[Modernman]

But, but, that would mean the aliens could implant mind control devices into our leaders!

Nah. I doubt it would be the President (or, God forbid, Kofi Annan) who would go to meet the aliens. Some type of delegation, with representatives from all the major powers (the USA, the EU, China, India etc.) would be the logical group to send.

A lot of people seem to assume that aliens would automatically contact the US first. The logical thing for them to do might be to contact the political entity that represents the largest group of humans (i.e. China).

[Quix]

Military types and other delegates have met at Air Force bases. Reportedly, Ike met with them once at Edwards. That was the famous "trip to the dentist" cover story. The dentists wife said Ike never met with her husband.