[FPSPACE] Comment on Sven's comment..about rectification

[Peter Pesavento]

Thank you Sven for your response.  It is much appreciated.

I would have to say this however, in response.

One thing I have noticed, and have been sensitized to, is that when there is
a classification-level hierarchy, the data in the
highest-classification-ranked reports is the most accurate (and most
detailed) data interpretation of all the reports on a specific topic.  Top
Secret outranks Secret which outranks Confidential which outranks "For
Official Use Only" in (what can be hoped) is the level of accuracy.

This is one way of looking at the data in the US classification hierarchy.
There are many reasons (not discussed here) as to why specific kinds of
information (and informational details) are ranked TS or S or Confidential.

What I mean by that is this:  If Burke's article that you mention was
originally published at the "Secret" level, or less, than it will be less
accurate than the materials classified Top Secret Trine, Sensitive
Compartmented Information.  And any descriptions or story-telling therein
will also be similarly ranked.  Materials freely discussed in TS TRINE
materials will be either left out completely, or purposefully misinterpreted
in the lower-ranked materials.

(I have seen this during my research for example, on the NOTSNIC program.
Formerly high-level classification reports that I was permitted to see by
Dr. John Nicolaides had discussions of events in detail and breadth of scope
that were claimed to not have happened at all or failed in
Confidential-level reports.)

You have to keep that in mind.

As to whether the Russians would provide more accurate materials following
the fall of the Soviet Union, I have two minds about that.  Being of the
Western mind, one would hope that would be true, that with the Cold War
rivalry being long gone, that the data released would be considered wholly
veracious.

I don't think we are at that point, as of yet.

There are still what I term "Soviet quirks" to the Russians' behavioral
patterns and their disseminating/handling efforts of Soviet space history
data.

Much has been released that is of the Western standard of openness, and
clarity, and accuracy. But, unfortunately, much remains nowhere near that
standard, that is coming now from the Russian Federation.

Which of course, keeps me in business writing articles.

President Ronald Reagan said it best:  "Trust, but Verify."

And that is what I am personally attempting to do.  Verify what the Russians
are disseminating.