worldwidewebfoundation

to advance One Web that is free and open, to expand the Web's capability and robustness, and to extend the Web's benefits to all people on the planet.| tim berners-lee speech 14.09.08

wollt mich eigentlich noch ein wenig durch die gegend kutschieren lassen und keinen skiurlaub ...

it never became reality, anyhow former italien foreign minister amintore fanfani was into it. other sources suggest, it was him who brought the idea to brussels.

Brussels, June 6, 1966, 0015Z, Telegram From Secretary of State Rusk to the Department of State /2/:

Secretary expressed concern about UK decision, which had strongly disappointed U.S. He said he intended discuss it with UK Foreign Minister Stewart, who would be calling later in evening. If UK withdrawal stood firm, Secretary would want Fanfani's judgment as to what might be done. U.S. felt it important that Western European technology advance, and sought means make U.S. technology available. President Johnson had recently sent Mr. Frutkin to Europe in this connection. Frutkin had found much interest in Germany, almost none in UK, with Italy somewhere between.

U.S. spent 30 billion dollars on research and development for all purposes, Secretary continued. Although we recognized differences in industrial capacity, and difficulties of starting "Marshall Plan for Technology", way had to be found.

Fanfani welcomed Secretary's statement. He thought Marshall Plan for Technology would show possibilities inherent in Atlantic Community concept. Italians were impressed by almost unbridgeable gap between U.S. and European technology. They favored identifying specific areas for cooperation to integrate U.S. and European efforts. If UK indeed dropped out of ELDO, Italian Cabinet had agreed that Italy would do same, and would devote resources instead to national research. Most of shifted funds would go to send people to U.S. for study. Fanfani thought Marshall Plan for Technology would have great attraction also in France, even if not with de Gaulle. It would also find receptivity in Eastern Europe and thus promote coexistence.