1. Because certain questions corlcerning the interpretation and application of the Treaty Between the United States of America and the Republic of Ecuador Concerning thc Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investment (hereinafter the rear^")' have rlot been resolved through consultations or other diplomatic channels, the Republic of Ecuador hereby requests that these questions, described below, be submitted to an arbitral tribunal for binding decision in accordance with the applicable rules of international law.