CUFORN Bulletin - Vol 08 No 03 - 1987 - May-Jun

Magazine Overview

Title: CUFORN Bulletin
Issue: Vol.8, No.3
Date: May-June, 1987
Publisher: CUFORN (Canadian UFO Research Network)
Country: Canada
Price: $3.00

This issue of the CUFORN Bulletin focuses on the controversial topic of U.S. government UFO documents, particularly those provided by author William L. Moore. The cover headline announces "Genuine U.S. Government UFO Documents and Possibly Fraudulent American Government UFO Documents: Part 1 of 2 in a Series," alongside an editorial titled "William L. Moore: Hoaxer or Hoaxed?" by Lawrence Fenwick.

Editorial: William L. Moore: Hoaxer or Hoaxed?

Lawrence Fenwick, the editor, expresses significant skepticism regarding documents sent to CUFORN by Bill Moore. He urges readers to approach the material with caution, noting that some pages are sensational. Fenwick states his opinion that a hoax has been perpetrated, but acknowledges that proving it, especially if orchestrated by U.S. intelligence, would be difficult. He questions whether Moore's contact within U.S. military intelligence is the source of a mix of real and false documents, or if Moore himself has been duped.

Fenwick explores possible motivations for Moore attempting a hoax, including ostracization from the ufology community if discovered, and the lack of financial gain from his previous books. He speculates about Moore's potential desire for profits from Timothy Good's new book, "Above Top Secret," to which Moore may have provided "documents." Financial difficulties due to divorce and high living costs in Los Angeles are also mentioned as potential motivators. Another possibility raised is that Moore received payment from the U.S. government to plant false documents in the National Archives.

CUFORN's other Co-Directors, Harry Tokarz and Joe Muskat, initially found the documents astonishing but then became suspicious. Tokarz noted that the language in a C.I.A. memo and the "Project Sigma" page seemed incongruous and "out of whack" compared to known government documents, particularly the use of the word "aliens" in the latter. He also pointed out that the memo to General Twining was unsigned and that the classifications used were inconsistent with UFOs being considered at a level far above "Top Secret." Tokarz also found it suspicious that Moore, with his knowledge of government documents, did not include a covering letter to explain or qualify the documents he sent.

Larry Bryant, founder of Citizens Against UFO Secrecy, also expressed suspicion, stating that some material "sounds too good to be true" and "phoney." He noted a peculiar symbol on a document's cover sheet that did not resemble a government symbol, suggesting Moore might be testing them. Bryant believes someone will eventually tire of these "hoax documents."

Bryant also commented on specific documents, noting that a document mentioning Stanton Friedman and one from the Archives appeared legitimate, but questioned the redactions. He found the C.I.A. page particularly "phony." Barry Greenwood, co-author of "Clear Intent," called the C.I.A. document "a crock of bull" and stated that the C.I.A. itself had described it as a "poorly made fabrication." Greenwood expressed puzzlement as to why Moore would present such a flawed document without qualification, predicting it would reflect badly on him. He also mentioned that the National Archives was casting doubt on the "Cutler memo."

Greenwood further revealed that Moore admitted on a Phoenix radio talk show to having made deletions on the documents, which Greenwood felt did not speak well of him. He acknowledged that proving Moore "salted" something at the Archives might be difficult but suggested that the evidence pointed to someone manufacturing information. Greenwood found it hard to believe Moore would be involved in a disinformation campaign and hoped it wasn't for monetary gain, as it could be devastating to the subject of UFO research.

The issue notes that the documents will be continued in the July-August 1987 issue. Readers are invited to share their opinions.

Excerpts from Alleged Government Documents

The bulletin includes reproductions of several documents, presented as "TOP SECRET" or "CLASSIFIED." These include:

• MEMORANDUM FOR GENERAL TWINING (July 14, 1954): Subject: NSC/MJ-12 Special Studies Project. This memo from Robert Cutler, Special Assistant to the President, informs General Twining of a change in the MJ-12 SSP briefing schedule to coincide with a White House meeting on July 16.
• PROJECT AQUARIUS (TS/ORCON): Described as containing 16 volumes of documented information from the beginning of U.S. investigation of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and unidentified alien crafts (AIAC). Established in 1959 by order of President Eisenhower, its name was changed in 1960 to "Project" and it was funded by confidential funds. The project's purpose was to collect scientific, technological, medical, and intelligence information on UFO/UAC sightings and alien contacts.
• PROJECT SIGMA (TS/ORCON): Originally established as part of Project in 1959, it became a separate project in 1976 with the mission to establish communication with Aliens. It reportedly achieved positive success, leading to primitive communications with aliens in 1969. A specific incident on April 25, 1969, involved a USAF Intelligence Officer meeting two Aliens in the New Mexico desert for approximately three hours.
• PROJECT SNOWBIRD (TS/ORCON): Established in 1972 with the mission to test-fly a recovered alien aircraft. This project was reportedly continuing in Nevada.
• PROJECT COUNCE (TS/ORCON): Originally established in 1966, its mission was to evaluate all information pertaining to space technology.
• OPERATION PRELIMINARY BRIEFING FOR (Document prepared for Adm. Roscoe H. Hillenkoetter (MJ-1)): This document describes "OPERATION" as a TOP SECRET Research and Development/Intelligence operation responsible directly to the President of the United States. Operations were carried out under the control of the "Group," established by President Truman on September 24, 1947, upon recommendation by Dr. Vannevar Bush and Secretary James Forrestal. Members of this Group are listed, including Adm. Roscoe H. Hillenkoetter, Dr. Vannevar Bush, Secy. James V. Forrestal, Gen. Nathan F. Twining, Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg, Dr. Detley Bronk, Dr. Jerome Hunsaker, Mr. Sidney W. Bouers, Dr. Donald Hensel, Gen. Robert M. Montague, and Dr. Lloyd Y. Berkner. The death of Secretary Forrestal in 1949 and the subsequent appointment of Gen. Walter B. Smith in 1950 are also noted.

Letter to the Editor: Intruders Don't Discriminate

This section features a letter from Budd Hopkins, author of "Intruders: The Incredible Visitations at Copley Woods," responding to a review by Bettyann Kevles in The New York Times Book Review. Kevles had questioned whether the abductees described in Hopkins' book were exclusively white Americans, suggesting a potential racial bias. Hopkins corrects this assumption, stating that while he did not explicitly disclose the race of his subjects, his work includes seven Hispanic victims, as well as black, European, Native American, and individuals from varied ethnic backgrounds.

Bettyann Kevles replies, explaining that her inference of white parents was based on the description of hybrids as "half-alien, half-human" and appearing "pink or gray." She expresses pleasure in learning about the diversity of the abductees.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical examination of UFO-related documents and the potential for disinformation. The editorial stance is one of extreme skepticism towards materials provided by William L. Moore, suggesting that the integrity of UFO research is at stake. The publication of alleged classified documents, while presented as factual, is framed within the context of this skepticism, raising questions about their authenticity and the motivations behind their release. The issue highlights the importance of critical thinking and healthy skepticism in the field of UFO research.

The OBSERVER issue dated Sunday, 31 May 1997, features a prominent article titled "Close encounters of an alien kind" by Martin Bailey. The magazine originates from London, England, and is a publication of The Observer.

Close Encounters of an Alien Kind

The central theme of the article revolves around a purported declassified American government document, obtained by British researcher Timothy Good, which details the alleged recovery of four alien bodies from a crashed UFO. This document, a briefing paper for President-elect Eisenhower, claims that a secret committee named Majestic-12 (MJ-12) was established by President Truman on September 24, 1947. This committee was allegedly a top-secret operation responsible directly to the President for research, development, and intelligence concerning UFOs.

The briefing paper recounts that on June 24, 1947, disc-shaped aircraft were sighted in the United States. Subsequently, on July 7, 1947, a secret operation was initiated to recover the wreckage of one such object that had crashed in a remote region of New Mexico, approximately 75 miles north-west of Roswell Army Air Base (now Walker Field). During this operation, aerial reconnaissance discovered that four small, human-like beings had apparently ejected from the craft before it crashed. These beings had fallen to earth about two miles east of the wreckage. The document states that all four were dead and badly decomposed due to predators and exposure to the elements during the approximately one week that elapsed before their discovery. A special scientific team took charge of removing these bodies for study.

According to the briefing paper, a preliminary consensus reached on September 19, 1947, suggested that the disc was most likely a short-range reconnaissance craft. The Majestic-12 Group reportedly maintained the unanimous opinion that strict security precautions should continue without interruption into the new administration.

Debate and Skepticism

Inquiries made by The Observer at the National Archives, the archives of former Presidents Truman and Eisenhower, and the National Security Council archives have failed to authenticate the briefing paper. Searches have been unable to locate any copies of the document, leading to speculation that it might be a hoax, possibly involving a fake memo planted in Air Force Intelligence files and later declassified by the National Archives.

However, new evidence has emerged from the files of US Intelligence suggesting that a secret group called MJ-12 did exist. This evidence comes in the form of a White House memorandum to General Twining, informing him about an 'MJ-12' briefing for President Eisenhower. This memorandum was declassified on January 12, 1987. The White House itself described this memorandum as 'a very strange document.'

Archivist Joanna Williamson noted that the memorandum was found in the files of the US Air Force's Director of Intelligence and appeared genuine. However, she found no minutes of the MJ-12 meeting, which was scheduled for just two days later, and expressed surprise at the lack of other MJ-12 related papers.

If the White House memorandum is genuine, it strengthens the argument for the existence of an MJ-12 group and supports Mr. Good's assertion of a cover-up regarding the discovery of dead aliens. Nevertheless, US UFO writer Barry Greenwood has raised intriguing questions, suggesting the possibility of a sophisticated fraud. Greenwood points out that the White House memo is unsigned and speculates that it might have been manufactured by someone aiming to prove MJ-12's existence, then inserted into recently opened Air Force Intelligence records. This individual could have then ordered a copy from the National Archives, which would bear the official declassification stamp. Greenwood concludes that MJ-12 might have existed, but more research is needed for authentication.

Key Incidents and Details

• First Known Sighting of Disc-Shaped Aircraft: On June 24, 1947, a civilian pilot flying over the Cascade Mountains in Washington observed nine disc-shaped aircraft in formation at high speed. This event, while not the first sighting, was the first to gain widespread public attention, leading to hundreds of similar reports from credible military and civilian sources.
• Roswell Incident: On July 7, 1947, a secret operation commenced to recover the wreckage of a crashed object. During this operation, four alien bodies were discovered approximately two miles east of the wreckage site.
• MJ-12 Committee: Allegedly established on September 24, 1947, by President Truman, this committee was tasked with direct oversight of UFO-related research and intelligence, reporting only to the President.
• Declassified Documents: The article centers on a purported briefing paper for President-elect Eisenhower (dated November 18, 1952) and a declassified White House memorandum referencing an 'MJ-12' briefing.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly focuses on the theme of government secrecy and alleged cover-ups concerning UFO phenomena. It highlights the tension between purported evidence of alien encounters and the official lack of confirmation or authentication from government archives. The article presents both the claims of UFO researchers like Timothy Good and the skeptical viewpoints of those who suspect potential hoaxes or sophisticated misinformation campaigns. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting controversial findings and allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while also acknowledging the ongoing debate and the need for further verification of such extraordinary claims.