POWER OF ATTORNEY


      KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC.
(the "Company") does hereby make, constitute and appoint each of Roger S.
Begelman, Edward T. Joel, Saskia Brookfield Martin and Ted Chang, (and any
other employee of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. or one of its affiliates
designated in writing by one of the attorneys-in-fact), acting
individually, its true and lawful attorney, to execute and deliver in its
name and on its behalf whether the Company is acting individually or as
representative of others, any and all filings required to be made by the
Company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (as amended, the "Act"),
with respect to securities which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by
the Company under the Act, giving and granting unto each said
attorney-in-fact power and authority to act in the premises as fully and to
all intents and purposes as the Company might or could do if personally
present by one of its authorized signatories, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorney-in-fact shall lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

      THIS POWER OF ATTORNEY shall remain in full force and effect until
either revoked in writing by the undersigned or until such time as the
person or persons to whom power of attorney has been hereby granted
cease(s) to be an employee of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. or one of its
affiliates.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly subscribed these
presents as of December 12, 2003.



THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC.



By:    /s/ Gregory K. Palm
       ------------------------------------------
Name:  GREGORY K. PALM
Title: Executive Vice President and General Counsel