DRAFT Approved For Release 2000/08 /OdeaGugsBDP96-90787R000400070031.5 Mmmm SC"! : MEMORANDUM FOR : See Distribution SUBJECT : Investigation of Paranormal Phenomena 1, 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' 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 at 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? 4, While the primary focus of the initial conference will be on the above areas, it may also be aneful 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 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 Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-0@#87R000400070021-0 apierenat -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 (7?) D/ORD (?) Distribution: Office of Security - Attention Mr. Office of Communications - Attention Mr. DD/P, CI Staff - Attention Mr. DDS&T - Attention DDS&T/OSI - Atte SG1I DDS/OMS - Attention Approved For Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000400070021-0