Support for International Science and Technology Center - James A. Baker address - Transcript

US Department of State Dispatch, March 16, 1992

The problem we are here to address is sometimes referred to as "brain drain"--the leakage of specialized talent, especially to locations where that talent could be put to undesirable ends. The International Science and Technology Center we are about to launch can help plug this brain drain.

But it can do more. It can help put some of the best brains available anywhere today to work solving mankind's most vexing problems. It can play a role in reallocating the productive resources of the former Soviet Union to better serve the welfare of the people, and the cooperative scientific endeavors fostered by the center will not only expand the frontiers of science--they will strengthen the bonds of friendship among our countries.

This is what we call the "brain gain" solution. It is a solution worth investing in.

Joint Statement

Messrs. Joao de Deus Pinheiro, President of the Council of the European Communities, Frans Andriessen, Vice President of the European Commission, Secretary of State James A. Baker, III, of the United States, Foreign Minister Andrei Kozyrev of the Russian Federation, and Koichiro Matsuura, Deputy-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, met in Brussels at a conference of interested states on 11 March 1992 to promote the establishment and early operation, in the Russian Federation, of an International Science and Technology Centre.

The four parties--the European Community, the United States of America, the Russian Federation and Japan--agreed that a primary focus of the Centre would be to provide weapons scientists and engineers of the former Soviet Union, particularly those who possess the skills and knowledge related to weapons of mass destruction, with opportunities to redirect their talents to peaceful activities. It would, thereby, minimise any incentive to engage in activities that could result in the proliferation of nuclear, biological or chemical weapons, or missile delivery systems. The four parties also agreed that, through its projects, the Centre would contribute to ongoing efforts to reduce and eliminate weapons of mass destruction, and to the wider goals of reinforcing the transition to market-based economies responsive to civil needs and of supporting basic and applied research and technology development, for example, in the field of environmental protection, energy production and nuclear safety.

The four parties agreed that the Centre would be a clearinghouse for developing, selecting, financing and monitoring science and technology projects that would be carried out primarily at institutions and facilities located in the Russian Federation and, if interested, in other States of the CIS [Commonwealth of Independent States] and Georgia.

The four parties confirmed their intention to provide significant material support for the Centre and its activities. Secretary Baker confirmed that the US administration is now actively taking the steps necessary to provide $25 million to support the Centre and fund its projects. President of the Council of European Communities, Joao de Deus Pinheiro, and Vice-President of the European Commission, Frans Andriessen, confirmed that the European Comminity envisages an equivalent contribution to the Centre. Deputy Foreign Minister, Koichiro Matsuura, announced that Japan is prepared to make substantial contributions to the Centre, taking into account such factors as the future steps to be taken with regard to this Centre. Foreign Minister Kozyrev confirmed the readiness of the Russian Federation to provide the Centre, at the expense of the Russian side, with the necessary premises and services.