Lacy—Zarubin Agreement of 1958: Origins of Soviet-American Science Diplomacy

The Agreement between the USSR and USA on exchanges in field of culture, technology, science education, signed January 27, 1958 Washington DC by W. S. Lacy US Secretary State Special Assistant for East-West Exchanges, G. N. Zarubin, Ambassador Extraordinary Plenipotentiary to is considered. question raised about role this agreement Soviet- American diplomacy late 1950s — early 1960s. Based a review biographies senior officials who participated Soviet sides its conclusion implementation, personality factor these scientific diplomatic processes was investigated. It proved that their high professionalism, pragmatism similarity career paths had positive impact both reaching mutual understanding regarding interstate being concluded, giving latter an extremely specific character. Particular attention paid provisions Lacy—Zarubin agreement, which regulated visits scientists researchers, as well academic exchanges. To assess effectiveness treaty implementation part, Report Senate Committee Foreign Relations dated August 20, 1959, prepared under leadership Senator J. Fulbright, introduced source analyzed detail. noted clarity determining goals, means ways achieve them allowed become solid resistant juncture fluctuations conditions Cold War, basis technical cooperation USA, determined vector development over decade half followed signing document.