Correspondence regarding declassification of the Scientific Advisory Panel report on Flying Objects

This document is a letter addressed to Dr. Lloyd V. Berkner regarding the declassification of a report produced by a Scientific Advisory Panel on Flying Objects, which was constituted in January 1953. The panel, chaired by Dr. H. P. Robertson and including members Samuel Goudsmit, Luis W. Alvarez, and Thornton Page, had produced a report containing two conclusions and two recommendations. The Air Force requested that these conclusions be declassified for public release. The author, Philip G. Strong, notes that he has consulted with Dr. Robertson and Dr. Goudsmit, who agree that specific parts of the report (paragraph 2 and the recommendation in paragraph 4a) can be declassified. However, the author expresses concern regarding the disclosure of the Agency's association with the panel. He suggests that paragraph 1 of the report should be rewritten to eliminate this connection before public release. Furthermore, the author mentions that the Air Force has been queried regarding the use of the panel members' names, and they have indicated that names would only be used within official circles and not released to the press. The letter concludes by asking Dr. Berkner for his reaction to the Air Force's declassification proposal and his stance on limiting the declassification and withholding the Agency's connection to the panel.