array slices in python

[beliavsky at aol.com]

In Python, "a[1:3]" refers to elements a[1] and a[2]. 
In Fortran 95, "a(1:3)" refers to elements a(1), a(2), and a(3), which
seems more natural. Matlab works the same way.

What is the rationale for the Python convention for array slices?