SZ/NATO/1 - Task Force for Further Action by NATO in the Field of Scientific and Technical Co-operation

SZ/NATO/1

File

Task Force for Further Action by NATO in the Field of Scientific and Technical Co-operation

1956-1957

Four sub-files

The Task Force, to become known as the Koepfli Group, was set up by the North Atlantic Council in February 1957 following the recommendations made by a committee consisting of the Foreign Ministers of Canada, Italy, and Norway (the "Three Wise Men") in December 1956 - an event precipitated by the launch by the USSR of the first space satellite, Sputnik, in the previous October. The Task Force's terms of reference were:

"To identify those aspects of the problem which have special importance for NATO... These should relate particularly to the maintenance of effective Atlantic military defences and to the need to keep pace with Soviet developments in the scientific and technical field, regard being paid to the economic and cultural development of the NATO area...

To take cognisance of what has been done by other organisations, including the OEEC, in order to assist the Council in determining in what way NATO should support or supplement these activities

To make recommendations, if possible, to the Council with regard to the Conference on Scientific and Technical Co-operation... "

The Task Force was chaired by the US representative, Dr Joseph B. Koepfli. SZ was the UK representative, with Dr B.K. (Bertie) Blount, Deputy Head of DSIR, acting as his substitute.

The Task Force submitted its report directly to NATO's Heads of Government in December 1957. The Task Force's recommendations that NATO should appoint a Science Adviser and set up a Science Committee were promptly approved.