Evaluation : cooperative marine technology program for the Middle East

Special evaluation covers the period 1979-3/83 and is based on document review and interviews with A.I.D., Egyptian, and Israeli officials and project personnel. Despite formidable political obstacles, professional relationships were established between Egyptian and Israeli marine technology specialists and a basis for further cooperation and research was developed. Because of pressure from the government and from friends and colleagues, as well as the threat of a blacklist by Arab League countries, Egyptian scientists did not visit Israel, invite their Israeli counterparts to visit Egypt, or publish jointly with Israeli's. As a result, Israeli scientists, with American participants providing essential brokerage services, took the initiative in arranging contacts and visits in and out of Egypt; specialists from the two nations met several times in large groups and more frequently on an individual basis, and exchanged written reports through third parties. Research achievements, which were also constrained by political factors, fell short of unrealistic targets. Nonetheless, scientific results were significant, although more progress was made in Israel than in Egypt, where scientists were constrained by low salaries, a cumbersome bureaucracy, and a history of isolation from Western science. Valuable information was generated by studies on biological productivity in the southeastern Mediterranean, coastal management and shore processes, lake management, fish nutrition, pond management, tilapia culture, and integrated aquaculture. In addition, scientists' research capabilities were considerably strengthened. Despite the project's accomplishments, there were indications that participating scientists were more interested in obtaining funds and working with American experts than in building Egyptian-Israeli scientific ties. Prospects for further cooperative activities, which came to an almost complete halt after the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, depend on continued U.S. support of the project.