Contacts:
In Washington:
Dale Lautenbach (202) 473-3405 WASHINGTON, May 10, 2005 -- The World Bank today announced that, after consultation with the Governments of India and Pakistan, an agreement has been reached on the appointment of a Neutral Expert to address differences concerning a hydropower scheme under construction on the Chenab River in India. Professor Raymond Lafitte, a Swiss national, civil engineer and professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, will be asked to make a finding on a "difference" between the two governments concerning the construction of the Baglihar project. The Chenab River is one of the rivers comprising the Indus river system. After the Partition of the sub-continent, the Indus Waters Treaty was concluded with support from the World Bank. The Treaty divided the river systems between the two countries. The Bank is a signatory to the Treaty and earlier this year was approached by Pakistan to appoint a Neutral Expert to deal with a “difference” that had arisen between the two countries. Both India and Pakistan have found Professor Lafitte suitably qualified as a Neutral Expert. His findings will be made known in time. Under the terms of the Indus Waters Treaty, his determination will be final and binding. The Indus Waters Treaty was concluded by India and Pakistan on September 19, 1960. The World Bank is a signatory to the Treaty for certain specified purposes. It is not a guarantor of the Treaty. Many of the purposes for which the World Bank signed the Treaty have been completed. There are now three remaining responsibilities for the World Bank under the Treaty, relating to the settlement of “differences” and “disputes”. For Professor Lafitte’s resume and further details of the role of the World Bank under the Indus Waters Treaty see: http://www.worldbank.org/indus
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