Papers d'Ovnis - 1a epoca - No 23-24

Magazine Overview

Title: Papers d'OVNIS
Issue Date: November-December 1995 (Issues 23-24)
Publisher: Centre d'Estudis Interplanetaris (CEI)
Country of Publication: Spain
Original Language: Catalan (with Spanish content)

This issue of "Papers d'OVNIS" focuses heavily on the Roswell incident, presenting it as "The Great Deception" (El Gran Engaño). It critically examines various aspects of the event, including alleged government cover-ups, the controversial "alien autopsy" film, and the literary origins of UFO narratives. The magazine also touches upon UFO sightings in Argentina, common misidentifications of aerial phenomena, and the official stances of defense ministries on the subject.

Editorial: LA CIA Y OTRAS HIERBAS (The CIA and Other Weeds)

Pere Redón's editorial addresses the tendency towards excessive passion and personal attacks within the UFO community, particularly in Spain. He notes that accusations of CEI members belonging to the CIA have persisted since 1968, with individuals like Andreas Faber Kaiser and now Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos being targeted. Redón defends against these accusations, attributing them to sensationalism and a misunderstanding of professional activities related to defense. He laments the difficulty of proving innocence against slander and the tendency to attack those who defend others.

Cover Story: ROSWELL: EL GRAN ENGAÑO (Roswell: The Great Deception)

This central article argues that the Roswell incident is a multifaceted deception. It outlines four key elements:

1. The USAF Cover-up: The initial report of a crashed flying saucer was quickly retracted and replaced with the explanation of a weather balloon to conceal a secret project.
2. The Alien Storytellers: Professional science fiction writers and sensationalists have perpetuated the alien narrative, using dubious "irrefutable evidence" like the Majestic-12 documents.
3. Ray Santilli's Alien Autopsy Film: This film is presented as a special effects masquerade, possibly a prelude to a larger production or an international publicity stunt.
4. Local Exploitation: In Roswell itself, some individuals capitalize on the incident's popularity by fabricating stories for tourists.

The article provides a brief history, noting that the Roswell incident occurred shortly after the birth of modern ufology in July 1947. It details the initial press release from the Roswell air base mentioning a flying saucer, followed by the retraction from Fort Worth, Texas, attributing it to a weather balloon. It also mentions Stanton Friedman's later involvement and the 1980 book "The Roswell Incident."

The Majestic-12 Report

This section, authored by Jordi Ardanuy and Martí Flò, analyzes the purported Majestic-12 (MJ-12) documents. It describes the three key documents: a 1947 memo from President Truman authorizing the creation of MJ-12, a preliminary report on the Roswell crash and its occupants, and a 1954 memo from Eisenhower to the USAF Chief of Staff regarding a meeting. The article highlights Philip Klass's 1989 debunking of the Truman memo, showing the signature was identical to an unrelated 1947 letter, proving its forgery. It points to William Moore as a key figure in the dissemination of these documents and suggests his involvement in their fabrication.

ROSWELL, 1947: THE BALLOON KEEPS DEFLATING

Authored by Jordi Ardanuy and Martí Flò, this article presents the official USAF explanation for the Roswell incident. It details Project Mogul, a secret program involving high-altitude balloons equipped with acoustic sensors to detect Soviet nuclear tests. The article explains that the debris found by Mac Brazel on his ranch near Roswell consisted of materials consistent with Project Mogul balloons, such as aluminum foil, balsa wood, and a black box (sonobuoy). It recounts how Major Jesse Marcel of the Roswell Army Air Field collected the debris, and how the initial press release mentioning a flying saucer was quickly superseded by a statement identifying the wreckage as a weather balloon. The article cites the 1995 GAO report, which found no evidence of a UFO crash and confirmed the Project Mogul explanation. It also critiques the credibility of certain witnesses and authors who continue to promote the alien hypothesis, suggesting financial motives and inconsistencies in their accounts.

LA PELÍCULA DEL AÑO (The Film of the Year)

This article by Martí Flò and Jordi Ardanuy critically examines the 1995 "alien autopsy" film attributed to Ray Santilli. It notes that Santilli claimed the footage was shot by a USAF officer named Jack Barnett. The article raises several doubts about the film's authenticity: specialists in special effects consider it a trick, Santilli has refused to allow independent analysis of the original film, the alleged cameraman Jack Barnett cannot be found, and the morphology of the beings in the film does not match descriptions from Roswell witnesses. The article also mentions the suspicious timing of Santilli's gradual release of "evidence" and the financial interests potentially involved, citing the "Morgana Productions" photos as further evidence of fabrication.

¿QUIÉN SE ESTRELLÓ PRIMERO? (Who Crashed First?)

Manuel Borraz traces the historical roots of the "crashed alien" narrative. He discusses the 1897 Aurora, Texas, incident and an earlier 1877 report from Carcarañá, Argentina, involving a "martian" found with a crashed aerolite. Borraz references Nigel Watson's research, which points to an even earlier account published in the French newspaper "Le Pays" in 1864, detailing a similar event. He notes that the concept of "plurality of worlds" was popular in the mid-19th century, and that these early stories may have influenced later UFO narratives, blurring the lines between fact and fiction.

POE, WELLS Y VERNE: El incierto origen de los «ufonáutas» (The Uncertain Origin of the "Ufonauts")

Jordi Ardanuy Baró explores the literary origins of UFO narratives, crediting Edgar Allan Poe's "The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym" (1837) for introducing strange creatures from other spaces or times. H.G. Wells's "The War of the Worlds" (1896) is highlighted for popularizing the idea of extraterrestrial contact, particularly with Martians. Jules Verne's "Journey to the Center of the Earth" (1864) is mentioned for its concept of "intraterrestrials." The author concludes that these literary works laid the foundation for the modern UFO mythos, encompassing extraterrestrials, beings from other dimensions, intraterrestrials, and future humans.

OVNIS EN ARGENTINA (UFOs in Argentina)

This section, attributed to the Red Argentina de Ovnilogía (RAO), reports on 25 UFO incidents in Argentina during the first eight months of the year. The RAO, which believes in the extraterrestrial origin of UFOs, suggests that Argentina's vast, unpopulated areas are attractive for alien landings. Several cases are briefly mentioned, including sightings of luminous objects, formations of lights, and objects interacting with aircraft.

FENÓMENOS Y OBJETOS ATÍPICOS QUE PUEDEN CONFUNDIRSE CON OVNIS (Anomalous Phenomena and Objects That Can Be Confused with UFOs)

This section provides explanations for various phenomena that might be mistaken for UFOs:

• SOUNDING ROCKETS (COHETES RADIOSONDAS): High-altitude rockets used for meteorological data collection, which can appear as unusual aerial objects.
• AVIATION FLARES (BENGALAS ILUMINADORAS DE AVIACION): Flares deployed by military aircraft for night reconnaissance can create regular flashes of light.
• ARTIFICIAL AURORAS (AURORAS ARTIFICIALES): Experiments by NASA involving the release of barium and lithium in the upper atmosphere have created luminous clouds that have been mistaken for UFOs.
• ILLUMINATION BALLOONS (GLOBOS DE ILUMINACION): Large, powerful halogen-lit balloons used for civil night activities can appear as spherical UFOs when viewed from a distance.
• MILITARY JET EXHAUSTS (TOBERAS DE AVIONES REACTORES MILITARES): The incandescent exhaust from jet reactors, especially with afterburners, can create luminous effects that resemble UFOs.
• TOWED MAGNETOMETERS (MAGNETÓMETROS REMOLCADOS POR AVIONES): Fusiform magnetometers towed by aircraft for magnetic surveys have been mistaken for UFOs.
• LASER FOR POLLUTION DETECTION (LÁSER PARA DETECTAR CONTAMINACION): Laser systems used for atmospheric pollution detection can create luminous phenomena in the sky.
• SUBMARINE ALERT FLARES (BENGALAS DE ALERTA EN SUBMARINOS): Green flares launched by submarines before surfacing can be mistaken for UFOs by observers on ships or the coast.

THE BRITISH MINISTRY OF DEFENCE AND UFOS

This article details correspondence between Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos and Miss K. Philpott of the UK Ministry of Defence. Philpott clarifies that the Ministry's concern is solely with UK security and the identification of potential threats. Their office acts as a central point for reports of unexplained aerial phenomena to assess any threat. If no defense significance is found, their interest ends. This aligns with the Spanish Air Force's approach, indicating a low interest in UFOs unless they pose a security risk.

NOTA A LOS LECTORES DE PAPERS D'OVNIS (Note to the Readers of Papers d'OVNIS)

The CEI is investigating a UFO case near Paní mountain, Roses (Girona), on September 13, 1991, involving a luminous circle. Readers are asked to check local newspapers from that date and report any relevant information, including whether discotheques or special events used lasers or spotlights that could have caused a similar effect.

PRENSA: EL LADO OBSCURO DE LA UFOLOGÍA (Press: The Dark Side of Ufology)

This section recounts the tragic death of Pere Joan Socies Suau, a 26-year-old man from Mallorca who drowned while fleeing the leader of a UFO-related cult. The cult leader, Daniel, allegedly had manipulative powers and convinced his followers of his supernatural abilities. Socies was reportedly pressured to marry a virgin to reincarnate as their child. Fearing Daniel's influence, Socies fled but drowned attempting to reach Alcudia. Daniel then told his followers that Socies had been taken by a UFO.

The article also references the "suicides of Terrassa," where Marius Lleget, a founder of CEI, was implicated after two individuals left a note stating "Extraterrestrials call us, we belong to the infinite." Lleget received a letter from them explaining they had been mutated and were leaving Earth. The author questions whether all UFO enthusiasts bear some responsibility for such events.

Presencia del CEI en el Congreso de Sheffield (CEI's Presence at the Sheffield Congress)

Vicente Juan Ballester Olmos represented the CEI at an international UFO congress in Sheffield, UK. He presented on the declassification of Spanish Air Force UFO documents, deeming it a positive development. The congress also featured the screening of the "alien autopsy" film, which was a major draw. Luis R. González Manso also attended.

Extraterrestre autopropulsado o demonio ancestral (Self-propelled Extraterrestrial or Ancestral Demon)

This brief report describes an encounter by Melchor Prieto Dosal in Cantabria, Spain, with a strange, anthropomorphic being. The witness initially mistook it for a balloon but then observed its unusual features. The event has led to local speculation about extraterrestrials or ancient demons.

Oleada de ovnis en Chile (UFO Wave in Chile)

A brief report mentions a wave of UFO sightings in Chile during October 1995, including an object observed near Arica that emitted intense, color-changing light without producing noise.

Desclasificado el famoso «caso de los Misiles de Canarias» (The Famous "Canary Islands Missile Case" Declassified)

In October 1995, the Spanish Air Force declassified documents related to a UFO sighting in the Canary Islands on March 5, 1979, known as the "Missile Case." The documentation comprises over two hundred pages.

Confirmado: derribo de un OVNI (Confirmed: Downing of a UFO)

This short piece humorously reports that the Belarusian Air Force shot down a UFO on September 12, 1995. However, the "UFO" turned out to be a hot air balloon participating in the Gordon Bennett Cup, which had strayed into restricted airspace. The incident resulted in the tragic deaths of the balloon's two occupants.

XXVIII Festival Internacional de Cine Fantástico de Sitges (XXVIII International Festival of Fantastic Cinema of Sitges)

This article reviews the 28th edition of the Sitges Fantastic Film Festival, held in October 1995. It highlights the screening of "Species (Especie Mortal)," an alien-themed film featuring creature design by H.R. Giger and special effects inspired by "Alien" and "Jurassic Park." The festival also included retrospective sections on extraterrestrial cinema, featuring classics like "Alien," "The War of the Worlds," and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." The award for best film went to "Citizen X," while "Species" won for special effects. The author notes that the festival's overall quality was considered diminished this year.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of the Roswell incident, the debunking of UFO claims through scientific and official explanations, and the exploration of the cultural and literary influences on UFO beliefs. The magazine adopts a skeptical yet investigative stance, aiming to separate fact from fiction and expose potential hoaxes and misinterpretations within the ufological community. There is a clear emphasis on providing evidence-based analysis and questioning sensationalist claims. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting rational inquiry and discouraging personal attacks and unsubstantiated theories within the field of ufology.