Rather than simply sit back and await a decision regarding the demise of these files, they instead launched a campaign enlisting support from MP's, academics, the media, the UFO community and raised awareness among the general public. After rethinking their position the MoD subsequently initiated a costly (estimated at around 3 million pounds!!) project of digitally scanning, archiving and collating the files prior to their destruction. The researchers ensured the progress of this project was closely monitored and periodic updates were requested and granted from the Departmental Records Officer at the MoD, thus ensuring that the details of the project were firmly kept in the public domain.
The scanning stage of the contaminated UFO files was completed early 2007 and as the UK-UFO.org website states:
“This prompted a dialogue within the MoD as to the future release of files. Due to the volume of requests about UFOs received by Defence Intelligence, they discussed the viability of a staged, wholesale release, and concluded in April 2007 that this was the preferred way forward. This encouraged the Directorate of Air Space (DAS, the MoD agency charged with filtering reports before passing those thought to be of defence interest to other MoD branches including DI55) to make a similar evaluation and they have now also reached a decision for a staged release of all of their UFO records.”
The following is from a document obtained under a FoIA request and that was originally dated March 2007. An internal letter which discusses the full release of the documents and leaves no doubt as to the significance of the role the researchers (especially Dave Clarke) played, which was instrumental in this unprecedented release of all MoD UFO documents:
“I agree absolutely that we cannot sustain the current level of FOI requests. I have spoken to (name removed) - the AD in my area that is the only one left in DIST who knows anything. He feels strongly that the campaign is being led by one man and the cumulative resource implications of what he has been asking for is considerable. We expect this to continue.”
The story has since filtered through the tabloids, I was a little disappointed to see that the UK 's Telegraph (online version) chose to extensively quote Nick Pope with absolutely no mention of Dave Clarke and the other researchers at UK-UFO.org. I have no doubt that this omission will subsequently be perpetuated throughout the internet on News websites, Blogs, forums etc.
So when you read further articles or postings regarding this imminent disclosure, or when the release of these documents is finally realised, I urge you not to forget the efforts of Dave Clarke et al. Whose efforts are directly responsible for this landmark event, the results of their collective efforts should stand as irrefutable testimony to the enormity of what can be achieved with perseverance, dedication and determination.
In fact, why not visit their website at UK-UFO.org and thank them right now?
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