International Committee of the International Olympiad in Informatics To: Greek Computer Society Athens, Greece Fax: 364-5154 Cape Town, 7th March 1997 Representatives of the John von Neumann Computer Society presented your fax of 23th September 1996, regarding the mentioning of FYROM country by another name, to the International Committee during its meeting in Cape Town. As far as participation, names, flags, etc. are concerned, the International Committee and the host countries normally follow the practice of the Olympic Games. However, when a country (like the one mentioned in your letter) takes part for the first time in an IOI, it might happen that not all members of the host team, not being politicians or diplomats, are aware of the existence of political problems and sensitivity, and might make mistakes during the course of the events. The International Committee asked future hosts of the IOI to respect your position. At the same time we express our wish to exclude politics from the IOI as much as possible, and keep the IOI a peaceful scientific and cultural event of the youth from all corners of the world. Lionel Hartmann Chairman of the Organisational Committee of IOI’97 Péter Hanák Secretary-General of the IOI