UFO inquiry event described as 'cosmic Watergate' by organizers

For years, governments and world leaders have hid the truth about the existence of UFOs orflying saucers, saysVictorViggiani.

This is a hearing, an inquiry into the evidence.- VictorViggiani, UFO panel organizer

The former elementary school principal hopes this truth will be exposed this weekend at an eventin Brantford called the Alien Cosmic Expo what he calls a "cosmic Watergate."

Held at the Best Western Hotel, thegathering is described as a national inquiry into the existence of flying saucers.

Viggiani, 68,said his rolewas to put togethera panel of UFO experts that could answer any questionsthat might come up about extraterrestrials and possible cover-ups.

ThroughoutSaturday, a panel of seven experts will each take 10 minutes to acknowledge the existence of UFOs and an allegedworldwide government cover-up. The panel includesPaulHellyer, a former Canadian defence minister.

"This is a hearing, an inquiry into the evidence," Viggiani said in a phone interview Friday.

Over the years, he said, there have been many conferences touching on the existence of beings from another world. But never before has there been a national inquiry about it.

An open discussion about UFOs

To contrast the panel of experts,Viggianihas invited severaljournalists from local media outlets skeptics willing to keep an open mind to conduct the hearing. They will present their evidence, and the media will ask their questions, he said. The exchange will besimilar to what one might see incourtroom.

We want the government to understand that we know what's going on.- VictorViggiani

"We want to have an open discussion on this," he said,adding this is why it was important for the media attending to be skeptical and ask real questions.

"At conferences, you're just speaking to the choir," he said. At this event, experts will be asked realquestionsand demand real answers.

"These guys will be able to answer any question (the media) may have."

So far, around 230 people are registered to attend, he said. There are still seats available for Saturday.A ticket costs $99.

BesidesHellyer,the UFO experts making up thepanel include the follows:

• Richard Dolan, UFO author and researcher.
• SteveBassettofParadigm Research Group.
• Nick Pope, UFO author and investigator.
• Grant Cameron, UFO researcher.
• Stanton Friedman, retired nuclear physicist.
• Travis Walton, allegedabductee.

This inquiry is "acosmic Watergate," Viggianisaid. "We want the government to understand that we know what's going on."

More information on Viggiani's research is available on his blog.

chris.seto@cbc.ca | @TopherSeto