901 



15 



NGOs. However, their capabilities to provide guidance and assistance 

 in activities to meet the needs of the developing world could be 

 improved. 



6. U.S. Organization . The lack of responsible and scientifically 

 competent oversight of U.S. interests in UNESCO science programs has 

 been and continues to be a serious and chronic problem. A governmental 

 focal point, having the requisite technical capability as well as signi- 

 ficant international policy responsibilities, would provide much-needed 

 support for American participation in the science programs of UNESCO. 

 However, such a unit cannot be truly effective in the absence of an 

 integral link to the scientific community and to their organizations. 

 The continuing agenda of this joint enterprise would include: 



• Assistance in the planning and implementation of scientific 

 programs at world level; 



• Concern for enhancing the participation of developing nations in 

 programs that contribute to the common scientific good; 



• Action plans backed by human and financial resources to 

 encourage and support multilateral scientific initiatives. 



IMPACTS OF U.S. WITHDRAWAL 



1. Scientific Relations . In the short term (through 1985), it 

 will be hard to judge the true impacts of withdrawal on U.S. science 

 interests and on the quality of UNESCO science programs. Even if they 

 appear to be only modest, early provision of resources to ensure con- 

 tinued U.S. participation must be made. In order to maintain confi- 

 dence both here and abroad in U.S. participation in international 

 science programs, withdrawal must be accompanied by a serious commit- 

 ment, expressed in policy, institutional, and budgetary terms to a 

 continued and strengthened American role. 



2. U.S. Participation in Governance . With the possible exception 

 of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and, to a less 

 certain degree, the International Geological Correlation Program (IGCP) , 

 the United States will forfeit the right to participate in the gover- 

 nance of major UNESCO-sponsored cooperative international programs upon 

 withdrawal. Only limited influence can be exerted on the direction of 

 these programs through U.S. participation in the cooperating NGOs. It 

 is important to note again the role played by UNESCO staff in planning, 

 advising, and implementing major programs supported from other sources 

 (e.g., UNDP, UNEP, Funds-in-Trust) . Withdrawal may seriously affect 

 possibilities for American participation in program management roles as 

 UNESCO staff members. 



3. Discontinuities in UNESCO Planning/Implementation . In the 

 event of U.S. withdrawal at the end of 1984, it will be necessary to 



