Papers d'OVNIS

Magazine Overview

Title: Papers d'OVNIS
Issue: Número 3
Date: March 1994
Publisher: Centre d'Estudis Interplanetaris (CEI)
Country: Spain
Language: Catalan (with Spanish articles)

This issue of Papers d'OVNIS, the bulletin of the Centre d'Estudis Interplanetaris, features a cover story about the alleged abduction of former UN Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuellar by extraterrestrials in 1989. The magazine includes a variety of articles, editorials, and reports on UFO phenomena, historical cases, and the study of UFOs in Spain.

Editorial: Hay que debatir y no desmadrar sobre los OVNIS

This editorial, written by Joan Crexell, critiques a TV program about UFOs aired on TV3-Televisió de Catalunya. The author expresses disappointment with the program's sensationalist approach and the lack of a serious moderator, which led to public participation turning into a 'circus of absurdities.' While acknowledging the contributions of some panelists, including Antoni Ribera, Joan Plana, and Javier Sierra, the editorial argues that the debate should be conducted with more rigor and less spectacle. The author laments the missed opportunity for a genuinely informative discussion on the UFO phenomenon.

El Ejército español del Aire y los OVNIS: la historia

This article details a conference by investigator Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos on the history of UFO sightings within the Spanish Air Force. Ballester Olmos, an expert on 'close encounters,' has been studying military involvement with UFOs since before 1988. The article highlights the significant declassification of 35 Spanish Air Force UFO files, dating from 1962 to 1975 (with a 1993 update), totaling nearly 500 pages. This declassification, partly facilitated by Ballester Olmos's efforts, has made extensive information accessible to ufologists. The article notes the honesty of the Spanish Air Force in this process, refuting claims of deliberate concealment. It mentions that most cases have rational explanations, with only one military-involved case from Burgos in 1975 remaining unexplained.

Muy Interesante Article

An article in the magazine 'Muy Interesante' is cited, emphasizing Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos's role in the declassification of Spanish Air Force UFO archives. The article states that rational explanations exist for 41 out of 42 reported sightings between 1962 and 1993, attributing the remaining cases to factors like radar echoes, planetary reflections, or jet aircraft tests. The magazine also highlights the unexplained military case from Burgos in 1975, which Papers d'OVNIS had previously covered.

OVNI en el cel de Barcelona el 1704

This article by Joan Crexell investigates a significant UFO sighting reported over Barcelona on Christmas Day, 1704. The event, described in contemporary documents and accompanied by drawings, involved a brilliant celestial phenomenon with a fiery appearance, lights, and loud noises, lasting for about an hour. The author presents multiple accounts, including one from the 'Dietari del Consell de Cent' and a description from a document by Doctor Joan Solar. The phenomenon was interpreted as a portent of future miseries for Catalonia. Crexell notes that the description of the object—capable of producing light, color, noise, and movement—suggests a material object, possibly a UFO adapting to the era's understanding, similar to the 1897-1898 wave of sightings in the USA. A brief mention is made of a similar sighting in Switzerland on November 4, 1704.

El diario El País y el Fenómeno OVNI

Pere Redon's article discusses two references to UFOs in the Spanish newspaper El País. The first, an article titled 'Paseos en OVNI,' is linked to Jim Schnabel's book 'Dark White' and details the alleged abduction of Javier Pérez de Cuellar in 1989. The author criticizes the current state of ufology in the USA, contrasting it with the more rigorous work of figures like James McDonald and J. Allen Hynek. The second reference is a report based on a survey by sociologist John Miller, which revealed a significant interest in UFOs among the Spanish population, with 39% believing UFOs are spacecraft from other civilizations. The article also touches upon common misconceptions about science and technology in Spain.

Història del CEI: Renovació del CEI (1967-1968)

This historical account by Joan Crexell details the revitalization of the Centre d'Estudis Interplanetaris (CEI) between 1967 and 1968. After a period of inactivity following internal issues in 1961, a group of founding members continued to meet. In mid-1966, Joan Crexell joined, inspired by Antoni Ribera's book. A press announcement in September 1967 seeking serious individuals interested in UFOs led to the formation of a new group, which eventually merged with the CEI in December 1967. A new board was elected in February 1968, and the CEI established a new office at Balmes 86, Barcelona, initiating the creation of a UFO case archive.

Un OVNI responde a señales en El Bruc (Cataluña 1989)

This article by Joan Muntaner describes a UFO sighting that occurred in the early morning of February 12, 1989, near El Bruc, Catalonia. Seven witnesses observed a yellow light that evolved into multiple lights, which appeared to respond to signals from their flashlights. The witnesses perceived a dark mass, estimated to be about ten meters long, emitting these lights. The lights moved, flashed, and seemed to mimic the flashlight signals. The phenomenon lasted for several minutes before disappearing. One witness described feeling heat and goosebumps.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Papers d'OVNIS include the critical examination of media coverage of UFO phenomena, the importance of rigorous investigation and debate, the historical documentation of UFO sightings in Spain, and the ongoing efforts of organizations like the CEI to study and archive UFO-related information. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of serious, scientific inquiry into UFOs, advocating for open access to information and a move away from sensationalism. There is a strong emphasis on historical cases and the declassification of official documents.