1031 



designing and implementing improved exchange programs, For ex- 

 ample, in 1966 the FCST, stating that "a base of information on 

 U.S. scientific and technological relationships abroad is needed," 

 requested the IC to study the possibility of establishing a regular 

 reporting mechanism.^^* However, the next year the Committee 

 reported that a central information file on international activities 

 was infeasible because of the many varied activities and types of data 

 it would have to include. *^^ 



The IC, FCST, made another attempt beginning in 1970 to catalog 

 U.S. Government relatioUvShips in international science and technolog}', 

 including "an interagenc}'- review of the Federal Government's 

 activities in international science." The objective was to inventory 

 programs and their funding. The Committee requested agencies to 

 supply it with : 



(a) Brief description of agency's international scientific programs and 

 projects. 



(b) Their relation to past size during the 1960's and to the vigor, need and 

 demand for programs. 



(c) . . . Missed opportunities which might have been developed under 

 more favorable circumstances. 



(d) Legislative authorities and restrictions within which programs-projects 

 are carried forward. 



(e) The agency [view of the] programs' utility. Identification of specific 

 instances in which the cooperative programs with other nations have resulted 

 in savings of time or money or in other direct benefits to the U.S. ; and 



(f) Observations which may serve to clarify the data given. ^'^ 



The general purposes of the study were to pro\ade the Federal 

 Council for Science and Technology with data: 



(1) to assess the current health and vigor of the Federal agencies' inter- 

 national science activities ; 



(2) to examine the assumptions under which they engage in international 

 relationships ; 



(3) to consider the adequacy of their present budgets in relation to U.S. 

 international program obligations; 



(4) to consider the question of whether a different or better management 

 system for USG's international science activities is required; and 



(5) to judge whether more explicit Presidential guidance will be needed 

 in the area.^i* 



This re\'iew was never completed. According to the IC, FCST, 

 "preparation of the report has posed far more difficulties than had 

 been foreseen. Among the difficulties . . . were the lack of compara- 

 bihty between the submissions of various agencies and the strain 

 on . . . time." Further commenting on these efforts, Pollack said: 



«>« U.S., Executive Office of the President, Office of Science and Technology, Federal CouncU for Scieiice 

 and Technology: 1967 Annual Report, 1%8, p. 23. 



5" Idem. 



»" Agenda, Meeting of International Committee of the Federal Council for Science and Technology, July 

 16, 1970, Point A. Discussion of FCST's request for interagency review of Federal Government's activities 

 ininternationalscience. Prepared by Bureau of International Scientific and Technological Affairs, Depait- 

 ment of State, July 2, 1970, pp. 1-2. 



M» Ibid., p. 1. 



