Title: Ocean drilling memorandum signed by U.S. and Japan
Abstract: The next phase in scientific ocean drilling moved forward on 22 April, with the United States and Japan signing a memorandum of cooperation to proceed with the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP). The agreement, which has been years in the making, provides the operational and scientific ramework for the IODFJ, which is scheduled to begin on 1 October and ramp up to full operation in 2007. The memorandum calls for cooperation on the program through 30 September 2013.