ANNOUNCING PROJECT OPEN BOOK

Omni's inquiry into the UFO phenomenon

This is a special issue of Omni, one that's likely to be controversial, and is
frankly designed to be provocative. Our subject is alleged alien presence in our
skies and among our population, and the possibility of government cover-ups both
here and abroad of alien spacecraft and beings. Our approach is uniquely Omni.

It's time, we feel, to clear the air about UFOs, close encounters of any kind,
abductions, and all the kinds and classes of alleged extraterrestrial--or
extradimensional or extratemporal--visitation. To open the topic to the hard
light of rational scientific and journalistic inquiry.

We are not speaking of tabloid sensationalism or special-effects wish
fulfillment. No E.T. No supermarket flying saucers.

It's a simple question. Is there evidence of alien presence on Earth, and have
governments suppressed that evidence? We can answer that, can't we?

The essence of science is skepticism; the watchword of the scientific method is
proof. Hearsay and rumor--which run rife in the UFO community--don't count.
What's required for a scientific investigation is evidence, documentation, fact.
All of which are in short supply in the UFO phenomenon.

At the heart of the phenomenon, fueling many of the stories, lies consistent and
unfortunate government mishandling of alleged encounter investigations. (Not
just our government: Read Jim Oberg's look at Russian UFO research in this
issue.) Whether there are or aren't any encounters, the government's posture has
been to classify and confuse its research, leading to an environment perfect for
paranoia.

And paranoia is so appealing, so romantic. There is an aura of mystery, of
secrets we're not allowed to apprehend, of cover-ups and conspiracies. It's so
easy to assume someone else is in control.

It's time for the secrecy to end. It's time for us to take control.

That's why Omni is inaugurating, with this issue, Project Open Book. If its name
reminds you in some ways of the government's long-suspended Project Blue Book,
that's not by accident.

Put simply, Project Open Book is Omni's effort to provide a clearinghouse for
hard, documented information about alien encounters, and especially about
government cover-ups of alleged encounters. Omni is ready to take a look,
hopeful of arriving at some answers.

One way or the other. We have no ax to grind; we do not approach the topic as
``true believers'' nor do we dismiss the possibility of extraterrestrial
presence out of hand. For better or worse, we are willing to examine the
question seriously, to investigate worthwhile reports, to share the information
with our readers and the world. An Open Book.

The Project starts now. We start by laying the historical groundwork. This
issue, we begin a multipart series that will, month by month, look back at the
leading stories of alleged cover-ups over the past half century. Beyond that,
we'll look toward the future, toward avoiding or overcoming the confusion and
misinformation that too often surround UFO materials.

We also provide you with the tools to seek information on your own. Check out
the ``Freedom Fighters Handbook'' this month, and add your voice to those
calling for government files to be opened to public scrutiny.

You're part of this. We welcome your submissions to Project Open Book. If you
have evidence--evidence that can be backed up, supported, and confirmed six ways
from Sunday--send it to Omni: Project Open Book, 324 West Wendover Avenue, Suite
205, Greensboro, North Carolina, 27408, or join us in the new Project Open Book
section of Omni Online, available through America Online, where you will be able
to post your stories, engage in debates, and add your voice to the mix.

Send copies of your materials, and keep the originals in a safe place. While we
promise to treat submissions with respect, we cannot guarantee their return, nor
can we guarantee a response to every submission we receive.

We do guarantee that submissions able to stand up to the scrutiny of scientific
and journalistic investigation will be shared with the world.

Together, we can put an end to the foolishness that surrounds this fascinating
topic.

Welcome to Project Open Book.