DRAFT
Approved For R^ase 2000/08/Q^g^gDP96-W87R000400070021-0
SG1I
MEMORANDUM FOR
:
See Distribution
SUBJECT
:
Investigation of Paranormal Phenomena
L You are invited to attend an informal conference designed to establish the
proper context and procedures for a coordinated Agency investigation into various
purported paranormal phenomena.
You have been chosen because you are already
aware of the reported phenomena, because your office has a legitimate interest in
this field and because we believe that you have a substantive contribution to make.
For reasons which we are sure you appreciate and probably share, we wish to keep
the conference low-key and limit the attendance as well as general awareness of
the proposed investigations,
2«
The conference will be hosted by DDP/TSD and DDS&T/ORD in preparation
for a joint effort
*
It is our hope that, by obtaining the views
of all legitimately
interested parties before designing the specifics of our research approach, we can
ensure that the outcome - -whatever else
it may prove --will be acceptable to all as
having validity for the components and disciplines which they represent.
We do
not believe
it makes any difference whether,
at this point, you are a 'believer
9 or
'non-believer' or somewhere in between.
In the spirit of scientific objectivity we
merely seek your counsel in an approach to a problem which has eluded resolution
for ages --and may,
of course,
continue to do so,
3, There are few groundrules for the conference but,
if anything is to be
accomplished, we will have to insist that they be observed
:
- there will be no rehashing of anecdotal accounts of the recent
cat other
phenomena,
all of which we have all heard on numerous occasions;
- there will be no debate as to the existence of the phenomena or speculation
about their dynamics or meaning since those are precisely the questions which we
hope our research will resolve;
- you are merely asked to come with an open mind, prepared to address
yourself generally to the following questions
:
What specific questions would you and your office like to see answered
by our investigations?
What kinds of experiments with the Subjects would be useful from the
point of view of your component's special interests?
What kinds of laboratory and/or analytical- statistical controls would
you like
to have instituted?
What kinds of non-phenomenological testing
(e. g.
,
physiological,
behavioral,
etc) would you like to have performed on the Subjects?
4o
While the primary focus of the initial conference will be on the above areas,
it may also be uaeful for you to reflect on the specific applications (aggressive and/or
defensive) which might have particular significance for your component should
various phenomena be verified beyond all reasonable doubt and should we establish
that individuals with the appropriate attributes can be trained to reproduce them.
If there
is time this area might also be broached during the first conference.
In any
case, we anticipate later meetings
at which you will receive progress reports and
during which we can, more profitably perhaps, begin to focus on such specifics.
In
effect,
then,
the group will serve as a counseling panel but,
as noted, we wish to
keep
it as informal and low-key as possible,
5, The conference will be held in room
at
hours on
B
Please notify
on extension
whether you will be able to attend or,
alternatively, whether someone else will
Approved For Release 2000/08/07
: CIA-RDP96-00787R000400070021-0
Approved For R^ase 2000/08/07
: CIA-RDP96-W87R000400070021-0
- 2
-
represent your office.
In the latter event,
please select only an officer already
familiar with the topic and with the recent developments in this field.
Also, please
ensure that the selected
officer is informed of the contents of this memorandum
and, most specifically,
of the unusual sensitivity associated with the Agency's
interest in paranormal research.
C/TSD
(?)
D/ORD
( ?)
Distribution:
Office of Security
- Attention Mr.
Office of Communications
- Attention Mr.
DD/P,
Cl Staff
- Attention Mr.
DDS&T
- Attention
DDS&T/OSI
-
DDS/OMS
- Attention
Approved For Release 2000/08/07
: CIA-RDP96-00787R000400070021-0