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[[underlined]] Report on Smithsonian Arrangements with Foreign Nations [[/underlined]]

The concept of Joseph Henry's global correspondents has long been embodied as a principal cornerstone of the Smithsonian's scholarly endeavors.  International research by Smithsonian scholars today reaches into almost every country of the globe.  The exchange of letters, objects, and scientists has greatly expanded in the last three decades with the advent of modern transportation and technology.  In general, international collaboration is based on the principle envisioned by Henry, on a scholar-to-scholar basis, whereby mutual research interests are explored in an apolitical context.  The apolitical or non-governmental identity applied to the Smithsonian by foreign scholars and their governments allows the staff entry to many countries that are normally closed to governmental agencies.  The common pursuit of knowledge is the characteristic which binds the scholars together, blurring all distinctions and ideologies.

On occasion, it has been necessary for Smithsonian scholars to enter into agreements with foreign academic institutions, primarily museums or research facilities, in order to pursue their scholarly objectives.  These agreements are generally signed between Directors of the museums or facilities and provide a broad framework in which to conduct research.  In other instances, it has been necessary to sign more formal agreements between the Smithsonian and foreign governmental bodies.  Examples of such agreements include that which the Smithsonian concluded in 1972 with the Forest Ministry of the Government of Nepal for ecological research in a National Park, and STRI's contract with the Government of Panama's Ministry of Health for its research activities.  In past years, the Smithsonian concluded agreements with other governments to undertake research notably in Tunisia for the operation of its now inactive Mediterranean Marine Sorting Center.  All such agreements with foreign governments, while negotiated by the Smithsonian,