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management of governments a difficult job. Even getting the full 

 information about the extent of funding of international cooperation in 

 science is difficult, for in many cases, especially on smaller projects, 

 the funds are just not clearly earmarked in the overall grant or contract. 



The overall coordination and management of international cooperation 

 in science is not particularly well done. That is not to say that 

 individual projects and programs are not handled well. The OSTP can do 

 well on a program of great importance and visibility to a current 

 administration but it lacks long term continuity and is always short of 

 manpower to do the data gathering, analysis, and evaluation of the 

 totality. Likewise, the State Department with approval responsibility 

 for all international government -funded science programs, lacks the 

 strength to lead, and finds itself in a follower role, making sure 

 certain rules are followed and pitfalls are avoided. Defense, Commerce, 

 NASA, Agriculture, and a large number of agencies perform in their 

 mission area. But a long term, stable program of clear purpose is not 

 seen. It is fragmented and it varies up and down too much with funding 

 squeezes, often resulting in accusations of bad faith being exchanged 

 country to country. 



NSF has been examining its international cooperative role, starting 

 two or three years ago in a favorable budget climate to strengthen 

 itself, programatically and organizationally. It now finds itself in a 

 weak budget climate for international cooperation, but it would still 

 like to improve its performance anyway. NSF has the necessary 



