Speculative Paper By N Kardashev and A Sakharov on Charged Mass in Space at Conference on Origins Of Life, Armenia, 6-8 September 1971/Low Scientific Level Of Other Soviet Papers

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CONFIDENTIAL

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4. The US attendee considers Kardashev to be very competent technically and further to be very self-possessed. He recalled an incident in the spring of 1971 when Kardashev, L I Matveyenko and he visited Academician Lev Artsimovich, secretary of the Academy's Department of General Physics and Astronomy. Matveyenko, Institute for Cosmic Research, is a Communist Party member and very expert in political matters. He was almost cringing in Artsimovich's presence whereas Kardashev was cool and confident in his business-like discussions with the senior Academician.

5. In general, the scientific level of most of the Soviet papers at this Conference was not very high. One little known Soviet [source could not recall his name] gave a very naive paper on the detectability of planets. Another Soviet, who was a member of a committee the USSR has established to investigate unusual phenomena, in other words, flying saucers, gave a serious talk which was actually very humorous. His approach was, "Well, of course, we know there isn't anything to this alleged phenomenon (flying saucers), but on the other hand—." During this talk Shklovskiy and other Soviets joked and laughed and obviously did not take the speaker's remarks seriously. Shklovskiy remarked later to a US attendee that the "flying saucer committee" consists of many politicians, theorists, historians and similar type people. It has little if any scientific talent.

6. Shklovskiy gave a general, entertaining talk on some interesting but unimportant subject. Vitaliy L Ginzburg, one of the leading astronomers in the USSR, also gave a talk on the basis of physical theory, that is, the identification and comparison of fundamental assumptions in physics. Ginzburg has a first rate mind and is sounder in his physics knowledge than Shklovskiy. Ginzburg thinks realistically, which was shown in his answer to a US attendee's question about the Conference. The Soviet was asked whether the Conference was worthwhile in that it was mostly devoted to theoretical subjects, very remote from tangible goals. Ginzburg said, "Well, if it helps to build up support for the Soviet researchers to get new astronomical equipment, then certainly the Conference makes sense."

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