Richard Arculus suggested that Chinese Taipei and Korea could ask for past volumes from Canada and Australia. They will only have to pay for book rate postage. Both countries have past volumes so this is not necessary. The Consortium will make evey effort to become a full member in the future. David Feary stated that if any one of these members had not committed the Program may have had to terminate.
Budget is very tight.
New innovations are needed and these will cost money. NSF for the USA will commit to this budgetary increase, they need to know whether the partner countries will wear this increase. However, Larry Mayer said that this budget increase may be asked as specific contributions for particular items. China is interested in this as is Oman and India. Portugal interested in joining ESF consortium.