Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (Paraguay v. United States of America) - Request for the indication of provisional measures - Court to give its decision on Thursday 9 April 1998

INTERNATIONAL COURT OF ,JUSTICE
Peace Palace, 2517 KJ The Hague. Tel.(31-70-302 23 23). Cables: Intercourt, The Hague.
Telefax (31-70-36499 28). Telex 32323. Internet address : http: Il www.icj-cij.org

Communiqué
unofficial
forimmediaterelease

No. 98115
7 April 1998

Case concerning the Application of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations
(Paraguay y,United States of America)

Request for the indication of provisional measures

Court togive its decision on Thursda9 April1998

1.
1HE HAGUE, 7 April 1998. On Thursday 9 April 1998, the International Court of Justice
(ICJ) will give its decision on the request for the indicationsional measures made by
Paraguay in the case conceming the Application of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations
(Paraguay v. United States of America).

Further details will be given later on Thursday's public sitting, at which Vice-President
Weeramantry, exercising the functionshe presidency in the case (the President being a national
of the United States), will read the Court's Order.

Paraguay instituted proceedings against the United States before the Court on 3 April 1998
in a dispute conceming alleged violations of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations
of 24 April 1963 with respect to the case of Mr. Angel Francisco Breard, a Paraguayan national

convictedof murder in Virginia (United States) who is due to be putto death on 14 April 1998.

Paraguay maintains that Mr. Breard was arrested, tried, convicted and sentenced to death
without Virginia advising him of his right to assistance by the consular officers of Paraguay,
as requiredy the Vienna Convention. In view of the urgency of the case, Paraguay bas asked the
-. Court to indicate,an Order on provisional measures, that the United States should refrain from
executing Mr. Breard before the Court couid consider Paraguay's claims.

At a public hearing held today, both Paraguay and the United States presented- their
observations on the request for provisional measures.

The verbatim recordof today's hearing is available on the Website of the Court at the
following addresshttp://www.icj-cij.org

Information Office:
Mr. Arthur Witteveen, Secretary the Court (tel: 31-70-302 2336)
Mrs. LaurenceBIairon, Information Officer (tel: 31-70-302 2337)