REVIEW OF U.S. OCEANS AND INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND SCIENCE ACTIVITIES: MEXICO

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP08C01297R000800230003-8
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 17
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 3, 2012
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: May 7, 1975
• Content Type: CABLE

DEPT. U1S 1 ftL V
IRiGIN'011.0 T101 Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12 : CIA-RDPO8C01297R000800230003-8
a
mi yed to O33
gee -
iisfirc?, -
RS/Ft WE AF
EURFE NEA
1NR
10
Original to be Filed in
VIESIGNATION
HANDLING INDICATOR
71 TO : Depar
FO AID)4 Nidiksm A
2. i..... 1 ? E.0.11652: N.A.
0
61E-Siir TAGS: TGEN, MX
lkr-
it --52-lr 4
;4"-- (A.
AGR COM 0, FRB i INT.
i '
f
LAB
TAR
XMB
AIR
USIA
ARMY NAVY 050,
4 /?'_
$ 01;6
NSAj C614 1
0441 nog
ea etq
SUGGESTVD DISTRIBUTION
#S et94
1),
TO:
POST RQUTINQ,
Action
Info.
Initials
AMB/
PO
DCM
POL
ECON
CONS
ADM
AID
FROM :
Dote:
SUBJECT :
REF
r-
( UNCLAS WHEN SEIMATIO- FROM
ATTACHMENTS)
t of State
Amembassy MEXICO CITY
DATE: 144Y 1975
Review of U.S. Oceans and International
Environment and Science Activities: Mexico
A) State 031948; B) Mexico 2759
?t5)
The present report is in response to the request (Ref A)
of the Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans, Inter-
national Environment and Science Activities. Ref. B.
advised that the draft text was in preparation.
SUMMARY
The present report presents a description of
our significant bilateral scientific and
technological relations with Mexico, and brings
out some of the strengths and weaknesses in
those relations. It also discusses those
strengths and weaknesses as they impinge on
industry, with particular reference to the
Transfer of Technology.
Trends in Mexico's policies and activities are
highlighted and an assessment made of Mexican
Science and Technology of present and potential
interest to the United States. At the same'
time, opportunities which might further our
bilateral relations are singled out for attention
and suggestions made as to future courses of
action.
References are provided to prior reports and
background documents which provide additional
insight into the total picture of our very
varied, very rich and long-standing scientific
relations with Mexico. END SUMMARY
1.71719TTIMrteiwEeMAL-4447W?
Ormus WHEN SEPARATED" MUM &LEACH. Ej In Out
"DS -323
For Deportment Use Only
-D
rafted
DrOiflng-Oote: 1Pflom No.: Contents and Uossi mot on by:
SCI:AC 'monnietri:feh 4-25-7 I DCM:RWBrandin
raft) DSilb draft) INIL:HLEst cdraft) ICrig14r (dra
FAlber draft) CO :
citaisient
CODA WAHayr
a)
raft
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12 : CIA-RDP08001"2-97R-606800230003-8
- -
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12: CIA-RDP08001297R000800230003-8
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
(UNCLAS WHEN SEPARATED FROM Mexico, A- 49
ATTACHMENTS) --' Page Two
REVIEW OF U.S. OCEANS AND INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND SCIENCE
ACTIVITIES IN MEXICO
Background Documents and Prior Studies:
One of the first in-depth studies was the "Currenl:As6essment
of Science and Technology in Mexico," consisting of three
parts, which was drafted by the first full-time Scientific
Attache posted in Mexico and issued as a composite airgram by
the Embassy in April 1972, respectively:
First part: Mexico A-204 of April 14, 1972, giving the over-
all characteristics of Science and Technology in Mexico:
Second part: Mexico A-211 of April 18, 1972, listing the
principal institutions: and
Third part: Mexico A-236 of April 28, 1972, the basic text
of the Assessment.
The first part of that study was updated in 1973 by A-239 of
May 18, 1973. See also A-216 of May 4, 1973, mentioned below,
on Trends.
A more current background document' (attachment A) is that dated
auly 23, 1974: ? "Material for the Ambassador's,Briefing Book
on Science and Technology," prepared for the incoming AMbassador/DCM
at that .time. This describes the duties and responsibilities
of the Counselor for Scientific Affairs (SciCouns)providing
useful examples,gives his principal contacts, and spells out
problems existing at that time. Another document (Attachment B)
which provides additional background is "US/Mexico Relations
in Science and Technology".
"Analytical Reporting Plans", attachment C. a memo addressed
to the DCM by SciCouns in early 1974, covers Energy, the
Environment, major US/Mexico Agreements and other cooperative
agreements.
Finally, the periodic reports to the AEC by SciCouns/USAEC
SciRep provide a running account of numerous projects, plans
and programs during the 40-month period, late 1971-early 1975.
A -- SIGNIFICANT US/MEXICAN BILATERAL RELATIONS IN SCIENTIFIC
AND TECHNOLOGICAL AREAS:
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
(UNehAS-WHEN SERARATED FROM
ATTACHMhNTS")
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12 : CIA-RDP08001297R000800230003-8
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12 : CIA-RDP08001297R000800230003-8
LIMITED OFFICIAL. USE
(UNCLAS WHEN SEPARA-TEIY FROM
ATTACHME*S)
Agreements presently in existence fall into three broad
categories:
Mexico, A- 49
Page Three
I. Government to Government
II. Agency to Agency
III. Institution to Instiution
Re I. Government to Government agreements are usually referred
to as the "US/Mexico Agreement in .... " Those currently in
being are:
Meteorological Cooperation,: First entered into in 1942, it
has been renewed regularly at three-year intervals. The
present renewal expires July 31, 1976. This agreement originally
envisaged US cooperation in site selection and equipment of
meteorological stations in Mexico, together with the training
of local technicians, which would allow for a gradual Withdrawal
of US personnel. However, in thirty years' time, instead of a
decreasing US commitment, the opposite has occurred. We have
now equipped more stations than originally contemplated and
have more manpower committed. By the same token, the total
coverage has been expanded and data requirements, for the
World Data Center greatly increased. NOAA has a resident rep-
resentative posted at the Embassy in Mexico City, who supervises
the program.
Remote Sensing (Space Research): First entered into in 1968,
this has been, renewed regularly at two-year intervals, but not
without some travail. The present renewal expires in mid-197-6.
A separate agreement to cooperate in the joint program for the
Eradication of the Screwworm (NASA/CONEE) also falls under
this accord. In this particular project the very latest space
and nuclear irradiation technology are combined to fight a
common agricultural pest. The remote sensing aspect of the
program was initiated as an experimental project by NASA and
is now drawing to a close. Hopefully the technique developed
will be applicable in other disease infested areas (e.g. the
tsetse fly in Africa)'. The very ambitious eradication project,
under the joint direction of the Agriculture Departments Of.both
governments is well underway. The five year plan is estimated
at some 40 million dollars.
Scientific and Technical Cooperation:
This agreement came into being June 14, 1972, when signed by
both Foreign Ministers in, the Cabinet Room of the White House.
It is designed to stimulate and facilitate joint research, the
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
(UNCLAS WHEN SEPARATED FROM
ATTACHEMNTS)
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12: CIA-RDPO8001297R000800230003-8
I -
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12 : CIA-RDP08001297R000800230003-8
.LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
(UNCLAS WHEN SEPARATED
FROM ATTACHMENTS)
Mexico, A- i?f
Page Four
exchange of scientists and of information, personnel training
projects and to encourage other forms of cooperation not
specifically identified. Under this accord each government -
names its Executive Agent and the two Executive Agents confer
regularly in the development and execution of a program of
mutual interest. The National Science Foundation is tlie. U.S. ,-
Executive Agent; the National Council on Science and Technology
(Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia - CONACYT) is the
GOM Executive Agent. During the first year of operation the
two Executive Agents jointly selected four areas of research:
(1) earth sciences, (2) biological sciences, (3) marine
sciences, and (4) environmental sciences. The Agreement also
calls for a Mixed Commission to meet alternately in Washington
and Mexico City to review the operations undertaken. The first
meeting of the Mixed Commission was held in Washington, June
1974. At that time CONACYT announced the ten priority areas
of interest to the GOM. In turn, NSF identified six of these
as of mutual interest. A program of joint projects is now
being implemented. The ten fields cited by CONACYT are: 1.
energy research*, 2. meteorological research, 3. tropical
ecology*, 4. mineral resources*, 5. marine resources*, 6.
demographic research*, 7. tropical agriculture, 8. standards,
9. information and documentation*, 10. geothermal energy.
Exchange of Young Technicians** This agreement is part of
and flows from the S & T cooperation agreement cited immediately
above. It came into being at the same time on June 14, 1972,
when signed by both Foreign Ministers in the Cabinet Room of
the White House. It also calls for each Government to name
an Executive Agent and for the two agents to agree upon an
Operations Plan. The Department of State (CU) is the U.S.
agent; CONACYT is the GOM agent. After months of delay and
inaction on both sides, some twenty-three young Mexican
"Technicians" received an average of six months training during
1974, in the following specialized fields: food technology,
nuclear power plant operation, electrical engineering, desal-
ination, livestock management, machine technology, marine
biology, communications and foreign trade. The U.S. sent
people to Mexico in the fields of film history and cultural
anthropology. Quite recently the GOM threatened informally
to abrogate this agreement unilaterally, for it simply was not
working to their satisfaction, with a view to its being re-
placed by a more effective instrument. However, at that moment
the U.S. advised of its intent to send some eleven exchangees
*Those marked with an asterisk are those understood to be of
interest to NSF.
**The term "technicians" has been retained but it is a misnomer.
"Young professionals" more properly describes the exchanges, since
most, if not all, have their university degrees.
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
(UNCLAS WHEN SEPARATED FROM
ATTACHMENTS)
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12 : CIA-RDP08001297R000800230003-8
r -
. Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12 : CIA-RDP08001297R000800230003-8
LIMITED OFFIC1..L USE
(UNCLAS WHEN StEPADATED FROM
ATTACHMENTS)
Mexico, A- AO
Page Five
to Mexico and so the matter was composed, at least for the time
being. President Echeverria contemplated as many as one hundred
young Mexicans a year being trained in the United States. A
major problem is finding areas of sufficient interest in Mexico
for U.S. exchangees.
Another problem has been financial. Mexico wanted the U.S. to
pay all travel and living costs of its candidates, which would
involve at a minimum a half million dollars a year for the 100
persons originally proposed. The present Operations Plan
stipulates that the sending country pays those costs, whereas
the receiving country pays all training costs.
Protection of Migratory Birds and Game Mammals: Signed at
Mexico City February 7, 1936, this agreement is designed to
permit rational use of migratory bird species without causing
their extinction. Originally it listed 31 families of birds.
It was amended March 10, 1972, by exchange of notes in Mexico
City, which added another 32 families of birds to the list. .
Every year there is a survey of selected sites. Every four
years a survey of the entire country is carried out by
specialists of the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Department
of the Interior). Under the umbrella of the agreement there
is also an annual winter waterfowl survey and a brown pelican
survey conducted jointly by U.S. and Mexican biologists.
Re II -- Agency to Agecny Agreements:
Space: NASA/CONEE (Comision Nacional del Espacio Exterior).
This Agreement, negotiated in the early 1960's, originally
covered the installation and operation of a Space Tracking
Station at Guaymas which, in 1970-71, when no longer required
for the Apollo Program, was turned over to the GOM complete
with some very valuable communication and computer equipment.
The tracking station stands idle today, most of the U.S.
equipment having disappeared. The present agreement on
Remote Sensing may be considered as having replaced the former
MOU (Memorandum of Understanding). The latter provides for
cooperation between the two Agencies in data processing of
information from ERTS (Earth Resources Technology Satelite)
in which Mexican specialists of some eight agencies and
universities actively participated and some continue to par-
ticipate. The Water Resources Secretariat (Secretaria de
Recoursos Hidraulicos) has developed its own laboratory and
lab technique for data processing, using its own aircraft for
sensing. The Space Commission is also providing services
to other agencies through its own sensor equipped aircraft
and laboratories.
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
(UNCLAS WHEN SEPARATED FROM
ATTACHMENTS)
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12 : CIA-RDPO8001297R000800230003-8
r.?
Declassified and Approved ForRelease2012/12/12 : CIA-RDP08C01297R000800230003-8
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE Mexico, A- /47
(maaAsWMOSEDUATEDFRCH Page Six
ATTACHMENTS)
Drug Control and Eradication. Space technology, particularly
remote sensing, has also been used successfully in the joint
US/Mexico Drug Enforcement Program. So far in 1975 some 6,000
opium poppy fields have been detected (and destroyed), this
being the total result of all detection systems utilized.
Additional promising areas of cooperation in space research
have not materialized. For example, the National Science
Foundation has had a balloon project with the U.S. National
Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) for several years.
High altitude balloons, equipped with data collection in-
struments, are released from the Palestine, Texas station.
These have to auto destruct or be shot down at the border
before entering Mexican air space. A joint research program,
involving descent of the balloons with their instrument
package in Mexico, recovery and reuse on wind turn-arounds
was proposed several years ago, with evidence of interest
by the Mexican Space Commission (CONEE) but without affirma-
tive response by the Mexican Government. NSF and CONACYT,
together with CONEE, are presently engaged in reviewing the
project under the Science bilateral agreement.
Nuclear Energy: There is no formal US/Mexico bilateral on
nuclear energy. There is, however, a Sister Laboratory
Agreement, developed in 1971-72, between the ERDA Argonne
National Laboratory (ANL) and the Instituto Nacional de
Energia Nuclear (INEN) at Salazar, some 35 km. from Mexico
City.
The Laguna Verde Power Reactor Complex: The USAEC has pledged
full support to Mexico in this major project,which when com-
pleted at the site on the Gulf near Veracruz, will provdie
Mexico City with some 1300 Me. 'General Electric won the
competitive bid for the twin SSS units and the fabrication of
the fuel elements. The INEN gave a letter of ,intent to the
USAEC for uranium enrichment services in December 1973. Com-
pletion date is now tentatively set as mid-1979 for the first
unit and 1981 for the second. In addition to ERDA (fermer
AEC) the Department of Commerce and the Ex-Im Bank have major
interests in this $500,000,000 project.
Dual Purpose Project (power/desalting): Implementation of a
joint dual purpose (power/desalting) project, for which the
text of an agreement was drafted at staff level in November
1972, has not come to fruition, although the appropriate .
technical agencies concerned are ready to proceed (USAEC-now
ERDA and the INEN). Delayed originally by the Colorado River
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
ONCLAS WHEN SEPARATED FROM
ATTACHMENTS)
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12: CIA-RDPO8C01297R000800230003-8
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12 : CIA-RDP08001297R000800230003-8
LIMITED OFFICIAL 1SE
(UNCLAS WHEN SEPARLED-FROM
ATTACHMENTS)
Mexico, A-- 41
Page Seven
salinity problem, now resolved, it was presumably side tracked
during the recent trilateral and bilateral negotiations for
the nuclear fuel supply for the Laguna Verde reactor, which
were completed on February 12, 1974, by signatures at IAEA
Headquarters in Vienna. Recent informal consultation between
the U.S. and the Mexican Co-Chairmen of the 1972 working group
may presage renewal of joint consideration of this project.
Desalination: CAAS/OSW The Comisi6n para el Aprovechamiento
de Aguas Salinas (Commission for Utilization of Saline Waters)
and our Office of Saline Water have been cooperating closely
for several years. They confer regularly in Washington or
Mexico City, or at international conferences held elsewhere
in the world, e.g. Europe or the Caribbean (they met recently
in the Virgin Islands and again in Puerto Rico).
CAAS is experimenting with four different desalination systems
on the Baja California coast. Of these they find that the
most expensive is solar energy, the least is reverse osmosis.
One of the largest desalination plants in the world, that at
Rosarito Beach just south of Tijuana, with a capacity of 7.5
mgd (million gallons daily) was built in the U.S. by AguaChem
for the Comision Federal de Electricidad which operates a
petroleum f4eid 300,000 kws generating plant at the same site.
International Cooperation in the Development of Geothermal Energy:
This is a CCMS (NATO) project of which the United States is
the pilot country. Although this is a NATO project and Mexico
is not a member,the U.S. Pilot Project has had strong Mexican
support, including participation in meetings in the U.S. and
in New Zealand, and joint sponsorship of international visits
in 1973 to the Cerro Prieto fields and plant near Mexicali.
Mexico is again cooperating with the U.S. in the UN Geothermal
Energy Symposium in San Francisco in May 1975, by opening the
Cerro Prieto fields and plant to visiting specialists attending
the UN meeting.
Solar Energy: Solar energy is presently being used in Mexico
to desalinate sea water (CAAS) and to power a pump bringing
Subterranean water to desert surface areas (Subsecretaria para de
Mejoramienta del Ambiente(SMA) the Undersecretary for Environ-
mental Improvement). These operations are on a modest scale,
at the present moment, but are expanding. The Department and
AID have expressed continuing interest in the solar energy
powered water pump, and the Embassy has provided the additional
details requested. In addition, solar energy is being used
experimentally to heat the water in a fairly large swimming
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
(UNCLA.S WHEN SEPARATED FROM
ATTACHMENTS)
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12 : CIA-RDP08001297R000800230003-8
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12 : CIA-RDP08001297R000800230003-8
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
(UNCLAS WHEN SEPARATED
FROM ATTACHMENTS)
Mexico, A- 49
Page Eight
pool at a technical school in the Federal District (CFE). No
formal US/Mexico agreement has been entered into in this area
at the present time. At the time of the preparation of this
report the Embassy had learned of a new cone shaped device one
meter in diameter developed by a Mexican researcher, capable
of producing up to 400?C. A two-meter diameter model is now
being constructed.
Environment: EPA/SMA (Subsecretaria de Mejoramiento del
Ambiente): Negotiated in early 1972, this MOU provided the
basis (the loan of air contamination monitoring equipment for
use in the Federal District, and the training of technicians)
for a much broader cooperative program which has now replaced
the original. The original loan equipment has been returned
to the U.S., but EPA continues to provide training assistance,
both in the U.S. and in Mexico.
Environmental problems along the U.S.-Mexico border have been
the subject of two recent symposia, sponsored principally by
the University of Texas at El Paso; El Paso-Ciudad Juarez,
held in September 1973, and Laredo-Nuevo Laredo held in Nuevo
Laredo in March 1975. Top environmental quality officials of
both countries attended these sessions, and took advantage of
the opportunity to confer informally on possible areas of
cooperation. Constructive results were forthcoming in both
areas, i.e. the professional discussion of existing air and
water contamination and problems of solid waste disposal, and
a meeting of minds of the two federal agencies as to priority
areas of interest and information exchange.
Geodesy, Geophysics and Geology.
Geodesy and Geophysics: The Inter-American Geodetic Survey
(IAGS), a part of the Defense Mapping Agency, is engaged in
cooperative programs with a number of Mexican agencies. IAGS/
Mexico cooperation was started in the fifties and actively
resumed in 1968 when a five-year agreement was signed with the
National Autonomous University of Mexico's Institute of
Geophysics. A significant characteristic of these programs
is that the IAGS provides equipment, instruments and know-how,
but no funds. The Mexican Government covers all operating
costs.
Brief details concerning ongoing projects are provided below:
This program consists of the loaning of sophisticated scientific
instruments as well as field vehicles for the gravimetric,
geomagnetic and tidal studies being carried out by that Institute.
Military Geographic Department.(DGM). The program consists of
the loan of precision instruments, which are in limited supply,
for the purpose of establishing stations designed to strengthen
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12 : CIA-RDP08001297R000800230003-8
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12 : CIA-RDP08001297R000800230003-8
. LIMITED OFFICDUrUSE
(UNCLAS WHEN SEPARATED FROM
? ATTACHMENTS)
the geodetic network of Mexico.
National Territorial Study Commission (CETENAL). This informal
cooperation between the IAGS project and CETENAL (a dependency
of the Secretariat .of the Presidency), consists in providing
positional data for the topographic surveys being made by
CETENAL, based on observations made at fourteen geodetic
satellite stations.
Mexico, A- /6?
Page Nine
Navy. The IAGS cooperates with the Mexican Navy Mapping agency
by providing equipment for tidal studies in order that that
agency can produce accurate Hydrographic Charts of the Mexican
Coasts.
Training of Mexican Specialists. The IAGS maintains a Carto-
graphic School at Fort Clayton, Canal Zone, Panama. To date
some eight-one (81) Mexican professionals and technicians have
received instruction at this training facility.
Recently the IAGS has been offering training in Remote Sensing
techniques.
Through the Pan American Institute of Geography and History
(PAIGH) a specialized agency of the OAS, many training and .
technical programs in Latin America have been coordinated, in
which a number of Mexican engineers and technicians are in-
volved. IAGS has been of assistance in many instances.
Geology. The USGS has been cooperating for years ?with the
National Council for Non-Renewable Resources of Mexico, as
well as with the Institute of Geology of the National Univer-
sity (UNAM).
Health Problems. The U.S. Surgeon General and the Secretary
of Health and Welfare of Mexico have been meeting on an
annual basis for years, discussing mutual effort on border
health problems. At a 1972 meeting, the two principals decided
to expand the geographic coverage of their understandings and
to focus attention on the specific fields of cancer, drug
abuse, alcoholism, cardiovascular diseases and pollution.
Biomedical Research. There are several Mexican researchers
currently receiving NIH grant support, usually made available
directly to their home institution, but earmarked for the
principal investigator's use. This program has been underway
since the early 1960's. In addition some forty Mexican Post-
Doctoral researchers have received NIH fellowships Within the
last ten years.
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
(UNCLAS WHEN SEPARATED FROM
ATTACHMENTS)
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12 : CIA-RDPO8001297R000800230003-8
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12: CIA-RDP08001297R000800230003-8
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
(UNCLAS WHEN SEPARATED FROM
ATTACHMENTS)
Mexico,
Page Ten
Ten
California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigation(CALCOFI).
This is a cooperative program between the State of California,
the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Instituto Nacional
de Pesca. It has been going on since 1949.
Population: Although the USG keeps abreast on GOM demographic
policy, there are no direct government to government programs
in family planning, due to the absence of a bilateral AID
agreement. AID Title X funds are applied in Mexco, however,
indirectly -- either through general budgetrary support of
international organizations or by specific project contracts
with U.S. research groups.
Periodic reports have also been prepared by the Economic Section
with regard to the recent changes in GOM's policy on population
and family planning and the subsequent provision of health care
services. A copy of most recent developments is attached.
(Attachment D).
Re No. III. Institution to Institution Agreements.
These agreements normally are of a university to university
or research institute to research institialte nature. Since in
many cases the GOM counterpart is an official agency, such as
UNAM, they take on a quasi-official ?nature. These types of
cooperative endeavor are so numerous that the Embassy really
only learns of their existence when the participants encounter
some overwhelming problem, or the U.S. institution (or the
Mexican) needs some special assistance. For example, the
School of Health Sciences of the University of Oklahoma, through
the efforts and devotion of one faculty member, has had a working
arrangement with Mexico's Instituto de Seguro Social for some
twenty years on studies of the nutrition problems of pregnant
women. The Embassy became aware of this cooperative effort in
1973 when a problem arose related to the temporary importation
of some sophisticated equipment purchased under a NIH grant.
Another striking example is the "Science and Man in the Americas"
Conference, jointly sponsored by the American Association for
the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and CONACYT, held in 1972,
which attracted some 6,000 participants. Yet other examples
are the numerous instances where an american scientific society
holds its annual meeting in Mexico jointly with its Mexican
counterpart (e.g. the upcoming meeting on Chemistry in the
North American Hemisphere to convene in November, 1975, under
the joint auspices of the American Chemical Society,its Mexican
and Canadian counterparts.
. LIMITED OFFICIAL--USE
(UNCLAS WHEN SEPARATED FROM
ATTACHMENTS)
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12 : CIA-RDP08001297R000800230003-8
-
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12 : CIA-RDP08001297R000800230003-8
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE Mexico, A- 149
(MIAS WHEN SEPARATED FROM Page Eleven
ATTACHMENTS)
B. THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES IN OUR MORE IMPORTANT SCIENCE
AND TECHNOLOGY RELATIONS WITH MEXICO.
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico has made it abund-
antly clear that the Government of Mexico will recognize as
binding on that Government only those agreements negotiated
with the Foreign Office, adding that agreements on an agency-
to-agency basis will be considered only as commitments of the
respective agencies and not as of the Federal Government itself.
This is understood as referring to new matters as they arise,
and not in the sense of invalidating agreements already in
existence. But the guide lines are clear: if a USG Agency
wants an agreement with the Mexican Government, this must be
negotiated through the Department of State and the Foreign
Office.
Similarly, the Foreign Minister, in a first person note* to
the Ambassador made another point quite clear: 'Mexico's
capabilities for cooperation and trained manpower, both limited,
require that any project that is proposed be judged on the basis
of the country's priorities and real interest in that area of
scientific endeavor, and not on the purely scientific merits
of the proposal.
We have no major problem with these conditions and can work
within these parameters. In fact, on December 11, 1973. in
conversations with top CONACYT officials and Undersecretary
of Foreign Relations Gallastegui, Minister Dean emphasized
both national priorities and mutuality of interest as guide-
lines for project as well as trainee selection under the
Science Bilateral ...However, problems do surface from time
to time.
Problems. Relations with key GOM officials are generally
quite cordial. Despite this, however, delays in negotiation
and implementation of agreements are the order of the day.
The same is true in the matter of clearances, ,e.g. for marine
research operations in Mexican water, NASA or USGS overflights.
Sometimes this foot-dragging is quite understandable, and
reasons are given. But often no reason is given, nor action
taken. Even the Ambassador has been unable to break some
log-jams.
*November 6, 1972.
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
(UNCLAS WHEN SEPARATED FROM
ATTACHMENTS)
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12 : CIA-RDP08001297R000800230003-8
-
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12 : CIA-RDP08001297R000800230003-8
LIMITED OFFICIAL US
(UNCLAS WHEN SEPARATED FROM
ATTACHMENTS)
For example, FonOff action was pending at the time of the
January 8, 1974 memo cited above:
Mexico, A
Page Twelve
a. Since August 1972,on NASA overflight clearances and never
granted.
2. Since
and still
3. Since
in August
November 1974 on Dual Purpose Project (power desalting),
pending, but with signs of the stalemate breaking.
July 1973, on Weather Agreement Renewal, completed
1974.
4. Since November 1973, on NABA/CONEE Screwworm Eradication
Experiment, completed in mid-1974.
5. Environmental Problems Along the Border Action Program,
reluctantly cleared in April 1974.
C. THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE HOST COUNTRY IN THE
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL AREA, ESPECIALLY AS THEY IMPINGE
ON INDUSTRY.
It should be noted here that the Mexican private sector makes
only a very modest contribution to new scientific and technical
research in Mexico, about four percent of the total, according
to CONACYT. It is estimated (also by CONACYT) that subsidiaries
of transnational enterprises (TNES) in Mexico contribute an,
additional six percent to the scientific and technical research
done in this country, while the remaining ninety percent is
undertaken by Mexican Government organizations, including
CONACYT itself, the Mexican Petroleum Institute, state institu-
tions of high learning and similar bodies. CONACYT has stressed
the great need for tax and other incentives to encourage private
Mexican industry to step up its efforts in the area of scientific
and technical research, and for the allocation of more resources
in the public sector for research aCtivities.
Mexico continues to be most interested, in the transfer of
technology, and was one of the countries consistently well
represented in the working groups set up under the "New
Dialogue" initiated by Secretary Kissinger as the MFM at
Tlatelolico, February of 1974. Should thisgroup be reactivated,
or when it is reactivated, we expect continual strong Mexican
interest, led by the Director General of CONACYT, as chief
spokesman strongly Supported by the Foreign Office.
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
UNCLAS WHEN SERARATED FROM
ATTACHMENTS)
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12 : CIA-RDPO8001297R000800230003-8
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12: CIA-RDP08001297R000800230003-8
LIMITED OFF IC LAL USE
(UNCLAS WHEN SEPARATED FROM
ATTACHMENTS)
Mexico, A- af
Page Thirteen
D. ASSESSMENT OF HOST COUNTRY ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY OF POTENTIAL
INTEREST TO US.
For years Mexico has enjoyed an international reputation in
nutrition, tropical diseases, and infant and child care.as
well as cardiology. More recently she has attained recognition
?in geothermal and solar energy. The Nobel Peace prize for 1971
was aAirdeilto an American scientist for his work in Mexico in
the production of disease resistant grains, particularly wheat
and maize, at CIMMYT (International Center for the Improvement
Of Wheat and Maize). Norman Borlaug's research, done in his
thirty years at CIMMYT,contributed in substantial fashion to
the Green Revolution. CIMMYT is supported by the Rockefeller
and Ford Foundations and the GOM Secretariat of Agriculture.
Mexican engineers have also developed a new system for utiliza-
tion of bagasse (sugar cane processing residue) in the manu-
facture of paper and newsprint.
Mexico City has been using wastewater for crop irrigation and
city gardens and fountains since 1902, years ahead of the rest
Of the world. Her newest engineering feat is the Deep Drainage
sewer system, considered one of the most ambitious projects
undertaken in Latin America. -Mexico has also developed expertise
in archaeological exploration and restoration.
Thus, in the pure sciences and the applied sciences of medicine,
engineering, and agriculture, Mexico offers unique possibilities
for benefit to the United States;
E. TRENDS IN GOM ACTIVITIES AND POLICIES IN OCEAN, ENERGY
RESEARCH, ENVIRONMENT AND SCIENCE.
Recent trends, as reported in Mexico's A-216, provide additional
guidelines. These are Mexico's sensitivity in natural resource
studies: the proclivity, if not national policy, of working
through the trilateral channel when there is 4 competent exist-
ing international agency (e.g. the International Atomic Energy
Agency or the International Meteorological Organization); pre-
ference for GOM participation in the planning as well as
operational stages of projects of mutual interest, instead of
observer participation only, as in the past; and finally, the
growingly insistent requirement that data resulting from .
scientific projects carried out in Mexico be made available,
and in timely fashion, to the GOM.
laramp OFFICIAL USE .
(UNUAS WHEN SEPARATED FROM.
ATTACHMENTS)
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12 : CIA-RDP08001297R000800230003-8
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12: CIA-RDP08001297R000800230003-8
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
(UNCLAS WHEN SEPARATED FROM
ATTACHMENTS)
Mexico, A- AO
Page Fourteen
These trends again are understandable and present no real
problems for us, excepting perhaps in the resource study
fields where GOM sensitivity has greatly retarded or aborted
operations which in the final analysis promise more benefit
to Mexico than to the U.S. -- e.g. the use of remote sensing
to study the marine environment.
There is, however, one caveat involved here. It is one thing
for the FonOff to require negotiation through them on all
Government-to-Government agreements. It is quite another for
that Ministry to require that all projects under an agreement
also be negotiated in the same fashion. The net result of
the latter procedure is two-fold: delay on the one hand and
emasculation of scientific agency competence and initiative
on the other. FonOff officials insist that their responsibility
is solely that of the foreign relations of Mexico, that they
have no special competence in S & T, and only serve as a
channel for communication. Nevertheless, the trend seems to
be towards FonOff involvement not only in agreement negotiation,
but also in each individual project, e.g. the Screwworm
Eradication Project under the Remote Sensing Agreement. De-
velopments in this present situation merit close attention.
With respect to scientific projects dealing with family
planning, the sensitiveness of the issme.to the GOM make it
essential for the Embassy to be consulted by AID/W prior to
the granting of USG funds in support of population activities
in Mexico. There is an Embassy Population Committee respon-
sible for the evaluation of USG-funded demographic and family
planning proposals with respect to their political sensitivities.
Substantive evaluations are principally handled by AID/W. -
Examples of such institution to institution activities are, 1)
Pathfinder Funds: support for the Mexican Ministry of Health's
pilot training program of paramedical personnel in the field
of contraception. 2) Smithsonian Institution International
Program for Population Analysis; surveys of population,dis-
tribution within the state of Mexico. 3) University of Missouri
in collaboration with the Monterrey Instituto T6cnido de
Estudios Superiores: economic model of Mexico, including
demographic variables.
F. OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR OES RESEARCH AND BILATERAL RELATIONS
WHICH MIGHT FURTHER OUR POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL
INTERESTS.
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
(UNCLAS WHEN SEPARATED FROM
ATTACHMENTS)
'Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12 : CIA-RDP08001297R000800230003-8
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12 : CIA-RDP08001297R000800230003-8
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
ONCLAS WHEN SEPAIWIED FROM
ATTACHMENTS )
Microindustrial: Reference has already been made to the
Laguna Verde Nuclear Power Reactor Complex, a half-billion
dollar project in which U.S. industry has obtained a major
share, largely because Mexico has faith in commitments made,
by the U.S., both governmental and industrial, and was
willing to pay a higher price to have that assurance
Mexico, A-41
Page Fifteen
Microindustrial: The success achieved by the U.S. Trade
Center in Mexico in the relatively short time of its existence
is noteworthy and, through its Technical Sales Seminars, trend
setting.
During the past fifteen months, for example, the Trade Center
has organized and/or presented in conjunction with exhibitions
the following technical sales seminars:
February 1974
March 1974
April 1974
June 1974
August 1974
September 1974
October 1974
January 1975
March 1975
March 1975
April 1975
Cosmetology
Chemical/Petrochemical Equipment
Industrial Security Equipment
,Telecommunications Equipment
Veterinary Medicine
Aviation Ground Support Equipment
Machine Tools
Process Control Instrumentation
Pharmaceutical Equipment
Educational (Vocational)Training.Aids
Advanced Welding & Cutting Equipment
In addition to these organized seminars, over 60 U.S. companies
have used the T.C. for private technical training sessions
(combined with product demonstrations) or in-house study groups
featuring a new line, application, industrial concept, or
similar specialization.
Center officials find that one of the most effective tools to
attract Mexican professional people' to the .Trade Center is
the use of technical seminars or colloquia; There seems to be
a yearing for industrial technology on the part Of young
engineers and technicians.
In view of this favorable experience they now plan a more_ex-
tenSive use of technical sales seminars as an export promotional
tool. Seminar subjects which are being scheduled for the coming
year include:
Railroad Equipment
Mine Safety Equipment
LIMITED OFF ICIAL_USE
(UNCIA6-WHEN SEPARATED FROM
ATTACHMENTS)
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12 : CIA-RDP08001297R000800230003-8
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12: CIA-RDP08001297R000800230003-8
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
(UNCLAS WHEN SEPARATED FROM
ATTACHMENTS)
Exploitation of Forestry Resources
Metallurgy (Steel Production Processes)
Additionally, the Center will continue to offer technical
sales seminars in conjunction with regularly scheduled
exhibitions.
Mexico, A-401F
Page Sixteen
G. SUGGESTIONS AS TO HOW THE U.S. MIGHT POSITIVELY INFLUENCE
THE OCEANS, ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY RESEARCH AND SCIENCE POLICIES
OF THE HOST COUNTRY.
There are certain areas of mutual interest and expertise which
could and should be explored to mutual advantage. .Such ex-
ploration would bring about broader understanding and broader
acquaintance, and at the same time offer opportunities for the
exercise of beneficial influence. For example:
The Environment: Air contamination in Mexico City, and the
campaign to reduce and ultimately eliminate it, is of interest
to Denver and Los Angeles, according to EPA officials. -
Water contamination and the reuse of secondary treated sewage
water are matters of major concern to many U.S. communities.
The U.S. and Canada have arrived at a very complicated agree-
ment in the potentially explosive subject of contingency
planning for Oilspills and other hazardous substances. A
1.S.-Mexican joint contingency plan is quite desirable and need
not be so rigorously structured as that with Canada.
Energy:
Elsewhere in this report the statement has been Made that
Mexico can export technology in geothermal energy to the U.S.
Until quite recently Mexico was ahead of the U.S. in the
production of electricity through the. use of this great
natural resource. It is still ahead in many of the techniques
involved, as USAEC people noted in 1973 and 1974-when they
visited the Mexican fields at Cerro Prieto. Mexico is also
moving forward in solar energy - a field of major U.S.' interest.
Arid Lands: Mexico's Northwest and the U.S. Southwest have
much in common geographically, geologically, geophysically,
hydrologically, and meteotologiddlly. Aridity, the scarcity of
water, land and water management are- all' inter-related and
there are many areas and varied fields Of endeavor here -that
lend themselves to cooperative action.
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12: CIA-RDP08C01297R000800230003-8
- -- -
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12: CIA-RDP08001297R000800230003-8
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
(UNC LAS WHEN SEPARATED FROM
ATTACHMENTS)
Mexico,
Page Seventeen
Tropical Agriculture: Quite the reverse of arid lands is
tropical agriculture, and the Department of Agriculture and
the National Science Foundation now have authorization to fund
research projects. Initial explorations with Mexican reseachers
have been promising and should be continued.
Medicine: Tropical diseases, cancer, child care are but three
of many promising areas of cooperation that 'should be explored.
Social Sciences/Natural Sciences: Here again there are many
areas of joint interest to anthropologists, archeologists,
behaviorists and their colleagues.
H. RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO HOW OUR OCEANS, ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY
RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC RELATIONS SHOULD BE MODIFIED OR EXPANDED
TO ENHANCE U.S. FOREIGN POLICY OBJECTIVES.
Throughout this report attention has been invited to opportunities
that exist for the enhancement of our relations' with Mexico and
of our own national foreign policy objectives. ? It is also obvious
that not just our Research and Scientific Relations are involved
here, but our basic policy also.
An Agreement to Cooperate in Science and Technology, the same
as any cooperative agreement, should be a two-way street and
that fact should be recognized by both parties. As has been
pointed out above, this concept has not always been honored.
Consideration, therefore, should be given to pointing out to
the GOM that we are not too happy with the way that Scientific
and Technical cooperation is being restricted, for on many
projects of interest to U.S., they have been very negative.
It might be well to remind them also that the Science and
Technology Bilateral was to be a vehicle for more cooperation
in many areas of interest to both jointly, or to one or to the
other ---. It was to be an umbrella covering: both the various
agreements in being or that might come into being. . As may be
deduced from 'textual comments in the body of this report in
the three years of existence of the Agreement this has not come
about. An excellent opportunity for laying these matters on
the table could well be the next meeting of the Mixed Commission
established by the Agreement or, alternatively, the next ,
Executive level meeting contemplated at the June 1974 Commission
session.
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
(UNCLAS WHEN SEPARATED FROM
ATTACHMENTS)
JOVA
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/12/12 : CIA-RDP08001297R000800230003-8