DELEGATES ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE.




Initials AA/V--S/CT/JG



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE INDIA-PAKISTAN QUARREL ABOUT WHO OWNS HOW MUCH OF THE DESOLATE RANN OF KUTCH WAS PLACED BEFORE AN INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL MEETING IN GENEVA TODAY (TUESDAY).

THE DISPUTE EXPLODED IN FIGHTING LAST APRIL AND BOTH SIDES AGREED TO SUBMIT THE CASE TO ARBITRATION. THE ISSUE CONCERNS ALIGNMENT OF THE BORDER IN THE 8,400 SQUARE MILE (2,165,600 HECTARE) WASTELAND OF MUD AND SALT MARSHES ON INDIA'S NORTHWEST FRONTIER WITH PAKISTAN.

INDIA, MAINTAINING THAT THERE IS NO TERRITORIAL DISPUTE, ARGUES THAT THE BORDER, THOUGH NOT DEMARCATED, IS WELL-KNOWN AND TRADITIONAL AND RUNS ALONG THE NORTHERN EDGE OF THE RANN.

PAKISTAN CLAIMS THAT SINCE THE RANN IS REGULARLY INUNDATED FOR NEARLY HALF THE YEAR, THE BOUNDARY LINE SHOULD FOLLOW INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE AND RUN DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE WATER, NOT ALONG THE EDGE.

THE DECISION OF THE TRIBUNAL -- LIKELY TO SIT IN PRIVATE FOR SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR -- WILL BE BINDING ON BOTH COUNTRIES.

JUDGE GUNNAR LAGERGREN OF SWEDEN IS CHAIRMAN OF THE TRIBUNAL. THE OTHER MEMBERS ARE MR. ALES BEBLER OF YUGOSLAVIA AND MR. NASROLLAH ENTEZAM OF IRAN.

EACH COUNTRY'S DELEGATION INCLUDES ITS ATTORNEY GENERAL -- MR. C. K. DAPHTARY OF INDIA AND MR. SHARIF UDDIN PIRZADA OF PAKISTAN.