EXPEDIENCE INDEX
The Royal Inquiry
There are moments in history when official channels, typically reserved for matters of state and diplomacy, become conduits for the profoundly unusual. The declassified Wikileaks cables offer a unique window into such instances, particularly concerning the persistent enigma of Unidentified Flying Objects. Today, we dissect a specific transmission: a 1976 cable originating from Rabat, Morocco, detailing a high-level inquiry initiated by none other than King Hassan. This wasn't a casual observation; it was a directive from the highest echelons of power, demanding an explanation for a series of widespread aerial anomalies.
Our objective is to move beyond mere reporting and venture into analysis. What does this interaction reveal about the official posture towards UFO sightings in the mid-1970s? What were the implications of the King's personal interest? And crucially, what can we infer from the highly specific details reported by witnesses across disparate regions? This is more than just an anecdote; it's a data point in the ongoing investigation into phenomena that defy easy categorization.
Declassified: The Rabat Cable
The document in question, identified as Wikileaks Cable: 1976RABAT05209_b, carries the classification markings of CONFIDENTIAL, though it has since been declassified. Dated September 25, 1976, the cable details a conversation initiated by Colonel Housni Benslimane, Commander of the Royal Gendarmerie, with a U.S. Embassy representative in Rabat. The purpose of this urgent meeting was to discuss the significant sightings of UFOs over Moroccan territory on the night of September 18-19, 1976.
Colonel Benslimane conveyed that his presence was at the direct behest of King Hassan II, who was personally invested in understanding these events. This immediately elevates the significance of the report. A monarch's direct inquiry suggests a level of concern that transcends routine military or civilian observation. It hints at a potential national security implication or a deep-seated curiosity about phenomena that could challenge established paradigms. The request was two-fold: to relay the details of the sightings and to solicit any relevant information the U.S. might possess.
Analyzing the Phenomenon
The initial report from Colonel Benslimane, corroborated by subsequent meetings with Major Mohamed Lissaoui of the Royal Gendarmerie, painted a consistent picture of the anomalous events. Reports flooded in from widely separated locations including Agadir, the Marrakech area, Casablanca, Rabat, Kenitra, Kalaa-Sraghna, Essaouira, Meknes, and the Fez region. The timeframe for these sightings was remarkably narrow, primarily between 0100 and 0130 hours on the night of September 18-19, 1976.
Witness descriptions, compiled from various individuals including Major Lissaoui himself, fell into two primary categories:
- A silvery, luminous, flattened ball, often described as disc-shaped.
- A large, luminous, tube-shaped object.
Key characteristics noted across these diverse reports include:
- A generally southwest to northeast or south to north course.
- An estimated altitude of approximately 1,000 meters.
- Intermittent emission of bright sparks and fragments from the rear of the object.
- A complete absence of audible sound.
Major Lissaoui's personal account is particularly compelling. While returning from Kenitra around 0115 hours, he observed the object flying parallel to the coast at a relatively slow speed, akin to an aircraft preparing for landing. He initially perceived it as disc-shaped, but upon closer observation, it appeared tubular and luminous. This direct witness testimony from a high-ranking officer, experiencing the phenomenon personally, lends significant weight to the collective reports. The consistency of these details, reported independently from multiple locations, is a hallmark of credible mass sighting events. Such convergence suggests the observers were indeed witnessing the same phenomenon, rather than misidentifying a common object or experiencing mass hallucination.
"Reports from these widely separate locations were remarkably similar, i.e., that the object was on a generally southwest to northeast course, it was a silvery luminous circular shape and gave off intermittent trails of bright sparks and fragments, and made no noise." - Wikileaks Cable 1976RABAT05209_b
The Diplomatic Maneuvers
The U.S. representative's response, as documented in the cable, was one of measured cooperation. A promise was made to "do what we could" to furnish information. This response is typical of governmental handling of such reports: acknowledging the report, gathering data, but avoiding premature conclusions or public statements that could incite panic or be misconstrued. The fact that the U.S. was also monitoring or at least had records of such sightings is implied by the willingness to check for available information.
The cable's author, Anderson, concludes with a candid admission: "I frankly do not know what to make of these sightings, although I find intriguing the similarity of descriptions reported from widely dispersed locations." This statement, coming from a diplomatic attaché, underscores the perplexing nature of the event and the limited capacity of conventional explanations. It highlights the challenge faced by investigators and officials when confronted with phenomena that defy immediate rationalization. The phrase "anything you can do to assist me in this" is a clear plea for support in resolving a matter that had reached the King's personal attention.
Investigator's Verdict: Fraud, Genuine Phenomenon, or Advanced Technology?
From an investigative standpoint, this Wikileaks cable offers a robust case study. The convergence of witness testimony from geographically diverse locations, coupled with consistent descriptive elements, strongly argues against simple misidentification or isolated hoaxes. The involvement of military personnel, particularly the Commander of the Royal Gendarmerie and a Major who personally sighted the object, lends significant credibility. The King's personal interest positions this event as more than just a collection of civilian sightings; it was a matter of national-level concern.
While the cable itself doesn't present irrefutable proof of extraterrestrial origin, it meticulously documents a genuine, unexplained aerial phenomenon that warranted investigation at the highest levels of both the Moroccan and implicitly, the U.S. governments. The lack of sound, the luminous and dynamic nature of the object, and its sustained flight parallel to the coast are all details that align with characteristics reported in countless other UFO cases globally. The "silvery luminous flattened ball" or "luminous tube-shaped object" often fits descriptions associated with advanced, possibly non-terrestrial, craft.
The diplomatic response suggests that such reports were recognized as significant enough to warrant intergovernmental information exchange, even if the ultimate conclusions remained classified or undisclosed. The true import lies in the official acknowledgment and the demand for answers, indicating that these were not dismissed outright.
Investigator's Archive
To further understand the context of such official inquiries into UFO phenomena, consulting primary sources and respected analyses is crucial. Here are essential resources for any serious investigator:
- "The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects" by Edward J. Ruppelt: A seminal work offering an insider's perspective on the early U.S. Air Force investigations into UFOs.
- "The UFO Experience: A Scientific Inquiry" by J. Allen Hynek: Provides a scientific framework for classifying and analyzing sightings, crucial for differentiating misidentifications from genuine anomalies.
- "The Day After Roswell" by Philip J. Corso: While controversial, it details alleged military cover-ups and the technological implications stemming from UFO crash retrieval—a perspective that resonates with government interest in such phenomena.
- Project Blue Book Archives: Available online, these documents offer a vast repository of declassified U.S. Air Force UFO case files, allowing for direct comparison with events like the Moroccan sightings. Studying these records can help identify patterns and official responses.
- Wikileaks Archive: For direct access to government communications, even those related to sensitive topics like UFOs, the Wikileaks database remains an invaluable, albeit sometimes challenging, resource.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the official classification of the Wikileaks cable?
The cable was originally classified as CONFIDENTIAL. It has since been declassified and released to the public.
Who requested the information about the UFO sightings from the U.S.?
The request was made by Colonel Housni Benslimane, Commander of the Royal Gendarmerie, on behalf of King Hassan II of Morocco.
When did the reported UFO sightings occur?
The sightings took place on the night of September 18-19, 1976, primarily between 0100 and 0130 hours.
What were the main descriptions of the UFOs?
Witnesses described the objects as either a silvery, luminous, flattened disc-shaped ball or a large, luminous tube-shaped object. Common characteristics included intermittent bright sparks from the rear and a lack of sound.
What was the U.S. response to the request for information?
The U.S. representative promised to "do what we could" to furnish any available information, indicating a willingness to cooperate and investigate the matter further.
Your Field Mission
The Rabat cable serves as a powerful reminder that official bodies often engage with anomalous phenomena behind closed doors. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to investigate the UFO reports specific to your own region or country.
- Research: Identify any documented UFO sightings in your area that have garnered official attention or witness testimony from credible sources (military, police, aviation personnel).
- Analyze: Compare the descriptions, timings, and geographical distribution of these local events to the patterns observed in the Moroccan case. Are there similarities in how the phenomena were described or reported?
- Document: Compile your findings. If you uncover compelling anecdotal or official reports, consider contacting local historical societies or journalism archives. The goal is to uncover the "hidden" history of aerial anomalies in your own backyard.
Share your preliminary findings or interesting local cases in the comments below. Let's build an international repository of investigated phenomena, starting with our immediate surroundings.
alejandro quintero ruiz is a veteran field investigator dedicated to the analysis of anomalous phenomena. His approach combines methodological skepticism with an open mind to the inexplicable, always seeking the truth behind the veil of reality. His extensive experience spans decades, meticulously documenting cases from spectral apparitions to unexplained aerial phenomena, always with a critical eye and a commitment to rigorous inquiry.
The analysis of events like the 1976 Moroccan UFO sightings, brought to light through declassified documents, is vital. It underscores that the unexplained has consistently captured the attention of those in power, prompting inquiries that often remain obscured from public view. While definitive answers remain elusive for many such cases, the diligent investigation and documentation of these official interactions provide invaluable data points for understanding the broader landscape of the paranormal and its intersection with human history and governance. The persistent similarity in witness accounts across time and geography continues to fuel the debate, urging us to maintain a critical yet open stance as we look to the skies—and to our archives—for answers.
