In certain countries the Company also provides postretirement benefits other than pensions to various employees. The cost relating to such plans consists of the present value of the benefits attributed on equal basis to each year of service, and interest cost on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, which is a discounted amount. The transition obligation is being recognized through charges to earnings over a twenty-year period beginning in 1993 in the US and in 1995 for all other plans. Stock-based compensation The Company accounts for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method in accordance with Dutch GAAP which is also in conformity with US Accounting Principles Board Opinion No
