cans, who in the eyes of many outsiders are considered to be a bit impatient by nature. Thus far several scientific publications have resulted from collaboration. Several others are in preparation. From 1978 to 1982 the project gained considerable momentum which culminated in a Soviet-sponsored symposium attended by 10 of our top air pollution specialists. They were from such institutions as Yale, Ohio State University, University of Illinois, Boyce Thompson Institute, and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This symposium set the stage for intensifying and broadening our efforts. However, the Korean Airline incident in 1983 and other problems in international affairs resulted in our going from four exchanges in 1981 and 1982 to zero exchanges in 1983 and 1984. Our next exchange didn't occur until September 1985 and another occurred in June 1986. The 1983 interruption set the project back substantially. At this point we are regaining some of our momentum. We anticipate receiving two Soviet delegations yet this year. Objectives have been redefined and participants key to various aspects of the project have been identified. Continued effort in this area may lead not only to more rapid achievement of our own goals but also to more rapid implementation of measures to protect our vegetation from the detrimental effects of air pollutants. Thus I am optimistic about the potential for this project for benefiting not only the United States and the Soviet Union, but all human kind. Thank you. [The prepared statement of Mr. Noble follows:] PREPARED STATEMENT OF DR. REGINALD D. NOBLE, PROFESSOR AND CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY The following comments are based upon perceptions developed as a result of interactions with Soviets as a scientist and as U.S. Project Leader for an environmental project (Air Pollution). These activities began in 1978 and have continued to the present and have involved accompanying five American delegations to the U.S.S.R. BACKGROUND I have served as the United States Project Leader for Project 02.03-21 (Interactions Between Forest Ecosystems and Pollutants) since 1982. This is one of some 38 projects covered under the original U.S./U.S.S.R. Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Environmental Protection, signed in 1972. The project encompasses all aspects of air pollution effects on vegetation; however, the Soviet side has shown greatest interest in the effects of sulfur dioxide and acid rain on vegetation. The objectives of the project relate to cooperative endeavors between the U.S. and U.S.S.R., which will aid in furthering our understanding of the following problems: - the impact of air pollution on vegetation; the mechanism of action of pollutants on vegetation; the role of vegetation in amelioration of air pollution; - the management of ecosystems damaged by air pollution; and, the response of plants to air pollutants in conjunction with other environmental variables such as light, temperature, moisture, CO2 and nutrition. The agreement is administered by the U.S.S.R. State Committee for Hydrometereology and Control of the Natural Environment and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Soviet Academy of Sciences' institutes are also involved in administering this project. The first activity under Project 02.03-21 occurred when three Americans were hosted by Soviet scientists for a period of approximately two weeks in 1977. In 1978 a four-member Soviet delegation was received by the American side for four weeks. It was at this point that I became involved with the Soviets. I served as co-host to the delegation along with, then Project Leader, Leon Dochinger of the U.S.D.A. Forest Service. The following year, Dr. Dochinger and I were received by the Soviets for two weeks. We met with scientists in Moscow (Moscow University), Leningrad (Komarov Botanical Institute), Donesk and Kischenev. The exchanges to this point were of an informational nature. In the autumn of 1979 I hosted a Soviet delegation at Bowling Green State University where physiological and anatomical studies were identified for joint cooperation. The following summer (1980) the American side sent two scientists to the Komarov Botanical Institute for a period of five weeks. During that time, intensive laboratory studies were conducted. In the autumn of 1980, Soviet Project Leader Alexeyev accompanied two Soviet anatomists to the United States for a period of four weeks. Alexeyev worked in my laboratory and at the U.S.D.A. Forest Service laboratories, and the two anatomists divided their time between my laboratories and those of Dr. Richard Crang at the University of Illinois. In 1981, Dr. Dochinger and I met in the Soviet Union with our Soviet counterparts. We reviewed manuscripts for joint publications and made final plans for a symposium. The symposium was held in the autumn of 1982. Ten top American scientists composed the American delegation to the two week symposium held in three Soviet cities (Leningrad, Tallin and Puschino). This symposium was a high point in our interactions. Considerable enthusiasm for cooperative research was shown by scientists on both sides. Areas of research emphasis were clearly defined, and Soviet and American scientists were identified who would cooperate in this work. From January, 1980 to October, 1982, there were four exchanges between the two sides. The KAL airliner incident in 1983, and other international relations problems, interfered with further direct interactions with the Soviets until the autumn of 1985. From that point, we have had to essentially start over. A Soviet delegation invited to the U.S.A. in the Spring of 1986 was unable to come. A three member American delegation returned to the U.S.S.R. in June 1986. At this time, we are essentially back to where we were in 1982. We have identified excellent scientists on both sides. They have interest in significant problems, and potential exists for each side to make major contributions. On our last two visits to the U.S.S.R., we have been brought in contact with capable scientists who are working in good laboratories. SOVIET HOSTS I have visited the U.S.S.R. five times in connection with Project 02.03-21 and have been involved in hosting Soviets in the U.S. on three occasions. While in the U.S.S.R., I have always received excellent treatment and have never encountered problems other than minor hassles from Customs agents. During my leisure time, I have felt free to move about in the host cities at will and never have had reason to believe that I was under surveillance. Our interactions are both business-like and cordial. Our workdays are often long in order that we can get as much accomplished as possible; however, when we take breaks we often have very enjoyable times. I have been a guest in the homes of Soviets on numerous occasions and find them to be delightful hosts. On such occasions, we have engaged in discussions on matters ranging from international politics to those of a very personal nature. My impression of the Soviets is that they are a proud people, they love their country (although there are many things they don't like about it) and they are gravely concerned about the possibility of another world war. - Our Soviet hosts appear to try very hard to accomodate our requests to visit specific laboratories or air pollution impact areas. Usually, they are successful; however, there are clearly locations which are off-limits to Americans or which require several weeks (or more) for clearance to be arranged. Of course, we have similar locations, such as national laboratories, where Soviets can visit only if clearance has been arranged two or more months in advance. On our last visit, we were taken for a day trip to a closed city (Tartu, Estonia) in order to visit the laboratory of a prominent Soviet scientist, and later flown several thousand miles south in order for a member of our delegation to collect specimens in the Caucasus Mountains. FRUSTRATIONS Progress on this project has been painfully slow in some respects. Many of the problems that delay our progress are to be expected; however, many others seem avoidable and/or unnecessary. Some examples of problems we encounter are as follows: Visas are seldom issued by the Soviets more than a few days before |