Wednesday, October 31, 2007

ICJ To Hear Pedra Branca Sovereignty Case Next Week

Source : Channel NewsAsia, 30 October 2007

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will hold its public hearings on the sovereignty of Pedra Branca island and its outcrops, Middle Rocks and South Ledge, from November 6 to 23.

The 18-day hearings will take place at the Peace Palace in The Hague.

Singapore has exercised sovereignty over Pedra Branca, occupying the size of a football field, but Malaysia also lays claim on the island.

The case, going before the ICJ, follows three rounds of written pleadings exchanged between Singapore and Malaysia from March 2004 to November 2005.

The hearings take place under the terms of the special agreement signed by the foreign ministers of both countries to submit the dispute to the ICJ.

The Singapore delegation will include Deputy Prime Minister and Law Minister S Jayakumar and Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong.

Attorney-General Chao Hick Tin and Ambassador-At-Large Professor Tommy Koh, who is also serving as the agent of Singapore for this case, will join the delegation.

The delegation also comprises a team of experienced international legal counsels from countries such as the US and Britain. - CNA/ac

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