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Approved For Release 2001/04/02 : CIA-RDP96-00789R001001420001-3 research into parapsychological phenomena. He concluded: The impact that psychotronic weaponry and ‘other paranormal applications will have in the future is difficult to determine at this time...whoever makes the first major breakthrough in this field will have a quantum lead over his opponent, an advantage similar to sole possession of nuclear weapons...The intent here is toa emphasize the need for more coordinated research in the realm of the paranormal. Additionally, there is a need to provide leaders at all levels with a basic understanding of weapons systems they may encounter in the not too distant ne future (3:52). A response came almost immediately. In January 1981, columnist Jack Anderson of The Washington Post was quick to demonstrate American skepticism of psychic research in an article entitled "Pentagon Invades Buck Rogers” Turf." Andserson’s one-sided derogatory prose was filled with terms like "futuristic fantasies,” “hogwash" and "700d00 warfare” (4:D16). A month later Anderson was back reinforcing psychic skepticism. This time he began, “The brass hats are, indeed, dabbling in the dark arts." Other carefully chosen phrases included “evil eye," “comic- strip," “Ouija board Warriors’ and ‘voodoo warriors arsenal’ (5:DC11). Within weeks he returned to the subject by referring to "wacky projects" of the CIA, or studies “like a Haitian witch doctor might try" (6: B13). Maclean’s magazine reported in 1981 that President Reagan and Defense Secretary Weinberger had to decide: Whether - to continue funding the top-secret project which, according to Jack Anderson of The Approved For Release 2001/04/02 : CIA-RDP96-00789R001001420001-3 2