SUFOI Maneds Nyt - 1961 06

Magazine Overview

Title: SUFOI MÅNEDS NYT
Issue: JUNI 1961
Publisher: SUFOI
Country: Denmark
Language: Danish

This issue of SUFOI MÅNEDS NYT features a transcript of an American television interview concerning UFOs, originally published by 'Weltraumbote' and received by NICAP. The interview, conducted by Dave Garroway, pits U.S. Airforce Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence J. Tacker, author of a book refuting UFO existence, against Major Keyhoe, a proponent of UFO reality.

American TV Interview Transcript

The core of the magazine issue is the detailed transcript of the TV interview. Lieutenant Colonel Tacker, who recently published a book on flying saucers, is presented as having appeared on American television to refute the existence of UFOs, seemingly at the behest of the U.S. Airforce. The interview format, however, reveals a clear tension and debate between Tacker and Major Keyhoe, with commentator Dave Garroway moderating.

Tacker's primary stance is that groups like NICAP, which he labels as 'enthusiast groups' with a 'fanatical belief in spaceships,' are disrupting the Airforce. He dismisses claims that the Airforce is hiding information as 'ridiculous' and 'witch hunts.' He asserts that the Airforce has no policy of withholding information.

Major Keyhoe directly challenges Tacker's assertions, bringing up specific cases and individuals. He refers to a confidential report sent to members of Congress, containing a collection of evidence. Keyhoe questions Tacker's claim that all congressmen who spoke with the Airforce were satisfied, citing Representative Mc Cormick, the Majority Leader, who stated that a congressional committee, under President Eisenhower, attempted to gather information from the Airforce without success. Mc Cormick and other members were reportedly convinced of the existence of unidentified objects. Representative Joseph Karth is also quoted as stating that the Airforce refused to provide information, citing 'national security.'

Tacker vehemently denies that the Airforce has ever used national security as a pretext for withholding information, calling it a 'mistake.'

The debate escalates with Keyhoe questioning Tacker about General White, the Airforce Chief of Staff, and Tacker's foreword to his book. Tacker clarifies that he asked General White if his statement about the non-existence of spaceships was false. Garroway attempts to steer the conversation, but Keyhoe persists, highlighting that Tacker's book aims to explain away UFO reports.

Keyhoe further presses Tacker by asking if he would call Representative Karth or General White a liar. Tacker responds by asking if Keyhoe considers General White a liar and if he has read the foreword to his book. Tacker then states that the Airforce's efforts are directed towards minimizing the reporting of these 'unexplainable' phenomena, referencing Airforce Regulation 200-2, which allegedly mandates that all information be made public, not classified.

Keyhoe counters by stating that information is indeed reduced to a minimum. He brings up a specific request from 1957 for UFO cases, which Tacker claims to have provided. Keyhoe then names the 'Kaptajn Ryan case,' where the Airforce allegedly ordered a course deviation for a UFO hunt, and the case of an F-89.

Tacker denies ever sending out course deviations for UFO hunts. Keyhoe then reveals the existence of a tape recording and report concerning an interview with Capt. Raymond Ryan and First Officer William Neff of American Airlines. This report allegedly details how they received orders from Griffiss Airforce Base to assist U.S. Airforce jet fighters in hunting and tracking an unknown object. They reportedly deviated from their course without informing passengers and pursued the UFO to the shores of Lake Ontario.

Keyhoe also mentions a confidential report within NICAP sent to congressmen regarding this case. Tacker claims he has never seen this tape or report and has never heard of it.

Keyhoe then brings up President Kennedy's statement before New Year's, referring to UFOs as an 'important subject,' and questions if Tacker believes the President is being misled.

Tacker acknowledges the importance of the subject but emphasizes that the Airforce does not dispute the possibility of these phenomena. He clarifies that the Airforce's official stance is that no evidence has yet emerged to support the existence of extraterrestrial craft in Earth's airspace.

Keyhoe then refers to a 'strictly secret' report from 1948 that indicated these phenomena were 'interplanetary.' Tacker denies ever hearing of such a document. Keyhoe cites Major Ruppelt, head of the UFO commission, who described it as a 'black document' stamped 'strictly secret.' Keyhoe also mentions Major Fournet, who confirmed the existence of two documents that the Airforce disputes:

1. A report from the secret service regarding UFOs, prepared in 1948 by the organization that later became the Airforce's UFO division (ATIC).
2. An analysis of specific characteristics of UFO information, prepared for Airforce headquarters in 1952.

Keyhoe states that since these documents were marked 'secret' when he last saw them, he cannot reveal their contents. Tacker reiterates that no such documents exist within the Airforce.

The interview concludes with Garroway asking Tacker if, in his official capacity, he would admit to the existence of such a document if it were classified as 'secret.' Tacker responds by asking Garroway to repeat the question.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the alleged cover-up of UFO information by the U.S. Airforce and the conflicting narratives presented by official sources and civilian UFO organizations like NICAP. The editorial stance, as indicated by the publication of this interview transcript, appears to be one that questions official denials and highlights the efforts of groups like NICAP to bring UFO-related information to light. The magazine seems to support the view that there is a significant amount of information being withheld or downplayed by military and governmental bodies.