1404 



effect? Tf there are variations in existins: programs, should they be 

 reviewed and revised to enhance their effectiveness? If there are inac- 

 tive or unrewarding programs, should they be rebuilt, renegotiated, or 

 termuiated, or allowed to drag on? 



One problem is that of the "ratchet effect" — the ease with which 

 new agreements can be made, and tlie innnediate short-term benefits 

 they yiekl, as against the difficulty of funding and maintaining all of 

 these commitments, plus the dii)lomatic awkwardness that results 

 from their termination. 



In this connection, the report of the Inspector General "^ noted the 

 ]>roblem of "short institutional memory" attributable to SCI as an 

 agency with considerable jiersonnel mobility. Under these conditions, 

 it would seem important that the learning jjrocess in experiments in 

 scientific diplomacy be thoroughly documented as they proceed, to 

 inform later generations of diplomats and administrators. In fact, 

 emphasis on (locumentation of all |)arts of the science and technology 

 function in the Department of State would seem essential. 



Tangible lidtims From Cooperative Bilateral Uesearch and Development 



A siu'vey of benefits of cooperative science programs was summarized 

 in a short public; relea^e by the Department of State in March 1974. 

 Infoiination supplied by the various ])articipating agencies of the 

 U.S. Government turned up "almost 200" s|)cciric cases in which 

 international scientific coo|)eiation had produced "tangible benefits 

 for this country." Excerpts from this summar}' report follow; 



Our wide-rnnging and highly successful cooperative programs with Japan 

 furnish a good example of cost savings. American researchers had concluded that 

 inang.nnese oxides might be useful agents for absorbing sulfur dioxide fumes re- 

 leased into the atmosphere when coal is burned. A research project to determine 

 their absorptive qualities was planned. But American scientists, attending a 

 joint meeting in Japan, as part 0;f the U.S. -Japan Natural Resources Program 

 learned that the studies the United States was about to undertake had already 

 been made in Japan. The U.S. project was dropped, and we were saved an esti- 

 mated :>100,000 to $1.")0,000 — as against the $2,.')00 in air fare for the American 

 scientists attt>nding the Japan meeting. 



A visit by U.S. Bureau of Mines researchers to the United Kindgom's National 

 Coal Board laboratories saved as much as $1 million in unnecessary research and 

 devekipment tasks. For example, we would have needed at least $250,000 to 

 develop indepondentl}' information acquired from the British about coal gasi- 

 fication an imj)ortant area of research in dealing with the energy shortage. 



Our government .also has saved about $S million each year through the data 

 received from other countries participating in the Worldwide Cooperative Net- 

 work of Solar .\ctivity. This infornuition has made a vital contribution to the 

 safety t)f our space i)rogram. Without the international data collection network, 

 we would have had to obtain the data by using our own resources. 



The United States and the Federal Republic of Germany have agreed to 

 share the costs of III'JLIOS, a major, highlj' sophisticated program for gathering 

 information about the Sun. In 1974 and 197.'), the United States will launch toward 

 the Sun two German built and financed satellites incorporating both American 

 and German experiments. The (Germans will pay for over half the ecst of the 

 program, expected to total more than $lo.> million. 



A major example of cost sharing is the decision of nine European governments 

 to design, develop, and bi;ild the first Space Lab module which will become an 

 integral part of the U.S. Space Shuttle system. The cost of this European con- 

 tribution will be about SSOO-SS.JO million. Agreements on this cooperation were 

 ■concluded in September 1973, and work on the module is now underwa}'. 



"0 See page 1372. 



