HAMBURG, 5 February. The hearings in the M/V "Saiga" (No. 2) case (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines v. Guinea) are scheduled to commence on 8 March 1999 and the Agents and counsel of both parties are expected to address the Tribunal and present evidence, including witness testimony, in support. The oral proceedings follow the completion of the written proceedings. The written proceedings on the merits (the substance) of the M/V "Saiga" (No. 2) case were completed on 28 December 1998 with the filing of the Rejoinder by Guinea. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines had filed its Memorial on 19 June 1998 and Guinea its Counter-Memorial on 16 October 1998. This was followed by the Reply of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on 20 November 1998 and the Rejoinder on 28 December 1998. The written pleadings and documents annexed thereto filed in the case comprise over 1500 pages. The written pleadings will, in accordance with the Rules of the Tribunal, be made accessible to the public on the opening of the oral proceedings.