65Although such facts are capable of supporting the argument that there was an overall plan which was identifiable before and after the intermediate period, it must however also be noted that in the contested decision the Commission found, first, that the cartel went through a period of crisis in the course of which the way in which it operated was significantly altered and relations between its members were obviously loosened, with the result that its activities greatly slowed down during the intermediate period, and, secondly, that, in the course of that period, certain protagonists – in particular Mr P., Mr F., Mr C. and Mr W. – had taken advantage of their contacts to attempt to re-start cooperation between the undertakings concerned (see recitals 148 to 187 of the contested decision). That is the reason why the Commission was prompted not to impose a fine on any of the cartel members in respect of that intermediate period.