D R A F T
    Approved For Release 4&WO/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00787ROO040OW026-5
    MEMORANDUM FOR (See Distribution)
    SUBJECT Proposed Investigation of Paranormal Phenomena
         L You are invited to attend an informal preliminary conference intended to
    establish the proper context for a proposed investigation into various purpor~-_-d
    paranormal phenomena. You have been chosen because you are known to be aware
    of the recently reported phenomena, because your office has a legitimate interest
    in this field and because we believe that you have a substantive contribution to make.
    For reasons which we are sure you appreciate and probably share, we wish to
    keep the conference low-key and limit the attendance as well as general awareness
    of the conference and the proposed investigations.
         2. The conference is being hosted by DDP/TSD and DDS&T/ORD in preparation
    for a possible joint effort in this field. It is our hope that, by airing the views of
    all legitimately interested parties before we design the specifies of our approach
    to the problem, we can ensure that the outcome- -whatever else it may prove--will
    be acceptable to all as having validity and meaning for the components and disciplines
    which they represent. We do not feel that it makes any difference whether, at this
    stage, you are a 'believer I or Inon=believer I or somewhere in between. In the spirit
    of scientific detachment we merely seek your counsel in an approach to a problem
    which has eluded %&S%WWo definitive resolution for cons --and, of course, may
    continue to do so.
    3. There are few grow-ldrules for the conference but, if we are to accomplish
                                                                              

    anything at all, we will have to insist that they be observed : there will
    be no                                                                     
                                                                              

    rehashing of anecdotal accounts of the recent or other phenomena--all of  
    which, in                                                                 
                                                                              

    any case, we have all heard; there will be no idle, discursive speculations
    about the                                                                 
                                                                              

    dynamics or meaning of the phenomena- -that is what we hope, eventually,  
    to estbM.ish.                                                             
                                                                              

    We ask merely that you come with an open m:'Lnd and prepared to address   
    yourself                                                                  
                                                                              

    generally to the following questions : What kinds of questions would you  
    like to see                                                               
                                                                              

    answered by our investigations ? What kinds of experiments might be crucial
    from                                                                      
                                                                              

    the point of view of your special interests (i. e. , those of your component)
    ? What                                                                    
                                                                              

    kinds of laboratory and/or analytical- statistical cohtrols would you like
    to see                                                                    
                                                                              

    instituted? What kinds of non -phenomen ologic al testing (i. e. , medical,
    behavioralVo,                                                             
                                                                              

    etc) would you like to see performed on the Subjects ? If the phenomena   
    are verified,                                                             
                                                                              

    what partic7vilar significance would they have for your component? If the 
    phenomena                                                                 
                                                                              

    are verified and we establish that people with the appropriate attributes 
    can be                                                                    
                                                                              

    trained to reproduce them, what practical (offensive or defensive) applications
    might                                                                     
                                                                              

    you envisage for your component?                                          
                                                                              

    4. The conference will. be, held in room at hours on                      
                                                                              

    lease notify on extension whether you will                                
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    be able t nd alternatively, w~i                                           
    eii                                                                       
    i~~                                                                       
    u wish to designate someone else to                                       
    yo                                                                        
                                                                              

    represent your office. In the latter event, please select only an officer 
    already                                                                   
                                                                              

    familiar with the topic and be sure that he/she is informed of the contents
    of this                                                                   
                                                                              

    memorandum.                                                               
                                                                              

    Approved For Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0400070026-5