[BUG/WORKAROUND] Microsoft Outlook 2003 / XP can't import vCard notes field; Entourage on Mac can

I am trying to sync my contact information between apps and machines. Here are my absolute, non-negotiable requirements:

(“Works
with” means I can round-trip in the given format — not necessarily
that it is native, and it's OK if I have to use a tool or a script
intermediary since I'll be scripting this stuff anyhow.)

1. Works with Outlook.

2. Works with Address Book on Mac.

3. Works with abook from the command line.

4. Is editable text in case I need to switch platforms, or do revision control, or any of a host of things.

I
was good with some kind of cobbled-together vCard solution, until I
discovered that MS Outlook 2003 on Windows XP could export note:
fields in .vcf files (oh, and insult to injury — there is no “Export”
option to vCard, you have to do some right-clicky nonsense or else
highlight all your contacts and “Forward as vCard”) but would not
import those same notes!

Outlook does not round trip a fully-spec'ed RFC standard?!?! What the hell?

Happily
(?) my workaround is to use MS Entourage for the Mac, which will
round-trip appropriately and sync itself with the Exchange server at my
work.  For those who cannot, perhaps there is a VBA
solution.  If you have one, please comment; I will update if I
discover how to get Outlook 2003 to accept the notes fields.

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