Unidentified Flying Objects

Read from the scan by GLM-OCR; expect the odd misread word.

While there is no indication that these objects represent a direct threat to the national defense, there are certain potential dangers which are related to these sightings. These are:

1. The difficulty and delay in positive identification which could weaken the early warning system in alerting defense in the event of commencement of hostilities. $ ^{*} $

2. The possibility of mass hysteria which might be purposely induced by an enemy at a critical time by faked reports.

3. The possibility that the emergency communications systems to command headquarters might be seriously overloaded at a critical time by such reports.

It is believed that the problems of communications confusion and overload and the serious effects of mass hysteria must be dealt with outside the intelligence community, and it is planned to bring these matters to the attention of those agencies with whom the prime responsibility appears to rest. With respect to mass hysteria, it is believed this problem would lie with the Federal Civil Defense Administration and/or the Interdepartmental Committee on Internal Security. Accordingly, it is planned to bring this to the attention of the FCDA and ICIS through established channels. With respect to emergency communications overloading, it is believed that each of the individual Military Services should examine this problem. Accordingly, we intend to introduce the subject at a meeting of the Joint Communications and Electronics Committee.

* According to Brig. Gen. AIR Murwell ( RDB ) ADC is" cognizant of this potential danger" ; and does" express concern "