ripe-3


      L.S.,


   During the last year Europe has seen a growing number of IP networks with
   a coverage that goes beyond that of a typical LAN. Networks of regional,
   national and international importance have come into operation. Though
   these networks are operated under the separate executive authority of the
   various organisations that own them, a growing tendency has been observed
   to interconnect them on an ad hoc basis.

   In order to facilitate the interconnection of separate IP networks, a
   co-ordinating body has been formed recently by most of the organisations
   running IP services in Europe today. Under the name of RIPE (Reseaux  IP
   Europeens), a framework has been set up whithin which a growing number
   of IP network service providers will coordinate the inter-network aspects
   of their services.

   Enclosed with this letter are documents describing RIPE in more detail,
   together with a first activity plan.

   For more details, RIPE can be contacted at the following address:

                              Dr.R.Blokzijl
                              RIPE
                              c/o  NIKHEF
                              P.O.B.  41882
                              NL-1009  DB    Amsterdam
                              the  Netherlands

                              phone:    +31  20  5925102
                              fax:        +31  20  5925155
                              e_mail:  k13@nikhef.nl

   RIPE maintains a general electronic distribution list. Requests for
   inclusion in this list can be sent to:

                              ripe-request@nic.EU.net


   Finally, we would like to quote from the RIPE terms of reference:

         "All parties operating wide area IP networks in Europe are
	 encouraged to participate".


   Sincerely Yours,


   Rob Blokzijl
   RIPE Spokesman                            Amsterdam, 29 November 1989