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Copyright 2004 The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a full-service, integrated investment banking, investment management, and brokerage firm. We are a leading underwriter of securities and a leading participant in virtually all trading markets. We have investment banking and other business relationships with a substantial percentage of the companies covered by our Investment Research Department. Our research professionals provide important input into our investment banking and other business selection processes. Investors should assume that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and/or its affiliates are seeking or will seek investment banking or other business from the company or companies that are the subject of this material and that the research professionals who were involved in preparing this material may participate in the solicitation of such business. Our research professionals are paid in part based on the profitability of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., which includes earnings from the firm's investment banking and other business. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. generally prohibits its analysts, persons reporting to analysts, and members of their households from maintaining a financial interest in the securities or futures of any companies that the analysts cover. Additionally, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. generally prohibits its analysts, persons reporting to analysts, or members of their households from serving as an officer, director, or advisory board member of any companies that the analysts cover. Our salespeople, traders, and other professionals may provide oral or written market commentary or trading strategies to our clients that reflect opinions that are contrary to the opinions expressed herein, and our proprietary trading and investing businesses may make investment decisions that are inconsistent with the recommendations expressed herein. In reviewing these materials, you should be aware that any or all of the foregoing, among other things, may give rise to real or potential conflicts of interest. Additionally, other important information regarding our relationships with the company or companies that are the subject of this material is provided herein.

This material should not be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security in any jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation would be illegal. We are not soliciting any action based on this material. It is for the general information of clients of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. It does not constitute a personal recommendation or take into account the particular investment objectives, financial situations, or needs of individual clients. Before acting on any advice or recommendation in this material, clients should consider whether it is suitable for their particular circumstances and, if necessary, seek professional advice. The price and value of the investments referred to in this material and the income from them may go down as well as up, and investors may realize losses on any investments. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. Future returns are not guaranteed, and a loss of original capital may occur. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. does not provide tax advice to its clients, and all investors are strongly advised to consult with their tax advisers regarding any potential investment. Certain transactions including those involving futures, options, and other derivatives as well as non-investment-grade securities give rise to substantial risk and are not suitable for all investors. The material is based on information that we consider reliable, but we do not represent that it is accurate or complete, and it should not be relied on as such. Opinions expressed are our current opinions as of the date appearing on this material only. We endeavor to update on a reasonable basis the information discussed in this material, but regulatory, compliance, or other reasons may prevent us from doing so. We and our affiliates, officers, directors, and employees, including persons involved in the preparation or issuance of this material, may from time to time have long or short positions in, act as principal in, and buy or sell the securities or derivatives (including options) thereof of companies mentioned herein. For purposes of calculating whether The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. beneficially owns or controls, including having the right to vote for directors, 1% of more of a class of the common equity security of the subject issuer of a research report, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. includes all derivatives that, by their terms, give a right to acquire the common equity security within 60 days through the conversion or exercise of a warrant, option, or other right but does not aggregate accounts managed by Goldman Sachs Asset Management. No part of this material may be (i) copied, photocopied, or duplicated in any form by any means or (ii) redistributed without The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.'s prior written consent.

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Further information on any of the securities mentioned in this material may be obtained on request, and for this purpose, persons in Italy should contact Goldman Sachs S.I.M. S.p.A. in Milan or its London branch office at 133 Fleet Street; persons in Hong Kong should contact Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C. at 2 Queen's Road Central; and persons in Australia should contact Goldman Sachs Australia Pty Limited. Persons who would be categorized as private customers in the United Kingdom, as such term is defined in the rules of the Financial Services Authority, should read this material in conjunction with the last published reports on the companies mentioned herein and should refer to the risk warnings that have been sent to them by Goldman Sachs International. A copy of these risk warnings is available from the offices of Goldman Sachs International on request. A glossary of certain of the financial terms used in this material is also available on request. Derivatives research is not suitable for private customers. Unless governing law permits otherwise, you must contact a Goldman Sachs entity in your home jurisdiction if you want to use our services in effecting a transaction in the securities mentioned in this material.

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