvernement i1alien aux quescions posées le 30 janvier
1984 par MM. Oda et de Lacharrière lors des audiences consacrées à la requête
de l'Italie à fin d'intervention dans l'affaire du Plateau continental (Jamahiriya
arabe libyenne/Malte).

La teneur de ces réponses a déjàététransmise. sur la base de votre télexdu
6 février 1984, aux agents de la Jamahiriya arabe libyenne et de Malte. Je crois
bien faire néanmoins en leur adressant pour la bonne règle le texte de la lettre
que je viens de recevoir de vous.

73. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LlBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA 1

21 February 1984.

Further to my letter of 9 February 1984 enclosing the text of the telexed

replies received from Italy to questions put by Judges Oda and de Lacharrière

1
A communication in the same terms was sent to the Agent of Malta. CORRESPONDENCE ·509

on 30 January 1984 in the hearing devoted to Italy's Application for permission
to intervene in the case conceming the Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahi­
riya/Malta), I have the honour to transmit to you herewith a copy of a letter
dated 6 February 1984 and received on 17 February in the Registry, together
with the emended text of those replies.

Ialso enclose the emended unofficial translations of the answers in question,
prepared by the Registry for the judges' use.
Finally, I wish to inform you that the map referred to in the postscript to the
letter of the Agent of Italy, which is identical to the one produced during the
hearing with the exception of some shading in the zones referred to in the reply
to Judge de Lacharrière, is available for your inspection in the Library of the
Court.

74. THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA TO THE REGISTRAR

11 March 1984.

With reference to your letter of 9 February 1984 enclosing the text of the
telexed replies received from Italy to questions put by Judges Oda and de Lachar­
rière on 30 January l984 in the hearing devoted to Italy's Application for permis­
sion to intervene in the case conceming the Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab
Jamahiriya/Malta), and to your lctter of 21 February 1984 transmitting a copy of
a letter dated 6 February 1984, together with the emended text of those replies.
I have the honour to enclose herewith a copy of a note verbale I dated
lO March 1984, together with unofficial English translation, addressed to the

Govemment of the Republic of ltaly by the Socialist People's Libyan Arab
Jamahiriya regarding the position expressed by the Govemment of ltaly in its
reply to the question put by Judge de Lacharrière.

Annex

(Unofficia/ translation)

The Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

The Peop/e's Committee of the Peop/e's Bureau for Foreign Liaison

Ref. 68/ln/84

The People's Bureau for Foreign Liaison in the Socialist People's Libyan Arab
Jamahiriya presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of ltaly in
Tripoli, and with reference to the replyof the Italian Govemment dated 6 February
1984 to the question put by Judge de Lacharrière on 30 January 1984 in the hear­
ing devoted to Italy's Application for permission to intervene in the case concem­
ing the Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta) in which the Govem­
ment of ltaly indicated areas of Continental Shelf over which it considers to have

rights; and

1See annex.510 CONTINENTAL SHELF

Having regard to this reply, the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya finds
il necessary to reserve its full rights regarding lhe position expressed by the

Govemment of Italy in lhe aforementioned reply.
The People's Bureau for Foreign Liaison of the Socialist People's Libyan Arab
Jamahiriya avails itselfof the opponunity to express to the Embassy of lhe halian
Republic in Tripoli ils highesl consideralion and respect.

To: The Embassy of the Republic of ltaly in Tripoli.
Tripoli: 8 Jumada Al-Akhera 1393

Corrsp. 10 March 1984.

75. THE REG!STRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA 1
(te/ex)

13 March 1984.

1have the honour 10 inform you that the judgment of the Court on the appli­
cation of ltaly for permission to intervene in the case conceming the Continen­
tal Shelf (libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta) will be read at a public sitting of the
Coun to be held on Wednesday, 21 March 1984, at 10 a.m.

76. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

16 March 1984.

1 have the honour to acknowledge receipt with thanks of your letter of
11 March 1984, received in the Registry on 14 March 1984, referring to the

replies given by the Agent of Italy in the case conceming the Continental She/f
(libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta) to the question put during the oral proceedings
by Judge de Lacharrière, and enclosing a copy and unofficial English translation
of a Note Verbale addressed to the Govemment of ltaly on lO March 1984.

77. THE REGJSTRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALTA 2

28 March 1984.

I have the honour to transmit to you herewith an official sealed copy of an
Order 3 made by the President of the Court on 21 March 1984 fixing a time­
limit for the filingof further pleadings in the case conceming the Continental
Shelf (libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta). Printed copies of this Order will also be
supplied to you very shortly.

1 A communication in the same terms was sent to the Agent of Malta. A similar com­
munication was sent to the Agent of Jtaly.
2 A communication in the same terms was sent to the Agent of the Libyan Arab

Ja3ahiriya.
l.C.J. Reports 1984,p.162. CORRESPONDENCE 511

78. LE GREFFIER AU MINISTRE DES AFFAIRES ÉTRANGÈRES
D'AFGHANISTAN 1

28 mai 1984.

Le Greffier de la Cour internationale de Justice a l'honneur de transmettre,
sous ce pli, un exemplaire de l'arrêtrendu par la Cour le21 mars 1984 sur la
requête de l'Italie à fin d'intervention en l'affaire du Plateau continental
(Jamahiriya arabe libyenne/Ma/te).

79. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALTA 2

(te/ex)

9 July 1984.

Except in case of further notice to the contrary I hereby conf\rm that the
Agents of the Parties and the Registrar will meet at the Registrar's office on
12 July at 10 a.m. following filing and exchange of Replies. The Agents will be
received by the President in his chambers in order to ascertain views with
regard to questions conceming the subsequent procedure.

80. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

12 July 1984.

Ihave the honour to acknowledge receipt of the Reply of the Govemment of

the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in the case conceming the Conti­
nental She/f (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta), filed by you today, and accom­
panied by the copies required under Article 52, paragraph 1, of the Ru\es of
Court. This pleading was duly filed within the time-limit fixed therefor in the
Order made by the President of the Court on 21 March 1984.

81. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALTA

12 July 1984.

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of the Reply of the Govemment of
Malta in the case conceming the Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/

1
Une communication analogue a étéadressée aux autres Etats admis à ester devant la
Cour. Le mêmeenvoi a étéfait au Secrétairegénéralde l'Organisation des Nations Unies.
2 A communication in the same terms was sent to the Agent of the Libyan Arab
Jamahiriya.
3 III,pp.3-130.
" III, pp. 133-268.512 CONTINENTAL SHELF

Malta), filed by you today, accompanied by the copies required under Article 52,
paragraph 1, of the Rules of Court. This pleading was duly filed within the time­
limit fixed therefor in the Order made by the President of the Court on
21 March 1984.

82. THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA TO THE REGISTRAR

12 July 1984.

1have the honour of infonning you that, pursuant to Article 50, paragraph 2,
of the Rules of Court, copies of the following documents are being deposited

with the Registry in connection with the filing of the Reply of the Socialist
People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in the case conceming the Continental Shelf
(Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Ma/ta):
1. Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement, dated 13 October 1974,

among National Oil Corporation, Compagnie des pétroles Total (Libye) and
Compagnie française des pétroles;
2. Libyan oil map, published by the Exploration and Production Department
of the National Oil Corporation;
3. Finetti, I. R., "Geophysical Study of the Sicily Channel Rift Zone", 1984,
Boil. Geof Teor. Appl., Vol. 26, No. 101;

4. Jongsma, D., van Hinte, J. E., and Woodside, J. M., "Geologic Structure
and Neotectonics of the North African Continental Margin South of Sicily", a
paper submitted for publication to Marine and Petroleum Geology.

83. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

12 July 1984.

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt with thanks of your letter of
12 July 1984, and of the copies of the documents submitted under cover of that
letter for deposit in the Registry, pursuant to Article 50, paragraph 2, of the
Rules of Court, in the case conceming the Continental Shelf (libyan Arab
Jamahiriya/Ma/ta). The Court and the Agent of Malta are being infonned that

these documents are available to be consulted in the Library of the Court.

84, THE AGENT OF MALTA TO THE REGISTRAR

17 October 1984.

I have the honour to refer to the inability for health reasons of His Excel­
lency Mr. Jorge Castafieda to continue to sit on the Court as the judge ad hoc
chosen by the Govemment of the Republic of Malta in the case conceming the
Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Ma/ta), and to infonn the Court
that, in accordance with paragraph (5) of Article 35 of the Rules of Court, the CORRESPONDENCE 513

Govemment of the Republic of Malta has chosen Professor Nicolas Valticos, of
Greek nationality, to replace Mr. Castaneda.
A brief biography of Professor Valticos will be forwarded shortly.

85. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

19 October 1984.

I have the honour to transmit to you herewith a copy of a letter dated
17 October 1984 whereby the Agent of the Republic of Malta in the case
conseming the Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta) has infonned
the Court that, for reasons of i1l health, His Excellency Mr. Jorge Castaneda

is unable to continue to sit as judge ad hoc in the case, and that he is to be
replaced by Professor Nicolas Valticos.

86. THE REGJSTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA 1

19 October 1984.

I have the honour to infonn you that at a meeting held yesterday the Interna­
tional Court of Justice, acting under Article 54 of the Rules of Court, decided to
postpone the opening of the oral proceedings in the case conceming the Conti­
nental She/f (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta) and fixed Monday, 26 November
1984 as the date for the opening of lhe said oral proceedings, at the Peace
Palace.
The Court expects a first round in the hearings to be completed before Christ­
mas and, if need be, to resume oral proceedings no earlier than 14 January
1985.

87, THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

22 October 1984.

I have the honour to refer to my \etter of 19 October 1984 conceming the
notification by the Govemment of Malta of its intention to choose Mr. Nicolas

Valticos as judge ad hoc to sil in the case conceming the Continental Shelj
(Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta); I note that no observation on this nomination
has been received from you on behalf of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. I have
further to infonn you, pursuant to Article 35, paragraph 3, of the Rules of
Court, that no objection to the appointment appears to the Court itself.
Mr. Valticos is therefore being infonned accordingly and supp\ied with
copies of the existing documents in the case. Subsequent case documentation
will be fumished to him pari passu with the Members of the Court and Judge
ad hoc Jiménezde Aréchaga.

The Agent of Malta is also being so informed.

1 A communication in the same terms was sent to the Agent of Malta.514 CONTINENT AL SHELF

88. THE AGENT OF THE L!BYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA TO THE REGISTRAR

25 October 1984.

I have the honour to refer to your Telex dated 19th October 1984, confinned

by letter of the same date, infonning the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jama­
hiriya of the decision of the Court taken on 18th October 1984, to postpone the
opening of the oral proceedings in the case conceming the Continental Shelf
(Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta) and to fix Monday, 26th November 1984, as
the date for the opening of the said oral proceedings.
I have the honour to infonn you that the Socialist People's Libyan Arab
Jamahiriya has taken immediate steps to make the adjustments necessary so as
to be able to comply with the above-mentioned decision of the Court.
It is noted, however, that, according to the Telex "The Court expects a first
round in the hearings to be completed before Christmas and to resume the oral
proceedings, if need be, no earlier than 14th January, 1985". Although there can

be no certainty at the present stage, it seems most likely that, having regard to the
nature and circumstances of the case, a second round of oral pleadings will be
needed.
Accordingly, Libya anticipates that the Court will give her time for prepara­
tion following Malta's second round of pleadings, which will be adequate,
having regard to all the circumstances, including the time allowed to Malta for
its preparation during the Christmas break.

89. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE L!BYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

30 October 1984.

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 25 October
1984 relating to the date of the opening of the oral proceedings in the case
conceming the Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta). A copy of
this letter has been transmitted to the Agent of the Republic of Malta.
I also have the honour to infonn you that, by a telephone call on 19 October
1984, the Agent of the Republic of Malta expressed his acceptance of the
Court's decision to fix Monday, 26 November 1984 as the opening date of the
oral proceedings.

90. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALTA 1

19 November 1984.

I have the honour to confinn the date of Monday 26 November 1984 as that
fixed for the opening of the oral proceedings in the case conceming the Conti­
nental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta) and to infonn Your Excellency

that the hour fixed by the President for the first sitting 3 p.m ..

1A communication in the same tenns was sent to the Agent of the Libyan Arab
Jamahiriya. CORRESP0NDENCE 515

With a view to the final arrangements, it will be necessary for me to meet
briefly with the Agents of the Parties before the oral proceedings begin, and I
would accordingly be grateful if you could let me know at what times on Friday
23 and Saturday 24 November you would be available for that purpose.
Meanwhile, with a view to securing for the representatives of each Party the
privileges, immunities and facilities to which they are entitled under the agree­

ment in force between the Court and the Netherlands, I would be grateful to be
informed without delay of the composition of your delegation. Any information
which you may at the same time be able to supply - of course, in confidence
and without commitment - regarding the expected order of speakers and the
languages they will use would, needless to say, be most helpful from the view­
point of the linguistic servicing of both the Court and the Parties.

91. LE GREFFIER AU MINISTRE DES AFFAIRES ÉTRANGilRES DES PAYS-BAS

20 novembre 1984.

Me référantà l'accord du 26 juin 1946 entre le Gouvernement des Pays-Bas
et la Cour internationale de Justice, j'ai l'honneur de porter à votre connais­
sance que, dans l'affaire du Plateau continental (Jamahiriya arabe libyenne!
Malte), M. Nicolas Valticos a étédésignécomme juge ad hoc par le Gouverne-
ment de la République de Malte. '

M. Valticos arrivera à l'aéroport de Schiphol le dimanche 25 novembre 1984
à 14 h 30 par le vol SR788 et résidera ensuite quelques jours à La Haye où il
descendra à l'hôtel Promenade.

92. THE AGENT OF MALTA TO THE REGJSTRAR

22 November 1984.

I have the honour to refer to the letter dated 25 October 1984 received in the

Registry from the Agent of the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in
the case concerning the Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta), a
copy of which you transmitted to me.
ln that letter Libya is suggesting that the Court should give it more time "for
its preparation during the Christmas break" than is already necessarily given to
it by the mere fact that it will speak after Malta. In fact,bya's time for prepa­

ration will be longer than that of Malta, no matter how long the Christmas
break will be, by the time taken by Malta for its second round of pleadings; and
Libya will not therefore require any more time. It is Malta that will always be
handicapped by the fact that it will be speaking first and Libya will always
have the last word.
It may also be pointed out that, since at this late stage one may rule out the

production of evidence, the hearing will consist merely of the "oral statements
made on behalf of each party" in accordance with Article 60 of the Rules of
Court. ln Malta's view these should follow one another without any substantial
interval of time, at least with respect to any of the so-called rounds of plead­
ings. Malta, it is true, has agreed to speak first; but it has done so only because

both Parties cannot speak together. Consequently the arrangement that Malta516 CONTINENTAL SHELF

should speak first should not cause it more disadvantage than thal resulling
from the fact that in the oral proceedings the procedure of simullaneous submis-
sions is not possible. ·

93. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALTA

23 November 1984.

I have the honour to enclose herewith a copy of a letterI of today's date
whereby the Agent of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in the case conceming the
Continental Shelj (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta) has communicated a revised

listof the members of his Government's delegation.

94. LE GREFFIER AU MINISTRE DES AFFAIRES ÉTRANGÈRES DES PAYS-BAS

23 novembre 1984.

Me référant au paragraphe V des principes générauxde l'accord du 26 juin
1946 entre le Gouvernement des Pays-Bas et la Cour internationale de Justice,
j'ai l'honneur de poner à votre connaissance que, selon les renseignements
actuellement à ma disposition, le Gouvernement de la Jamahiriya arabe libyenne
sera représentécomme suit aux audiences qui se tiendront à panir du 26 no­
vembre 1984 en l'affaire du Plateau continental entre la Jamahiriya arabe
libyenne et Malte:

[Voir C.I.J.Recueil 1985, p. 13-14)

95. THE AGENT OF MALTA TO THE REGISTRAR

23 November 1984.

Enclosed is a list of the persons who will represent Malta in the Continental
Shelj case (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta).

{See I.C.J. Repons 1985, pp. 13-14)

96. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE L!BYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

23 November 1984.

I have the honour to enclose herewith a copy of a letter of today's date
whereby the Agent of Malta in the case conceming the Continental Shelj
(Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Ma/ta) has communicated a Iist of the persons who
will represent Malta in the oral proceedings.

' Nol reproduced. CORRESPONDENCE 517

97. THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA TO THE REG!STRAR

23 November 1984.

I have the honour to refer to the discussion today in the presence of the
President and yourself between the Agents of the Parties regarding certain pro­
cedural aspects of the forthcoming oral pleadings in the above case.

ltis not the intention of Libya to produce any new evidence within the mean­
ing of Article 57 of the Rules of Court. It is, however, intended to use two or
three of the scientific advisers to the Libyan delegation in order to present and
clarify the nature of the scientific eviderce already contained in the written
pleadings of Libya. This will be done·by··asking these advisers to respond to
questions put to them by Counsel, but these questions will be confined to mat­
ters already dealt with in the written pleadingsof Libya.
The following advisers, who appear on the list of the Libyan delegation
fumished to you on 20 November 1984, may be called for this purpose by
Libya during the first round of the oral hearings:

Professor Jan E. van Hinte, Professor of Paleontology at Vrije Universiteit,
Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Nationality: Dutch. Residence: Konynginneweg
157, 1075 CN Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Dr. Derk Jongsma, Senior Lecturer, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the
Netherlands. Nationality: Australian/Dutch. Residence: Amsteldijk N.51, 1184
TD Amstelveen, the Netherlands.
Professor Icilio Finetti, Professor of Geology and Geophysics at the University
of Trieste. Nationality: Italian. Residence: Via Ricreatorio, 8, 34016 Trieste, ltaly.

Any questions put to Professor van Hinte, Dr. Jongsma and Professor Finetti
will relate to the geology and geomorphology of the sea-bed and subsoil of the
continental shelf areas of relevance to the case.

98. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

24 November 1984.

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter, dated 23 November
1984, relating to the presentation of scientific evidence in the case conceming
the Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta).
I have transmitted a copy of your letter to the Agent of Malta.

99. LE GREFFIER AU MINISTRE DES AFFAIRES ÉTRANGtRES DES PAYS-BAS

24 novembre 1984.

Me référantau paragraphe V des principes générauxde l'accord du 26 juin

1946 entre le Gouvernement des Pays-Bas et la Cour internationale de Justice, j'ai
l'honneur de porter à votre connaissance que, selon les renseignements actuelle­
ment à ma disposition, le Gouvernement de la République de Malte sera.repré­
sentécomme suit aux audiences qui se tiendront à partir du 26 novembre 1984 en
l'affaire du Plateau continental entre la Jamahiriya arabe libyenne et Malte:

[Voir C.I.J. Recueil 1985, p. 15]518 CONTINENTAL SHELF

100. THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA TO THE REGISTRAR

26 November 1984.

1have the honour of fumishing you wîth a revised list of the members of the
delegation of the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 1.This list replaces
the list fumished to you on 23 November 1984. This list is now final.

101. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALTA

26 November 1984.

I have the honour to transmit to you herewith a copy of a letter dated 26 No­
vember 1984 from the Agent of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in the case concem­
ing the Continema/ Shelf (Ubyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta), enclosing the final
listof the members of his Govemment's delegation.

102. THE AGENT OF MALTA TO THE REGISTRAR

26 November 1984.

have the honour to refer to your letter of 24 November 1984, which was
handed to me this moming, transmitting a copy of a letter dated 23 November

1984 received by you from the·Agent of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in the case
conceming the Continental Shelf (libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta).
ln this letter, the Agent of Libya states that it is not the intention of Libya to
produce new evidence within the meaning of Article 57 of the Rules of Court;
but then adds that it is intended to use lhe scientific advisers to the Libya dele­
gation to present and clarify the scientific evidence already produced.
1 wish to observe in the first place that Article 57 of the Rules does not refer
to "new" evidence but to evidence generally. Thus, experts who give evidence

can only do so within the framework of Article 57 and not otherwise.
As Malta understands the position there are only two ways in which material
may be conveyed to the Court during oral proceedings: either by those Counsel
or others who address the Court on behalf of a party or by those who appear as
witnesses or experts.
At the stage of the oral proceedings which has been reached in the
Libya!Malta case the production of evidence - any evidence - by witnesses
or experts is ruled out by Article 57 of the Rules as well as by Article 58 since
the requirements of the former cannot be met and the application of the latter is

now no longer possible.
I should add, in fact, that the procedure contemplated by Libya would be
most unfair to Malta since it would give Libya the undue advantage of produ­
cing evidence after Malta has submitted ils arguments. Moreover, it is foreseen
in Article 58 of the Rules that it is the Court, and not the Parties - much less
one of them -, that is to detennine whether the Parties should pursue their

1 See /.C.JReports 1985, pp. 13-14. CORRESPONDENCE 519

arguments before or after the production of evidence. If the Libyan tactics were
allowed to take effect, they would amount to a usurpation of fonctions exclu­
sively attributed to the Court and are therefore, also for that reason, objec­
tionable.
If Libya wishes the named gentlemen to make statements on ils behalf in the

course of oral proceedings in the same way as Counsel, it is not, of course, for
Malta to object. ln that case the experts speak as representatives, do not make a
declaration to speak the truth, are not cross-examined and their statemems can­
not be treated as evidence in the true sense of the word.
For these reasons I respectfully suggest that the proposa! by Libya should be
rejected and that thé gentlemen mentioned in the leuer of the Agent of Libya
should be permitted to make only statements uninterrupted by questions, in the
same way as other gentlemen representing Libya.

103. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

27 November 1984.

1 have the honour to transmit to you herewith a copy of a letter dated 26 No­
vember 1984 which I have today received from the Agent of Malta in the case
conceming the Continental Shelf (Lihyan Arah Jamahiriya/Malta).

104. THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA TO THE REGISTRAR

27 November 1984.

I refer to your letterof 27 November 1984 transmitting a copy of a letter
received from the Agent of Malta dated 26 November responding to my letter
to you dated 23 November submitted pursuant to Article 57 of the Rules of

Court.
This letter was filed because Libya had corne to the conclusion that the pres­
entation of the evidence of its scientific experts should fonn an integral part
of its argument before the Court. Hence, Libya can only take serious exception
to the objection to this manner of handling the Libyan case which is raised in
the Maltese Agent's letter referred 10 above. The necessity for this manner of
presentation has become ail the more apparent to Libya in the light of the oral
arguments already put forward by Malta: and Libya has a right to call those
witnesses named in its letter of 23 November or, indeed, under Article 63, even

witnesses not so named, subject to the control of the Court.
If the Court is notof this view, I should be grateful if a meeting between the
Agents of the two Parties with the President could be arranged as soon as pos­
sible, so that an early decision may be taken on the Mahese objection in order
that there will be no riskof delaying the proceedings.

105. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

29 November 1984.

1have the honour to refer to your letter of 27 November 1984 and to the dis­
cussion at the meeting held in the chambers of the President of the Court on520 CONTINENTAL SHELF

28 November 1984, on the question of the presentation by the Government of
the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya of scientific material as evidence during the oral
proceedings in the case concerning the Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahi­
riya/Malta). As was then indicated, the President has laid the question before

the Court, and has infonned the Court of the various points drawn 10 his atten­
tion by the representatives of the Parties in the course of that meeting.
On the instructions of the President, I have now lo infonn you that the Court,
having considered those points carefully, and bearing in mind both the need for
the Court to be as fully infonned as possible of ail relevant scientific data, and

the fondamental princip!e of the equality of the parties before the Court, has
decided as follows.
If the Government of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya desires to present the three
experts referred 10 in its Agent's letter of 23 November 1984 as expert wit­
nesses, who will make the so\emn declaration laid down in Article 64 of the

Rules of Court, and be questioned in court by counsel for Libya, then the repre­
sentarives of rhe Govemment of Malta must be .afforded a proper opportunity
not only to cross-examine the expert witnesses, but also to prepare their cross­
examination, in consultation (if they so desire) with the scientific experts ad­
vising the Government of Malta. On this basis, therefore, the Court will only be

prepared to hear the expert witnesses to be called by Libya during the second
round of oral argument. Fùrthennore, the Court does nol regard the information
given in the final paragraph of your letter of 23 November 1984 as sufficiently
precise to enable the other Party to prepare its case; attention is drawn to the
requirement in Article 57 of the Rules of Court, with regard to experts, for

"indications in general terms of the point or points to which their evidence will
be directed" - not merely indications of the general field in which the evidence
will fat!. Accordingly, it is a condition of the calling of any of the expert wit­
nesses that the Court and the Agent of Malta be furnished, before the end of the
first round of oral argument, with indications complying with this requirement

of the Rules of Court.
In this connection I have further to inform you that the Court contemplates an
adjoumment, at the end of the first round of oral argument, from 14 December
1984 to a date to be fixed at the end of January or beginning of February 1985.
lt remains open to the Government of Libya, as an alternative, to invite the

three experts to address the Court in the capacity of advisers of the Government
of Libya, without being questioned by counsel on either side. Ifthis option is
chosen, the Agent of Libya is of course free to present these advisers at what­
ever point during the first round of argument he sees fit.
A similar letter is being addressed to the Agent of Malta.

106. THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA TO THE REGISTRAR

2 December 1984.

1 have the honour to refer to your letter of 29 November 1984 infonning
Libya of the Court's decision following the meeting of the Agents with the
President on 28 November regarding Libya's presentation of scientific material.
Libya is grateful for the prompt decision reached by the Court on this matter

and for the opportunity to present its scientific evidence in one of two alterna­
tive ways. Libya's choice is to present its scientific advisers (and subject to
their availability, which must now be re-confirmed) as expert witnesses in the CORRESPONDENCE 521 .

manner indicated by the Court during the second round of oral argument. How­
ever, before reaching a final decision, Libya would like certain matters of pro­
cedure that will govem this phase of the case to be clarified.
It is, of course, essential that Libya be infonned of the precise date when the
Court would be prepared to hear this evidence. This is necessary in order to be
certain of the availability of the expert witnesses. If it is convenient for the
Court, Libya is prepared to present this evidence to the Court immediately
before the Parties begin to present their arguments in the second round. Libya
does not anticipate that more than one session would be necessary to present
such oral testimony, without laking into account lime that may be taken by

cross-examination and re-examination. In this way, it would be possible to
finish this technical phase before proceeding to the final pleadings by Counse\
of Malta and of Libya.
[fI could be advised of the Court's decision as to the date and procedure to
be followed, Libya can then finally decide upon the course to take and will
comply with the request made by the Court with reference to Article 57 by pro­
viding the details required.

107. THE AGENT OF MALTA TO THE REGISTRAR

3 December 1984.

I have the honour to refer to your letter of 29 November 1984 communi­
cating to me the Court's decision on the question of the presentation by the
Govemment of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya of scientific material as evidence
during the oral proceedings in the case conceming the Continental Shelf

(libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta).
It is appreciated that in deciding the issue the Court has borne in mind the
fondamental principle of the equality of the Parties before the Court.
Malta therefore respectfully requests that should Libya decide to produce
expert witnesses during the second round of oral arguments, these witnesses
should be heard before the Parties present their arguments, as is envisaged by
Article 58 of the Rules, and that Malta should equally be entitled, at that stage
and if it deems it necessary, to produce its expert advisers to give evidence on
the same "point or points" to which the evidence produced by Libya will have
been directed and which Libya will already have indicated to the Court and to
me in compliance with the Court's decision.
If the Libyan evidence were to be produced after Malta has presented its

arguments during the second round, Malta would not be in a position to com­
ment on that evidence, or produce its own witnesses to rebut that evidence,
except during a third round of oral arguments; and, at this stage at least, such a
further round does not otherwise appear to be necessary.

108. THE REGJSTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE UBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

3 December 1984.

I have the honour to transmit to you herewith a copy of a Jener dated 3 De­
cember 1984, and received in the Registry this moming, from the Agent of Malta
in the case conceming the Continental Shelj(Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/ Malta).522 CONTINENTAL SHELF

109. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALTA

4 December 1984.

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of Your Excellency's letter dated
3 December 1984, and received in the Registry the same day, conceming the
presentation of scientific material as evidence in the case conceming the Conti­

nental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta). A copy of that letter has been
communicated to the Agent of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.
In the meantime, a letter on the same subject has been received from the
Agent of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya; I have the honour to transmit to .you
herewith a copy of that letter.

110. LE GREFFIER AU CHARGÉ D'AFFAIRES DE L'AMBASSADE D'ITALIE
AUX PAYS-BAS

4 décembre 1984.

Me référant à la note du 10 juin 1983 par laquelle votre gouvernement
demandait à recevoir communication des pièces de procédure en l'affaire du
Plateau continental (Jamahiriya arabe libyenne/Malte), j'ai l'honneur de porter
à votre connaissance que, en application de l'article 53 de son Règlement, la
Cour a décidéde mettre ces pièces à la disposition du public, et par conséquent
des Etats qui en ont fait la demande, à l'ouverture de la procédure orale en cette
affaire. Je vous fais donc tenir, sous pli séparé,les mémoires,.contre-mémoires
et répliques soumises par les Parties, ainsi que leur traduction en langue fran­
çaise, en soulignant que cette dernière, établie par les soins du Greffe, ne doit
pas êtreconsidéréecomme faisant foi.

1
111. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALTA

5 December 1984.

1 have the honour to inform you that the President of the Court, having
regard inter alia to the views expressed by the Parties in respect of the presen­
tation of scientific evidence, has decided that the oral proceedings in the case
conceming the Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta) will, follow­
ing the close of the current round of argument, be resumed in the New Year in
accordance with the following schedule:

(1) A first sitting will be held aJO a.m. on Monday 4 February 1985 for the
purpose of the examination and cross-ex.amination of the expert witnesses

1 A communication in the same tenns was sent tothe Agent of the Libyan Arab
Jamahiriya. CORRESPONDENCE 523

presented by the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. If necessary, a further s1tung
may be held at 3 p.m. on the same date for any remaining cross-examina­
tion or re-examination required.
(2) The second round proper will thus in principle open at 10 a.m. on Tuesday
5 February with the beginning of Malta's oral reply to Libya's case.

I trust that this information will be of assistance in the making of your
arrangements.

112, THE AGENT OF MALTA TO THE REGISTRAR

5 December 1984.

I have the honour to refer to the arguments presented on behalf of Malta by
Professor Ian Brownlie Iast Monday, December 3, 1984, in the case conceming
the Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta), in which he referred to
the Agreement between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Repub­
lic of Turkey dated 23 June 1978 establishing a delimitation of the continental
shelf of the two countries in the Black Sea.
For the convenience of the Court as well as of Libya, I am enclosing copies
of that Agreement taken from the Annexes to the Reply submitted by Canada in

the Gulf of Maine case.

113: THE REGISTRAR TO TIIE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

6 December 1984.

I have the honour to transmit to you herewith a copy of a \etter dated 5 De­
cember 1984 fron:i,the Agent of Malta in the case conceming the Continental
Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta), together with a copy of the Agreement
between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Republic of Turkey
dated 23 June 1978 referred to therein.

114. THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA
TO THE REGISTRAR

13 December 1984.

I have the honour to refer to your letter of 5 December l984 in which you
infonned me of the decision reached by the President regarding the presentation
by Libya of its expert evidence.
This early indication of the precise date on which examinalion, cross-exami­

nation and re-examination of Libya's witnesses will take place - namely 4 Feb­
ruary 1985 - has allowed us to begin making the necessary arrangements.
Accordingly, Libya is now in a position to indicate that it plans to produce524 CONTINENTAL SHELF

scientific evidence by testimony as mentioned in my 23 November letter on the
date indicated by the Court.
In response to your letter of 29 November, 1have set forth below the more pre­
cise information requested to meet the requirements of Article 57 of the Rules of
the Court for "indications in general terms of the point or points to which (the
experts'} evidence will be directed".
The points to which the evidence produced by Libya's experts may be directed
include the following:

(1) the geomorphology of the sea-bed underlying the Pelagian Sea and in

particular the features of the Rift Zone, the Escarpments-Fault Zone and the
southern banks and valleys south of the Rift Zone including the Tripolitanian
Valley and the Jerrafa Trough;
(2) the geology of the subsoil underlying the Pelagian Sea, and in particular
relating to the features referred to in ( above;
(3) the geomorphological and geological differences between the shelves
lying north and south of the Rift Zone and the character of the Rift Zone as a
plate boundary;
(4) the geomorphological and geo\ogical differences between the shelves
underlying the Pelagian Sea and the areas of shelf underlying the lonian Sea and
the Sirt Rise;
(5) the Medina (Malta) Ridge or Medina Mounts;
(6) the geomorphological and geological ties of Malta to the Ragusa-Malta
Plateau and to Sicily;
(7) the geological evolution of the sea-bed and subsoil areas underlying the

Pelagian Sea, the lonian Sea and the Sirt Rise;
(8) the presence of volcanics in the area;
(9) discussion of such relevant data as that derived from echosounding, seis­
mic techniques, and magnetic, gravity and heat flow measurements, as well as
drill hale data;
(10) the axial ridge line portrayed in the Libyan Reply;
(11) oceanographic aspects of the Rift Zone;
(12) a comparison of the RiftZone and the Escarpments-Fault Zone with other
features mentioned in the jurisprudence and in the written pleadings of Libya and
of Malta;
(13) the oil potential in the area;
(14) a critique of various scientific statements, explanations and graphie
demonstrations made by Malta in its written pleadings and in the course of
Malta's oral presentation.

115. THE REG!STRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

13 December 1984.

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of the letter of 13 December 1984
by which you have informed the Court of the points to which the evidence pro­
duced by Libya's experts may be directed on 4 February 1985 during the oral
proceedings in the case conceming the Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahi­
riya/Malta).
A copy of that letter has been communicated to the Agent of Malta. CORRESPONDENCE 525

116. THE AGENT OF MALTA TO THE REGISTRAR

14 December 1984.

I have the honour to refer to your leuer of 13 December 1984 enclosing a let­
ter of the same date from the Agent of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya conceming
the expert evidence Libya intends to produce in the case conceming the Conti­
nental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta).
I am in the first place to recall that the Court's decision to allow the pro­
duction of such evidence was made consequent to a notification, albeit late,
given by Libya by letter of 23 November 1984 to produce evidence expressly
declared not to be "new evidence" and that the purpose of that evidence was to

"present and c\arify ·the nature of the scientific evidence already contained in
the written pleadings by Libya". It now appears that the nature and the range of
the "point or points to which the evidence will be directed" is new in a number
of respects.
The \etter of 13 December 1984 from the Libyan Agent must, 1 believe, be
read together with the part of Prof. Bowett's speech on 13 December in which
he dealt with "Geology and Geomorphology" (supra, pp. 161-174). ltappears
from that speech that Libya is seeking to extend its line of argument regarding
the alleged existence of a discontinuity in·the "Rift Zone" by now contending
that the continental shelves of Malta and Libya respectively fonn part of two
separate plates. This is a very late stage in the proceedings at which to develop
such an argument and, if the evidence which Libya now proposes to adduce is
directed towards this point, there is a distinct likelihood that the proceedings

will have to be somewhat extended.
If, to referto just one issue. the ··two-plate" theory is developed further by
Libya, it may not be easy to abbreviate the cross-examination on this point. Thus
it may not be possible to complete the evidence within even the two sessions
foreseen in your letter of 5 December.
I can assure you that Malta has absolutely no wish to contribute to the leng­
thening of the stage of oral proceedings in this case, but it must safeguard its
position. This also means that as I had anticipated in my letter of 3 December
1984 it may, in consequence of the evidence tendered, be necessary for Malta
to produce its expert advisers to give their evidence on the same matters on
which the Court may have allowed Libya to examine its witnesses. This may
become particularly necessary if Libya's evidence is directed (as appears to be

suggested in paragraph (14) of the letter of 13 December) to a "critique" of
whal Malta has said in the course of its oral presentation. Malta has, already
and in due time, expressly reserved the right to call such witnesses, and is
confident that the Court, in further recognition of the principle of the equality
of the Parties before it, will allow Malta to exercise that right.

117. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALT A

14 December 1984.

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of the letter of today's date by
which you have infonned the Court of Malta's views on the letter of 13 Decem­
ber 1984 that I had received from the Agent of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in CONTINENTAL SHELF
526

the case conceming the Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta) with
regard to the presentation of scientific evidence.
A copy of your letter has been transmitted to the Agent of the Libyan Arab
Jamahiriya.

ll8. THE AGENT OF MALTA TO THE REGISTRAR

14 January 1985.

1 have the honour to refer to the discussion held on Friday 14 December
1984 in the presence of the President and yourself conceming certain procedu­
ral matters relating to the second phase of the oral proceedings in the Continen­
ral Shelf case (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta).
With reference to that discussion I am to infonn the Court and the Agent of
Libya that the expert witnesses Malta may call during these proceedings are the
fol\owing:

Mr. Carlo Morelli Full Professor of Applied Geophysics, Univer­
sityof Trieste.
Mr. Georges H. Mascle Professor of Geology, Dolmieu lnstitute of Geo­
logy and Minerology, University of Grenoble.
Mr. Jean-René Vanney Department of Dynamic Geology, Pierre et Marie
Curie University, and Department of Teaching
and Research, Sorbonne University, Paris.

The points to which the evidence produced by Malta's experts may be direc­
ted are the same as those indicated by the Agent of Libya in his letter to you of
13 Decembe'r 1984. However, in the examination of its expert witnesses, but
subject to what may become necessary in a re-examination of those witnesses,
Malta will do its best to limit itse\f to those points which, following Libya's
evidence by its experts, will appear to Malta to cal! for a rebuttal or contradic­

tion, or for an explanation or precision.

ll9. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

16 January 1985.

I have the honour to transmit to you herewith a copy of a Jetter, dated 14 Jan­
uary 1985 and received in the Registry today, from the Agent of Malta in the
case concerning the Conrinental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta).

120. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA 1

(te/ex)
25 January 1985.

I have the honour to infonn you that the President of the International Court
of Justice will receive the Agents of both Parties in the case concerning the

1 A communication in the same tenns was se;it to the Agent of Malta. CORRESPONDENCE 527

Continental She/f (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta) at 11 o'clock on Friday,
1 February 1985, for the purpose of detennining the sequence of the oral pro­
ceedings scheduled tastart on Monday, 4 February, at 10 a.m.

121. LE GREFFIER AU MINISTRE DES AF'FAIRES ÉTRANGÈRES DES PAYS-BAS

29 janvier 1985.

Me référant à l'alinéa final des principes générauxde l'accord du 24 juin

1946 entre le Gouvernement des Pays-Bas et la Cour internationale de Justice,
j'ai l'honneur de porter à votre connaisance que les Parties en l'affaire du Pla­
teau continental (Jamahiriya arabe libyenne/Malte) se réservent de faire témoi­
gner les experts dont les noms suivent, lors des audiences qui commenceront le
4 février 1985:

[Voir C.I.J.Recueil 1985. p. 14-15]

122. THE AGENT OF MALTA TO THE REGISTRAR

13 February 1985.

I have the honour, as required by Article 60 of the Rules of Court, to com­
municate to the Court a copy of the written text of the final submissions of the

Republic of Malta in the Continental Shelf (Lihyan Arab Jamahiriya/Maila),
and to enclose a further copy of that text for transmission to the Agent of the
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.

123. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALTA

13 February 1985.

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your Excellency's letter of
today's date communicating the text of the final submissions of the Republic of
Malta in the case conceming the Continental She/f (Libyan Arah Jamahiriya/
Malta); the additional signed copy you enclosed has been transmitted to the
Agent of the Liby~n Arab Jamahiriya.

124. THE AGENT OF THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA TO THE REGISTRAR

22 February 1985.

I have the honour to hereby transmit to you a signed copy .of the written text
of the final submission 2 of Libya, pursuant to Article 60, paragraph 2, of the

Rules of Court.
Enclosed is a second signed copy for transmission to the Agent of Malta.

1See p. 407, supra.
2 See p. 473, supra.528 CONTINENTAL SHELF

125. THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALTA

22 February 1985.

I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency herewith the text of the
final submissions of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in the case concerning the
Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta), communicated to me today

by the Agent of Libya pursuant to Article 60, paragraph 2, of the Rules of
Court.

126, THE REGISTRAR TO THE AGENT OF MALTA 1

(te/ex)
21 May 1985.

I have the honour to inform you that the judgment 2 of the International Court

of Justice in the case concerning the Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahi·
riya/Malta) is to be delivered at a public sitting to be held at 10 a.m. on Mon·
day, 3 June 1985.

3
127. LE GREFFIER AU MINISTRE DES AFFAIRES ÉTRANGÈRES D'AFGHAN1STAN

3 juillet 1985.

Le Greffier de la Cour internationale de Justice a l'honneur de transmettre cη
joint, en application de l'article 95, paragraphe 3, du Règlement, un exemplaire

de l'arrêtrendu aujourd'hui en l'affaire du Plateau continental (Jamahiriya
arabe libyenne/Malte).
Des exemplaires imprimés seront expédiéspar la voie normale dès leur paru·
tion.

1
A communication in the same lef!TISwas sent to the Agent of the Libyan Arab
Jamahiriya.
2 f.C.J.Reports1985, p. 13.
3 Une communication analogue a étéadressée aux autres Etats admis à ester devant la
Cour. Le mêmeenvoi a étéfait au Secrétaire généralde l'Organisation des Nations
Unies. The publications of the INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE may be ordered from

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