Papers d'Ovnis - 2a epoca - No 07

Magazine Overview

Title: Papers d'OVNIS
Issue: No. 7, II Época
Date: January-February 1998
Publisher: CENTRO DE ESTUDIOS INTERPLANETARIOS
Country: Spain
Original Language: Catalan

This issue of *Papers d'OVNIS* focuses on the role of the CIA in the study of UFOs from 1947 to 1990, based on a declassified report by historian Gerald K. Haines. The cover prominently features the CIA seal and the headline, "EL PAPEL DE LA C.I.A. EN EL ESTUDIO DE LOS OVNIS, 1947-1990" (The Role of the CIA in the Study of UFOs, 1947-1990).

The CIA's Role in the Study of UFOs, 1947-1990

The article details how the CIA's interest in UFOs emerged during the Cold War, coinciding with a surge in sightings in the late 1940s. The agency's involvement was initially driven by national security concerns, particularly the possibility of Soviet technological advancements or espionage. The report by Gerald K. Haines, published on the internet, acknowledged that the CIA had attempted to conceal its interest in the subject and admitted to manipulating information. While the report suggested that most sightings were explainable by terrestrial phenomena or secret aircraft, it also noted that explanations were sometimes falsified to cover up real investigations.

Early Interests and Projects (1947-1952)

The CIA closely monitored the U.S. Air Force's efforts, such as Project SIGN and Project GRUDGE, which aimed to collect, evaluate, and explain UFO sightings. These projects concluded that UFOs were not a direct threat to national security and could be explained by mundane causes. However, the CIA also questioned whether UFOs could represent a potential security threat, especially given the high number of sightings in 1952.

The Robertson Panel and Public Deception

The Robertson Panel, convened in 1953, reviewed available UFO evidence and concluded that most sightings were likely misidentifications or natural phenomena. The panel recommended discrediting UFO reports to prevent public hysteria and to avoid being exploited by potential enemies. This led to a policy of public education to downplay the significance of UFOs. The CIA's role in this panel was kept secret, contributing to later accusations of conspiracy and cover-up.

The U-2 and SR-71 Era

With the advent of high-altitude spy planes like the U-2 and SR-71, many UFO sightings were later attributed to these aircraft. The CIA and Air Force acknowledged that these planes, flying at altitudes far above commercial airliners, were often mistaken for UFOs. To protect these sensitive projects, the military reportedly issued false or misleading public statements, contributing to the UFO myth.

Decreased Interest and Continued Monitoring (1950s-1980s)

Following the Robertson Panel's findings, the CIA's direct interest in UFOs diminished, with the responsibility largely falling to the Air Force's Project BLUE BOOK. However, the agency continued to monitor UFO reports, particularly those with potential national security implications or links to Soviet activities. Concerns about psychological warfare and the use of UFO phenomena by adversaries were also noted.

The Roswell Incident and Majestic-12

The issue also touches upon the enduring controversy surrounding the Roswell incident of 1947 and the alleged Majestic-12 documents. While official investigations, like the Air Force's report on Roswell, attributed the debris to a secret high-altitude balloon project (Project MOGUL), skepticism and theories of alien recovery and government cover-ups persisted.

Later Years and Public Pressure

In the 1970s and 1980s, public pressure and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests led to the declassification of some CIA documents related to UFOs. However, the agency maintained a cautious approach, often citing national security reasons for withholding certain information. Despite the official stance, the belief in a government cover-up and the possibility of extraterrestrial visitation remained strong among many.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine's stance appears to be critical of government secrecy and cover-ups related to the UFO phenomenon. It highlights the discrepancies between official explanations and public perception, emphasizing the role of intelligence agencies like the CIA in shaping the narrative around UFOs. The editorial team's decision to dedicate an entire issue to translating and analyzing Haines' report underscores their commitment to shedding light on this controversial topic. The recurring theme is the tension between official investigations and the persistent public belief in extraterrestrial visitation and government concealment.

Notable Incidents Mentioned

• June 24, 1947: Kenneth Arnold's sighting of nine disk-shaped objects near Mount Rainier, Washington.
• July 1952: Radar anomalies over Washington D.C., attributed to temperature inversions.
• 1955: Senator Richard Russell's sighting of a flying saucer.
• 1952: UFO sightings captured on film near Tremonton, Utah, and Great Falls, Montana, later explained as reflections.

Key Persons and Organizations

The issue extensively mentions key figures within the CIA, Air Force, and ufology community, including Gerald K. Haines, H. Marshall Chadwell, Walter Bedell Smith, and ufologists like Donald Keyhoe and Stanton T. Friedman. Organizations like the CIA, U.S. Air Force, ATIC, and various UFO research groups are central to the narrative.

Themes and Tags

The primary themes are CIA, UFOs, government secrecy, Cold War, and espionage. Key tags include CIA, UFOs, unidentified flying objects, espionage, Cold War, Project Blue Book, U-2, SR-71 Blackbird, Roswell, government cover-up, intelligence, and history (1947-1990).

Summary of Key Articles/Sections

• Presentation: Discusses the public reaction to Gerald K. Haines' report on the CIA's UFO studies.
• The CIA's Role in the Study of UFOs, 1947-1990: The main article detailing the historical involvement of the CIA, its projects, and its evolving stance.
• Early Interests and Projects: Covers the initial concerns and investigations by the CIA and Air Force.
• The Robertson Panel: Details the findings and recommendations of the panel tasked with evaluating UFO evidence.
• The U-2 and SR-71 Era: Explains how spy planes were often mistaken for UFOs.
• Decreased Interest and Continued Monitoring: Describes the CIA's reduced direct involvement but continued oversight.
• The Roswell Incident and Majestic-12: Touches upon these controversial topics.
• Later Years and Public Pressure: Discusses FOIA requests and continued public skepticism.
• More UFOs in Catalonia: 1991-1996: A brief section listing local sightings.
• Declaration at the I World Forum of Ufology: A manifesto from a ufology congress in Brazil.

FAQ

• Q: What was the main purpose of the CIA's involvement in UFO studies? A: The CIA's initial involvement was driven by national security concerns, including potential Soviet technological advancements and espionage.
• Q: Did the CIA admit to manipulating information regarding UFOs? A: Yes, Gerald K. Haines' report acknowledged that the CIA had attempted to conceal its interest and admitted to informational manipulation.
• Q: What were the primary explanations for UFO sightings according to the CIA and Air Force? A: Explanations included misidentification of aircraft (U-2, SR-71), meteorological phenomena, optical illusions, and hoaxes.
• Q: What was the significance of Project BLUE BOOK? A: It was the U.S. Air Force's major effort to study UFOs in the 1950s-60s, aiming to explain sightings and reassure the public.
• Q: Did the CIA's involvement in UFO studies cease after the 1950s? A: While direct interest waned, the CIA continued to monitor UFO reports for national security implications and potential Soviet activities.

This issue of the magazine, identified by its page number '20', focuses on UFO sightings and unexplained aerial phenomena, primarily in Spain. The main cover story details an incident in the provinces of Granada and Jaén on February 10, 1998.

UFO Sighting in Granada and Jaén The primary article recounts a sighting by Miguel Angel Pereira and Mark Sanders on February 10, 1998, at 1:42 AM. While driving between Armilla and Granada, they witnessed an incredibly bright flash, followed by a vivid orange sphere with a blue, zigzagging tail. Pereira described the object as moving horizontally at high speed, approximately 500 meters above the ground, and estimated its speed to be comparable to a meteor. He noted the distinct colors of the sphere and its tail and the lack of sound. The object moved towards the Northwest (Jaén province) - Southeast direction. Mark Sanders only saw the flash, not the object itself. The sighting lasted about six seconds.

Similar phenomena were reported within a 100 km radius in the province of Jaén. Local Police officer Baldomero, on patrol around 1:40 AM, observed an intense white light that lasted 15-20 seconds, followed by a loud bang approximately 45 seconds later. He did not see a sphere. He mentioned that Civil Guard officers had also reported the incident. Other civilian witnesses, including Manuel López, a security guard at a cement factory, reported a blinding light entering his booth, but saw nothing upon going outside. López also described a penetrating buzzing sound. Juan Valiente, another factory worker, reported seeing a pendular, spherical orange object the previous evening.

Radio amateurs on channel 37 in Jaén also reported the phenomenon, with two of them seeing the luminosity and hearing two loud bangs a minute later, followed by an orange sphere heading southeast towards Granada. Truck drivers on the Granada-Jaén highway also witnessed the event and the sphere.

The source for this report is cited as Antonio Salinas Cervi from Sociedad de Investigaciones Biofísicas BETEL-GEUSE.

Lights That Are Not UFOs This section addresses sightings that were later identified as non-UFO phenomena.

On September 19, at 5:15 PM, several people in Alcalá de Henares observed three intensely illuminated objects moving in spiral trajectories. Upon closer inspection with binoculars, these were identified as large plastic packaging, with the product lettering almost legible. Their erratic movements were attributed to thermal columns of air and the reddish morning sun.

On November 20 and 22, luminous objects were sighted from Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, which were believed to be meteors.

Strange Lights in Vilassar de Mar (Barcelona) On November 29, at approximately 5:49 PM, while waiting for a train in Vilassar de Mar, a witness observed an object shining with excessive and irregular luminosity. The object was clearly not a star, as it shone brightly through dense clouds, suggesting it was in the Earth's atmosphere. After about two minutes, it began to blink rapidly and moved away at high speed, returning to its original position multiple times. A passing train interrupted the observation. When the witness located the light again, it had moved higher and then executed a perfect, fast straight line movement, stopping abruptly and disappearing.

The source is cited as CEI.

Blinding Light in La Terra Alta (Tarragona) On August 2, 1997, at 4:00 AM, Juan Campo and companions were traveling from La Fatarella to Bilbao via Fraga. About 20 kilometers from their starting point, a powerful light illuminated the second of two cars traveling in close proximity, without affecting the first. Searches around the vehicles revealed no source for the light.

The source is cited as Más Allá, issue 108 (February 1998).

New Ufological Organization in the USA This section introduces CUFOD (Citizens United For Open Disclosure), an organization with a singular objective: to expose alleged government cover-ups of the UFO/ET phenomenon. Unlike other organizations focused on studying sightings, abductions, or mutilations, CUFOD aims to pressure governments for action. They encourage individuals to send thousands of emails, faxes, and letters to draw media and governmental attention to the issue of alleged cover-ups. Membership in CUFOD is free.

The source is cited as http://208.199.26.77/.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The magazine consistently reports on UFO sightings and unexplained aerial phenomena, with a particular focus on incidents within Spain. It also includes sections that debunk or explain away certain sightings as natural phenomena or man-made objects. The inclusion of an article about CUFOD suggests an interest in the broader context of UFO research, including issues of government transparency and potential cover-ups. The editorial stance appears to be one of documenting reported phenomena while also providing rational explanations where possible, and highlighting organizations involved in the field.