Documents / Official release
This file, released by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library under FOIA request 2006-0476-F, holds White House correspondence records for case 243544. In a July 8, 1997 letter to President Clinton, Kent Jeffrey of the International Roswell Initiative submitted more than 20,000 signed copies of the Roswell Declaration, which asks for an Executive Order declassifying UFO information. On December 9, 1997 the Air Force replied that such an order was unnecessary because declassification under E.O. 12958 was already underway.
“Spencer”1 page
Please Copy aruJ Circulate . 'ROSWELL DECLARATION Forty-seven years ago an incident occurred in the southwestern desert of the United States that could have significant implications for aU mankind. It involved the recovery by the U$. Military of materia I alleged to be of extraterrestrial origin. The event was announced by the U.S. Military on July 8, 1947, through a press release that was carried by newspapers throughout the country. It was subsequently denied by what is now believed to be a cover story claiming the material was nothing more than a weather balloon. It has remained veiled in government. secrecy ever since. The press release announc,ipg the unusual event was issued by the Commander of the 509th Bomb Group at Roswell Army Air Field, Colonel William Blanchard, who later went on to become a four star general and Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. That the weather balloon story was a coverup has been confirmed by individuals directly involved, including the late General Thomas DuBose who took the telephone call from Washington, D.C., ordering thecoverup. Numerous other credible military and civilian witnesses have testified that the original press release was correct and that the Roswell wreckage w,as of extraterrestrial origin. One such individual was Major Jesse Marcel, the Intelligence Officer of the 509th Bomb Group and one of the first military officers at the scene. . . On January 12, 1994, United States Congressman Steven Schiff of Albuquerque, New Mexico, an nounced to the press that he had been stonewalled by the Defense Department when requesting infor mation regarding the 1947 Roswell event on behalf of constituents and witnesses. Indicating that he was seeking further investig~~ipn into the matter, Congressman Schiff called the Defense Department's lack of response "astounding" and concluded it was apparently '!another government coverup.". History has shown that unsubstantiated official assurances or denials by government are often mean ingless. Nevertheless, there is a logical and straightforward way to ensure. that the truth about Roswell will emerge: an Executive Order declassifying any information regarding the existence of UFOs or extraterrestrial intelligence. Because this is a unique issue of universal concern, such an ~ction would . be appropriate and warranted. To provide positive assurance for all potential witnesses, it would need to be clearly stated and written into law. Such a rpeasureis essentiaUywhat presidential candidate Jimmy Carter promised and then failed to deliver to the American people eighteen years ago in 1976. . ' ,", ,': '.: ~."'_~ .1.,;;::: 4"i~ :.-.;"" ,-.'..' .:, r' ','.,:,', --\ "-' •• " ';;;. ·' .. ,i! J. " .'~," I ..;,' .~ ;'" ' •t 'T, .. ... ····,·If, as'is,-offieiallyclaimed,no infonnation-onRoswell,UFOs,-·or extraterrestrial intelligence is being. ---..~~~ ....... . withheld, an Executive Order declassifying it would be a !Dere formality, as there 'would be nothing to disclose. The Order would, however, have the positive effect of setting the record straight once and for all. Years of controversy and suspicion would be ended, both in the eyes of the United States' own citizens and in the eyes of the world. . . . If, on the other hand, the Roswell witnesses are telling the truth and information on extraterrestrial. inteHieence does exist.. it is not somethine to which a orivileeed few in the United States Government should have exclusive rights. It is knowledge of profound importance to which all people throughout the world should have an inalienable right. Its release would unquestionably be universally acknowl edged as an historic act of honesty and goodwill. I supportlhe request, as outlined above, for an Executive Order declassifying any U.S. Government inforr/ullion regarding the existence of UFOs or extraterrestrial intelligence. Whether such informa tion exists or whether it does not, I feel that the people of the world have a right to know the truth aboUl this ~$~a~th t' . time to put an end to the controversy surrounding ii. ..........,.~_ .~ .~ ~ ~ature cOat "\Drill be.n. .(1 SA£I'"6.1-:J .,gccuPaiJoD I TN'!), ILl r '\J ," (~:l")-V\ KY't 'bel tJ,,'~I ct .). "4: Lt'I ,. Z.e V\ U.S. Re:prese:ntative: (U.S. citize:~). UJ!il C.$
Official release, from the nara collection. The PDF is mirrored here; the original link is above. 47 pages are in the text index: search them above, or from the library's search.