    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 3 (Monday, January 25, 1993)]
    [Pages 62-63]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting the Report on Science,
    Technology, and American Diplomacy

     January 19, 1993

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. Chairman:)

        In accordance with Title V of the Foreign Relations Act of Fiscal
    Year 1979, as amended (Public Law 95-426; 22 U.S.C. 2656c(b)), I am
    pleased to transmit this annual report on Science, Technology and
    American Diplomacy for fiscal year 1992.
        This is the first Title V report in which the entire period of
    coverage falls within the post-Cold War era, and a number of trends
    important to international science and technology (S&T) have become
    evident. As traditional Cold War concerns fade, the character and impact
    of S&T in U.S. foreign policy are also changing significantly. The
    importance of S&T in addressing problems such as environmental
    degradation and international economic and technological competitiveness
    will grow. At the same time, S&T will continue to be important to
    traditional military concerns and in areas of increasing importance
    following the demise of the Soviet Union, such as proliferation of
    weapons of mass destruction.
        The material presented in this report illustrates the significant
    role of S&T in American diplomacy and the tremendous changes in its
    character and impact following the end of the Cold War. This year's
    report focuses on three topical areas: S&T interactions with the Newly
    Independent States and the Baltics; the United Nations Conference on
    Environment and Development (UNCED); and a number of very big
    (``megascience'') programs, including illustrative space activities. The
    report also features narratives on 22 selected countries and 3
    international organizations (the European Community, NATO, and the
    OECD).
        As the definitive annual official reference on U.S. Government
    international S&T agreements and activities, this Title V report:
    <bullet>    Reviews a number of salient international S&T themes and
                issues, chosen by consensus in the executive branch;
    <bullet>    Illustrates by means of both narratives and an extensive
                data base an in-depth review of U.S. Government activities
                in the chosen thematic areas; and
    <bullet>    Provides, via the data base, a comprehensive overview of
                official U.S. Government international S&T activities in all
                areas.
        In early 1991, I enunciated five major interrelated foreign policy
    challenges and objectives in the post-Cold War era:
        1) promoting and consolidating democratic values;

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        2) promoting market principles and strengthening U.S.
          competitiveness;
        3) promoting peace;
        4) protecting against transnational threats such as environmental
          degradation; and
        5) meeting urgent humanitarian needs.
    The importance of S&T to achieving all five goals is seen clearly in the
    thematic areas that are the focus of this report.
        Science and Technology Interactions with the Newly Independent
    States and the Baltics: U.S. S&T efforts in the former Soviet Union and
    Baltics have focused on forging new S&T links, assisting in military S&T
    conversion and the meeting environmental, health, energy and other
    needs, and helping to maintain a sound S&T infrastructure. A collapse of
    the former Soviet scientific community would greatly endanger
    sustainable progress toward open societies and market economics and
    would increase the risk of weapons proliferation. Building a strong S&T
    infrastructure will help provide a solid foundation for a stable
    transition away from Communist rule and centrally planned economies.
        United Nations Conference on Environment and Development: Science
    and technology are critical tools in protecting against transnational
    threats such as global change, ozone depletion, and loss of biological
    diversity. Communication and cooperation in the international S&T
    community provided the basis for UNCED preparations and the three
    principal documents it produced, the Rio Declaration on Environment and
    Development, Agenda 21, and a statement of principles for the
    management, conservation, and sustainable use of forests. The convention
    on global change, opened at UNCED for signature, is based on the results
    of an extensive international S&T effort.
        Megascience Programs: The scientific facilities needed to pursue
    ever more fundamental questions about the nature of the universe are
    growing larger and more complex. As the costs associated with scientific
    research rise, maintaining national intellectual and technological
    competence in forefront areas requiring large facilities or global-scope
    research will increasingly require international collaboration. By
    sharing the burdens of supporting megascience projects, nations produce
    fundamental knowledge not possible to attain unilaterally.
        The thematic focus of this report illustrates the critical role of
    S&T in meeting our major foreign policy challenges. These challenges
    transcend partisan political differences and will, I believe, continue
    to permeate U.S. foreign policy into the next century.
        Sincerely,
                                                       George Bush

    Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. Foley, Speaker of the
    House of Representatives; Claiborne Pell, chairman, Senate Committee on
    Foreign Relations; and John Glenn, chairman, Senate Committee on
    Governmental Affairs.