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PART 1.
DISPOSAL SCHEDULE RECOMMENDATION (To be completed when the file is closed) Destroy after Forward to INFO(EXP)-R No recommendation after __ years years
FOR DEFENCE
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INFO(EXP)-R
USE ONLY
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Date of 2nd review Reviewer's Signature:
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PART 2.
BRANCH REVIEW (To be fully completed at time of file closure) (Delete as appropriate)
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that TOP SECRET
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Of no further administrative value and not worthy of permanent preservation. DESTROY and Codeword material cannot be destroyed locally and must be forwarded to INFO(EXP)-R. (i) To be retained until the end of the year for the following reasonr
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Witnessed by (TOP SECRET' and SECRpT only) Signature: Name: / Grade/Rank: Tel No: Produced by MOD, DSDA(PC) KY Tel. 01179376256 '(FOR DR USE ONLY)
Astron. J0217876, 11/04
--------:,/7,
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Dear Reference:07-02-2005-170455-010 I am writing concerning your e-mail message about the information the MOD holds about UFO sightings. Your message has been passed to this department as we are the focal point within the Ministry of Defence for correspondence about UFOs. This department holds details of UFO sightings reported to the MOD and public correspondence about UFOs (some of which also contain sighting reports) spanning a 25 year period. These records are not held electronically, but are filed on paper files in the order in which they were received. In order to release information from these documents we are required to redact all personal information about the people who made the reports in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. As you are aware, we have already released some information into the MOD Freedom of Information Publication Scheme and we are currently compiling a database of reports which we intend to add to the Publication Scheme at the end of June 2005. We are also looking at what further documents we can add to the Publication Scheme in the near future. In the meantime, if there is any particular information you are seeking, you are able to make a request in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 either via the same route as this request or directly to my address at the end of this message. Please bare in mind that if a request exceeds the permitted £600 limit set for compliance with the Freedom ofInformation Act and as provided by Section 12 ofthe Act, the Ministry of Defence is not obliged to comply with your request. You should therefore be as specific as possible about the information you are seeking. I hope this is helpful. Yours sincerely,
Ministry of Defence Directorate of Air Staff - Freedom of Information 5th Floor, Zone H~ Main Building Whitehall London SW1A2HB e-mail: das-ufo-office@mod.uk
is" February
2005
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In typing UFO into the Freedom of information act database only seven responces were indicated. I am sure there have been more documents pertaining to the sightings of UFOs. How do I recieve these documents?
R~corC!storage h?~ation of ~pplicant request (o~"!p!<?a~~ocument). To be held by the help desk until allocation.
http://aitportall_Layouts/AIT/InternaITransfer/InternaITransferAcceptance.aspx?sn=CN3RKNT193,5620,112
14/02/2005
ENCLOSURE TRANSFERRED TO
r
AUTHORISATION FOR THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION Appl Independent on Sunday Expiry: 3 February 2005 Case Number: 06-01-2005-140535-008
The Applicant has made the following reguest for information: 1. Findings of an MOD investigation into an alleged UFO sighting above Craigluscar reservoir near Dunfermline, Fife. 2. Photograph of a UFO near Pitlochry, Perthshire in 1990. 3. All correspondence, (letters, memos, etc) between ministers and civil servants relating to the incident at Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk in December 1980.
Case for release of information 1. A search of DAS files~ced some papers about this event. DAS files contain no reply to __ M of 28 February 1994, so DI55c were cons~e confirmed that they have no additional records on their files._has not requested copies of the documents, so a summary of these events has been provided in the attached draft letter. 2. The only photographs the MOD holds of UFO sightings are those sent to us by members of the public. A search of our files covering 1990 has produced some details about this event, including a record that the photographs sent to the MOD were returned to The Scottish Daily Record. Details have been included in the attached draft letter. 3. All of the papers the MOD holds on the Rendlesham Forest incident are already available in the Publication Scheme. The only correspondence between civil servants and Ministers about this event would notes to PQs and it is not clear if this is what he is seeking. been advised how to access this information in the Publication me and if he is seeking parliamentary correspondence, that he clarifies what specific information he is seeking. I attach a draft letter and background papers.
'"
.
Authorisation I hereby give authorisation for the release of the aforementioned information to the Applicant.
Grade/Rank:
R.b
Name:
Date:
~.I.~.I.~5.
From Directorate of Air Staff - Freedom of Information 5th Floor, Zone H, Main Building, Whitehall, London SW1 A 2HB
Telephone e-mail (Directdial) (Switchboard)
(Fax)
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
das-ufo-office@mod.
Your Reference
"'H"''''''''''~H~~H''on '-'........ ~" Independent House 191 Marsh Wall London E149RS
Dear I am writing concerning your message dated 6 January in which you made a request under the Freedom ofInformation Act for information about Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) sightings. Your request has been passed to this department as we are the focal point within the Ministry of Defence for correspondence about UFOs. First you requested the findings of an MOD investigation into an alleged UFO sighting above Craigluscar Reservoir near Dunfermline, Fife. Our records show that The Scottish Daily Record contacted the MOD in February 1994 concerning a UFO sighting report and some photographs that they had been sent by a member of the public. The individual reported travelling to Craigluscar Reservoir on the afternoon of 19th February 1994 to take some photographs of the Reservoir to assist with a painting of the area. He heard a humming noise, turned towards the Reservoir and saw a disc-like object, high in the sky, moving slowly in his direction. He described the object as metallic, with several points of diffused light on its underside, inside a darker coloured rim. He took two photographs before the object moved away to the west. Air defence staff were consulted at the time and records show that there had been no unusual radar returns. The photographs are not contained in our files and we assume they were returned to the Scottish Daily Record. You also requested a photograph of a UFO near Pitlochry, Perthshire in 1990. The MOD does not produce photographs of UFO sightings. The only photographs the MOD holds are those which members of the public very occasionally send to us with their sighting reports. If requested these are returned to the individual, or if they do not want them returned, they are filed with the report in our files. We have examined our records for 1990 and they contain no photographs relevant to your request. However, we have a record that two members of the public contacted The Scottish Daily Record to report a large diamond shape UFO hovering for about 10 minutes before ascending vertically upwards at high speed. The witnesses said that during the sighting an RAF aircraft believed to be a Harrier was in the area. The sighting was over Cal vine, 20 miles north of Pitlochry at 2100 hours on 4 August 1990. A number of colour photographs were taken and passed to The Scottish Daily Record, who in tum sent the negatives to the MOD. These were considered at the time and it was concluded that the jet was a Harrier. No definite conclusions were reached regarding large diamond-shaped object. Our records show that the original negatives were returned to The Scottish Daily Record.
Finally, you asked for correspondence between ministers and civil servants relating to the incident at Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk in December 1980. The MOD papers on this incident are already published in the MOD Freedom of Information Publication Scheme on the internet and can be viewed at http://www.foi.mod.uk. A search under 'Rendlesham Forest' will take you directly to these documents. We are not aware of any specific internal correspondence about this incident which has not already been released. It is normal practice for officials to brief Ministers as to the background of parliamentary business, for example, when answering specific parliamentary questions. If this is the type of information you are seeking, it would be useful if you could clarify the information you are particularly searching for. I hope this is useful. If this information does not address your requirements or you wish to complain about any aspect of the handling of this request, then you should contact the undersigned in the first instance. Should you remain dissatisfied, then you may apply for an internal review by contacting the Director of Information Exploitation, 6th Floor, MOD Main Building, Whitehall, SW1A 2HB. If you are still unhappy following an internal review, you may take your complaint to the Information Commissioner under the provisions of Section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act. Please note that the Information Commissioner will not investigate your case until the MOD internal review process has been completed. Further details of the role and powers of the Information Commissioner can be found on the Commissioner's website, http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk Yours sincerely,
6(,-OI-dOOS-
&r·....,-~I...
14o~SS"-OO~
O~.
on behalf of Info-Access-Office
FOI Request
-----Original Message----From: feedback@www.mod.uk [mailto:feedback@www.mod.uk] Sent: 06 January 2005 13:03 To: Info-Access-Office Subject: FOI INFORMATION REQUEST Below is the result 2005 at 13:02:34 FirstName LastName: occupation: Company: Address1: Address2: City: Journalist on Sunday House of your feedback form. It was submitted on Thursday, January 6,
Independent Independent
London
preferred
format:
hardcopy of an MOD investigation near Dunfermline, Fife. Pitlochry, Perthshire into an alleged
19
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UFO sighting
above
2,
Photograph
of a UFO near
in 1990
~.All correspondence, (letters, memos, etc) between ministers and civil servants relating to the incident at Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk in December 1980. submit: Send Form
Page 1 of2
Importance: Low ~ I have looked through the files I hold for record of a reply b~n coresspondence. I spent half an hour searching (B2 grade).
514:43
~~=;t:;=~=
Please see the email below from _ Could you please check your records/files to see if ou have any information regarding the alleged ~UFO htin and if there is any record of a reply from si tO~M. Please note that ked for a reply (or nil return) as soon as
POSSI
e.
Thank you.
We have received a FOI request from the Independent on Sunday for the following: " Findings of an MOD investigation into an alleged UFO sighting above Craigluscar reservoir near Dunfermline, Fife." I have found a L~/Sec(AS)12/1) Wing Commande~5c) reporter with the Scottish Daily no record of a reply from Wg be grateful if someone could see Saturday 19th February 1994. dated 28 February 1994 from_ec(AS)2a) to and sketches of this UFO sent in by a uesting Wg Cdr~n these. There is so if your files areavaiae6r this period I would ing about this. The sighting was on the afternoon of
02/0212005
..
Page 2 of2
The request is due to be answered by 3 February, so I would be grateful for a response (or nil return) as soon as possible. Regards
11IIIIIIIIH,_ol
5th Floor, Zone MB
02/02/2005
FILES REQUIRED URGENTLY FOR A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST FOR INFORMATION O/Sec(AS)12/2 O/Sec(AS)12/2 O/Sec(AS)12/2 O/Sec(AS)12/2 O/Sec(AS)12/3 O/Sec(AS)12/3 O/Sec(AS)12/3 O/Sec(AS)12/3 O/Sec(AS)12/3 O/Sec(AS)12/g Part Part Part Part Part Part Part Part Part Part H - UFO I - UFO J - UFO N - UFO G I 0 P Q R Reports ~ Reports v Reports Reports v
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- UFO Correspondence - UFO Correspondence V - UFO Correspondence./ - UFO Correspondence .-/' - UFO Correspondence v - UFO Correspondence '(/""
From
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Directorate of Air Staff - Freedom of Information 5th Floor, Zone H, Main Building, Whitehall LONDON SWIA 2HB
Telephone: (Direct dial) (Switchboard) 020 7218 9000
FAX MESSAGE
TO: TNT Archive Services SUBJECT: URGENT Recall of Files 2005 THIS COVER: 2
DATE: 21 January
__
TRAHSMISSIOH
REPORT
SID
J10de
Pages Status
HORJ1AL
2 Correct
FAX MESSAGE
TO: TN'r Archive Sen-ices SUBJECT: DATE: URGENT Recall of flies
21 Janoary
2005 2
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- He appeared genuine, and rather disappointed at the way in which the paper eventually ran the story, which he saw as frivolous (I do not have a copy of this, but believe it was printed today). He did not appear to know anything about UFOs, and aside from his own experience, expressed no interest in the subject. I do not believe that he sought or received any payment from the
nevspapee ,
- The camera used was an old SLR model, a Chinon CS. ASA. - The alleged incident took place at approximately - He estimated that the object was approximately came down to a height of around 300 feet AGL.
3. It seems to me that this case is either a hoax, or something very interesting indeed. 4. The Daily Record have already asked me for my views, and I have deployed the standard line that our initial consideration of the photos has produced no obvious explanation, but that we are now having a more detailed look. As word of this case spreads (Some of the UFO lobby are already aware of the story) we may come under increasing pressure. 5. I would be grateful for your views on this case, with particular reference to the photograph of the object at close range.
('.4./02
" .
·94
':
DAILY RECORD
[41002
efternoon of Saturday,
outside Dunfermline,
19th. in
February, to
order
of that and
in
rights
of
of the landsoape
and
WaS
l~oking
eastwards
at
the furth~st
as a,kind felt
point
of
the reservoir,
whether
looking
east,
of humming noise.,
very, I uneasy,
high in
the
sir.
and coming
slowly
in my direction,
was a disc-
unable
of taking
I
of compulsion.
happening.
passed,
words
At that
I now realise
have.better
at whatever light
it was,
for more
than
fifteen
minutes. metallic,
definitely
inside a darker
As the
coloured "rim".
began to move away, :sll
craft
sense
.and
of the feelings
my hand,
......
disappeared.
acceleration
from the
took two photographs. The craft I s was phenomenal - By the t.ime. I I d wound the film on between the twc w~st. There was no noise at all, apart
->. :......... . __
I raised
my camera,
L.: ::;'
I know nothing
end the sub ject does not i nteres t me. But was "in R.A.F. that
my
of what Later
imagination".
to enquire
Of that,
ar
Piteavie,
myself
am an aircraft
and pride
aircraft.
recognition.
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Staff) 2A Room 8245 MOD Main Building Whitehall LONDON SW1A 2HB
Dear Please find enclosed prints and artist's drawings of the UFO which we talked about today. I would be grateful for your comments and assessment of these at your earliest convenience. Thanks for your help with this. Yours sincerely
P.J.
\NlttJ~ ~
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A Company registered in Scotland No. 12921 Registered Office 40 Anderston Quay Glasgow G3 aDA
·.
Daily Record
AnderstOIi Quay Glasgow G3 BDA Telephone 04 1-248 7000 Direct Line 0-11-242 3 Fax 041-
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D/Sec(AS)12/2 14 September 1990 APS/US of S(AF) Copy to: Head oj: ·~:PC'(~~ DD GE/AEW DDPR(RAF) PHOTOGRAPHS OF AN UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT - SCOTTISH DAILY RECORD
1. US of S(AF) may wish to be aware that the Scottish Daily Record may run a story regarding an alleged sighting of a UFO near Pitlochrie in early August. Such stories are not normally drawn to the attention of Ministers and the MoD press office invariably responds to questions along well-established lines emphasising our limited interest in the UFO phenomenon and explaining that we therefore do not have the resources to undertake any in-depth investigations into particular sightings. On this occasion however, the MoD has been provided with six photographic negatives of an alleged UFO by the Scottish Daily Record and has been asked for comments almost certainly for inclusion in a forthcoming story. For this reason it is felt that US of S(AF) should be made aware of the background and the line adopted by the DDPR(RAF) in responding to the newspaper. 2. The photographs, which were received on 10 Sept, are alleged to have been taken near the A9 road at Clavine, north of Pitlochrie on the evening of 4 August. They show a large stationary, diamond-shaped object past which, it appears, a small jet aircraft is flying. The negatives have been considered by the relevant staffs who have established that the jet aircraft is a Harrier (and also identified a barely visible second aircraft, again probably a Harrier) but have reached no definite conclusion regarding the large object. It has also been confirmed that there is no record of Harriers operating in the area at the time at which the photographs are alleged to have been taken. The negatives have now been returned to the Scottish Daily Record. 3. In consultation with DDPR(RAF) it has been agreed that the attached lines to take should be used in responding to the Scottish Daily Record. These are consistent with the position adopted in the replies to the many public and occasional parliamentary enquiries on the subject of UFOs.
•
SCOTTISH DEFENSIVE DAILY RECORD LINES - PHOTOGRAPHS OF UFO TO TAKE: - Have looked at photographs, no definite conclusions reached regarding large diamond-shaped object. - Confident that jet aircraft is a Harrier. operating in location air at - Hav~ no record of Harriers stated time/date. - No other reports received by MoD of unusual activity or sightings at location/date/time.
- All sighting reports (including on occasion photographs/drawings etc) received by MoD are referred to the staff in the departments which are responsible for air defence of UK who examine them as part of their normal duties. Other reports of UFOs from Scotland? from Scotland are rare.
- UFO reports
ENCLOSURE TRANSFERRED TO
FILE DIDAS/10/2/8/16
PART A
..
AUTHORISATION
The Applicant has made the following request for information: Please let me have details of Unidentified Flying Objects: MOD's policy statement on alleged UFO phenomenon, and reports which have been released to the public from as far back as possible. Case for release of information been advised of the MOD's policy on UFOs and told where can access released information, both in the MOD FOI Publication Scheme and at The National Archives. We have told the applicant that we are compiling a database of UFO reports for future publication in the PS. Please see attached a draft reply.
Authorisation I hereby give authorisation for the release of the aforementioned information to the Applicant.
Grade/Rank:
£.~
~.
Name:
. .
.I..~.I. P,.,$
Reference: 12-01·-2005-153628-029 I am writing concerning your Freedom of Information request for the Ministry of Defence policy on alleged 'unidentified flying object' phenomenon and reports which have been released to the public. Your request has been passed to this department as we are the focal point within the Ministry of Defence for correspondence about UFOs. First, it may be helpful if I explain that the Ministry of Defence does not have any expertise or role in respect of 'UFO/flying saucer' matters or to the question of the existence or otherwise of extraterrestrial lifeforms, about which it remains totally open-minded. I should add that to date the MOD knows of no evidence which substantiates the existence of these alleged phenomena. Any reports of UFO sightings the MOD receives are examined solely to establish whether what was seen might have some defence significance; namely, whether there is any evidence that the United Kingdom'S airspace might have been compromised by hostile or unauthorised air activity. Unless there is evidence of a potential threat to the United Kingdom from an external military source, and to date no 'UFO' report has revealed such evidence, we do not attempt to identify the precise nature of each reported sighting. We believe it is possible that rational explanations, such as aircraft lights or natural phenomena, could be found for them, but it is not the function of the MOD to provide this kind of aerial identification service. We could not justify expenditure of public funds on investigations which go beyond our specific defence remit. With regard to the records the MOD holds of such reports, these are kept on paper files in the order in which they are received and this department currently has such records spanning a 25 year period. These records are not held electronically, but are filed on paper files in the order in which they were received. In order to assist members of the public with enquiries about UFO sightings reported to the MOD, this department is currently compiling a database of reports which we intend to publish in the MOD Freedom of Information Publication Scheme at the end of June 2005. The Scheme which already contains some documents about UFOs, including a class of information on the well known events at Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk in December 1980, can be found on the internet at http://www.foLmod.uk. A search under 'UFO' will direct you to this information. In addition, there are MOD files on UFOs which are open to the public at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU. The National Archives on line catalogue and details of how to access these records can be found on their website at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk. I hope this is helpful. If this information does not address your requirements or you wish to complain about any aspect of the handling of this request, then you should contact the undersigned in the first instance. Should you remain dissatisfied, then you may apply for an internal review by contacting the Director of Information Exploitation, 6th Floor, MOD Main Building, Whitehall, London SW1A 2HB. If you are still unhappy following an internal review, you may take your complaint to the Information Commissioner under the provisions of Section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act. Please note that the Information Commissioner will not investigate your case until the MOD internal review process has been completed. Further details of the role and powers of the Information Commissioner can be found on the Commissioner's website, http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk Yours sincerely,
Ministry of Defence Directorate of Air Staff - Freedom of Information s" Floor, Zone H,~O I Main Building Whitehall London
,
e
SW1A2HB
das-uto-ottice@ mod.uk
~t
February 2005
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GxAITESTPTCDi
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Applicant Details Title: First Name: Organisation: Applicant Type: Contact Details (Mailing or email address required) Address Line 1: Address Line2: Add ress Line3: Town/City: Postcode: Email: Telephone: It.:.R.:=e::::d:;::d;..::it;::;Ch:.;,._ ---l !Worcestershire _ _btinteh,Q Country: ..::..((i;v\ l Fax: nited Kingdom Other: Other: *Surname:
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Please let me have details of Unidentified Flying Objects: MOD's policy statement on alleged UFO phenomenon, and reports which have been released to the public from as far back as possible.
http://aitportal/_Layouts/AIT/selectcourse.aspx?sn=CN3RKNT193,2443,159
13/0112005
From: Directorate of Air Staff - Freedom of Information 5th Floor, Zone H, Main Building, Whitehall, London SW1 A 2HB
Telephone e-mail (Direct dial) (Switchboard) 02072182140 020 7218 9000
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
~~~~fo-office@mod¥2li6i
i 46;
Your Reference
IIIWd
Dear
County Fermanagh
Thank you for your letter dated 17 February concerning contact details for the UFO group mentioned in my last letter. I apologise for not replying sooner. The UFO group which passed us details of reports from their members was the Nottingham and Derbyshire branch of the British UFO Research Association. The individual who corresponded with us used his home address which I am unable to provide in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. However, you may wish to be aware that BUFORA have a website where their address is given as BM BUFORA, London, WCIN 2XX, e-mail:enquiries@bufora.org.uk. I hope this is helpful. Yours sincerely,
17 Feb. 05
Dear Sir, Thank you for your reply of the 1st Feb. Could you please send me the address of the UFOgroup you mentioned who reported their members seeing the Triangular UFO between 18:00 on the 4th March 98 to 06:00 on the 5th March 98 as I wish to contact them to find out more and compare notes. Yours Faithfully,
102No
DAS
FILE
,
• AUTHORISATION Applicant: Case Number: 05-01-2005-144546-047 Expiry: 2 February 2005 FOR THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION
The Applicant has made the following request for information: I would like the details of all the reported Triangular UFO sightings between March 1st 1998 and the end of April 1998.
Case for release of information We have searched all of the available UFO report and correspondence files for 1998 and the only reports of Triangular UFO sightings are the report made himself, and one that we were informed of by a U group (BUFORA). only asked for the details (not copies) so these have been included in the attached draft letter. Personal data has not been included, so no redaction is necessary. It should be noted that this request would have been completed on 12th January 2005 but TNT have been searching for one of the files (D/Sec(AS)64/3 Part 0 - UFO Correspondence) which I requested on 5th January. Today (01 February 2005) TNT have informed me that they are unable to locate this file. This information has therefore been supplied without relevant information which may be contained in this file. The letter to has been drafted to reflect the fact that we have provided all the ~== nformation. Authorisation I hereby give authorisation for the release of the aforementioned information to the Applicant.
Name: ....
!./
.~.I.£?~
,~
.'
From Directorate of Air Staff - Freedom of Information 5th Floor, Zone H, Main Building, Whitehall, London SW1 A 2HB
Telephone e-mail (Directdial) (Switchboard)
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
d!§Gti2i i i2
02072182140 02072189000
i
Your Reference County Fennanagh Northern Ireland Our Reference 05-01-2005-144546-047 Date I~ February 2005
Release of Infonnation Your correspondence dated 30th December 2004 concerning reported Triangular UFO sightings between 1st March 1998 and the end of April 1998 has been considered to be a request for information in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000. We have examined all our available UFO reports and correspondence files for the period you have stated and have found a total of three reports which are relevant to your request. One of these was the report you made on 10 April 1998. The details of the other two are as follows; 1800 on 4 March 1998 to 0600 on 5 March 1998 The MOD did not directly receive any UFO reports, but a UFO group informed us that they had received reports from some of their members. There were several different descriptions of what was seen but some of these described the object as being a dull grey or black triangular object, about the size of a conventional passenger jet, or smaller, with panelling or grooves underneath. Some of those reporting this described a low rumbling noise and others, no apparent engine noise. These sightings were between Mansfield (Nottinghamshire) and Shirebrook (Derbyshire). 0100 to 0430 on 16 April 1998 MOD received a report of a large triangular object with flashing green and red lights seen in the area of Regents Park and Baker Street, London. Enquiries revealed that there was a Search and Rescue helicopter in the area involved in the movement of a casualty to St Mary's Hospital. I hope this is useful. If this information does not address your requirements or you wish to complain about any aspect of the handling of this request, then you should contact the undersigned in the first instance. Should you remain dissatisfied, then you may apply for an internal review by contacting the Director of Information Exploitation, 6th Floor, MOD Main Building, Whitehall, London SWIA 2HB. If you are still unhappy following an internal review, you may take your complaint to the Information Commissioner under the provisions of Section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act. Please note that the Information Commissioner will not investigate your case until the MOD internal review process has been completed. Further details of the role and powers of the
Dear Sir, I would like the details of all the reported Triangular UFO sightings between March 1st 1998 and the end of April 1998. Yours Faithfully,
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Date, Time and Duration of Sighting .~16~2±~,~J! between 0100A & 0430A 2. Descr1pt10n of ObJect One, large triangular object with flashing (green & red) lights 3. Location (outdoor /moving) 4. 5. How observed - naked eye
1.
D1rect10n 1n wh1ch obJect f1rst seen Southerly 6. 7. Angle of Sight (Estimated heights are unreliable) Distance (By reference to a known landmark) Movements (Changes in 5,6 & 7 may be of more use than estimates of course and speed) Met conditions during observations - Clear Nearby objects To whom reported - military
8.
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Name and Address of Informant Name Address Background of informant that may be volunteered Other witnesses Date, 16 Apr from 0100 to 0300 Any Unusual Meteorological Conditions
17. Remarks A number of reports from the area of Regents Park/Baker st. After checking with W Drayton & Kinloss it turned out to be a SAR Helo involved in casualty evac/movement for st Marys' Hasp
Date:
AJ}g 97
Distribution: Chats address: SEC(AS)2A1A DI55C ADGE1 NB. Note that the format of this form accords formats
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Your reference
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1998
1.
2. I have looked back through our sighting report files and have found that no reports were received by the Ministry of Defence for 4/5 March in the Nottinghamshire or Derbyshire areas.
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1 7 MAR 1(:".'1
Dear SirlMadame;
Recently I have been asked on behalf of a number of members of the public to find possible explanations for a sighting of an unidentified ariel nature, this sighting was witnessed by over thirty persons to date, and I have included a brief concerning these sightings upon the page following this letter. If you were aware of any further reports, possibly connected to these reports- that you can pass onto myself, then I would be most grateful to receive these.
Further if you or your staff were aware of any possible causes that may account for these reports, then I would be most grateful to hear of any such ideas, that you may have. Finally, I am aware that there night that the sighting reports sightings that this display has identify as being connected to time. was a laser display operating within the area of Mansfield, upon the concern, from my inquiries- I have eliminated many of the reported already caused, though I still have thirty plus reports that I cannot the display, some of these may tum out to be mis identified aircraft in
Thankyou for all your help and assistance, please attend to this inquiry when time permits!
Yours faithfull
U.F. •
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The majority of reports received from the telephone enquiries, ifbelieved to be associated with the other reports- concern an unusual object with a triangular form, three edge white lights, with no apparent noise, sighted flying between Mansfield (Nottinghamshire) and (Shirebrook) Derbyshire, from the evening of the 4/3/98 to the morning of the 5/3/98, by thirty plus persons. Other details concerning the reports are as follows; A very intensely bright blue-white light when first sighted, this light appears to be formed from the three edge light sources upon the object, due to the viewers' position at the time of the sighting. A dull grey or black triangular object, about the size of a conventional passenger jet, or smaller, with panelling or grooves upon its underportion. Within these grooves appears many smaller white lights, arranged within rows. Several witness report green and orange navigational lights steady in luminosity and located close to these grooves. Some witness' report what could be perceived as a shadow reflection of ground lighting, reflected away from the clouds above the object, by its passing. The object appears to have no apparent engine noise, except for a time when the object appears to power up ready for a rapid departure towards the Shirebrook area. The object has either a diamond or triangular shape to itself, reports similar to this shape, have been reported across Derbyshire recently. The object was observed as moving slowly across the Mansfield area at treetop level passing over several witnesses in their cars, before moving off at rapid speed towards Shire brook. The object was sighted in one instance as having a glowing rear, similar to a heat signature from a jet, similarly several received reports have noted a helicopter sighted as following the same flightpath of the object shortly afterwards.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. The object appears to have been flying around from 18:00 hrs, on Wednesday 3rd to about 06:00 hrs on Thursday 4th, with periods whereby the object was sighted darting constantly around the area all night, whereas, the first report has the object as grounded close to pylons near the Blidworth area of Nottinghamshire. 11. In one instance a report was received whereby prior to the sound of the low rumbling/powering up sound, a brilliant flash was reported to be seen coming from the area of the craft, this lit up the sky, before the object disappeared. 12. These details match other reported sightiugs from other groups around the areas of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. 13. One witness described how the object had "upwards swept wingtips"? OTHER REPORTS RECEIVED HAVE NOT BEEN INCLUDED WITHIN TIllS BRIEF AT PRESENT. COMPILED B~.F.O.R.A".
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Persons wishing to report an unusual sighting, or to enquire for any information concerning this subject may contact myself at; THE "BRITISH, UNIDENTIFIED, FLYING, OBJEC,T RESEARCH, ASSOCIATION"
The group operates upon a professional and unbiased opinion, that all witness' reports require logical, rational investigation to attain possible logical explanations as to the cause of the witness'sightings.
WITNESS' PERSONAL DETAILS ARE NEVER RELEASED AND ARE PROTECTED UNDER THE DATA PROTECTION ACT, A COPY OF WHICH IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
•
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From:
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Your reference
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IRELAND
23
1. Thank you for your,postcard in which you have described an unexplained aerial sighting observed on 10 April from your back garden. This office is the focal point within the Ministry of Defence for correspondence relating to "unidentified flying objects" and I have been asked to reply. 2. First I should explain that the Ministry of Defence examines any reports of "unidentified flying objects" it receives solely to establish whether what was seen might have some defence significance; namely, whether there is any evidence that the UK Air Defence Region might have been compromised by hostile or unauthorized foreign military activity. 3. Unless there is evidence of a potential threat to the united Kingdom from an external military source, and to date no "UFO" report has revealed such evidence, we do not attempt to identify the precise nature of each sighting reported to us. We believe that rational explanations, such as aircraft lights or natural phenomena, could be found for them if resources were diverted for this purpose, but it is not the function of the MOD to provide this kind of aerial identification service. It would be an inappropriate use of defence resources if we were to do so. 4. With regard to your particular observation, I have looked back through our sighting report files and can confirm that we received no other reports of "UFO" sightings for 10 April from anywhere Northern Ireland, and we are satisfied that there is no corroborating evidence to suggest that the united Kingdom's airspace was breached by unauthorised military aircraft.
Page 1 of1
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From:
Sent: 05 January 2005 16:49
To: Cc:
Subject: Dear Sir Internet-authorised: Request for retrieval of archived files
I Madam
Please could you return the following files to me from your archives. These are needed urgently to answer a Freedom of Information request for information. MOD FILE REFERENCE D/Sec AS)64/2 D/Sec AS)64/2 D/Sec AS)64/3 D/Sec AS)64/3 D/Sec AS)64/3 D/Sec(AS)64/3 D/Sec(AS)64/3 PART G H L M N TITLE UFO Reports UFO Reports UFO Correspondence UFO Correspondence UFO Correspondence UFO Correspondence UFO Correspondence
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Location Building: SW01 SW01 D021118A04 Tape: RCU000131973 SW01 D02JJ01 B03 Tape: RCU000131985 SW01D05KK01A05 Tape: RCU000131060 SW01E05AA05B07 Tape: RCU000696481
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From: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE Directorate of Air Staff - Freedom of Information th 5 Floor, Zone H_Main Building, Whitehall LONDON SWIA 2HB
Telephone: (Direct (Swit~9000 (Fax)_ E-Mail
FAX MESSAGE
TO: FAO SUBJECT: Request for Files DATE: 7th January 2005 NUMBER OF PAGES INCLUDING THIS COVER: 2
As discussed. Please see attached details of the request for files that I e-mailed on Wednesday. Please call me to confirm that you have received this request. Regards.
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Directorate of Air Staff - Freedom of Information 5th Floor, Zone H, Main Building, Whitehall, London SW1A 2HB
Telephone e-mail (Directdial) (Switchboard)
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MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
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I am writing concerning your freedom of information request for information about Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). Your request has been passed to this department as we are the focal point within the Ministry of Defence for correspondence about UFOs. First, it may be helpful if I explain that the MOD does not have any expertise or role in respect of 'UFO/flying saucer' matters or to the question of the existence or otherwise of extraterrestrial lifeforms, about which it remains totally open-minded. I should add that to date the MOD knows of no evidence which substantiates the existence of these alleged phenomena. The MOD examines any reports of 'UFO' it receives solely to establish whether what was seen might have some defence significance; namely, whether there is any evidence that the United Kingdom's airspace might have been compromised by hostile or unauthorised air activity. Unless there is evidence of a potential threat to the United Kingdom from an external military source, and to date no 'UFO' report has revealed such evidence, we do not attempt to identify the precise nature of each reported sighting. We believe it is possible that rational explanations, such as aircraft lights or natural phenomena, could be found for them, but it is not the function of the MOD to provide this kind of aerial identification service. We could not justify expenditure of public funds on investigations which go beyond our specific defence remit. With regard to your particular request, I can inform you that the MOD does not generally investigate reports of UFO sightings. Reports provided to us are examined, but consultation with air defence staff and others as necessary is considered only where there is sufficient evidence to suggest a breach of UK air space. The vast majority of reports we receive are very sketchy and vague. Only a handful of reports in recent years have warranted further investigation and none revealed any evidence of a threat. All the reports and correspondence we receive is filed on paper files in the order in which it was received. No separate record is kept of any particular type of report. These records are not held electronically. As we currently have files which span a 25 year period, I hope you will appreciate that to supply copies of all of these records would exceed the £600 limit set for compliance with the Freedom of Information Act as provided by Section 12 of the Act and the Ministry of Defence is not therefore obliged to comply with your request. If however, you would like to be more specific or refine your request we may be able to assist you. You also asked for the minutes of any internal departmental committees. There have been no "committees" within the MOD to discuss UFOs. In August 1950 a Working Party was set up to investigate flying saucer phenomenon. The report was presented to a meeting of the
Joint Technical Intelligence Committee who decided that "the document should be regarded as the final report and, in view of the conclusions the Working Party should be dissolved". All of the documents ofthe Flying Saucer Working Party are now held in The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU. The National Archive online catalogue and details of how to access records can be found on their website at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk. In addition the final report of the Flying Saucer Working Party dated June 1951 can be viewed on the MOD Freedom ofInfonnation Publication Scheme at http://www.toi.mod.uk. Please search under "UFO" and then under "Report" to navigate to this document. Finally, you asked for any reports made to Ministers or other Governments or international agencies on UFOs. Weare not aware of any specific reports made to Ministers or other Governments about UFOs. However, it is nonnal practice for officials to brief incoming Ministers as to the background of parliamentary business and for example, when answering specific parliamentary questions. If this is the type of information you are seeking, again it would be helpful if you could clarify the information you are particularly searching for. We are unaware of any records when other Governments or international agencies have sought to discuss UFO issues with the UK. However, our files indicate that in September 1978, at the 33rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Grenadian delegation sought to establish a working group of the UN to evaluate UFO reports. The British delegation did not think that such an agency was appropriate to the function of the UN and did not support this proposal. I hope this is helpful. If this information does not address your requirements or you wish to complain about any aspect of the handling of this request, then you should contact this department in the first instance. Should you remain dissatisfied, then you may apply for an internal review by contacting the Director of Information Exploitation, 6th Floor, MOD Main Building, Whitehall, SWIA2HB. If you are still unhappy following an internal review, you may take your complaint to the Information Commissioner under the provisions of Section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act. Please note that the Information Commissioner will not investigate your case until the MOD internal review process has been completed. Further details of the role and powers of the Information Commissioner can be found on the Commissioner's website, http://www.infonnationcommissioner.gov.uk. Yours sincerely,
_:30
~TION Categories: FOI Request
REQUEST
The request below has been logged. You can find it in My Group's Please accept it as discussed earlier on the phone. 04-01-2005-122722-017 Grateful if you could upload this email when you start processing
Unassigned
Cases.
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-----Original Message----From: feedback@www.mod.uk [mailto:feedback@www.mod.uk] Sent: 01 January 2005 19:53 To: Info-Access-Office Subject: FOI INFORMATION REQUEST Below is the result 2005 at 19:52:54 FirstName LastName: occupation: Company: Address1 Address2 City: State: Zip: Country: e-mail telephone: preferred enter your format: telephone number United Kingdom Stoneleigh Surrey enter your occupation of your feedback form. It was submitted or Saturday, January
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I would like to receive from you the file containing the MOD's investigations into f Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), including minutes of any internal depar trnent.a > l committees set up in the ministry or its predecessor departments, and any reports made to ministers or other Governments or international agencies on UFOs. __~ ~ am happy electronic to correspond bye-mail or telephone, and would accept the information in format, if available in that form originally. I look forward to hearing
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December
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letter which you sent to Lord ember with a letter from ~o~v.~.~, Sussex on the subject
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I am afraid that I can give you no immediate guidance on the form any investigation into flying sa~gers might take as a result of the recent debate in the'United Nations OrganisatioDJ All I can suggest is that your consti tuent should address his enquiries tpthe Organisation itself. I am sorry I cannot be more helpful.
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lrle spoke earlier today about the United. Nati0l1~~ reso·l"\.'t:t:ion. concerning an investige:tion into Unidentified Flying Obj ec+e,
2. Since ue ne ed to advise our I'iinister on this subject in connec+Lon ui-'ch a Parlia.'UEl11.tary Enquiry, I should be very grate~~ "th e s~~uat· ., if you 1fould confirm that I:1.y unde re'bandang OI ~on, as stated be 10VI' , is correct~-
a. The resolution has been .sheIved indefi118,.I.;ely and it t lias su~gested that coun+r-tea interested in co-ordinatine invest~gations should pool their resources. . b. The UKdid not support, nor 1';ish to be associated \·ii th the resolution, it being considered that parti0ipation in such an investigation could bring the United !:r!:.1.tions into disrepute.
Yours sincerely
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'. By HENRY MILLER . in New York . :\VJ!ILE some members' ; dozed, others joked and ·.still others did their best to conceal thelr incredulity, the United Nations Special
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· . They did so at the fnstigation of S'ir Eric Gairy, Prime Mill-. campaiigning far two ~ars to promote an offidal U.N. study on . the :issue. He called it .. the fulfilment
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Altih{)ugh the world Is more' Jiik-ety to consider that the 149· !Ilation iboCy has more serious matters with which to occupy' itself, the committee. nonethe- . less agreed to devote more
d-e11ate '1.'0 the toprc today. .'
Sir Eric, who Intersperses ·religious thoughts into his musings on UFO's, opened \he debate 'by saying: "A UiN. ~dy '\\111not dnfringe on the sovereiguity of any nation. We have the backing of many scientists and I look ft'rward with c:>n.n'cence to the support of the. .~ ,
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I was driving nome 'nt about two or three in t'he momiug. It was '1 hig objes!:, a brilliant · iJght, g~llde;} brign t, moving, at t;dbutr.d
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Thi~ ·is just to let you know that I have transferred your letter of 8 DeceMber enclosing e from stituent, Mr cino, Sussex, about flYing . saucers 0 e I~ii nistry of Defence. You will be hearing from the appropriate Minister there soon:
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, I havo recEdved, the enclosed and I do_not know whether you would care to giv~ me any advice o~ it.
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R~cent items in the press have indicated that the United Nations ·is to start an official -prob e into Flying Saucers.Althour,h many people i'1ay. consider such a project so~ething of a waste of time I am personally glad that some steps are being taken to investigate thisphenomcn3 on a serious" and official basis. The main reason for my writing to you is that in my opinion not only should Eovernment bodies be involved ina proj~ct of this nature,but so should a team of ufologist~ who would obviously be used to the various problems involved. " Although I r~alise that the "form this project is ~o take involved in this venture.l should you think the chances are of norr involved. no dccisi6ns may have been made regarding I feel it essential that ufologists are lik~your opinion on this matter and what gov~rnment bodies and individuals being
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MY IPT. UNIDENTIFIED
FLYING
OBJECTS.
FOLLO\·/ING IS DRAFT TEXTs 111E SPECIAL POLITICAL CCl~t~ITTEE RECOMMENDS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADOPTION OF THE FOLLOWING
TO "THE
CONSENSUS:
THE GE~lERAL f\S5E"'BLY HAS TAKEN NOTE OF THE STATHIENTS ~IADE, AND DqAFT RESCLUTIOt~ SUBMITTED BY GRENADA AT THE 32ND AND 33RD SESSIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGARDING UNIDENTIFIED FLyiNG OBJECTS AND.RELATED PHENOMENA. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY INVITES INTERESTED MEMBER STATES T0 TAKE APPROPR lATE STEPS TO CO-ORDINATE OIl A NATIONAL LEVEL SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND INVESTIGATION H-iTO EXTRATERR.ESTRIAL LIFE, Ir~CLUDJ}JG UNIDENTIFIED FLY ING OBJECTS, AND TO INFOR~I THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE OBSERVATIONS, RESEARCH, AND 'EVALUATION OF SUCH ACTIVITIES.
'.
r~EETI NG.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY REQUEST THS SECRETARY-GENERAL TO T~ANSMIT THE STATEMENTS OF THE DEL~GATION OF GRENADA AND THE R~LEVANT DOCUMENTATION TO THE COMMITTEE ON THE PEACEFUL USES 0,:" OUTER SPACE, SO THAT THEY t~AY C)NSIDER THEi'-l T THEIR 19i9 A
TH E COt'·H"} 'TTEE ON TH E PEACEFU L llSES OF OUTER SP \CE 'd ILL PERMIT GRENADA, UPON ITS REQUEST, TO PRESENT THEI~ VIEWS TO THE CO~'l~·'ITTEET iTS NEXT SES·SION.TliE A CO~1MITTEE'S [ELIBERATI011 viu, BE HICLUDI:D IN ITS REPORT \oJ}-l!CH WILL BE COtJ~IDERED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT ITS 34TH SESSION.
YOUR TELNOS
1537
AND
1539,
TO
MY TELNO
2698
AND UNIDENTIFIED
UN DEPARTMENT:
IREDACTION o.N ORIGINAL DOCUMENT I INFORMED US THAT THE EXPECT TO·~O ISSUE IS HAVE THE GRENADANS TEXT AND THE 9USSIANS IS UNDER
1. THE AUSTRIANS
NOv'
ALSO
HAVE
("./y I'CH
LETTER
IN MIFT ~HE TO
DUE TO BE
ON 8 DECEMBER. IDEAL, UN, IT-HAS DOES AGENDA IN ANY THE (THE NO FINANClft,L INSCRIPTIOr SUBJECT THERE IS
IIi TH'~
:jO
ALTHOUGH
TEXT
OR OF A ',tGULD
UN TO ANY BE '
SPACE
R·EPORT ·REAL
OF THE CUTEH
COr"~tlITTEE). FURTHER
OF NEGOTIATING
2539,
2566,
2567
AND
UFOSIREDACT'ION
1. WE REMAIN OPPOSED IN PRINCIPLE TO THE GRENADAN INITIATIVE REASONS STATED IN THE BRIEF. IF THE RESOLUTION IN YOUR TElNO IS PUT FORWARD YOU SHOULD OPPOSE JT.
2. HE SHOULD, HOWEVER, BE HILL I NG TO HELP THE GRE~IADANS OFF THE rDOK IF IT CAN BE DONE y,'ITHOUT ANY FINANCIAL AND ~lANPO\'/ER I~PLICATIONS FOR GOVERNMENTS (OTHER THAN GRENADA) OR THE UN. WE COULD THEREFORE ABSTAIN ON A PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A GROUP OF EXPERTS OR A SPEC I AL RAPPo'RTEUR I PROV I DED THAT AS \olE ASSUi'1E FROH YOUR TELEGRJ\~1 2566 THE GROUP'S ACTIVITI~S V/OULD BE FINANCED BY THE OOVERNi"lENT OF GRENADA. IT \'10ULD ALSO HELP I F THE SUBJECT COULD BE PUT ON THE AGENDA OF THE 35TH SESS I ON: IN LINE \<II TH THE RECOt-ii'-lENDATION IN THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S ANNUAL REPORT THAT ITE~'lS SHOULD tOY AUTOMATICALLY GO ON THE AGENDA FROM SESSION TO SESSION. 3. YOU SHOULD ALSO KEEP IN MIND GRENADA'S ABSENCE (WHETHER PLANNED O~ FORTUITOUS, WE DO NOT KNOW) FROM THE FOURTH COMMITTEE VOTE ON ~REIGN ECONOMIC INTERESTS. THE FRG MAY BE WELL PLACED TO SUGGEST TO THE DELEGATION OF GRENADA THAT SOr~E DELEGATIONS "'OUlD' BE BETTER DISPOSED TO ACCEPT A PROPOSAL ON THE LINES OF PARA 2 ABOVE IF GHENADA HERE TO ABSTA J N I N THE PLENARY VOTE ON FORE J GN ECONO~I J C INTERESTS
I
up their
following
initiative
on.UFOs.
At
last
Premier or
Gairy
of group
the
United
Nations unidentified
working
Accordingly,
UK· In the
delegation General agencies General. B 3. from coming C 4. to D E of of The the the The
instructed
Assembly so that
interested the
speciaLised Sec~etary-
communicate
views
Secretary-GeneralIs (Ind~a, from two reactions Permanent in New Special who telno brief one
contained Seychelles)
only pnd
three unforth-
replie
Governments,
to up
Missions Gr~nada,
November
Prime are
introducing
resolution
previously
Subsequent
developments
in UKMIS F 5. The
for
6. for
The us.
Grenadan
initiative
continues that
to some
,.
hold
no
attr~ctio~s
whatsoever
It is ob v i o u s , however,
o~.,.,our~~stern P,a. tilers "-::.. ":;1: '.', . 1.i ~"c l Jd -'. :... g'.': ~,~-:,._
ri·
.: i:t~---
'';}.-:~~~~? ..::,:~;-.,
- -<..:.:;--:
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the help
FRG
the in
Grenada
hook than
It must President in
is no,more interest
has
in the of
strong us
can and
them
economic
in plenary condems
Committee for
inter Africa).
7.
r~fQ~~~nQ
Grenadan or other
that
we
instruct but to
the give
Mission discreet or
to
to
resist cost
the by
originaL Western
efforts and
to postpone
reduce
I accordingLy
§~Qmi! a
consulted
concur.
4 December
1978
t,;y
TEU;O THE
2539 ~ AGEN OA I TEl-I ;,JO 128, T\-IO t'~EETINGS THE SCEflARdO IN THE SPC
UF<iREOACTION
ON ORIGINAL
OOCUME'NT
. 1. eXCEPT
ON THE HATTCRS
ABOVE bY
ITE~ ur:DCf?
THAT
t-:r~
GA fRY
IN HIS TO IN THI:
CIRCULATED IDEA
N0VUlnER THE
P:DIA~{ 'I<EPLY
INTEq SP,'~C[ 34Th
(~/JJ/268),
PROPOSING
THAT
~;{;;ULD
iH,\T
tIPPO HIT
CO~:"-1ITTEE
A THREE-f'~P'P;f:i~
OUTER TO THE
GROUP
OF
U0JDER
1·~IE ,~EGIS
OF 'iHS
THRCUGH
.'2. UJTEi?
HV)
,THERE SPACE
HAD DEEN
~IO PR i('~
~"'~·it?r~JG P
THl\T
f.T~ENDED
TOD,\Y THE
cor·~t·!lT:[f=:,rAR;ICl!LARLY
CC~-lSU L TE
TO
NOT B ~DJ
a,
,\USTR1,u1
~;'HO THE
rLlRTHt:R
'_
I\TTEMPT
C:JI'J~CT ,j \.:
OF "FA'" u ",.).
lIP/Olvt: THE CUj·::R SP;\CE CC't'w ITTEE IN """LIC-L ~I:.J v 11'.'/:111" , ' ,,!....... ,1' C ..... !: to, ',llc'r' , a ,J p!'1.V H; c.i, ,.I If ,l..', \J I .. r, I ........
u-t\(' ,j ,
I;r:- P'ATED
[ID
GREN.4!)~JI GAVE
SIG!lS
TC
CLOsr::D
RESOLUT1Ci'i
A:~O ,UiVJTF.i)
TO CONVEY
MIY
SUGGESTIO~iS REsur"PTION
THEY n!GHT
OF' DISCUSSJO;~
HA'U::
PEfJJING
OF THE
uNil~ssmIED,:
:-,";
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.,
'.
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TH1~;~~~~'~' "~LLO\~
• '~~I!' .-~~ ~
'THe
GERHANS,
WITH
AUS.TR IAN
BACK HlG,
FAVGUq
A GHOU? CF EXPtr~TS
'oIo"H
TO BE APPO.INTED
BY THE
G0VERNi-'!ENT OF GRtNAn~\,
FINDJlIGS RAPPCHTEl!R THE
ICH ~ IGHT
IN THE FLOATED
ITS
MR
TO THE ~£Ci~[iM(Y-G£:-';Hlfd_.
US MISSION,
TH~ IOEA.OF
CF GREfL\DA)
W~EN
GAIRY CALLED
ON THEM ON 24 N6vEM~~R,
(TO Be: FI~lMICtD
MID BY THe: PROBLH1 \-'CULD FeR
A SPECII\L
GOVERfl~IE!1T
HEPCPT
~~ACK TO THE
S~CRF.TARY-GENERAL.
fWSS I MI~
L I ~r:: TO St::E A .
REPETITION OF THE PROCEDURE A~CPTED I![~'I 1:IITH sm'~E FACE-SJ\VING PRCPOSt\L PARTIES, B:ST SSILUTICN, nUT AG A III Ttl IS YEAR.
I'IT[RESTED 4. '..tE ASSU~'E
H4
LAST YEAR:
if-; IS LAST \'ICULD BE" THE H!: HILL ~H..'T BE FUT OFF
THAT
YOU v:GULD
ncr
WiSH
TH IS SUBJ'ECT
TO BE
l!\~'iDcD
IF: LPFUL I
IT \.:CULD
..-
BE
CUR PIG TH E NEXT FE'II DAY S I TO HAVE A.N Hi D I CAT I ON " .....TO w"H ETH ER Y'Ju HOULD l!~CLli'IE TO AN A13STE.~\ITICN :OR A VOTE AGAli~~T IN
K::SPECTABLE !·.~~0, cor'!PANY ON THE RESCLUTIO~~ IN i:V I.F.
T.
THAT YOU I,..'CULD. ~/ISH U.S TO WORK FOR ALTERNATIVES I N PAR AGR,\PH JAB 0 VE • COMMENTS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
I T \010 L D B E H EL PF U L TO U
'},IU~S
.' .
2.
UN OO'A'6$4fIjJt D
..
.........
:-1IPTs 'G~[rJADA:
AGE~lDA DRAFT
ITEM
NO 128:
UFO'S
RESOLUTION
™ IRTY-SECCnD
REG;'i~D
sr ATEf:[!lTS
":11DE BY
AtJD TH I RTY-TH
IRD MID
GEr~ERl,L. PH~rIO~'lE:~A
T0 THESi: HAVE
ASS~i~BLY \':HICH
THE
U~iID~NTIFIED TO BAFFLE
FLYI!~G"cnJEC;S
C;'HiTlr~UE
~..\TIC!IS ~i.41
'·11\:11< run,
APPEAL PITO
U~lITED PHEIKi-iE~';,CRLD .
CQ~IDUCT AND
f.t~D
CO-ORDINATE
MiD f,VAILADLE'vIJ
BY PECPLE
OF TtiE
OF THE lED
INTEREST OBJECTS
Pl
OF THE
VJ?LJ,
U~JIDE~nIF
PHEr.G~':E~jl\, PHEIlCll[NA
A~;D ALSO
INTEREGT BY .
STr~.'\~IGE HAPPENIt'J;~S
CQr;~·lIT?·\ErjT
VARIOUS
M.JD RECOG~ISI~IG
RESE}.RCHERS
lHE
TO RESEARCH
D::"0~ISTF~AT[9
INDIVIDUAL
SCI[llTISTS,
Mn)
Hi
',liTH
TH[
.~rf.?RrjPRIAT[ AlB'
FLYiNG
.:'GEIICIF.~;,
rIATIO~jS
CC1GUCT
CO-OPDUIATE
HE~'E'\RC:H H~TO THE IJATURE :-" J D i( t: L.\ TED PH E r; 0;-1E i'J .:\ : 2. ~~F.OU~STS THE
OF U~!IDE;'lTIFI£O INVITE
SECRETARY-GEI~ERAL I~JFOI{~IATICtl
IS E 0 t.G[ :1C I ES A!~ 0 NON - G0'1 ERN ME II TA l !3Y 31. t~A,( 1979 PROPOSED STUDY,
P. M J S:'I ITT
Mm
PROPOSALS
7,"
"FURTH[R POSS ISLE
""t:::fN~Sif
,ED
T0
.'
AT THE
~~ ···:·~t~~ ~:i~w
!.-'
\REDACTION ON ORIGINAL DOCUMENTJ::<::':;~-t~":~_ SECRETARY-GE~;r.:PAL PEACEFUL USES THE APPC HIT Ul·lDER .'~. SPACE, . THE
(~~~~-:~;r ~
'~.~ ...' OF THE ION
A •THREE-~1EI';B£R ON THE
OF
4.
THE
FOR
PURPOSE
DEC IDES
ross
CF OUTER
SPACE
STU DY
I NFCRi~AT
.
A!tD PROPOSALS ~UBM ITTED TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL BY ~'Er'3Ef( SP EC t AL I SEn AGEt~c IES Art D NOM-Govr:rHIHE~T AL ORGAi·j ISAT ION S:
STATE~.
WGRK
THAT THE GROUP OF EXP~RTS REPCRT 'THROUGH THE Cm1M ITTEE ON THE PEACEFUL USES OF CUT~R
5. FURTHER DECIDES
ON
ITS
SPACE CF
rc
THE
ASSEHBLY:
.\GE:'IDA THE ASSEt~8LY
FURTHER
JrlCLUDE
OF THE
p~ THE PROVISI()i!AL
G£~~(RAL DEFt:-IING A~D
SESSIOlll SPACE
A'l
JTE:<l EnTITLED
OF EXPERTS OBJECTS
OF THE
cm'~f'~ ITTEE ,
o:~ THE
FOR
I.
PEAC~FUL STUDY
/
FOR THE
OF GUIDELlriES RELATED
THE
CF U~IIDE~lTIFIED
PHEr'i0~,1[:lA'
UNee1<S~'ED
,
",
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10 THIS·lTElI
SPG. YORK v.'~LT n!E~'\
Q.
IS
TO
START
ON ~lONnAY
vru,
27
CPEn
lit
THE
IT
IS
EXPECTED
A STt.TEI~~NT
THE
EXPERTS FIU\
OF GRENADA,
(W~O
IS
ON UFO'S
r~p.
'.1'HO A~E
GA1RY
HAS
co;·~r-\tTTEE
ITO!
THE
DAY,
\~ 1\ I T I .: G IJ iI TIL
A C':·j.'?RC·iISE
t'1Inlt:/IL,'CP'
r1~:H /" S
\:IT!"l
no , THE
LeFT
EEFORE
hiilGH
TO ".tiEGOTIATE
un
IDEALLYR[0,UIR[
EVE'l I L,:AS
Url
l:jVC:Lv~rlENT
A·~·lD uo TO BE
ADDITionAL
eXPENDITURE. CCRRIDcrs.
ARE
DISCUSSED
IN"p'-{E
A7!LE TO REPC~T
!.',CrlDAYS
~IEETING
'-','HICH LOOK
\'JCRTH CC:'ISlDERI~;G.
'.,
.~." -.;
The. attached l~tteL ... :hich has:besn' circulated to r.. ssions' U by Pe r me ne n r; Mission"'of Grenada is self-explanatory. In their pr e l IreLc.s r y wundings this :year-)it wOuld seem that the Mission of Grenada ha s found Li, ttle if' any support for . its more ambi r Lou s '", pro~osal for establishing an agency, or department, and is t~erefore falling bac~ on a more modest-proposal.
1.
::::2
t;
I
i
':.
2. I assu:-.e that you would wish us if possible tQ, o i s ccur e ce this too provided we are in qoo d corap a ny a... d do not take . the Le a d » It is po s s I b l e however that it will a cq u i ce support a's a 'fallback I position which the majority will be prepared to ~o along with to save Grendaja's face",We ~ill keep in',close touch with our.~llies.
1· ,
'."
..
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i '.~ '. ' .: .. .
:~:·l::··!:.~j .:.~.~.~
...
The Permanent Mission of Grenada to .the United Nations presents its compliments to the' Permanent Missions of Member States to the United Nations and with reference to the Permanent; Representative of Grenada's letter of August 29, 1978 has the honour to remind that Grenada's item on the subject of Unidentified Flying Obj~ts and extra-terrestrial phenomenon will come up for discussion in the Special Political Conmittee this week begmning November 27th. ;·;t·~>;·. . . . .
'
..
TIle Permanent Mission of Grenada wishes to bring to the attention of Member States th~t, in the interest of not foisting upon the Unit~d Nations, at this point in time', the setting up of a Department or Agency which would involve heavy f inancj al costs, the Government of Grenada is proposing that the contemplated study and .l'esearch be pl3ced in the hanlls of a small conmi t t ee or ad hoc group of experts, whose task will be to submit a preliminary repor-t on a pcssdb'Ie framework for thc study and research into the baffling phenomenon. '. .
It is the hope 0(' the Government of Grenada that this proposal and draft resolution fonnulated along these lines wi 11 rece-ive the support .of Member States at the United Nations at this 33rd Regular Sess ion of the General Assembly.
3
The Permanent Mission of Grenada further has the honour to attach the general outline of the draft resolution contemplated. of this opportunity the Uni ted Nations
of Grenada to the United Nations avails' itself to renew to the Permanent Missions of lv1cmbcrStates to the assurances it its highest conshleration.
New York, November 10, 1978 ......,iJl "i' ..... ,... ".. ...·"1 .• ./" . ". ,.'.,}i '. ~ .-. '.:"\ I .:r .• ,. ,~,.,
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The ~~eral
Assembll.'·;·
-r.1.:'.
.
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co-operation
in ~~lving
Aware of t}~ growing interest taken by people of the world in Unidentified Flying Objccts anti re lated Phenomenawhich continue to baffle mankind, and in strange happenings in various parts of the ~orld •••••• '.' •••• Noting the statement made by the Prime Minister of Grenada at the 30th, 31st, 32nd, and 33rd Session of the General Assembly regarding these. baffling' phenomena, and his appeal to have the United Nations conduct and co-ordinate research into Unidentified Flying Objects and related phenomena and to disscminate nore widely among the Nations of the world infonnation and other oat\.} gathered' Recognising the co;.ui ttment to research into these phenomenadenons t ru tcd by indlviJuul scientists, rescarc~r?, educational institutions and National
Covcrruucnt.s • 1. ReconunenJ::ithat there be ini:tiated special. official Un~·tedJ 'NutJons study on the nature and relationship of Unidentified Flying Objects and extra - t erres trial phenomena. . 1.. Reques tg The Secretary-General. to appoint at the earliest possible da te an nacrhoc group 0 [ experts" of not nore than seven (7) scientific experts drawn from within the United Nations Secretariat and from private
r-esearch organisations with the task of elaborating for the above-ment i oned study.
a possible
Eramework
3. Further requests the Secretary-Gencral to make available to the ad hoc group of experts all the rel"evant material, including proposals lI\aJe'by M.:!mber States as well as previous and current studies available on the subject.
4. further re~ucst5 the by June 1. 197 . Comni t tee to submit a prel imlnary
s. Fur the r rcques t s the Sec re tary-Cenerul to transmit the pre! im inary repor t of t11'eaJl1oc group of experts to MemberStates not later than July 30th, 1979.
6. Decides to include in the provisional agenJa of the Thirty Fourth Session of the General Assembly the item entitled "Report of the ad hoc group of experts" to invest igate the nature and relationship of UniJenti f Led Flying Obj\.!cts and extra-terre::;trial phenomena.
~".l\.:cidcs further that a comprehensive report of the committee will be tabled at the 35th Regular Session of the General Assembly.
_.
. ..
UN~~S_.~'ED
\REDACTION ON ORIGINAL DOCUMENT
ESTABLISHMENT OF AN AGSNCY OR A DSPARTMENT OF TH~ UNITED NATIONS FOR UNDERTAKING, CO-ORDINAT'ING AND DIS~}EMINATING THE RESULTS OF RESEARCH INTO UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS AND RELATED PHENOMfu~A (ITSM PROPOSED BY GRENADA (S/33/131)).
Space Departm~nt in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in consultation with Departmant of Industry and the Home Office. Any comments should be addressed to D A Lloyd in Energy Science and Space Department, Foreign and Comm8nwealth Office, Tel 233 3209.
--_ --f·'
UK AIMS
2. The British delegation does not think that the establish_ ment of an agency for research into unidentified flying objects is appropriate to the functions of the United Nations'. It considers that the exi~ence of such an agency under UN auspices would be an unjustifiable drain on UN resources which could be better deployed elsewhere. C TACTICS
At last year's UN General Assemhly, th~ Grenadan delegation, ~ith the full support of Premier Gairy, sought to establish an ad hoc wor-k i.nggroup of th~:UN to evaluate UFO reports. FeU I"1insiters expr-e ssed t he view t ha t to set up any such body would r~duce the credibility of the UN; accordingly t h e UI\: delegation was instructed to oppose. In the event, no vote was taken on th~ Grenadan ~esolution; as a co:npromise, the General Assembly "studied the tcxt " and re;:;,uested the :.:iecretary-General tirns-ri t it "to 'states to a members of the UN and to interested specialised agencies so that they might communicate their views to the SecretaryGeneral
ll •
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"I:: !_:p
ISTEPS
HAVr: cXrnCSSED
rucs
t\GPCE1\EfIT TO SET
/1'1 AGEIICY \-.'OULD REDUCE THE cnrn In It ITY or THE U~I, HE ',?:,IQULD GPPOSEIT. YOU SHOULD BE,GUIDED ACCORDHIGLY SEtl\B1G YOU eMI, PARTICULARLY
-,
sucn
1.,1lJ\T(VEI? SUPPORT
1\r''IOrJG THE
tIHIE.
"
"
UN~Sffi:I£D
,'
,
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.
,
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YOUR TELNOS.
2241
AND 2242
AND TELECON
·UFO ITEM.
1. HE REr·\A' NFl Rr~L Y OPPOSED TO A GRENADA R£SOLUn ON ON' UFOS. DO NOT CONSIDER SUCH OPPOSITION LIKELY TO BE DM1AGING ElTHER
WE TO
THE UK OR TO THE UN. YOU SHOULD, THEREFOR~, MAKE NO ATTEfwtPT ·TO CONCEAL THE UK'S INTENTION OF VOTING AGAINST ANY RESOLUTION CO~lTA' NI tlG AN OPERATIONAL OUTCOr~E, THIS LEAVES US IN A MINORITY. REGARDLESS OF ~JHETHER OR NOT
2. I F THE GREnADANS CAN BE PERSUJ\DED TO ABANDON THE I R RESOLUT' ',~'S 711111,< THAT REFERRAL OF THEIR UFO lNTEHE3T TO THE COr'H1ITT~C ClIfERSP.·\CE (;011;·\ I T fEE ~UT THINK ','OULD \I:OULD PROVIDE I S AFTER THAT IN THE BEST FACE THE AUSTRlAH SAVlf'lt3 DEVICE. DEAlt THIS ANXIETIES WORI< LOAD,
ON ~HI
xu,
VIE\~
THE ESTAnU
SHED UnnODY
CHAIRMAN'S
EXISTING
OF THE CO~,it'\lTTEE'S
BE A REASONABLE
GUARANTEE
DE Pl.ACED IGNORED
WE AnE LESS
ATTRACTED
HAS THE DISADVANTAGE.THAT ONCE THE UFO ISSUE AS M~ AGENDA~ I TE;+ FOR THE GEr~ERAL ASSEt-tBLY IT "'OUlD ArlO WHI TE AND ~19ULDJiOT
I N BLACK
\vE
COULD
ncr
ITS
REPEAT
NOT SF.
CERTAI.N
.AT
PERHAPS
DISCUSSION
ASSEMBLY.
I
. ..
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.:» :,:~' •
·.)ii.{·
S?CI
UFO ITEH OF THE SPC WAS SUCCESSFUL IN Pt:RSUADING THE AND THE eHA IRNEN OF THE REG IONAL GROUPS TO ACCEPT· HIS AND, TH IS AFTERNOON READ OUT THE FOLLOWING ASSENBLY
...
THE SPECIAL POLITICAL COMMITTEE REcor'1MF.NDS TO THE GENERAL mE ADOPTION OF THE FOLLOWING DRAFT CONSENSUSI
1. THE GEt1ERAL ASSEf·lBLY HAS TAKEN N.OTE OF THE STATEr,tENTS }tADE IN i1-lC: SPECIAL POLITICAL Cor·tNITIEE BY THE' PRIt-lE NINISTER OF GkE.IU~DA ON
23 NOVE~1BER 1977
OF EDUCATION (A/SPC/32/PV.35,
OF GRENADA ON 28 A/SPC/32/SR.37
(
2. THE GE~IEHt\L ASSEt,mLY HAS ALSO STUDIED THE TEXT OF THE DRAFT n;;SOLUT JON sun:'IITTED BY GRENADA (A/SPC/32/L. ro):.
3. THE GENERAL TRANS~IT TIlE TEXT ASSEt·mLY OF TIlE REQUESTS THE SECRETARY-GENERAL (A/SPC/32/L.20), TO TOGETHER DRAFT RESOLUTION
STATEMENTS, TO STATES twlEr~Br::ns OF THE UN ITED rl,\TIONS AND TO INTERESTED SPECIALIZED AGENCIES, SO THAT lHEY MAY COt·ti·1UNICATE THEIR VIEWS TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL. ASSntBLY ALSO. REQUESTS THE SECRETARY-GENERAl. DRING THEiR REPLIES TO THE ATTENTION OF ALL . MEMBER SYATES AND . . IHT~RESTED SPECIALIZED AGENCIES.
4. THE GENERAL
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~~DACTION
ON ORIGINAL DOCUMENT]
Ilnued: Nations
SESSION
CONTENTS AGENDA ITEM 126: ESTABLISHMENT OF AN AGENCY OR A DEPARTMENT OF THE UNITED NATIONS FOR UNDERTAKING, CO-ORDINATING AND DISSEMINATING THE RESULTS OF RESEARCH INTO UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS AND RELATED PHENm4ENA (continued)
• This record is subject 10 correction. Cortections should be incorporated the record and should be sent within one weeJc 01 the dare of publication Official Records Editing Secnon, room ".lSSO. Corrections will be issued shordy after the end each Commillee. .
in
10
A/SPC/33/SR.36 ORIGINAL:
Distr. GENERAL
or the
29 November 1918
ENGLISH
78-58753
I ...
A!SP9/33/SR.3:5
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ON ORIGINAL DOCUMENT
order
at 3 .1~5 P .r.l_.
AGENDA ITEi·! 126: ESTABLISffi,lENT OF JIll AGENCY OR A DEPARTi,~rT OF THE UiUTED NA'i'"ibr'ls FOR UNDI:F:rAKING, CO-ORDINATING AJ.iDDISSErUNATING THE RESULTS OF RESEARCH INTO '~" UHIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTSArIDRELATED PHENOHENA (continued) (A/33/l4l, A/33/26a. A/SPC/33/L.20) ,
1.
~G~enada)* rea.d out a letter from , a f'o rrae rastr~~sing the belief that unidentified flying objects \-rere ".,:~tra.terrestrial vehicles v}:ose crevs ver e vd s i t i.n« ~arth f:rO '1 "lore t.ec"::nicn.lly . advanced planets. had himself spent two days in 1951 observing U}'Os of different sizes flyin6 fighter for~ation, Generally from east to west over Europe. A top-level co-sord.i.nat.ed proC;ruEli!lewas needed to collect and analyse data f'r-om allover the world conce rn ing all types of e ncount.e r-s and to determine h')w best to m take friendly contact uith such visitors. Man might have to prove to the visitors that he had learned to solve his problems by peaceful mean s rather than by warfare before he could be accepted as a fully qualified universal teen. me.nber-, SUch accept ance ,·rould have trercendous possibilities for the advancement of the world .in all are a s , arid it iTou1.d certainly seem that the United Nations had an interest in han:llin~ the subject properly and expedit iously. If the United Nations acreed to pursue the project, many more ',iell-qualified people mi gh't aGree to pz-ovi.de help and Ln rormat i cn ,
T
2. Grenada) * sc.i:l it Has Lrnpor t an t to r'ernernoe r that men t:-.rov.:=hout the somethinG in comraon they were all e ar't.hl i.ngs , a fact T.;hich 't erided to ; be forc;otten vhen nan IS many differences were' aired. After 20 y~ars of s t udy , he believed t nat there Has o'rervhel..":Lins evidence to Sltg£,;est that the planet "';9.S ce ing visited by intelli;::e:1tly controll~d t:·:t:t8.tcrrcst.ri:,1 veld ('1.-:s The evidence took toe f'orra of eye-~'ritness testL:ony fro,;L r-espon s LbLe persons, physical trace cases pr oduc in g ch2nses in the env i ronxen t observable lonG after the UFOha d left, r-adar v i s ua L s i grrt i ngs , photo,::ranhs and abduc t Lons , apparently by "'tli~n3 of e a r t.h Li.ngs an d the subs equsrrt return of the earthlinss, a Lt hough there was no knowLedge of cases vnere earthlings had not be en returned. 3. Every Iprc;e-sce.le scientific study of UFOs had provided a subs t arrt i e.L nu:::.ter of cases in wh ch the observations i clearly indicated that the UFOwas a marruf'ac t ur'e d object behavi!1g in vays which could not be duplicated by manufactured objects' on Earth. 'i'he ability of UFOs .to move and manoeuvre at t.hous and s of niles an hour, i·;itho'..!.":. r:.rJ.Y visible external engine, w i.ngs or tail, indicated that the" spacecraft had beer', uanu.:-actured by sozie one other than man. Hany people wished to kn ov why UFOs should visit Earth and what was happen i.rig on Earth that could be of interest to an advan ce d civilization. Probably there were many thin2:s of interest to soraeone c cnce rned vi t h the developr..ent of a primitive society. However, one t.h i ng vas :::·,l2.rant-e<:::J. be of interest to to anct.he r civilization and that ...,3.S the fact that v i t a i.n cn e hundz-ed years men voul.d be Goin.:; to the star s , He himself, as a nuc Lear :;:-wsicist, had vo rk e d on fission 2...'1dusion propulsion f syst.ens vh i ch '{ocic. be c ap ab Le 0:' transportinG rian to nea rby star systems v i t.h in reasonable periods of ti:-:.:, an d it l:)uld be obvious to any alien in the ne ighbourhood that man wouLd 'be doinJ so ,.ri thin a hundr-ed years. Since the end of the Second lrJorld Har, ... rith the develo:;J::ent
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A/SPC/33/SR 36
English Pace 3 •
(~enada)
of nuclear wea90ns, rockets and electronics, man had become of interest to other advanced civilizations. Naturally, such civilizations ;'Tould be concerned 'tlith thei r ovm survival and security and would therefore wish to be informed of the activities of another civilization vh Lch was just bezinnin(3 space travel; it was therefore clear that the UFOswere obtaining data for their own purposes, actinG as a kind of galacti federation intelligence agency. c
4.
People also vonde red why UFOsdid not make contact. He suggested that there vas no one leader ;.rith who~ such alien beings could make contact. vfnereas the smallest reasonable political ~~it on a galactic neighbourhood basis was a pl~~et or a solar system, from the alien viewpoint m~n's was a primitive society whose ~ajor activity was tribal warfare; it would make no more sense for alien beings to s pe ak to individual countries than for the United Nations to address individual cities.
5.
Sone people were worried at the significance of flyin~ saucers ~~d wondered why, in the light of the importance of questions of peace, survival and h~~ger, people should concern themselves ,·rith such oatters. He sugge s't e d that man's very survival mig:1t depend on his taking an earthlinG orientation. The easiest ilay of doing so vas for him to try to see hinself as others s av him. Fz-omup above , coning into the p Lanet; :Sarth, there "ere no boundary lines. Acceptance of oneself as a," earthlinG vouLd be cone ne.tural when it Has. reCOGnized that the planet Ear t h .ras being visited.
6. Tn-ere were also practical aspects such as t he sig:1ificance of m2.-'"1 acquiring ts ract Lve propulsion whi ch would enabl,e h ir; to travel end to t r-an spor-t Goods from place to place .rithout us irig the traditional r:'.cansof transport and without expend i.ng . ve.Lus.bl.e resources whi ch were norraal.Ly burned and thro'dn a·"ay. It vas clear that· e.Liens had solved problems SUCll as the development of new and better mean s of producing energy. In addition, the Earth might veLl, have some resources whi ch could. be eX90rted to alien civilizations; as thc densest planet in the solar system, the . Earth had. more valuable heavy metal,s than any other planet in the ne i.ghbour-hood arid i.'!iSht also have plant life and other materials which would be of interest to aliens. 7. riodern as t ronomy frequently as sune d , in relation to the possibility of contact '.. .th 0:·tre.t,=rrestri;->l int.:;lli.r-.::r:ees" t"h.<>.t d all other solar sys t ems "Were isolated in the sa.... raanner as our ovn , in whi ch the nearest ne star to the SU.'"l was four light years a·.ray. HO'.. ever , within our own t,;alactic neighbourhood there were appr-ox irnat e Ly 1,000 r stars, of vh i ch 46 were si!:'.flar to the sun and mi~ht ve Ll, be expe c t.e d 'to have planets &,1 Lif'e ; some of ti1()s·~planets wO'.1ldbe much older than Earth. In addition, research into UFOs had revealed. the existence of two sun-like stars, Zeta: I R2ticulae and Zeta II Reticulae, which vere s epar at.ed Ly only three lie;ht week s ; such close p~'oxi:'1ity voul.d suggest that interstellar travel and conmun i catiLon wight have beer: deveLcped nuch earlier than en our isol?ted p Larie t , Three recent pr ore ss i cna.I pubLfc a't i ons had expressed. t he vie," tint our entire t;alaX'J t:".i probably alre2_::'~'8E:e:-, coLcni zed , Perhaps the mos t i::,t)ortant thi!1C; to recognize was that the next t!;eneratio" vou.Ld [1"0',' up in a drastically different situation; unless sor:-.ethin3 was done to prevent it, another dozen cO\.l;tries ':-lO'.lldsoon have nucLear ve apon s arid the voz-Ld voul.d be further divided into (1roups instead of beccmi ng the .eartl:.lini; civilization vh i.cb vas necessary for its survival.
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~1.giI~~3/SR. 36 'Page
8.
~(Grenada) invited member-a of .the COml~ittee to ~ake sue;e;e~ti~~~~·~hd e... reco~ concerning the draft z-eso Lut i on subm~tted by hd s delegatl.on . (A/SPC/33/L.20); his delegation was very flexible as to the actual mechanism be decided on by the Committee for monitorin~ and co-ordinating research into UFOs and "ould be interested to hear the ideas of other delcc;ations on the zuatrt er , He assumed that the vote on the resolution vou Ld take place at a later date.
to
9.
The CHAlRi'IAH said thC'.t th2 subst arrtdve consideration resolution would be deferred urrt i.l, a later meet Lng,
of and vote
on the
10. (Liberia.) requested that the st.at.ement.s made by the members of the de Legat i on should be reproduced in ej~tenso in the records so that de1e~ates could study the:l Bore closely. 11. Tl1e CHAIRLUI]:J recalled th.Sotthe General Assenb Ly , at the 4th plenary r.leetin3 of its current session, had decided to :naintain the option t~mt had traditionally been approved for the Speci3l Political Commttee to obt ai n transcriptions i of debates of some of its meetinGs, or portions thereof.
12.
action voul.d be.
(Pnited
financial
it:1::;>lications of
SUC~l
13. The CrLUre·1AN s a i.d that such ex~enditure E'.S miCht be bcurred by the provision of transcriptions of the Ccr;:.':1.i s debates vas con s i de re d to be part of the normal, ttee' F01'l-: of the General Ass embLy ; there were no. direct tirianc i a I i!:'.:;:-)lic:.'.tions. If he heard no objection, he would. ta:ce it t.hat the Conrrit t ee app rove d the request I:.a.d-:: . by t he representative of Liberia. 14. It .. as so decided. :
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LOOSE MINUTE D/DI551108/15 06 Jan 2005 DIBCRCG3 Copy to DIST-AMDD DIBCR-CGAD DI ST-54a1 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST - 03/05 'Details of MoD's UFO investigations, files, reports and committee minutes' Reference: A. ChoTs email from DAS-FOI
1. DAS, the lead branch, have asked if there is any data in our files relevant to the request that is not duplicated their files. Within DI ST the files relating to this matter are the D/DI55/108/15 series, which cover policy (108/15) and sighting reports (108115/1 and 10811512). Due to the contamination of DIS archive only the policy reports, parts 4 to 8, covering the period from Dec 1971 to the present, and one sighting report file, D/DI55/108/1512, relating to the Cosford sightings on 31 Mar 93 and copied to DAS in Apr 04, were available and formed the extent of my search. 2. ~ect in her note that we do not 'investigate' sightings of unexplained aerial phenomena and to a large extent the DIS files only contain copies of correspondence generated elsewhere. The compilation of sighting reports and limited analysis in file 108/15/2 were largely the result of the personal enthusiasm of Sec(AS)2a desk officer at the time and is by no means typical as far as I can see from the files examined. The only other 'investigation' I have found is the work done in preparation for a House of Lords motion put down by Earl of Clan carty in Nov 1978. The LM (D/DD Ops(GE)/10/82 dated 12 Jun 78) by Grp Capt N. Colvin has an Annex A titled 'Investigation of Aerial Phenomena reports 16 April' which shows the steps taken to investigate the cause of the time coincident sightings. As the LM was addressed S4(Air), I presume~copy. I attach a copy from the file I hold (108/15 part 4). Note that the sighting reports contain personal data. 3. The same file has a background briefing note, (D/S4(Air)/8/3 dated 17 May 78 by TStevens,Head of S4(Air)), prepared for the above debate, which summarises the US attitude to the subject and list the results of US investigations into UFO sightings between 1947 and 1969. The USAF investigation was known as Project Blue Book and this was followed by a study led by Dr E. Condon. This LM could be released to put the historical
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data in the public domain, but as it is not a DIS document I expect we will need advice from elsewhere 4. If you require any other information please let me know. Attached are the 2 LM referred to above.
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'l'here is to be a deba.te on UFOs in the House of Lords on 12 June based or! the followIng PQ by the Earl of Clancarty, a prominent ufologist: 'To ask Her Majesty "s Government whether "Gheyare aware of the increasing number of reports of sightings and landing8 of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) on a ,\1orldwide scale, and whether they will ini tiate an inter--governmental study of UFOSf~
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2. S4(Air) is required to provide a brief and draft wi:ndingup speech for Lord Winterbottom. I attach a copy of a proposed line, which I have put to the Department of Education and Science (and ,to FOO, who were recently i:rlvolved Ln brushing off an attempt to get UNO discuss UFOs).. You will see that I propose that the '>';0 Government should take this opportunity to pour a mass of cold water on ufol.ogy. I would be grateful for:
a.
b.
of action.
'TIle
a'vidence that
might
3.
I would be grateful if DD Ops(GE)(RAF) and ADI 55 would say whether we could comment more fully about evidence of ext1. a-.. terrestial actiYity from the reports we receive - Ie expand more foraefully on para 4f in the attached letter: '•••• perusal of reports received gives us no cause to suspect extra·-terrestial act1v:i,t~l.. I would also like to know how much work is done on these reports t and vlhether there has been any attempt to consider them as
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4. The Chief Scientist fS department is at a dd.aadvarrbage 1 not seeing the flm" of UFO reports that arrive in AFD. However , 'vTi th NOD taking the lead in refuting UFOs, the inference "Jill be dr-awn tha.t CS(RAF) endorse" that line. Putting the matter differently, I imag.1.nethat had CS(RAF) thought, as a scientist, that there was something in UFOs, he would have been quick to draw, the matter to the department's attention or to have sought immediate access to the UFO reports. As he has not done so we can assume that he is undmpr-eae ed with UFOs. But I would be particularly grateful for any a.dvice from CS(RAF)~s dep~:rtment.
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Please address (J'!Y rep{y to
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE.
(Head of S4(Air)
and quote:
~
17 May 1978
Yo~rof~~u: M? KEG
D/S4(Air)/8/3
Barber
and Science
LONDON
There is to be a debate on UFOs Ln the Rouse of I!ords on 12 June 'rB based on the following PQ by the Earl of Clancarty: 'To ask Her lV.ajosty's Government '!ilhether they ar s aware of the "increasing number of reports of sightings and lan.dings of ll..""1identified flying objects (UFOs) on a worldwide scale, and whether they'uill initiate an inter-governmental
study of UFOs'.
2. The procedure will be similar to an'Adjournment Debate in the Commons. The Earl will introduce the subject, interested members will speak, and Lord \vinterbottom will reply for the Gover~').ment. The debate cOllld last anything from 20 minutes to 4 hours~ we have been invited to draft a 10-15 minute vJinding up speech.
3. We do not take this lightly, because Lord Clancar~is an a.cknowledged expert on 'tJFOs, .whilst IviODha.s no exper-t s 011 u?Os - for much the same reasons as we have no experts on levitation or black magic. There is much public interes't; in iJFOs at pres8atp drumraed up by the Dai.ly Express and in connection with the heavy sci-fi film 'Close Encounters of the Third Kindt. There is a risk that the Government will be persuaded to conduct a. st'.l.dy of UFOs It or at least to examine the ma~s of evidence that Lord Clancarty and his fellowufologists haYe assembled in the last 30 years. Should the Governments defen~es break, I need hardly warn you that responsibility for the study coul.d yery likely fallon your Department! Accordingly we would be grateful for y01xr help in determining the proper l.in.e for government to take.
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4. We believe it would be unprofitable to indulge in. too much :flippanoy, and in·~end -to propose that -the Government injects a dose of massive common sense into the debate on UFOs. The general line WP. have in mind is: ao We do not discount the 'possibility of intelligent life eJ.sewhere among the huge nu.mber of other worlds and other galaxies. The technical difficulties of space travel are stunning, with the nearest star 4 light years away, but it would be unwise to say 'impossible ever'.
b.
c.
d.
The phenomena lumped together as UFOS' are often reported by responsible and intelligent people. But there is a huge gap bet~een those three statements and the assumption that 'UFO reports' constitute serious eVidence that extrn-terrestial beings are reconnoitring this planet (Clancarty reports 80,00 verified sightings, the introd:ucticnto the book of 'Close Encounters' refers to 'millions! )• The phenomena reported often have common-sense explanations (eg aircraft or met balloons in unusual light, or space debris): it is always difficult to interpret accurately unusual events seen fleetingly: and the constant PU'blicity about UFOs leads people to interpret the phenomena as extra-terrestial spacecraft and to embellish their reports unconsciously •
EXtensive US studies in.dicate no evidence of extraterrestial visits~ No studies havo been considered necessary in UK, but perusal of reports received gives us no cause to suspect extra-terrestial activity. e-vidence of extra ... terrestial visits we would expect the scientific world to be agog and committed; but the scientific world seems at best unimpressed., more likely heevily cynical. There ls no internal consistency about the idea of there having been 80,000 or perhaps millions of genuine sightings. I'la would expect some accidents or artefacts (Clancarty has suggested that the CIA has collected and hidden them all): or some approach to or direct evidence held by Governments (Clancarty ha3 suggested there is a conspiracy of silence between Governments until they know how to cope); or some over't political or cultural activity to show for 30 years of presumably high-te~rlllology reconnaissance (Clance.rty t s own UFO references go back to the star of Bethlehem and earlier).
e.
f.
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We \iould plan to lead up ·to the argument that i t is poant Lesa to tI-Y tv per-euade thA Gove):'nmeIll; unless and until the scien-tific co.zaurd, ty has been persuaded. yle could offer the suggestion. that the scientific community is most unlikely to be persuaded by mere quantity of reported sightiI~S (as one newspaper recently remarked, 80,000 times nothing still equa.ls nothing); a illore profitable (}ourse would be for Clancarty, beir~ so certain about his case, to present say 10 well-documented readily-verifiable recent cases in this country on lvh~cl~..h.e wou:td si.~e. his _professionalreEutation as ~. ufolog1s'c$ I~ is doubtful whetLer the tsc~entiXiccommunity' would welcollleour directing Clancarty towards them, but this is surely the proper course for a layman "Tho believes he has evidence of a matter of massive scientific concern upon which he cannot convince the Government* 6. I would be grateful fer your advicE? on the above proposed line of action; and, if you agree it, advice on a:!l:y other . arguments that could be advanced. ·Attached io c. first draft of a background note describing the past attitudes of MOD, S, France and Grenada. U
5.
•••
7.
Because of the deadline for briefing Ministers and the intrusion of the Spring Bank holiday, I am afraid I must ask for your advice by
,8.. I am copying this letter to Mr R Alston, Energy, Science and Space Department, Room E022, FCO: I have noted the robust line taken by FCa reoently with UNO proposals to study UFOs.
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