1 THE PRESIDENT: Mr Von Breveern, as agreed, your side will present their submissions

2 this morning, and I invite you to commence the presentation.

3

4 MR VON BREVERN: Yes Mr President. The presentation will be started by the Minister

5 of Justice of the Republic of Guinea, Mr Togba.

6

7 MR TOGBA (Interpretation from French): Mr President, Members of the Tribunal. As

8 in November 1997, I have the honour to head the Guinean delegation at the hearing on the

9 merits of the case of the M/V SAIGA. Before referring to several aspects of the proceedings,

10 allow me, Mr. President, to express the sincere thanks of the government of the Republic of

11 Guinea for the wise and prompt way in which you dealt with the slanderous remarks made in

12 this courtroom against my country in particular, and Africa in general.

13

14 Let me comment first of all that there are no corrupted without corrupters, and the

15 corrupters have dropped their mask in this hearing, which brings us together by producing to

16 support their actions a draft decision which has neither been signed by the competent

17 ministers, nor registered with the Secretary General, and on which the Applicant in these

18 proceedings is mistaken on two counts. He is mistaken on the validity of the legislation,

19 which is only a draft. He is also mistaken on the subject of this draft, which intends not only

20 to bridge a legal void, but to install a system of taxation which is more favourable for

21 bunkering fuel intended for fishing vessels and other vessels in transit to Conakry in relation

22 to ordinary taxation for fuel, for transport vehicles, whether private or collective.