Uformant - 1982 01 - January

Magazine Overview

Title: UFORMANT
Issue: JANUARY 1982
Publisher: Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS)
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of UFORMANT, a bulletin of news and views on UFO information published by Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS), focuses on CAUS's renewed efforts to combat government secrecy surrounding UFOs. The publication highlights legal actions, public awareness campaigns, and the importance of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in accessing official UFO documentation.

CAUS Renews Anti-UFO Secrecy Effort During National Freedom of UFO Information Week

At a press conference in Washington, D.C., on October 27, 1981, CAUS legal advisor Peter A. Gersten announced initiatives to ensure government accountability regarding UFO documentation. These initiatives included:

• Establishment of National Freedom of UFO Information Week (October 25-31): This week was kicked off with the press conference, aimed at reviving CAUS as an international public-interest group focused on reforming official policies on UFO record availability. A fund-raiser was planned to solicit donations to support the costly program of using FOIA to access official UFO documentation, a process often involving litigation due to lack of government cooperation.

• Hearing of Oral Arguments in CAUS Vs. U. S. National Security Agency (NSA): This significant FOIA lawsuit sought to release approximately 135 UFO documents held by the NSA. Despite worldwide media interest, the Federal District Court judge ruled in favor of the NSA without personally inspecting the documents. CAUS argued that the judge erred, as the "special circumstances" of the UFO controversy warranted a deeper examination on behalf of the public's right to know. This litigation was partially funded by the Fund for UFO Research, Inc.

• Drafting of a "Presidential Proclamation to Affirm Freedom of UFO Information and Expression": The purpose of this draft proclamation was to encourage individuals with information about UFOs to come forward and to ensure the waiver of secrecy oaths, making suppressed official UFO-related records available to the public.

Copies of this draft proclamation were circulated within the UFO research community, distributed to the public, and published in The News World. The draft was also sent to the House Post Office and Civil Service Committee and the Senate Intelligence Committee.

The Pulse of Public Interest

Despite a small turnout of journalists for Gersten's press conference, those present seemed engaged. Gersten emphasized the Federal Government's responsibility to be transparent about UFO documentation and to utilize its resources to reveal the truth about unidentified flying objects. He linked this obligation to the government's past failures in official UFO research, citing the 1975 UFO fly-overs at sensitive U. S. military installations. A "geography-chronology backgrounder" by Bruce S. Maccabee, along with testimony from a former Air Force sergeant, countered the official explanation of "unknown helicopter" activity for sightings at Loring AFB, Maine. Gersten argued that the government's piecemeal approach to UFO investigations is unacceptable and threatens national security, leading to a loss of public confidence.

Gersten suggested that "leaks" of information were welcome if they exposed government malfeasance. He also offered free legal assistance to any military personnel who faced persecution for coming forward with "hard evidence" of UFO reality. Following the conference, Gersten announced plans to sue the Air Force for complete documentation of the 1975 UFO crisis. The press was challenged to treat UFOs as more than mere entertainment. This message appeared to resonate, as the Washington Post published an article by Ward Sinclair on November 3, 1981, titled "Suit Seeks to Lift Secrecy Veil from Agency's UFO Documents," which led to numerous interview requests for Gersten.

Update on the NSA Case

A brief hearing on October 28th in Washington, D.C., regarding the NSA FOIA case yielded no surprises, with the three-judge panel ruling in favor of the Agency on November 3, 1981. CAUS plans to appeal to the U. S. Supreme Court, which would be the first time the highest judicial body would review an FOIA case involving UFO records. This appeal would involve "friend of the court" briefs from interested parties. The article notes the possibility of former MA members or other federal employees with inside information coming forward with sworn testimony to support these briefs, and encourages private UFO research organizations to submit their own briefs.

A Renewed Commitment

CAUS is launching a nationwide fund drive as part of its renewed commitment to furthering freedom of UFO information. Assistant Director Larry Fawcett stated that beyond money, establishing a worldwide network of volunteer "UFO information coordinators" is crucial. These coordinators would work from home to gather and relay information, initiate FOIA requests, conduct investigative reporting, advocate for Congressional action, obtain testimony about UFO cover-ups, and contribute articles to the UFORMANT bulletin. Fawcett emphasized that CAUS is a public service operation whose effectiveness depends on public support in terms of both financial contributions and volunteer help. Interested individuals can contact Fawcett at 471 Goose Lane, Coventry, CT 06238.

Washington Commentary: The Fate of Freedom of UFO Information

By Larry W. Bryant, Director, CAUS Washington, D. C. Bureau

Bryant poses critical questions about citizens' right to know what their government is doing regarding UFOs and whether those in charge of official UFO research have upheld this right. He expresses concern that the current political climate, with moves to weaken or repeal the Freedom of Information Act, could undermine the progress made in accessing UFO-related records. Ironically, Senator Barry Goldwater, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, is identified as a proponent of repealing the Act. Bryant argues that the FOIA has brought to light a vast amount of UFO-related documents from various intelligence agencies and that its repeal would allow official UFO research to continue unchallenged, potentially threatening the credibility of governmental institutions.

Bryant urges readers to contact their congressmen to resist weakening the Act and to work towards strengthening it, highlighting that without the Act's past successes, the "Cosmic Watergate" of official UFO research would be thriving unchecked.

Future Focus (A Periodic Report on the CAUS Agenda)

CAUS is also focusing on state-level freedom of information laws, noting that states like Virginia have similar legislation. The organization encourages its UFO Information Coordinators to investigate their states' freedom-of-information access to official UFO documentation, including records of state-run investigations into UFO encounters and state police systems' procedures for investigating UFO-related incidents.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are government transparency, the importance of the Freedom of Information Act, and the ongoing struggle against UFO secrecy. CAUS positions itself as a proactive advocate for public access to information, utilizing legal means and public awareness campaigns to challenge what it perceives as government obfuscation regarding UFOs. The editorial stance is one of persistent activism and a belief in the public's right to know, emphasizing that the pursuit of UFO information is tied to broader issues of governmental accountability and national security.