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ATLANTIS DISCOVERY TELEGRAMS
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NOTE |
The following telegrams contain the US government's records of the disastrous 1973 expedition of Maxine Asher and 70 other educators and students to find Atlantis. Sponsored by Pepperdine University, the group, led by the self-proclaimed "psychic" Asher, claimed to have found Atlantis off the coast of Cadiz. The fascist Spanish government of Franco mistook them for spies thanks to the US government's unusual advocacy of their cause, though Asher maintains to this day that the Spanish persecuted her and her group for weeks to hide their discovery of Atlantis, with support from "the Jews" and Catholics.
As events spiraled into an international incident, National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger was notified, and Asher appealed by cable to President Richard Nixon for aid. The memos make quite clear that the US government never believed in the existence of Atlantis in Spain and that it was members of Congress and the media that pressured the Nixon administration to assist in the search for Atlantis. |
12 April 1973
DRAFTED BY CU/ WE: PHJACOBY: JS
4/12/73 EXT 20528
APPROVED BY CU/ WE: RSTRAUS
--------------------- 055190
R 122023 Z APR 73
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY MADRID
UNCLAS STATE 068358
E. O. 11652: N/ A
TAGS: SCUL
SUBJECT: ATLANTIS PROJECT
DEPT HAS BEEN ADVISED THAT MRS. MAXINE ASCHER AND DR. JULIAN NAVA OF ANCIENT MEDITERRANEAN RESEARCH ASSOCIATION WILL ARRIVE MADRID TW 904 SATURDAY APRIL 14, STAYING AT HOTEL EUROBUILDING. WILL CALL ON PAO MONDAY APRIL 16, HOPING TO SEE AMBASSADOR RIVERO LATER IN WEEK. ROGERS
UNCLASSIFIED
4/12/73 EXT 20528
APPROVED BY CU/ WE: RSTRAUS
--------------------- 055190
R 122023 Z APR 73
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY MADRID
UNCLAS STATE 068358
E. O. 11652: N/ A
TAGS: SCUL
SUBJECT: ATLANTIS PROJECT
DEPT HAS BEEN ADVISED THAT MRS. MAXINE ASCHER AND DR. JULIAN NAVA OF ANCIENT MEDITERRANEAN RESEARCH ASSOCIATION WILL ARRIVE MADRID TW 904 SATURDAY APRIL 14, STAYING AT HOTEL EUROBUILDING. WILL CALL ON PAO MONDAY APRIL 16, HOPING TO SEE AMBASSADOR RIVERO LATER IN WEEK. ROGERS
UNCLASSIFIED
27 April 1973
R 271654 Z APR 73
FM AMEMBASSY MADRID
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5632
UNCLAS MADRID 2297
E. O. 11652: N/ A
TAGS: SCUL
SUBJECT: ATLANTIS PROJECT
REF STATE 68358
1. EMB IS ASSISTING DIRECTORS OF SUBJECT PROJECT WITH GOS MINISTRIES. DIRECTOR ASHER MET WITH AMBASSADOR LAST WEEK.
2. SHE WILL BE IN WASHINGTON AREA ABOUT MAY 16. EMBASSY REQUESTS CU ASSISTANCE FOR ASHER IN CONTACTING AMERICAN PROFESSORS. CONGRESSIONAL INTEREST. RIVERO
UNCLASSIFIED
NMAFVVZCZ
FM AMEMBASSY MADRID
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5632
UNCLAS MADRID 2297
E. O. 11652: N/ A
TAGS: SCUL
SUBJECT: ATLANTIS PROJECT
REF STATE 68358
1. EMB IS ASSISTING DIRECTORS OF SUBJECT PROJECT WITH GOS MINISTRIES. DIRECTOR ASHER MET WITH AMBASSADOR LAST WEEK.
2. SHE WILL BE IN WASHINGTON AREA ABOUT MAY 16. EMBASSY REQUESTS CU ASSISTANCE FOR ASHER IN CONTACTING AMERICAN PROFESSORS. CONGRESSIONAL INTEREST. RIVERO
UNCLASSIFIED
NMAFVVZCZ
14 May 1973
R 141650 Z MAY 73
FM AMEMBASSY MADRID
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5746
UNCLAS MADRID 2636
E. O. 11652: N/ A
TAGS: SCUL
SUBJECT: ATLANTIS PROJECT
REF: STATE 83585 A-200, AUG 22 1972
PLEASE PASS FOLLOWING TO ACIENT MEDITERRANEAN ASSOCIATION: QUOTE: NOTA VERBAL SENT TO SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTRY REQUESTING CLEARANCE FOR SHIP BAHIA DE CADIZ TO EXPLORE IN SPANISH WATERS JULY 9 - AUGUST 17, AS REQUIRED BY SPANISH SOP. END QUOTE. RIVERO
UNCLASSIFIED
NMAFVVZCZ
FM AMEMBASSY MADRID
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5746
UNCLAS MADRID 2636
E. O. 11652: N/ A
TAGS: SCUL
SUBJECT: ATLANTIS PROJECT
REF: STATE 83585 A-200, AUG 22 1972
PLEASE PASS FOLLOWING TO ACIENT MEDITERRANEAN ASSOCIATION: QUOTE: NOTA VERBAL SENT TO SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTRY REQUESTING CLEARANCE FOR SHIP BAHIA DE CADIZ TO EXPLORE IN SPANISH WATERS JULY 9 - AUGUST 17, AS REQUIRED BY SPANISH SOP. END QUOTE. RIVERO
UNCLASSIFIED
NMAFVVZCZ
3 July 1973
O 031808 Z JUL 73FM AMEMBASSY MADRID
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6126
UNCLAS MADRID 3746
E. O. 11652: N/ A
TAGS: SCUL OCLR SP
SUBJ: DENIAL OF RESEARCH PERMIT FOR ATLANTIS PROJECT
REF: MADRID 3273
PLEASE PASS TO PEPPERDINE COLLEGE
1. ON 25 JUNE 72, THE CAPTAIN GENERAL OF THE MARITIME ZONE DENIED AUTHORIZATION REQUESTED BY THE ANCIENT MEDITERRANEAN RESEARCH ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH OFF CADIZ COAST.
2. THE DENIAL FORESEEN IN MADRID REFTEL.
3. PEPPERDINE SHOULD BE ADVISED OF PERMIT DENIAL WHICH WOULD SERIOUSLY ALTER PROGRAM, BEFORE STUDENTS DEPART US, JULY 5-6, DATE PROVIDED TO EMBASSY BY MAXINE ASHER.
4. IN MEANTIME EMBASSY DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO REVERSE DECISION BUT GIVEN HISTORY THIS PROJECT WE CANNOT GUARANTEE FAVORABLE RESULT. SEN. ALAN CRANSTON INTERESTED. RIVERO
NOTE BY OC/ T: NOT PASSED PEPPERDINE COLLEGE
UNCLASSIFIED
NNNNMAFVVZCZ
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6126
UNCLAS MADRID 3746
E. O. 11652: N/ A
TAGS: SCUL OCLR SP
SUBJ: DENIAL OF RESEARCH PERMIT FOR ATLANTIS PROJECT
REF: MADRID 3273
PLEASE PASS TO PEPPERDINE COLLEGE
1. ON 25 JUNE 72, THE CAPTAIN GENERAL OF THE MARITIME ZONE DENIED AUTHORIZATION REQUESTED BY THE ANCIENT MEDITERRANEAN RESEARCH ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH OFF CADIZ COAST.
2. THE DENIAL FORESEEN IN MADRID REFTEL.
3. PEPPERDINE SHOULD BE ADVISED OF PERMIT DENIAL WHICH WOULD SERIOUSLY ALTER PROGRAM, BEFORE STUDENTS DEPART US, JULY 5-6, DATE PROVIDED TO EMBASSY BY MAXINE ASHER.
4. IN MEANTIME EMBASSY DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO REVERSE DECISION BUT GIVEN HISTORY THIS PROJECT WE CANNOT GUARANTEE FAVORABLE RESULT. SEN. ALAN CRANSTON INTERESTED. RIVERO
NOTE BY OC/ T: NOT PASSED PEPPERDINE COLLEGE
UNCLASSIFIED
NNNNMAFVVZCZ
5-6 July 1973
The text of telegrams describing the Pepperdine expedition's "continuing complications" has been lost.
24 July 1973
O R 241015Z JUL 73
FM AMEMBASSY MADRID
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6282
INFO AMCONSUL BARCELONA
AMCONSUL BILBAO
AMCONSUL SEVILLE
UNCLAS MADRID 4142
E.O. 11652: N/A
TAGS: SCUL, OCLR, SP
SUBJECT: ATLANTIS PROJECT
REF MADRID 3273, 3746, 3770 STATE 132919
1. VIEW HEAVY PRESS COVERAGE PEPPERDINE/AMRA EXPEDITION EMBASSY REPORTS LATEST DEVELOPMENTS CASE FOR
POSSIBLE DEPARTMENT REPLIES CONGRESS AND PRESS INQUIRIES. EMBASSY PLANS REFER PRESS INQUIRIES TO SPANISH AUTHORITIES UNTIL LEGAL ISSUES BETTER KNOWN.
2. ACCORDING INFORMATION IN PRESS SPANISH OFFICIALS HALTED ALL DIVING ACTIVITIES BY THE ATLANTIS GROUP FOLLOWING CLAIM BY GROUP TO HAVE PROBABLY DISCOVERED ATLANTIS. HEARING HELD JULY 23 BEFORE CADIZ MAGISTRATE TO ASCERTAIN GROUP'S PURPOSES. THIS PROCEEDING MERE INVESTIGATION, NOT TRIAL. ASHER REPORTED IN PRESS AS STATING GROUP WILL NOT APPEAR BEFORE MAGISTRATE PRIOR "SUMMIT MEETING" WITH AMBASSADOR AND GOS NAVY MINISTER, ALTHOUGH EMBASSY UNDERSTANDS SHE AND CO-DIRECTOR DID ATTEND.
3. DEPARTMENT WILL RECAL (MADRID 3746) EMBASSY NOTIFIED WASHINGTON DENIAL SPANISH GOVERNMENT PERMISSION UNDERTAKE REFERENCE RESEARCH. COPY NOTIFICATION THIS DENIAL SENT ASHER, EMBASSY UNDERSTANDS. THEN, LETTER SENT FROM AMBASSADOR TO NAVY MINISTER REQUESTING RECONSIDERATION OF THEIR REQUEST (MADRID 3770) WHICH MINISTER DID APPROVE. HOWEVER, COMMANDER CADIZ NAVAL DISTRICT PROTESTED TO NAVY MINISTRY AND PERMISSION THEN WITHDRAWN.
4. FYI: UNOFFICIAL SOURCES HAVE INFORMED EMBASSY THAT NAVY OFFICIALS CADIZ QUITE MIFFED ASHER DISPLAY OF
LETTERS FROM U.S. SENATORS IN ATTEMPT INFLUENCE DECISION.
5. UPI MADRID CORRESPONDENT CALLED EMBASSY PRESS OFFICER AND REPORTED CONVERSATION WITH MISS ASHER AFTER HEARING. SHE AND DR. NAVA REGARD ATLANTIX PROJECT "STALEMATED" BUT PLAN GO ON WITH CLASSROOM WORK IN CADIZ AREA. UPI REPRESENTATIVE STATED OFF-THE-RECORD HE DOES NOT PLAN CONTINUE COVERING STORY. RIVERO
UNCLASSIFIED
NNN
FM AMEMBASSY MADRID
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6282
INFO AMCONSUL BARCELONA
AMCONSUL BILBAO
AMCONSUL SEVILLE
UNCLAS MADRID 4142
E.O. 11652: N/A
TAGS: SCUL, OCLR, SP
SUBJECT: ATLANTIS PROJECT
REF MADRID 3273, 3746, 3770 STATE 132919
1. VIEW HEAVY PRESS COVERAGE PEPPERDINE/AMRA EXPEDITION EMBASSY REPORTS LATEST DEVELOPMENTS CASE FOR
POSSIBLE DEPARTMENT REPLIES CONGRESS AND PRESS INQUIRIES. EMBASSY PLANS REFER PRESS INQUIRIES TO SPANISH AUTHORITIES UNTIL LEGAL ISSUES BETTER KNOWN.
2. ACCORDING INFORMATION IN PRESS SPANISH OFFICIALS HALTED ALL DIVING ACTIVITIES BY THE ATLANTIS GROUP FOLLOWING CLAIM BY GROUP TO HAVE PROBABLY DISCOVERED ATLANTIS. HEARING HELD JULY 23 BEFORE CADIZ MAGISTRATE TO ASCERTAIN GROUP'S PURPOSES. THIS PROCEEDING MERE INVESTIGATION, NOT TRIAL. ASHER REPORTED IN PRESS AS STATING GROUP WILL NOT APPEAR BEFORE MAGISTRATE PRIOR "SUMMIT MEETING" WITH AMBASSADOR AND GOS NAVY MINISTER, ALTHOUGH EMBASSY UNDERSTANDS SHE AND CO-DIRECTOR DID ATTEND.
3. DEPARTMENT WILL RECAL (MADRID 3746) EMBASSY NOTIFIED WASHINGTON DENIAL SPANISH GOVERNMENT PERMISSION UNDERTAKE REFERENCE RESEARCH. COPY NOTIFICATION THIS DENIAL SENT ASHER, EMBASSY UNDERSTANDS. THEN, LETTER SENT FROM AMBASSADOR TO NAVY MINISTER REQUESTING RECONSIDERATION OF THEIR REQUEST (MADRID 3770) WHICH MINISTER DID APPROVE. HOWEVER, COMMANDER CADIZ NAVAL DISTRICT PROTESTED TO NAVY MINISTRY AND PERMISSION THEN WITHDRAWN.
4. FYI: UNOFFICIAL SOURCES HAVE INFORMED EMBASSY THAT NAVY OFFICIALS CADIZ QUITE MIFFED ASHER DISPLAY OF
LETTERS FROM U.S. SENATORS IN ATTEMPT INFLUENCE DECISION.
5. UPI MADRID CORRESPONDENT CALLED EMBASSY PRESS OFFICER AND REPORTED CONVERSATION WITH MISS ASHER AFTER HEARING. SHE AND DR. NAVA REGARD ATLANTIX PROJECT "STALEMATED" BUT PLAN GO ON WITH CLASSROOM WORK IN CADIZ AREA. UPI REPRESENTATIVE STATED OFF-THE-RECORD HE DOES NOT PLAN CONTINUE COVERING STORY. RIVERO
UNCLASSIFIED
NNN
30 July 1973
R 301641Z JUL 73
FM AMEMBASSY MADRID
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6327
UNCLAS MADRID 4279
E.O. 11652: N/A
TAGS: SCUL OCLR SP
SUBJECT: ATLANTIS PROJECT - GOS EXPLAINS DENIAL OF PERMIT
1. TRANSLATED BELOW (UNESSENTIAL WORDS OMITTED) IS AN OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE PRESS OFFICE OF THE SPANISH NAVY MINISTRY WHICH MAY PROVE USEFUL TO THE DEPT IN RESPONDING TO INQUIRIES.
2. QTE CONCERNING SOME REPORTS WHICH HAVE APPEARED RECENTLY IN THE FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC PRESS ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES OF A GROUP OF AMERICAN CITIZENS IN THE WATERS OF CADIZ, DIRECTED TO FINDING ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRACES OF ATLANTIS, THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT IS MADE:
3. QTE THE LEADERSHIP GRANTED PERMISSION FROM THIS MINISTRY FOR THIS PURPOSE AS IS REQUIRED BY LAW NUMBER 60 OF 1962. THIS LAW CONCERNS MARITIME DISCOVIERIES AND THEIR REMOVAL, AND SETS FORTH A SERIES OF REQUIRED LEGAL STEPS.
4. QTE IN THE COURSE OF THE RELEVANT INVESTIGATION THE FOLLOWING WAS BROUGHT OUT AND SATISFACTORILY ESTABLISHED: THERE IS A GROUP OF FOREIGNERS WHO, MAKING USE OF THE STUDIES PROPOSED BY THIS EXPEDITION AS A COVER, WERE SEEKING PERSONAL GAIN, TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE NATIONAL INTERESTS WHICH ARE SAFEGUARDED BY THE LAW CITED ABOVE.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 MADRID 04279 310749Z
FM AMEMBASSY MADRID
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6327
UNCLAS MADRID 4279
E.O. 11652: N/A
TAGS: SCUL OCLR SP
SUBJECT: ATLANTIS PROJECT - GOS EXPLAINS DENIAL OF PERMIT
1. TRANSLATED BELOW (UNESSENTIAL WORDS OMITTED) IS AN OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE PRESS OFFICE OF THE SPANISH NAVY MINISTRY WHICH MAY PROVE USEFUL TO THE DEPT IN RESPONDING TO INQUIRIES.
2. QTE CONCERNING SOME REPORTS WHICH HAVE APPEARED RECENTLY IN THE FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC PRESS ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES OF A GROUP OF AMERICAN CITIZENS IN THE WATERS OF CADIZ, DIRECTED TO FINDING ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRACES OF ATLANTIS, THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT IS MADE:
3. QTE THE LEADERSHIP GRANTED PERMISSION FROM THIS MINISTRY FOR THIS PURPOSE AS IS REQUIRED BY LAW NUMBER 60 OF 1962. THIS LAW CONCERNS MARITIME DISCOVIERIES AND THEIR REMOVAL, AND SETS FORTH A SERIES OF REQUIRED LEGAL STEPS.
4. QTE IN THE COURSE OF THE RELEVANT INVESTIGATION THE FOLLOWING WAS BROUGHT OUT AND SATISFACTORILY ESTABLISHED: THERE IS A GROUP OF FOREIGNERS WHO, MAKING USE OF THE STUDIES PROPOSED BY THIS EXPEDITION AS A COVER, WERE SEEKING PERSONAL GAIN, TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE NATIONAL INTERESTS WHICH ARE SAFEGUARDED BY THE LAW CITED ABOVE.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 MADRID 04279 310749Z
31 July 1973
DRAFTED BY EUR/IB:HMCCOWN:LSC
7/31/73 EXT. 22633
APPROVED BY EUR/IB - EMRABENOLD
H - MR. MACKENZIE (INFO)
SCA/SCS - MISS HENDERSON (INFO)
--------------------- 105452
R 010012Z AUG 73
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY MADRID
INFO AMCONSUL SEVILLE
UNCLAS STATE 150781
E.O. 11652: N/A
TAGS: SCUL OCLR SP
SUBJECT: ATLANTIS PROJECT COMPLAINT TO PRESIDENT
REF: MADRID 4279 (NOTAL)
1. FYI, DEPARTMENT HAS JUST RECEIVED COPY COMMERCIAL CABLE SENT JULY 22 TO PRESIDENT NIXON AS FOLLOWS:
'SEVERE AND UNREASONABLE HARASSMENT IN CADIZ OF MY PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY PROJECT BY SPANISH NAVY FOLLOWING DISCOVERY OF ATLANTIS IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS. HAVE ADVISED U.S. EMBASSY SPAIN, SENATORS TUNNEY AND CRANSTON PLEASE HELP -- 55 AMERICANS PROTEST UNFAIR ACTIONS MAXINE ASHER EDUCATION CONSULTANT PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY"
2. REFTEL (AND PREVIOUS) PASSED TO OFFICES SENATORS TUNNEY AND CRANSTON. APPRECIATE FURTHER REPORTS OF SITUATION AS WARRANTED. ROGERS
UNCLASSIFIED
NNN
7/31/73 EXT. 22633
APPROVED BY EUR/IB - EMRABENOLD
H - MR. MACKENZIE (INFO)
SCA/SCS - MISS HENDERSON (INFO)
--------------------- 105452
R 010012Z AUG 73
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY MADRID
INFO AMCONSUL SEVILLE
UNCLAS STATE 150781
E.O. 11652: N/A
TAGS: SCUL OCLR SP
SUBJECT: ATLANTIS PROJECT COMPLAINT TO PRESIDENT
REF: MADRID 4279 (NOTAL)
1. FYI, DEPARTMENT HAS JUST RECEIVED COPY COMMERCIAL CABLE SENT JULY 22 TO PRESIDENT NIXON AS FOLLOWS:
'SEVERE AND UNREASONABLE HARASSMENT IN CADIZ OF MY PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY PROJECT BY SPANISH NAVY FOLLOWING DISCOVERY OF ATLANTIS IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS. HAVE ADVISED U.S. EMBASSY SPAIN, SENATORS TUNNEY AND CRANSTON PLEASE HELP -- 55 AMERICANS PROTEST UNFAIR ACTIONS MAXINE ASHER EDUCATION CONSULTANT PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY"
2. REFTEL (AND PREVIOUS) PASSED TO OFFICES SENATORS TUNNEY AND CRANSTON. APPRECIATE FURTHER REPORTS OF SITUATION AS WARRANTED. ROGERS
UNCLASSIFIED
NNN
