143
It comes as a surprise to say that the skies, even those of the Canary Islands, may
be seen as a natural resource in the commonly accepted meaning of that term in
economics. However, the circumstances we found in exploiting astronomically
a certain zone of the summits of La Palma and Tenerife have led us to understand that these correspond to the characteristics of those bounties offered by
nature that are desirable to man at a particular determined epoch.
I rounded off with:
The Agreements achieved will be both fruitful and advantageous, not only for
our science and reputation but also in ensuring the continuous influx of
European lecturers and researchers, a guarantee of the permanent injection of
western culture in the Canaries that is so vital for everything, especially in these
times. Moreover, Spanish researchers will be able to avail themselves of modern
working tools: highly qualified positions will be created, and the road system
and power grid of La Palma completed. Without a doubt, all this will contribute
to the scientific, technical, and even touristic development of the region.
At the time I was Chancellor of the University and my understandable
preoccupation with the imported independence movement that was so active
at the time in the Canaries was evident.
We have had to wait no less than 38 years to confirm my assertions with
economic data. At the beginning of 2018 a well-written and documented
study bearing the title ‘The Economic and Social Impact of Astrophysics in
the Canary Islands’ was published by Professor Juan José Díaz of the
Department of Economics, Accountancy, and Finance at the University of
La Laguna.
One must always make the best of circumstances. Earlier, we saw the serious problems that arose with the Ministry of Defence in our struggle to prevent the installation of military radars from interfering with the building of
Roque de los Muchachos Observatory. As a consequence of that confrontation, we ended by establishing cordial relations with the civil servants of the
Presidency of the Government, who were thus able to see for themselves and
help us in what we were seeking, and understand how it would be beneficial
for the country. That was how, when the doors of the Ministry for Universities
and Research were closed to us (as described earlier), we were taken under the
wing of the Ministry of the Presidency. This was a great piece of luck, for we
had gained a much more protective umbrella and source of funding. The
Treaty of Cooperation in Astrophysics was signed in the name of Spain by Mr.
Pérez Llorca, Minister of the Presidency of the Government, and the funding
to cover the agreement came from that ministry.
15 The IAC: A Dream Come True (1971–Present)
It comes as a surprise to say that the skies, even those of the Canary Islands, may
be seen as a natural resource in the commonly accepted meaning of that term in
economics. However, the circumstances we found in exploiting astronomically
a certain zone of the summits of La Palma and Tenerife have led us to understand that these correspond to the characteristics of those bounties offered by
nature that are desirable to man at a particular determined epoch.
I rounded off with:
The Agreements achieved will be both fruitful and advantageous, not only for
our science and reputation but also in ensuring the continuous influx of
European lecturers and researchers, a guarantee of the permanent injection of
western culture in the Canaries that is so vital for everything, especially in these
times. Moreover, Spanish researchers will be able to avail themselves of modern
working tools: highly qualified positions will be created, and the road system
and power grid of La Palma completed. Without a doubt, all this will contribute
to the scientific, technical, and even touristic development of the region.
At the time I was Chancellor of the University and my understandable
preoccupation with the imported independence movement that was so active
at the time in the Canaries was evident.
We have had to wait no less than 38 years to confirm my assertions with
economic data. At the beginning of 2018 a well-written and documented
study bearing the title ‘The Economic and Social Impact of Astrophysics in
the Canary Islands’ was published by Professor Juan José Díaz of the
Department of Economics, Accountancy, and Finance at the University of
La Laguna.
One must always make the best of circumstances. Earlier, we saw the serious problems that arose with the Ministry of Defence in our struggle to prevent the installation of military radars from interfering with the building of
Roque de los Muchachos Observatory. As a consequence of that confrontation, we ended by establishing cordial relations with the civil servants of the
Presidency of the Government, who were thus able to see for themselves and
help us in what we were seeking, and understand how it would be beneficial
for the country. That was how, when the doors of the Ministry for Universities
and Research were closed to us (as described earlier), we were taken under the
wing of the Ministry of the Presidency. This was a great piece of luck, for we
had gained a much more protective umbrella and source of funding. The
Treaty of Cooperation in Astrophysics was signed in the name of Spain by Mr.
Pérez Llorca, Minister of the Presidency of the Government, and the funding
to cover the agreement came from that ministry.
15 The IAC: A Dream Come True (1971–Present)