251 



I was more interested in whether you thought that those formal 

 mechanisms should be established, or whether it is better just to 

 continue as we are. 



Dr. McTague. I think, as you pointed out, it is important that 

 there be a central focus for these multiple types of activities. At 

 the policy level, at least, I think OSTP is an appropriate agency. 



We are not an operations office, and we should not become a 

 pass-through point for paperwork. But I think, as you pointed out, 

 playing a role in the policy level for discussions, international dis- 

 cussions, is highly appropriate for our office. 



Mr. LujAN. What role did OSTP play in the decision to do the 

 Space Station on a cooperative basis? 



Dr. McTague. We had discussions directly with NASA on this in 

 the very earliest stages. We had discussions internally, of course, in 

 the administration. We have been engaged directly in international 

 discussions, although most of them have been through NASA, as I 

 believe was appropriate. 



Mr. LujAN. NASA has done them directly with other countries 

 and not through OSTP? 



Dr. McTague. Yes; but there has been very close and effective 

 coordination. 



Mr. LuJAN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. FuQUA. Mr. Stallings. 



Mr. Stallings. How do we determine which international project 

 we get into? Do we have a clearinghouse that says this looks good 

 and this one isn't, or what is the procedure? 



Dr. McTague. It depends on the scale of the project. If it is of a 

 scale that is essentially appropriate for a single agency, and which 

 does not have other broad foreign policy implications, discussions 

 are often held on the basis of an agency in the United States with 

 its counterpart agency abroad. 



When there are very significant foreign policy implications, obvi- 

 ously, the State Department must get involved and we must get in- 

 volved. 



On very, very large-scale items such as the Space Station, that is 

 a decision in which the whole Government plays a role; the State 

 Department and we play policy roles, and the individual agency or 

 agencies will play the operational role. 



So it varies from activity to activity and with the purpose of the 

 activity. I don't think there is a single model that would work very 

 well, and I don't believe that a central clearinghouse is necessary. 

 It is clearly necessary that very significant projects — significant for 

 whatever reason — must be participated in by both the State De- 

 partment and by our office. 



Mr. Stallings. And then once the determination is made, how is 

 the funding decided? 



Dr. McTague. The funding is decided mainly through the agen- 

 cies themselves. These issues must be important to the agency mis- 

 sions, and I think that is the appropriate way. There should not be 

 set-asides. Whatever we do should be in our own national interest 

 and the interest of the mission of the agency that is involved. 



Mr. Stallings. I would assume that most of the countries would 

 operate the same way. Does that complicate this international re- 

 search if we have our own agenda, as they obviously do? 



