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1 Integration of STH Developments and U.S. Foreign Policy
Pages 11-24

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From page 11...
... Not surprisingly, STH developments are frequently entwined in decisions on broad issues confronting the Secretary of State and other senior officials of the Department; and they have become daily fare for many action officers throughout the Department and overseas. There are few U.S.
From page 12...
... Further, judgments as to the scientific and technological losses to the United States from proposed termination of cooperation were important. Removal of Uranium from Kazakhstan In 1994, the American Ambassador in Almaty received a request from the Kazakh Government to provide assistance in disposing of weapons-grade highly enriched uranium left over from the Soviet era.
From page 13...
... An International Protocol to Regulate Genetically Modified Organisms The 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity calls for an international agreement on Biosafety directed to international trade and transfer of life forms altered by bioengineering techniques. The United States has not ratified the Convention, which has been ratified or accepted by 175 countries, and therefore the United State can participate in but cannot vote at negotiations for the new agreement called the Biosafety Protocol.
From page 14...
... The U.S. Government, with its sophisticated water quality assessment capabilities and its long-standing assistance efforts in Bangladesh, must of course share the blame.
From page 15...
... The Department believes that each forensic success followed by apprehension and prosecution will help deter future terrorist attacks. Although the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency, Department of Defense, and other departments and agencies have the technical capabilities for investigating terrorist incidents, the Department plays a key leadership and facilitating role in Washington and abroad.
From page 16...
... The development of such international arrangements that facilitate the initiation and implementation of STH programs and of those that constrain harmful and dangerous activities is of high priority. (Table 1-1 and Figure 1-1, exemplifying the international reach of the American STH community, portray technology exports and scientific publications authored jointly by researchers from different countries.)
From page 17...
... Government that encompass interests of the American STH communities. Precisely because STH developments are a pervasive global force, they cannot be isolated from the fundamental workings of foreign policy, and effective foreign policy must reflect a comprehensive approach within
From page 18...
... INADEQUACY OF THE U.S. RESPONSE TO THE STH CHALLENGE Since the 1950s, technically trained personnel in specialized offices within the Department have addressed many aspects of STH that impinge on foreign policy and have assisted many departments and agencies, industry, academia, and other nongovernmental organizations in conducting international STH programs.
From page 19...
... The striking difference between the hesitant attitudes toward training within the Department and the enthusiastic support for training prevalent in industry and the military is discussed in Chapter 3. Despite the commitment by the Department of many positions to STH activities, the recruitment of technical talent by a number of offices of the Department, and training programs initiated by FSI to upgrade STH competence, the Department's record in integrating STH capabilities into the development and implementation of foreign policy has not been commensurate with the growing importance of foreign policy issues with STH content.
From page 20...
... The lack of a stronger commitment by the Department to bringing STH considerations into the mainstream of foreign policy formulation and implementation may result in the loss of specific opportunities to take advantage of America's extensive STH capabilities. At present, STH competence does not receive recognition as an important aspect of the culture of the Foreign Service, a shortcoming that is reflected in several ways: · STH activities are not high on the agendas of senior Department officials, nor does STH competence weigh heavy during recruitment, training, assignment, and promotion of FSOs.
From page 21...
... · Strengthened U.S. embassy staffs should help ensure that the work of the embassies reflects a sound appreciation of STH developments that affect bilateral and multilateral relations, should interact effectively with STH officials and other leaders of the local STH communities both to share information and to help facilitate cooperative activities, and should disseminate information to interested U.S.
From page 22...
... Specifically, in 1986, Secretary George Shultz announced the following enhancements to the personnel and management policies of the Foreign Service in response to the growing importance of foreign economic policies and the increasing complexity of international trade and finance Issues: · Establish rigorous, functionally oriented recruitment standards for FSOs assigned to the economic personnel cone. · Provide increased opportunities for FSOs to gain relevant work experience, especially as junior officers, and increase the number of advanced economic training assignments available to midlevel officers.
From page 23...
... Individual genius and American entrepreneurship have led to a period of unrivaled technology-driven economic growth within the United States. Many of the world's best scientists and engineers, as well as tens of thousands of 2Warren Christopher, "Memorandum to All Under and Assistant Secretaries: Integrating Environment Issues into the Department's Core Foreign Policy Goals," February 14,1996; Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Environmental Diplomacy: The Environment and U.S.
From page 24...
... In sum, the nation's foreign policy agenda is constantly facing new challenges, many driven by STH developments at home and abroad; but the culture of the Foreign Service, the Department, and indeed the foreign affairs community in general places relatively low value on STH skills. Although the Department can draw on the extensive STH resources of the country, there must be greater STH awareness throughout the Department and adequate mechanisms within it for utilizing external STH resources in a timely and effective manner.


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