LEGAL 



TIDES 



CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Walter Clark is heading up a global outreach initiative for Noith Carolina Sea Grant. 

 • A lighthouse warns sailors awayfivm Algeria 's rocky coast. • Tunisia is attempting to lure tourists to its Mediterranean 

 coast. • A colorful market at Marrakech in Morocco offers a bounty of goods. • Algeiia exhibits a contrast of old and new 

 architectural styles. • 772/.? Tunisian port holds economic promise for the North African nation. 



contrasts of color and sound. Members of the 

 mission explored colorful markets along ancient 

 alleys and cobblestone streets. 



Located on the Mediterranean coast, 

 Tunisia won its independence from France in 

 1956. It is characterized by only 18 percent arable 

 land, mountains in the north, a hot dry central 

 plain, and the desert in the south. 



Its environmental concerns include limited 

 natural freshwater resources, deforestation and 

 desertification. 



Algeria, three times larger than the state 



of Texas, is located on the Mediterranean Sea. 

 Because of civil unrest, the visitors traveled in 

 armored vehicles and were kept under tight 

 security. Instability has delayed the country's 

 economic development. 



"When you fly over the coast, it seems 

 rugged and rocky. Everything seems crammed 

 into the coastal margin," Clark observes. 



With few environmental laws in place, 

 pollution is a critical issue, he says. "We found 

 the people to be kind and generous and eager to 

 collaborate." 



BRIDGES OF KNOWLEDGE 



Conflict, distrust and even intrigue might 

 be expected to spill over from the melting pot of 

 Maghreb cultures. 



While there is some political unrest and saber 

 rattling over borders, there is a growing sense of 

 harmony at the scientific level, Senseney notes. 



For example, there is ongoing 

 _ ^ discussion about pollution 

 monitoring across borders. 



The 2003 visit was 

 highlighted by openness among 

 members of the scientific 

 community, admission of need, 

 and willingness to collaborate. 



In June 2004, the United 

 States and Tunisia signed a 

 formal, 10-year science and 

 technology agreement that will 

 pave the way for collaboration 

 on an array of issues. Similar 

 formal arrangements are in 

 the works with Algeria and 

 Morocco. 



Scientific discussions 

 and progress could help foster 

 collaborative relations on the 

 political level as well, or at least 

 provide a structure for com- 

 munication, Senseney says. 



"It takes vision for people 

 to look at the big picture and 

 then take step by step, one 

 piece at a time," he adds. "Part- 

 nerships are vital to bringing 

 together individuals who may 

 not have an opportunity to talk 

 and learn from each other." 

 Clark agrees. He sees an opportunity to bring 

 together top researchers to advance scientific, 

 economic and political objectives. 



"For everyone who collaborates, it's an 

 opportunity to learn about each others' culture, 

 way of thinking and from each other when it 

 comes to dealing with coastal issues. We all will 

 benefit from partnerships that we forge," Clark 

 concludes. □ 



To learn more about Tfie Maghreb countries, 

 go online to The CIA World Fact Book 2002 at 

 www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook 



COASTWATCH 29 



