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Abrogation o£ the agreement by a signing head of state would be an 

 unusual, but not an impossible, act. On the other hand, succeeding 

 heads of state could either confirm the previous agreement or disavow 

 it. Even if the political parties change, there tends to be a certain 

 degree of continuity from one government to another on matters that 

 are more technical than political, as fusion would be for the 

 foreseeable future. Thus, an abrogation of such agreement would not 

 normally be expected, but the possibility would be greater than if a 

 treaty were in force. 



Ministerial-Level Agreements 



A great many of the agreements between governments are negotiated and 

 signed by appropriate ministries. While these agreements carry the 

 full weight of the government's commitment, they are subject to 

 changing governments as well as to the problems associated with 

 funding through an annual budget process — an issue that is a problem 

 with any arrangement. 



Informal Government-to-Government Arrangements 



Much information and many people can be exchanged without formal 

 agreements. This opportunity results as a matter of policy decisions 

 by governments to allow exchanges for which it is determined, for 

 particular cases, that the best interests of all concerned can be 

 served. These arrangements tend to be ad hoc, depending on 

 case-by-case decisions, and, thus, work with a certain degree of 

 flexibility. These informal arrangroents also contain a degree of 

 uncertainty as to whether they will be established or continued. 



Scope of Arrangements 



Umbrella Arrangement 



An umbrella arrangement is usually a desirable instrument in that it 

 establishes general principles and provides for certain activities 

 immediately and authorizes others to be consummated at a later time. 

 Thus, an umbrella agreement, after establishing the essential 

 principles, could contain provisions for an immediate exchange of 

 technology and personnel, authorize the formation of joint planning 

 exercises, and provide for later entry into medium- and long-term 

 projects. The advantage is that not all of the issues for the long 

 term need to be decided; rather, a framework is established under 

 which subsequent arrangments can be handled. 



