On 13 December 2007, the Argentine Republic (“Argentina” or “the Respondent”) filed with the Secretary-General of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (the “Centre” or “ICSID”) an application for annulment of the Award dated 20 August 2007 (the “Award”). This Award had been rendered by a Tribunal composed of Mr. J. William Rowley (Canadian), Prof. Gabrielle Kaufmann-Kohler (Swiss) and Mr. Carlos Bernal Verea (Mexican), in the arbitration proceeding between Compañía de Aguas del Aconquija S.A. and Vivendi Universal S.A. (“the Claimants”) v. Argentine Republic (ICSID Case No. ARB/97/3).