Approved For Release 2000/08/09 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000600450019-3 i stitute of Materials-Science Problems, which is headed by academician Trefilov. The interagency scientific-technical center "Vent" (formerly the Center for Unconven- tional Technologies of the USSR State Com- mittee for Science and Technology) was identified as the country's "chief" firm engaged in developments in the area of un- conventional fields. According to unveri- fied data from A. Akimov, director of this center, the cost of unconventional-field projects has been 23 million rubles in Min- oborony's sector alone, while the overal] amount which has been allocated for such research through all of the different chan- nels is as great as 500 million rubles. Seeking more information about uncon- ventional-fields research and the purposes of this research, the author spoke to an associate of the USSR Supreme Soviet's Com- mittee on Science and Technologies and sub- sequently went to the armed forces' General Staff. He was told that the committee had received no information in this regard from Minoborony, the KGB or other agencies in- volved. Representatives of the General Staff referred the author to the USSR Acad- emy of Sciences' Section on Problems of Ap- plied Science. Nikolay Prudnikov, deputy chairman of this section, said that it sometimes orders projects to be carried out for the General Staff, but he disclosed no details of this work. One such project, which was called "“Obezlichiye" (de-individ- ualization), is mentioned. It is recalled that in 1986, a scientific research insti- tute informed the academy's section that the institute was prepared to carry out this project. An associate of the section who knew more about the project was not available for questioning, however. At the "Vent" center, the author was told that di- rector Akimov was away on a business trip. Ye. Aleksandrov, corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Sciences and a sci- entific opponent of Akimov's, sent the au- thor a report of the Center for Unconven- tional Technologies. According to this document, the center is engaged in research of long-distance production of medical-bio- logical and psychophysical effects on troops and the population, using torsion radiations; and also in research of medi- cal-biological protection of troops and the population against effects of such radia- tions. Aleksandrov expressed doubt that equipment capable of producing such effects can be developed. A letter which the edi- tors received from Aleksandrov is quoted, in which the scientist denounced research of unconventional fields as pseudoscien- tific, citing a decision of the academy's department of general physics and astrono- my. Aleksandrov went so far as to accuse state enterprises of producing fake “field generators" and selling them to defense agencies for large sums. Scientists who hold opposing views of unconventional-fields research reportedly include V. Kaznacheyev, who is believed to be working in this direction for the de- fense complex and has signed an interna- tional convention on the non-use of "mental weapons"; A. Veynik, corresponding member of the Belorussian Academy of Sciences, who has put forward a number of theories; and other academy figures, who have published works abroad. The author suggests that the Academy of Sciences organize a roundtable discussion on the topic of psychological weapons, with all sides in the controversy represented. (SNAP 911018) * * * * Comments and additions or deletions to the distribution list should be addressed to: FTD/SCIR Attn: Edward Humphrys WPAFB, OH 45433-6508 Recipients of the Daily SNAP are advised that SNAP is intended solely for U.S. gov- ernment agencies and their designated con- tractors. Approved For Release 2000/08/09 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000600450019-3