Correspondence regarding the declassification of the Report of the Scientific Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects

This document consists of a series of communications from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) dated December 20, 1957, regarding the declassification of the 'Report of the Scientific Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects.' The primary correspondence is addressed to Dr. Lloyd V. Berkner, President of Associated Universities, Incorporated, informing him that a copy of the declassified report and a letter to the Air Force are enclosed. A second memorandum, also dated December 20, 1957, is addressed to the Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Department of the Air Force, specifically for the attention of Major James F. Byrne. This memorandum confirms that the CIA and the members of the Scientific Panel have agreed to the declassification of the report's conclusions, with specific exceptions regarding the non-disclosure of certain recommendations. The document includes the full text of the 'Report of the Scientific Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects,' dated January 17, 1953. The report states that the Panel met at the request of the government to evaluate potential threats to national security posed by Unidentified Flying Objects (referred to as 'Flying Saucers'). The Panel concluded that the evidence presented showed no indication of a direct physical threat to national security, nor did it suggest a need for revising current scientific concepts. The Panel recommended that national security agencies take immediate steps to remove the 'special status' and 'aura of mystery' surrounding these objects. The report is signed by H. P. Robertson (Chairman), Luis W. Alvarez, S. A. Goudsmit, and Thornton Page.