The President of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea,

Having regard to article 27 of the Statute of the Tribunal and to article 69 of the Rules of the Tribunal,

Having regard to the Order of the Tribunal of 20 February 1998 concerning the submission of the M/V “Saiga” (No. 2) case to the Tribunal,

Having regard to the Order of the Tribunal of 23 February 1998 fixing the time-limits for the pleadings in the case,

Having regard to the Order of the President of 16 September 1998 and of the Tribunal of 6 October 1998 extending the time-limit for the filing of pleadings in the case and reserving the subsequent procedure for further decision,

Having ascertained the views of the Parties,

Fixes 8 March 1999 as the date for the opening of the hearing;