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 a request to declassify the original 'Report of the Scientific Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects,' offering an edited, unclassified version instead. The agency also refused to disclose the names of personnel involved in the panel's discussions.
This document is a formal letter dated August 15, 1956, from Karl H. Weber, the Deputy Director of Scientific Intelligence at the Central Intelligence Agency, to Colonel Gerald E. Jorgensen of the Department of the Air Force. The correspondence addresses a request made by Colonel Jorgensen on July 27, 1956, regarding the declassification of the 'Report of the Scientific Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects.' Weber informs Jorgensen that the Office of Scientific Intelligence has determined the original report cannot be downgraded. As an alternative, the CIA has prepared an unclassified version of the report. Weber explicitly notes that permission to release the original report has not been obtained from the individuals or organizations involved. Furthermore, he references a memorandum dated December 29, 1955, from P. G. Strong, which established the conclusions regarding the edited summary. The CIA maintains a strict stance against further publicity regarding the information sponsored by the agency and refuses to authorize the inclusion of the names of personnel who participated in the discussions in any unclassified releases.
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 cannot authorize the listing of personnel participating in the discussions in any unclassified releases.
The CIA denied the request to declassify the original Report of the Scientific Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects, offering an unclassified version instead. They also refused to list the names of personnel involved in the discussions.
Key Persons
- Gerald E. JorgensenColonel, Chief, Community Relations Division, Office of Information, Department of the Air Force
- P. G. StrongIndividual who authored a 29 December 1955 memorandum