I. Introduction

1.  At the time of issuing to the demarcation team its first set of Demarcation Instructions, the Commission considers it opportune to offer the Parties certain Observations on the Commission’s approach to the demarcation phases of its work in the light in particular of certain considerations advanced by the Parties in their comments of 24 January 2003. In doing so the Commission is mindful of the fact that it is not the practice of international tribunals to respond to comments upon, or criticisms of, their decisions. However, the unusual features of the present situation, in which the Boundary Commission is required to continue its work by demarcating the boundary but without provision for formal pleadings by the Parties or full oral hearings, make it desirable that the Commission’s work in this respect be more fully explained. This will, the Commission believes, also be helpful in avoiding certain misunderstandings regarding the content and effect of the Commission’s Delimitation Decision of 13 April 2002 (“Delimitation Decision”) and regarding its tasks during the demarcation process.