Dear Members,

Less than a month to go to the AGM. It looks like being a huge congress
with already over 500 names on their web page. We have had to work very
hard to find enough Ing sets for the congress, but the deliveries from
the Ing Foundation arrived in time. We wish the Polish organising team
much success. I am only going for a couple of days for the meeting,
but I look forward to again meeting many of you there.

Erik Puyt as IGF Director and myself attended many meetings on your 
behalf at and around the WAGC in Japan:

IGS-Pandanet: This has new focus in Europe as a special European administrator has been adopted. Jan Steen should now be contacted in case of 
any problems.
It is hoped many more of you will play on this server as a high number of
Europeans make it more attractive to Japanese players. The revenue generated
by these Japanese players enables IGS-Pandanet to support both the European
Go Tour and European/World Pair Go Championships.

Fujitsu: We thanked them for supporting European Go in recent years and as 
they are still running their World Championship, they seem likely to return 
to sponsoring European Go when their financial position improves. 

Go Weekly: The editor of Go Weekly newspaper wants to hold a challenge match
against the EGF via the Internet sometime this year. They will put up a 
team for us to match with similar people - eg student champion, lady champion
and so on. 

IGF: The IGF web site is being modified so each country has its own space; 
more details when ready. Some of you have not responded to their recent 
survey; please complete if you have not done so yet. 

World Ratings: Ales Cieply is representing us on a World Ratings Committee. 
Also the EGF will be attanding a World Rules conference in China in 
September.

GAISF/Intellectual-Olympics: More details on this in Erik's report which will
be circulated shortly. 

WAGC: The next WAGC will probably be in June 2005 near Nagoya as they are
having an Expo then. The KBA thought the International Baduk Championships
were unlikely, but the rumour brought back from Korea was that Incheon city 
were likely to run it again in October 2004.

Pair Go: 9 countries from Europe will take part in Japan on weekend of 14th
November 2004. Those involved with the selection have been contacted directly.

Congatulations of course to Bernard Helmstetter for his fourth place on 
second tie-break from China, and to all other representatives for putting
on a good show for Europe. It really was a good event held in a pretty town.

Remember to key an eye on the EGF web site for more documents concerning the 
AGM; please ensure your representative has access to them and is briefed
on your views on the various issues on the agenda. 

Best Go Wishes to you all
AJAx  01/07/2004