MEMORANDUM: SUBJECT: 'REMOTE VIEWING' PROJECT

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP96-00787R000500240017-5
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
K
Document Page Count: 
5
Document Creation Date: 
November 4, 2016
Document Release Date: 
August 31, 2004
Sequence Number: 
17
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
November 20, 1978
Content Type: 
MF
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PDF icon CIA-RDP96-00787R000500240017-5.pdf262.01 KB
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FOR OFE"(;IAL WE UNIJ Y pproved For Release 2004/09/09 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000500240017-5 OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301 RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING 20 November 1978 MEMORANDUM',FOR=,DR. JACK VORONA, DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR SCIENTIFIC AND 'TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE, DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY SUBJECT: "Remote Viewing" Project I understand 'tha.i DIA plans a meeting on this subject on 28 November 1978. I would like;to puggest a few topics or issues that appear to me to demand immediate attention from the oversight groups you will establish. These particular topics,are.primarily managerial or procedural in nature: never- theless, thei neglect may preclude scientific success in the project. The topics or issues are: 1. A clear cut statement of objectives sought by the Intelligence Community`(I.C.): hopefully these technical objectives can be tied to rather specific collection or analysis goals. 2. A rationale for continued exploration of remote viewing phenomena, e.g., in terms of understanding the impact of success by others on U.S.'vulherabilities and of resolving recognized current deficierr`.cies in the existing project. 3. The scientific status of remote viewing experiments treating such issues as the apparent non-reproducibility of results, the lack of documented and/or accepted scientific protocols, the seeming lack of consistent- criteria for accepting and treating subjects, and the non-existence of accepted means of communication with subjects including ;the';use of positive/passive feedback. 4. The development of traditional scientific measures of progress and "achievement" and the delineation of scientific procedures to be followed by . experimenters. These measures and procedures must be developed by other than. the current experimenters. They need to ensure that the~,magicians' processes of deception, feedback to subjects, etc. are not inadvertantly allowed. 5. Means of evaluation of experimental. results by other than the experimenters must accompany the development of experimental. procedures. Approved Fod adQi1) 4- R40Q 00240017-5 FOR O F'F.ICIAL USE ONLY Approved For Release 2004/09/09 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000500240017-5 6. A past, present and future funding profile justifiable in terms of DoD objectives. 7. A stark clear statement of events, data, etc. that will justify termination of continued funding of the project. 8. The related legal issues of individual privacy, controlled surveillance, etc. As you know, I have had highlighted to me both the potential afforded by success in remote' viewing as well as the current scientific skepticism about the ongoing activity. I believe it to be in our best interests to address the issues I have raised just as soon as resources permit. I will assist in any way possible. Ruth M. Davis Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (Research and Advanced Technology) cc: Dr. Walter B. LaBerge Jill Wine-Volner Men E.R. Thompson Approved For Vc 20041b9109'` ~tA 2DP -007878000500240017-5 Approved For Release 2004/09/09 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000500240017-5 4 Approved For Release 2004/09/09 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000500240017-5 SGIJ L Approved For Release 2004/09/09 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000500240017-5 Approved For Release 2004/09/09 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000500240017-5 L. MAZZOLI, KY. Y. MINETA. CALIF. -OWLER, JR., GA. SON. CALIF. AOHBROOK. OHIO MCCLORY. ILL. .TH ROBINSON, VA. PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE Approved For Release Qft4O909 : ?%DP96-00787R000500240017-5 Ql~ October 25, 1978 K. LATIMER.STAFF DIRECTOR J. O'NEIL. CHIEF COUNSEL Dr. Ruth Davis Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Advanced Technology Room 3E114, Pentagon Washington, D.C. 20310 Dear Dr. Davis, I have recently had occasion to become acquainted with some interesting research involving paranormal phenomena, specifically that relating to remote viewing. Clearly, while this phenomenon might well result in opportunities for the collection of intelligence otherwise denied us, we have a strong obligation also to learn what Soviet research is underway and what emergent capabilities they may have so that we may protect our own classified activi- ties from this potential source of surveillance. I would therefore like to see the Department of Defense undertake those efforts deemed necessary and appropria to investigate remote viewing and other related phenomena. As research continues in such areas it will be incumbent on us to understand and safeguard our citizens' properiate concerns about their individual rights and the appropr of government. I am ready to assist in this venture as best I can. Sincerely, Charlie Rose Chairman, Subcommittee on Evaluation