POSSIBLE COMPROMISE OF A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TWO SRI SCIENTISTS (PUTHOFF & TARG) AND THE U.S. GOVERNMENT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: STARGATE
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP96-00788R002000250038-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 4, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 5, 2003
• Sequence Number: 38
• Publication Date: June 30, 1980
• Content Type: MFR

Approved For Release 2003/09109 .- CIA-RD,
SECR
IAFM-OPS-HU-SA
30 June 19$0
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: Possible Compromise of a Relationship Between Two SRI Scientists
(Puthoff & Targ) and the U.S. Government (S)
1. (S/NOFORN) Attending a two day conference on camouflage concealment
and deception at FTD, Wright Patterson AFB on 25 and 26 June, I, Hartleigh
Trent heard a briefer mention a contract the government has with SRI on
SGFOIA3 psychic research. The conference was conducted in a~ssecure lfac facility at
SGFOIA3 SITK le
SGFOIA3 for the
SGFOIA3 2. (S/NOFORN) presented a talk on and the type of SGFOIA3
projects they were involved in around the world. The last subject he intro-
duced was a project that put him in contact with two SRI scientists, Puthoff
and Targ. After indicating by expression and gesture that the encounter was
strange and somewhat unbelievable he stated that they (someone at SRI) told
him that they had a large contract with the U.S. Government on psychic re-
search. He mentioned that MIA and the DIA were involved. Hehindicated dthat
the results of some of the work appeared startling, ,
be skeptical about the whole thing.
3. (S/NOFORN) After the presentation I asked him if there was really any-
thing to the things that Puthoff and Targ claim to have accomplished, does
it really work? He said it depends upon whether you believe the data or not.
If you accept it as fact then the phenomenon represents a tremendous poten-
tial. However, if you question the data then there are ways to, explain the
results. Although there is no proof of fakery, one must consider the pos-
sibility. He asked if I knew that Puthoff and Targ were scientologists. I
said I had heard that this was probably true. He then said that if they
belong to that group there is a possibility that they are pulling the great-
est hoax on the U.S. Government and the American public that has ever been
S G F OIA3 perpetrated. then turned to answer questions from others.
None of the questions were relative to the Puthoff and Targ subject. No
one seemed to understand or care about the subject.
4. (S/NOFORN) At no time was the U.S. Army or Grill Flame mentioned during
the brief mention of the subject.
'HARTLEIaH TRENT
Analyst
NOTRELEASABLE TO FOREIGN NATIONALS
Approved For Release 0
CLASSIFIED BY:MSG,DAt
IS:
DATED:051630ZJU
7
REVIEW ON: JULY 2000
9bol88R00200025JLL FT A I
6-0 1 788R002000250038-3