Star Gate — Program Status and Proposed Response to Richard D'Amato (ORD-374-95)

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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

FROM:

Director of Research and Development, DS&T

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).

b. The need to declassify aspects of the program, and,

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.

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

program made sense for CIA, and had developed the necessary

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SUBJECT: Star Gate - Program Status and Proposed New Direction

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.
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SUBJECT: Star Gate - Program Status and Proposed New Direction

da. 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.

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ce:

O/Compt
ORD

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