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(53) Observer from Nomenclature Commission

Dear Colleagues

An item of formal business. The IUCr Commission on Crystallographic
Nomenclature, which is charged with monitoring and advising on matters
of nomenclature in crystallographic practice, wishes to follow the
development of CIF dictionaries to ensure that no nomenclature errors
are introduced. COMCIFS is already well represented on the Nomenclature
Commission (David Brown is an ex officio member as Chair of COMCIFS; Syd
Hall and I are members as editors of the proposed IT volume on
Crystallographic Information, and Frank Allen, Peter Strickland and Michael
Dacombe also have input to the Commission's work as into that of COMCIFS).

The Nomenclature Commission has formally proposed that Andre Authier be
added to the COMCIFS roster as an Observer. The intent behind the request is
summarised by Sidney Abrahams in this way:

"We [The Commission on Crystallographic Nomenclature, CCN] have agreed, if
the condition noted below is met, that [the Observer] should
be free to consult appropriate specialist(s) within or without CCN
for advice whenever he detects a possible nomenclature problem with a
CIF definition. If the specialist agrees that a change is desirable
or necessary, he would bring the problem with the definition together
with an alternative definition that is consistent with IUCr
nomenclature, to the attention of COMCIFS at the same time the CCN
chairman is alerted. In the likely event that COMCIFS acts to correct
the matter, no action by CCN would be needed. If a solution to the
nomenclature problem proved more difficult, then CCN could be asked
to make a positive contribution although this case is not expected to
occur often."

Andre has responded in the following way to the CCN invitation:

"Andre's very reasonable condition is that all members of CCN and
COMCIFS accept his nomination and further that they agree to provide
him with all nomenclature advice he might request of them."

You are probably aware that Andre is Editor of Volume D of International
Tables (Physical Properties of Crystals) and Editor of Acta Cryst. A
(Foundations of Crystallography). As President of the Union from 1990-93,
Andre always took a very close and constructive interest in the CIF project. I
welcome his direct involvement with COMCIFS in the way suggested, and invite
endorsements of this appointment from full members of COMCIFS. If I do not
hear from you before the beginning of next week (25 November), I shall
take it that you consent to the proposal.

===========

I apologise for the fact that the last two circulars have carried the same
number (51). The second number 51 should be interpreted as meaning 52.

Best wishes
Brian