Declassified UFO / UAP Document
Correspondence regarding the declassification of the Report of the Scientific Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects
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AI-Generated Summary
The CIA denied the full declassification of the 'Report of the Scientific Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects' in 1958. They provided an edited, unclassified version while attempting to minimize public knowledge of the CIA's sponsorship of the panel.
This memorandum, dated 15 August 1958, is addressed to Colonel Gerald R. Jorgenson of the Department of the Air Force from Karl H. Weber, the Deputy Director of Scientific Intelligence. The document serves as a formal response to Colonel Jorgenson's request, dated 27 July 1958, regarding the declassification of the 'Report of the Scientific Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects.' The Office of Scientific Intelligence determined that the report, in its original drafted form, could not be downgraded. As an alternative, the agency prepared an unclassified version of the report, with the names of participating personnel and organizations redacted. The memorandum notes that permission for the release of this edited version was obtained from the involved parties, and that the panel members agreed only to the release of the edited summary and conclusions, as referenced in a 29 December 1957 memorandum by P. G. Strou[illegible]. Furthermore, the agency explicitly stated its desire to avoid further publicity regarding the fact that the panel was sponsored by the Central Intelligence Agency. Finally, the agency refused to authorize the listing of personnel who participated in the discussions within any unclassified release.
We are most anxious that further publicity not be given to the information that the panel was sponsored by the Central Intelligence Agency.
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Official Assessment
The Office of Scientific Intelligence denied the request to declassify the original 'Report of the Scientific Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects' as drafted. They offered an unclassified version with names of personnel and participating organizations removed. The agency expressed concern that further publicity should not be given to the fact that the panel was sponsored by the Central Intelligence Agency.
Key Persons
- Gerald R. JorgensonColonel, Chief, Community Relations Division, Office of Information, Department of the Air Force
- P. G. Strou[illegible]Individual whose 29 December 1957 memorandum indicated conclusions