Viewing page 37 of 164

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

- 18 -

resources they choose to commit to the study."  The Secretary agreed to this joint project plan.  Staff are currently examining the issues and challenges that such a cooperative venture may spark.  Almost twenty-five staff members are working in small groups focussed on the collections, technical, or business issues.  The Offices of General Counsel and Contracting and Property Management are paying particular attention to avoiding a non-competitive situation with other potential systems providers, especially if Federal funds are to be involved.

If MOSAIC concept proceeds in a way which is mutually beneficial to the Smithsonian and IBM, it has the potential to, as Mr. Ebker stated in his letter, "set the stage for the Smithsonian to foster the museums of the 21st Century."  Such an alliance may require not only the Regents' approval but also congressional authorization.

STRI 2000 COMMISSION

The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) h as operated in the Republic of Panama since 1923.  From the beginning, STRI enjoyed a special status among Federally supported programs in the Republic; over the years, this status has been underscored by a variety of legal agreements.  In December of 1976, prior to the signing of the Panama Canal Treaties, STRI was legally incorporated in the Republic of Panama as an educational, not-for-profit institution.  In January of 1977, STRI entered into a contract with the Ministry of Health to allow for its indefinite operation in the Republic of Panama.  Also during that year, the negotiators of the Panama Canal Treaties, acknowledging STRI's special status, provided additional protection through a series of annexes which recognized, as part of the Treaties, STRI's earlier contract with the Ministry of Health for operations and afforded further recognition to continued use of certain properties.  At the same time, STRI was designated a custodian of Barro Colorado Nature Monument on behalf of both governments, under the provisions of the 1940 Western Hemisphere Convention for Nature.  In July of 1985, STRI was designated an International Mission under the laws of Panama, providing it a legal standing in the Republic akin to other organizations such as the U.N. agencies.

With the expiration of the Panama Canal Treaties now less than nine years away, all U.S. entities in Panama have been examining their operations in terms of future status.  It has already been announced that the Department of Defense will close the majority of its bases in Panama by the middle of the decade, significantly reducing the American presence in the Republic of Panama.  Under the provisions of the Treaties, the Panama Canal Commission, the leading American employer, has begun to make significant changes in its operating procedures, in addition to reducing its American workforce to less than 10% of the total number of employees, as it begins its transition to a Panamanian-operated agency.  By the Year 2000, STRI is likely to be the largest U.S. presence in the Republic of Panama, both in terms of budget and manpower.

Given the shifting economic, social, and political circumstances in Panama, it is clear that significant changes will need to occur to facilitate STRI's operation in the Republic beyond the Year 2000.  Hence, the Institution has established an internal commission chaired by Ross Simons, Deputy