On December 16, 2002, the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (hereinafter “ICSID” or “the Centre”) received from M.C.I. Power Group, L.C. and New Turbine, Inc. (hereinafter “the Claimants”) a request for arbitration against the Republic of Ecuador (hereinafter “the Respondent” or “Ecuador”). On December 19, 2002, the Centre acknowledged receipt of the request, and accompanying documentation, together with the prescribed lodging fee, in accordance with Rule 5 of the ICSID Rules of Procedure for the Institution of Conciliation and Arbitration Proceedings (hereinafter the “Institution Rules”). On December 20, 2002, the Centre transmitted a copy of the request to Ecuador and Ecuador's Embassy in Washington, D.C. in accordance with Institution Rule 5(2).