The Stargate shutdown sessions (1995)

SECRET WORKING PAPER ORD-374-95 7 June 1995 MEMORANDUM FOR: Comptroller Director of Congressional Affairs Director for Science and Technology Deputy Director for Science and Technology SUBJECT: Star Gate - Program Status and Proposed Response to Richard D'Amato 1. In late March we briefed Mr. Richard D'Amato on the status of Star Gate. At that time CMS also submitted a general "Terms of Reference" for Congressional review in response to the requirement for a status report to Congress about the program transfer. In both the terms of reference and at the March briefing, we specifically discussed: a. Our plan to conduct a blue ribbon panel review, using the National Research Council (NRC). c. The unlikelihood, based on preliminary discussions with the NRC, of completing the review in time to devise a management strategy prior to 1 July. program made sense for CIA, and had developed the necessary 2. We made it clear to Mr. D'Amato during our briefing that before CIA could devise a management strategy regarding the disposition of any program resources, (including what to do with the people currently at DIA), we would have to complete the review. We emphasized that it made no sense to bring any DIA people to CIA to perform paranormal remote viewing until we had an answer about whether this infrastructure to obtain requirements, task, disseminate, and otherwise make use of the product these individuals offer. Since this all exists at DIA, we stated our intent to leave the people there for now. 3. In early May, the NRC informed CIA that it formally and emphatically declined to participate in the blue ribbon panel review. The NRC cited it's own prior, definitive study. They stated unequivocally "the case for remote viewing...is virtually nonexistent." After consulting with the DDS&T, ORD subsequently initiated a contract with the American Institutes of Research (AIR) to perform the required review and to complete it by October 1995. 4. In response to a request from SSCI, we briefed seven staffers there on 22 May 1995, and indicated to them our plan to have AIR proceed with the review. 5. We understand that OCA recently informed Mr. D'Amato that the review will be completed by AIR in October, but that he seeks an immediate answer from CIA regarding our proposed disposition of the DIA people. (DIA informed us that they have elected to reassign the remote viewers in other jobs at DIA during the course of CIA's panel review.) We oppose any action to transfer these people to CIA at this time for the following reasons: a. Based on our limited understanding of the current program at DIA, it is likely that the AIR review will conclude (as did the NRC) that the remote viewing operations are without utility. b. The Inspector General of DOD strongly recommended in a 1989 memorandum that this program be terminated at DIA. The issues warranting that recommendation do not appear to have been remedied. c. Current demand for remote viewing by all of the "customers" for this product in the intelligence community appears to be insufficient to employ the DIA remote viewers full-time - thus their reassignment. d. Based on our preliminary discussions with various CIA senior managers, there is no enthusiasm for this type of product within either the DO or DI. e. None of the nearly 100 documented remote viewing products evaluated by DIA's own customers was said to be of "major significance", the highest possible numerical rating for value. 6. Until we complete an objective blue ribbon panel review of this program, we cannot develop a "management strategy" to satisfy the Congressionally Directed Action. If pressed to reach an earlier conclusion, I would strongly recommend termination of the entire effort. If, however, the completed review results in a positive recommendation to pursue this program for the purposes of collecting useful intelligence, CIA will propose a management plan which we believe employs the current personnel in the most productive way possible. O/Compt ORD