However, this plan was not welcomed by Asian scientists. They strongly requested equal opportunity in sharing responsibilities of the project implementation, since the most of the participating countries were already equipped with modern chemical analyzers capable of meeting international standards and because they had groups of young scientists trained in industrialized countries who could lead the projects. After a feasibility check, Asian scientists decided that the second phase should be operated by regional scientists in close cooperation with the international group, mainly for intercalibration. The main analytical work will be implemented at the national level under agreed common sampling and analysis procedures determined by participating countries.
Conclusion
The author would like to reserve comment on these cases. Each reader should judge their relevance depending upon his purpose and experience, taking into account his circumstances. However, it is obvious that partnership based upon equal participation in implementation is the essential factor that will lead to successful international cooperative projects. Cooperative projects should be designed for the benefit of all participating communities, and the subject should be as global as possible. Sharing of project operation costs would be the biggest problem, but this could be solved through mutual understanding among participants. Time-sharing of large facilities, such as exchanging available ship-time on large research vessels, could be cost effective. For example, an international mechanism to coordinate cruise plans could be established taking as a model a similar system for coordinating university ships in the United States.
Sharing common knowledge in marine science is an important element for good cooperative work. It would be helpful to organize a mobile team of marine science educators in the region to diffuse up-to-date knowledge to countries that do not have a sufficient number of educators. A team with about ten professorial-level experts could send one or two team members to developing countries in the region upon request. These members could spend a short period (one month or so) introducing special marine science topics or educating groups of local teachers. International cooperation can be successful when each participating member recognizes the spirit of the act, and when all advance together based upon a real partnership.
