As is evident from Director Dan Green's detailed report below, the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams (CBAT) continues to function in a very reliable and efficient way. The electronic telegrams (CBETs) introduced in 2002 have proved to be a great success; they allow for very rapid dissemination of more extensive information than there is room for on printed Circulars, and they are frequently cited in the astronomical literature. The workload on the Director seems to be forever increasing. It is therefore gratifying that an Assistant Director, Gareth Williams, has been appointed. Since he also serves as Associate Director of the Minor Planet Center (MPC) and performs many of the computations on which the CBETs and the Circulars are based, the ties and mutual benefits between the CBAT and the MPC have been made even stronger.

The Commission has been fortunate in being able to continue its work during the last triennium with a minimum of effort, and thanks for this should go largely to the Director of the Bureau, Dr B.G. Marsden, for his untiring dedication, as well as to the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory for its general support. If any question has arisen, it was where the line should be drawn between paid and unpaid contributions to the Circulars. This involves a somewhat delicate balance of interests between, on the one hand, the encouragement given to certain types of observations which have traditionally been published in the Circulars, (e.g. accurate positions of comets), and, on the other, the income on whi h the continued successful operation of the Bureau depends. The position will therefore have to be kept under review at all times. At present all evidence points to general satisfaction with current policy.