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27 June 1973
MEMORANDUM FOR THE REC D
SUBJECT: Turning Off Stanford,@epearch Institute Program
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1. On 13 June 1973, 1 personally discussed the reasons
for terminating interest in the parapsychology investigations
being completed by Dr. H. Puthoff and Mr. R. Targ. Dr. Puthoff
and Mr. Targ were not present. The Stanford Research Institute
personnel present were E. Jones group leader, B. Cox division
chief, D. ShUich VP for research and C. Anderson president.
Since the research of Puthoff and Targ is controversial even
with SRI, I felt that to insure the reputations of the investi-
gators was not unjustifiably harmed a more detailed explanation
of our termination of the project was desirable and in the
best interest of the Agency.
2. 1 ex.1 ined that our interest in this area was at
least ram y being terminated not because of incompetency,
lack of relevancy etc. Interest was being terminated because
of a decision at the Director's level of management that the
past publicity associated with various aspects of the investi-
gations presented an unacceptability high potential for public
exposure of the Agency's interest and consequent controversy
for the Agency. The duration of this policy was unknown but
it was effective immediately without exception.
3. All present seemed to understand our situation and
attitude. Mr. Anderson, president of SRI, commented that
perhaps SRI should terminate all work in this research area
for analogous reasons. He expressed the feeling there was
an inordinate drain of resources and management time con-
cerning this research without correspondingly highly signi-
ficant results. If Mr. Anderson's attitude remains unchanged,
I expect all investigations in these areas will be terminated.
It therefore appears that our decision will result in a
complete cessation of active research in this area at SRI.
4. It would be unfortunate if this research area is
buried because of its sensitivity. The results of the studies
completed at SRI certainly indicate the existence of a type
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of phenomena which is not well understood. This phenomena,
if controllable does and will have profound implications
for intelligence collection and security. I predict there
will be renewed interest in paranormal abilities within the
Agency at some future date and that the current decision
for complete cessation of work will be regretted.
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