The Tribunal has pending before it several requests from the parties: a request by Claimant for provisional measures; a request by Respondent to decide whether a continuance of the proceedings is consistent with the ICSID Convention in view of what it regards as Claimant's recourse to diplomatic protection; and a request by Claimant for the production of various documents by Respondent. In addition, in response to the Tribunal's invitation, the parties have communicated their views on the appropriate number of written pleadings on the merits and the time limits within which they must submit those pleadings.