Secretary Norton, Israeli Ambassador Ayalon to Sign Agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation

WASHINGTON - Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton and Ambassador of Israel Daniel Ayalon will sign an agreement on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004 for scientific and technical cooperation in earth science studies, geospatial data, information technology, biological investigations and water resources development.

The Memorandum of Understanding will be signed at 10:30 a.m. in the Office of the Secretary at the Main Interior Building in Washington, D.C. A news media availability will follow the signing. The MOU expands existing science and technology exchanges between Interior and Israeli agencies.

WHO: Secretary of the Interior Gale A. Norton; Ambassador of Israel Daniel Ayalon

WHAT: Signing Memorandum of Understanding on scientific and technical cooperation

WHERE: Office of the Secretary; Main Interior Building; 1849 C Street N.W.,
Washington, D.C.

WHEN: 10:30 a.m.; Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004

MEDIA: Credentialed media should arrive no later than 10 a.m. at the C Street entrance to the Main Interior Building. They will be escorted to the signing ceremony. Following brief statements from Secretary Norton and Ambassador Ayalon, the principals will be available for media questions.