(1) LAUNCH ASSURANCE POLICY (The White House, October 9, 1972) The President today announced a policy whereby the United States will provide launch assistance to other countries and international organizations for satellite projects which are for peaceful purposes and are consistent with obligations under relevant international arrangements. Launches will be provided on a non-discriminatory, reimbursable basis. The President's decision extends to other countries the assurances given to the member states of the European Space Conference in September 1971. These assurances recognize the legitimate interests of European countries in being able to place satellites into space under non-discriminatory conditions. This action was in keeping with the President's recognition of the desirability of mutually beneficial cooperation in space and the importance of such cooperation as a new dimension in the further development of the Atlantic partnership. Addressing the United Nations General Assembly nearly three years ago, the President noted particularly that "of all of man's great enterprises, none lends itself more logically or more compellingly to international cooperation than the venture into space." In establishing today a global launch assurance policy, the President affirms the need for a dependable capability which would make it possible for nations to have access under equal conditions to the advantages which accrue through space applications. This global launch assurance policy further manifests United States faith that, in the language of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, "... the exploration and use of outer space shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries ... and shall be the province of all mankind."1 1 NASA launch policy, NASA Authorization for fiscal year 1979. Hearings before the Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. 95th Cong., 2d sess. on S. 2527, pt. 1, pp. 70–74.