Sovereignty over Pulau Ligitan and Pulau Sipadan (Indonesia/Malaysia) - The Philippines requests permission to intervene in the proceedings

IN"TERNATIONAL COURTOFJUSTICE
PcyacePalace, 2517 KJ The Hague. Tel.(31-70-302 23 23). Cables: lntercourt, The Hague.

Telefax (31-70-364 99 28). Telex 32323. Internet address : http:ww.icj-cij.org

Communiqué

unofficial
for immediate release
No. 200117
15 March 2001

Sovereignty over Pulau Ligitan and Pulau Sipadan
(lndonesia/Malaysia)

The Philippines reguests permission to intervene in the proceedings

THE HAGUE, 15 March 2001. On 13 March 2001 the Philippines filed an Application for
permission to intervene in the case concerning Sovereignty over Pulau Ligitan and Pulau Sipadan
(lndonesia/Malaysia).

In its Application, the Philippines states that the purpose of its request is "to preserve and

safeguard [its Government's] historical and legal rights arising from its claims to dominion and
sovereignty over the territory of North Bomeo, to the extent that these rights are affected, or may be
affected, by a determination of the Court of the question of sovereignty over Pulau Ligitan and Pulau
Sipadan"; "to intervene in the proceedings in order to inform the ... Court of the nature and extent of the
historical and legal rights of ... the Philippines which may be affected by the Court's decision" and "to
appreciate more fully the indispensable raie of the ... Court in comprehensive conflict prevention and
not merely for the resolution of legal disputes". The Philippines makes it clear that it does not seek to

become a party to the case

ln support of its Application, the Philippines maintains that "[its] Constitution ... as weil as its
legislation have laid claim to dominion and sovereignty over North Bomeo"According to the
Philippines, "this legal and historical claim to the territory of North Borneo bas been the subject of
diplomatie negotiatîons, official international correspondence, and peaceful discussions which have not
been concluded. A decision by the Court, or that incidental part of a decision by the Court, which lays
down an appreciation of specifie treaties, agreements and other evidence bearîng on the legal status of

North Borneo will inevitably and most assuredly affect the outstanding territorial clatheof ...
• Philippines to North Bomeo, as weil as the direct legal right and interest of the Philippines to settle that
claim by peaceful means."

The Philippines Application was immediately communicated to lndonesia and Malaysia, and the
Court fixed 2 May 2001 as the time-limit for the filing of written observations by those States.

Itwill be for the Court to decide whether the Application for pennission to intervene submitted
by the Philippines should be granted. Should an objection be raised to the Application, the Court will

hear the Parties and the Philippines before deciding.

The Applicationof the Philippines for permission to intervene will shortly be available on the
Court'swebsit(http://www.icj-cij.org).

Information Office:

Mr. Arthur Witteveen, First Secretary+(31 70 302.23 36)
Mrs. Laurence Blairon, Information Officer+(31 70 302 23 37)
E-mail address: [email protected]