INTERNATIONAL COURTOFJUSTICE
Peace Palace, 2517 KJ The Hague. Tel.(31-70-302 23 23). Cables: Intercourt, The Hague.
Telefax(31-70-364 99 28). Telex 32323. Internet address : http: Il www.icj-cij.org
Corrununiqué
unofficial
forimmediaterelease
No. 2000117
15 June 2000
Aerial Incident of 10 August 1999
(Pakistan v. lndia)
Court to deliver its Judgment on jurisdiction on Wednesday 21 June 2000
THE HAGUE, 15 June 2000. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will deîtser
Judgment on jurisdiction in the case conceming Aerial Incident of 10 August 1999 (Pakistan v.
India) on Wednesday 21 June 2000.
A public sitting will be held at 3.00 p.m. in the Great Hall of Justice of the Peace Palace,
The Hague, during whlch the President of the Court, Judge Gilbert Guillaume, will read the Court's
decision.
Background information
On 21 September 1999, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan instituted proceedings before the
Court against the Republicof lndîa in respect of a dispute concerning the destruction on
10August 1999 of a Pakistani aircraft.
As a basis for the Court's jwisdictîon, Pakistan invoindits Application Article 36,
paragraphs 1 and 2, of the Statute of the Court and the declarations whereby both States have
accepted the compulsory jurisdictione Court.
• In a letter dated 2 November 1999, India stated that it had "preliminary objections to the
assumption ofjurisdiction by the ... Court ... on the basis ofPakistan's Application".
After a meeting held on 10 November 1999 by the then President of the Court, Judge
Schwebel, with the Parties, the latter agreed to request the Court to determine separately the
question ofthe Court'sjurisdiction before any proceedings on the merits ofthe case.
By an Order of 19 November 1999, the Court ftxed 10 January 2000 and 28 February 2000
respective!y as the time-limits for the filing of a Memorial by Pakistan and a Counter-Memorial by
India on the question the Court'sjurisdiction.
Hearings on the issue the Court'sjurisdiction were held to6 April2000.
* -2-
NOTE FOR THE PRESS
1. The public hearings will be held in the Great Hall of Justice of the Peace Palace in
The Hague, Netherlands. Mobile telephones and beepers areallowed in the courtroom provided
they are turned off or set on sUent modeAny offending deviee will be temporarily retained.
2.Members of the Press will be entitled to attend on presentatian admission card, whîch
may be obtained upon application. The tables reserved for them are situated on the far left of the
public entrancef the cow1room.
3. Photographs may be taken for a few minutes at the opening and at the end of the sitting.
Television crews may film, but advance notice should be given to the Information Office (see
paragraph 8).
4. In the Press Room, located on the ground floor of the Peace Palace (Room 5), the reading of
the Court'sdecision will be relayed through a loudspeaker.
5. At theend of the sitting, a press release, a summary of the Judgment and its full text will be
distributedn the Press Room.
6. Ailthe above-mentioned documents will be simultaneously available on the Website of the
Court (http:/lwww .icj-cij.org).
7. Members of the Press who wish to make telephone caUsmay use thephone located in the
Press Room for collectcaUs or the public telephones in the Post Office in the basernent of the Peace
Palace.
8. Mr.ArtburWitteveen, First Secretary of the Court (tel: + 31-70-302 2336), and
Mrs. Laurence Blairon,Information Officer (tel+ 31-70-302 2337), are available to dewith any
requests for informationndfor making arrangements for television coverage. -
•
- Court to deliver its Judgment on jurisdiction on Wednesday 21 June 2000
Aerial Incident of 10 August 1999 (Pakistan v. India) - Court to deliver its Judgment on jurisdiction on Wednesday 21 June 2000