6 18. On January 16, 2002, the Secretariat forwarded to the State the briefs entered by the Inter-American Commission and by the representatives, and informed the State that it had one month to submit its observations and evidence regarding possible reparations. 19. The State presented its observations on the brief regarding possible reparations on February 15, 2002. 20. On April 12, 2002, the President decided to summon the parties to a public hearing, to be held at the seat of the Court on June 17, 2002, to hear the arguments regarding the alleged violations and the possible reparations, as well as the statements of the witnesses proposed by the Inter-American Commission. 21. The public hearing was held at the seat of the Court on the specified date and appeared before the Court: for the Inter-American Commission: Robert K. Goldman, delegate Germán Bidart Campos, delegate Raquel Poitevien, legal advisor; Susana Albanese, assistant; Emilio Weinschelbaum, assistant, and Ariel Dulitzky, assistant. for the State of Argentina: Andrea G. Gualde, agent, and Luz Monglia, deputy agent. Ambassador Juan José Arcuri. Witnesses called by the Commission: José María Cantos; and María Retondo de Spaini. 22. On September 24, 2002, the Secretariat forwarded the pertinent parts of the transcript of the public hearing to those who had participated in it, so that they might correct any material errors that may have been made. The President also advised them that they had until October 24, 2002, to submit their final written arguments. 23. On October 17, 2002, the State objected to the presentation of final arguments on the merits and possible reparations and asked the Court to rule on the matter. The Court responded the following day by rejecting the State’s request. 24. The briefs containing the final arguments were presented within the time period set by the President.