AESV - no 14

Magazine Overview

This issue of "L'ASSOCIATION D'ÉTUDE SUR LES SOUCOUPES VOLANTES" (AESV), titled "OVNI," is the 14th quarterly publication of its 5th year, published in November 1980. It is priced at 3.5 Swiss Francs or 8 French Francs and carries the ISSN 0223-0976.

Editorial and Administrative Information

The editorial section, titled "édit' help," discusses significant changes within AESV over the past nine months. Due to health reasons and a lack of volunteers, Perry Petrakis is stepping down from his role as publication director and general secretary. AESV-Suisse will now handle the general secretariat and publication of the bulletin. A complete reorganization of AESV is underway, including the revision of statutes to align with the evolution of independent ufology. The bulletin's delayed appearance is attributed to financial difficulties, with the publication of this issue still awaiting necessary funds. The editorial appeals for collaboration from members, subscribers, and readers through subscriptions, recruiting new members, financial support, and advertising.

A list of "Ten Tips for Killing Your Association" is humorously presented, advising against attending meetings, arriving late, criticizing leadership, avoiding responsibility, and making suggestions.

Contact information for AESV-Suisse (Vevey), AESV-France (Aix-en-Provence), and AESV-Belgique (Kalmthout) is provided, along with phone numbers for Switzerland.

The issue is published by A.E.S.V. and is printed in French.

Key Articles and Features

A. Ribera at the House of Lords

Antonio Ribera, a Spanish ufologist, delivered a speech to the Study Group on UFOs of the House of Lords on December 11, 1979. He emphasizes that the problem of UFOs is linked to the existence of life elsewhere and potentially interconnected universes. Ribera suggests that current human technology is limited and that superior technologies, as described in documents from entities like the UMMO group, can traverse interstellar distances by manipulating space. He criticizes the provincialism of human science, which often dismisses new ideas, citing Galileo and the Wright brothers as examples. Ribera argues that UFOs should be studied by ufologists with an open mind, focusing strictly on facts, and that current scientific instruments may be inadequate to understand the phenomenon. He also touches upon the idea that mystical interpretations of UFOs, such as chariots of angels or demonic manifestations, are misguided, and that UFOs should be studied as a phenomenon in themselves.

Le Point sur les Contactes (The Point on Contacts)

This section features an interview with Jean-Pierre Troadec, who has been actively involved in ufology for 10 years and is vice-president of GREFO. He manages a database of over 300 contact cases, including 200 contacts, 60 abductions, and 40 teletransports. Troadec defines a contact case as an exchange of information through various means, including telepathy, and includes religious apparitions and psychic phenomena. He explains his classification system and research sources, which include press, books, and archives. Troadec discusses the inclusion of abduction and teleportation cases, noting that abductions often involve messages and that witnesses may experience altered states of consciousness. He also explores the psychological and sociological aspects of contact cases, suggesting that while some cases may have psychological origins, the phenomenon itself is not necessarily psychiatric. He believes that understanding contact cases could shed light on the origin of UFOs.

Notes Littéraires (Literary Notes)

• Le Geometricon: This section recommends graphic novels by Jean-Pierre Petit that explore concepts of geometry, space, and dimension in an accessible way.
• UFO... Contact from the Pleiades: This review discusses a book dedicated to Eduard Meyer, a contactee from Switzerland, who claims to have had contact with beings from the Pleiades. The review expresses skepticism about the authenticity of the photographic evidence presented, suggesting it may be fabricated.

Humour

A humorous piece titled "Les Soucoupes et le Code de la Route" (Flying Saucers and the Highway Code) is presented, featuring a cartoon of a UFO being pulled over by a police officer.

Opinion: L'Europe de l'ufologie (Opinion: The Europe of Ufology)

Yves Bosson argues for a more structured and unified approach to ufology in Europe. He criticizes the current fragmented state of European ufological organizations, particularly the CECRU (European UFO Research Coordination Committee), suggesting it needs to evolve into a more cohesive federation. Bosson proposes that national organizations, like the French federation, should be the building blocks of a European ufological structure, fostering better cooperation and information exchange.

Le CECRU (The CECRU)

This section reports on the 7th session of the CECRU held in Dijon on May 17-18, 1980. Twenty-two groups and one independent researcher attended. Key discussions included the global ordering of optical diffraction networks, the implementation of a new system for UFO sighting reports, an investigation into the alleged contactee Vorilhon, and the drafting of a code of ethics for ufological research. A proposal for a French ufological federation was decided upon, moving closer to a unified European ufology.

La Page de l'ASCRU (The ASCRU Page)

This section details the activities of the Swiss Association for Coordination and Ufological Research (ASCRU). It reports on a meeting held in Vevey on May 3, 1980, attended by various Swiss ufological groups. The meeting focused on establishing concrete work for ASCRU, including a lecture tour by Michel Figuet and the creation of a Swiss UFO observation catalog. The section also mentions the dissolution of the UFO-KLUB DUEDINGEN due to a lack of volunteers and a critique of a TV program called 'Temps Présent' regarding its UFO coverage.

Temps Présent et les OVNI (Present Time and UFOs)

This article critiques a TV program called 'Temps Présent' that focused on UFOs. The author argues that the program was tendentious, sensationalist, and lacked scientific rigor. It is accused of promoting the idea that UFOs are extraterrestrial spacecraft and of discrediting witnesses and researchers who hold different views. The article points out factual inaccuracies and the program's reliance on questionable sources.

Infovni

This section is a call for information from AESV-Suisse and ASCRU, seeking any data (press articles, investigations, photos, etc.) related to UFO sightings in Switzerland. It also announces the creation of a new study group in Puy-de-Dôme, France, called GEOVI, which plans to publish a bulletin. News about the British UFO Research Association (BUFORA) and its new president, Lord Kings Norton, is also included, along with details of the second BUFORA congress.

Fantastique Contact en Bretagne (Fantastic Contact in Brittany)

This is a detailed report of a UFO encounter that occurred in April 1960 in Finistère Sud, France. The witness, Armand B., a farmer, reported being approached by a humanoid who invited him into a craft. Inside, he observed control panels and a mechanism involving rotating metal balls. The humanoid claimed to be from Canada and stated that UFOs are Canadian in origin. The report includes a map of the location and a sketch of the object. The investigators, Jean-Pierre and Lilyane Troadec, note similarities to other contact cases, such as the rope ladder and the description of the craft's propulsion system.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a serious and scientific approach to ufology, while also acknowledging the need for international cooperation and standardization of research methods. There is a clear stance against sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims, as evidenced by the critique of the 'Temps Présent' program and the skepticism towards certain contactee accounts. The publication emphasizes the importance of open-mindedness, critical thinking, and rigorous investigation in understanding the UFO phenomenon. The editorial also highlights the ongoing challenges of funding and volunteer support within ufological organizations.

Title: Les Cahiers de l'Ufologie
Issue: 10
Volume: 1
Year: 1980

This issue of Les Cahiers de l'Ufologie, published by the Observatoire des Parasciences in France, focuses heavily on the analysis of UFO phenomena and the potential nature of entities involved. It features contributions from various ufologists and includes news and reviews relevant to the field.

Key Articles and Content

The Nature of UFO Specialists and Phenomena

Antonio Ribera, in an article translated from English, argues that understanding UFO phenomena requires open-minded individuals, referred to as 'ufo-logues,' who are capable of setting aside pre-conceived notions. He suggests that UFOs act as a mirror reflecting the observer's own characteristics, yet the phenomenon itself possesses a reality that defies current classifications.

Review of "Les Apparitions d'Humanoides" by Eric Zurcher

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a review of Eric Zurcher's book, "Les Apparitions d'Humanoides." The review highlights Zurcher's statistical approach to understanding humanoid encounters. A specific 'recipe' is humorously presented for observing humanoids, involving specific conditions and locations in the Nord department of France. Zurcher's core theory posits that UFOs are not mere objects but advanced technological constructs, possibly a blend of material and immaterial support for a superior intelligence. He suggests that animal reactions to UFOs indicate the phenomenon is relatively recent, and that 'paralysis' experienced by witnesses might be a form of motor inhibition rather than true paralysis. The review also touches upon Zurcher's interpretation of 'living scenes' witnessed by observers, suggesting these are three-dimensional projections rather than literal events, capable of leaving physical traces. The reviewer notes the striking similarity between two reported cases, one from Canada in 1950 and another from France in 1954, which Zurcher uses to support his theory.

The review questions how Zurcher explains instances where witnesses have managed to repel these 'images.' It also raises the question of the identity of this superior intelligence, referencing various theories from 'galactic people' to 'diabolical spirits' and 'planetary spirits.'

Divers (Miscellaneous)

This section includes several items:

• Obituary: A tribute to Jacques Iund, who passed away at the age of 39. He is remembered as a co-founder and instigator of ASCRU and the founding president of the Société Lausannoise d'Etude des Phénomènes Spatiaux. He was also a quartermaster-timonier in the French Navy and a recipient of the Algerian Campaign medal.
• Upcoming Event: Jean-Claude Bourret is scheduled to give a conference in Evian on December 15th.
• Editorial Note: The editorial team announces an effort to improve the presentation of the bulletin and expand its horizons to include international information. This issue contains only original articles, interviews, and translations. They apologize for not being able to publish articles on Professor J. A. Hynek's visit to Switzerland and M. Figuet's tour due to space limitations, promising to include them in the next issue.
• Future Content: The next issue will be a double issue, approximately 40 pages, and will include the continuation of articles by A. Ribera and D. Haisell, reports from Montluçon 80, MUFON symposia in Houston and Germany, the CECRU session in Lyon, ASCRU meetings, an interview with A. Ribera, an editorial titled "Cherchons ufologues" (Let's look for ufologists), an article "Et si on cassait la soucoupe" (What if we broke the saucer?), and other regular features like "Coin de la Page" and "Interview."

Advertisements and Announcements

• Travaux Photo: An advertisement for professional photo services, including enlargements and portraits, by A.E.S.V.-Suisse.
• Publicité: An announcement suggesting that if your advertisement were there, it would be read.
• Traductions: Services for English-French and French-English translations are offered by A.E.S.V.-Suisse.
• Attention Bulletin No. 10: An announcement promoting Bulletin No. 10, dedicated to Jean Migueres, which claims to expose a significant deception. It is available for 10 FF or 4 FS.
• AESV Bulletin: Information about the availability of AESV bulletin No. 11, which has been re-edited, and other available issues (Nos 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13).
• Advertisers: A call to support advertisers as they help the publication.
• Uniphot SA: An advertisement for photo-ciné services in Fleurier, Switzerland, offering a complementary guarantee against risks of destruction, deterioration, and breakage for equipment valued over 400 Swiss Francs.
• Revelation du Message des Soucoupes Volantes: An advertisement for a book that claims to reveal the origin and mission of flying saucers, available by ordering from Courrier Vigilance.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of UFOs and potential extraterrestrial or non-human intelligences. There's a strong emphasis on critical analysis, moving beyond simplistic explanations, and the need for open-mindedness in the study of these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of rigorous investigation, as evidenced by the detailed review of Zurcher's work and the promise of in-depth reporting on various ufological events and research. The publication also seems to foster a community of researchers, as indicated by the mentions of ASCRU and other ufological groups, and the inclusion of news and event announcements.