AFU Newsletter - No 16 - 1979

Magazine Overview

This issue of AFU Nyhetsblad (Issue 16, June/September 1979) is a Swedish publication from the Archive for UFO Research (AFU). It features a prominent article on the case of Jüri Lina, a young Estonian facing religious persecution, and a report on a seminar held in Stockholm discussing UFO hypotheses. The newsletter also includes reviews of UFO literature, organizational updates, and a call for contributions.

The Case of Jüri Lina

The lead article, written by Andres Küng, details the experiences of Jüri Lina, a religious Estonian who faced professional prohibition and threats due to his beliefs. Lina started a film club in Tartu to show films not understood by the general public, which led to conflict with authorities. He also worked for the radio in Tallinn, presenting pop, beat, and folk music, and arranged for the first Western rock group to visit. His interest in unexplained phenomena, including UFOs, grew. Lina faced further difficulties when his film club was shut down by Soviet authorities, who accused him of religious propaganda and being anti-Soviet. He was subjected to KGB searches, with officers looking for 'anti-Soviet material.' Despite finding nothing, they confiscated theological books and a business card from a German ufologist. Lina began publishing abroad, particularly in Finnish, and has a book on Soviet UFO research forthcoming. He also wrote a book on rock music's role in socialist societies. The article highlights Lina's Christian faith, his observation that many young Estonians are turning to Baptist churches, and his warning about church leaders who may have collaborated with Soviet authorities.

Stockholm Seminar on UFO Hypotheses

A significant portion of the newsletter is dedicated to a seminar on UFO hypotheses held on March 10th in Stockholm, organized by the Association for Psychobiofysics. The seminar aimed to discuss and analyze various theories attempting to explain UFO observations. Tony Eckardt, chairman of Psykobiofysik, presented an initial list of nine theories: natural phenomena, extraterrestrial craft, unknown terrestrial craft, parallel dimensions, time machines, thought creations, falsifications, self-suggestion, and psychic experiences. Participants added two more: self-suggestion and psychic experiences. Thorvald Berthelsen, chairman of UFO-Sverige, presented his organization and suggested focusing on UFO side effects and contact cases rather than just physical manifestations. He estimated that natural phenomena and self-suggestion account for 80% of reports. Håkan Blomqvist presented material from Jacques Vallée and John Keel, noting a trend in UFO literature towards non-ET theories, linking UFOs to parapsychological phenomena, religion, folklore, and theories of UFOs acting as 'catalysts' for consciousness change. He suggested that 80% of unidentified phenomena could be attributed to theories 4, 6, and 9 (parallel dimensions, thought creations, and psychic experiences). Dr. Jens Tellefsen discussed possibilities for extraterrestrial life and patterns in UFO observations, noting that phenomena are often luminescent. He found theory 4 (parallel dimensions) particularly interesting, aligning with theories of multiple universes. Bertil Kuhlemann presented the U.R.D. project, a data project aiming to register UFO case information, and appealed for cooperation from UFO-Sverige. Jan Fjellander's presentation was described as emotional and engaging, discussing legends of African tribes, the Akakor chronicle, astroarchaeology, and the Tungus explosion as signs of historical intervention. He also mentioned new American documentation suggesting the retrieval of UFOs and their occupants. Fjellander proposed that UFO phenomena have para-physical characteristics and can be manipulated by unknown terrestrial groups, potentially influencing human consciousness and beliefs, and suggested that UFOs could be a 'collective phenomenon' driven by the human subconscious. He viewed ufology as a means to a new perspective on the world.

Reviews and Critiques

Several book reviews and critical analyses are featured:

• "En vision av 80-talets ufologi?": This review discusses Jacques Vallée's latest book, "Messengers of Deception," which proposes that UFO phenomena result from the activities of unknown terrestrial groups with advanced technology and psychic abilities, capable of manipulating humanity. The reviewer notes Vallée's evolution from traditional ETI theories to ideas of UFOs as a control system for human consciousness and beliefs. The review also touches upon the potential for UFO groups to be exploited for political purposes, citing Adamski and George Hunt Williamson's alleged connections to a Nazi leader.

• Critique of UFO-Sverige's Program: An extensive critique is presented regarding UFO-Sverige's program and its direction. The author questions the organization's claim of 2,500 members and its emphasis on 'creating opinion for UFO' over research. The critique highlights a perceived 'pseudo-religious, dissatisfied political, and defeatist' tone in the organization's leadership, which is seen as potentially harmful and detached from scientific inquiry. The article contrasts this with the more research-oriented approach of AFU and mentions the Köping group's development of an internationally recognized training package for field researchers.

• "Monster och Arketyper": This review discusses Jerome Clark and Loren Coleman's book "Creatures of the Outer Edge," which analyzes phenomena like Bigfoot and Mothman. The book posits that these and UFOs stem from the same source: our collective unconscious, manifesting as archetypes. The reviewer notes that while the book's interpretation is primarily psychological, it acknowledges the danger of 'over-psychologizing' and that some cases cannot be solely explained by psychological factors. The review also touches upon the idea that UFO phenomena are forcing humanity to re-evaluate its worldview.

• J. Allen Hynek and Project Blue Book: The newsletter mentions the upcoming Swedish translation of J. Allen Hynek's book compiling cases from the U.S. Air Force's Project Blue Book. The book is described as presenting detailed cases with Hynek's often divergent evaluations, and the review implies it may contain 'deliberate distortions of statistics and subjective explanations.'

AFU's Activities and Needs

The newsletter details AFU's operations, including its library services, bibliographic research, and information documentation. It lists contact persons for book loans, reviews, and information systems. AFU appeals for donations of books, periodicals, and other materials related to UFOs, as well as financial contributions to expand its book fund. It also promotes the sale of the "SVENSK UFO-BIBLIOGRAFI 1946-75" to support AFU's finances.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the persecution of individuals interested in UFOs in the Soviet bloc, the diverse and often controversial theories attempting to explain UFO phenomena, the importance of rigorous research versus opinion-building, and the critical examination of UFO organizations. The editorial stance, as reflected in the critique of UFO-Sverige and the promotion of AFU's research-oriented approach, favors a scientific, evidence-based investigation of UFOs, while acknowledging the psychological and societal implications of the phenomenon. There is a clear emphasis on critical thinking and a skepticism towards overly simplistic or religiously tinged explanations.

Title: UFO-Aktuellt
Issue: 11
Volume: 1979
Publisher: UFO-Sverige
Language: Swedish
Cover Headline: UFO-Rapporten

This issue of UFO-Aktuellt, dated 1979, focuses heavily on the Swedish translation of J. Allen Hynek's "UFO Report" and broader themes within ufology, including political involvement, scientific research, and statistical analysis of sightings.

Review: J. Allen Hynek's "UFO Report"

The issue opens with a review of the Swedish translation of J. Allen Hynek's "UFO Report." The reviewer, Anders Liljegren, acknowledges the value of having Hynek's work available in Swedish, especially as it comes directly from the author without the usual filters of other writers. However, Liljegren notes that much of the content is "old hat" for UFO enthusiasts. He expresses a preference for Hynek's earlier book, "The UFO Experience," which he considers better written. The Swedish translation is criticized for occasional tediousness and a lack of thorough proofreading and editing, with several errors noted, including the consistent mistranslation of "disc" as "disk." A positive point is made about the translation of "Close encounter" as "närhetsupplevelser" (proximity experience), avoiding the less accurate "närkontakt" (close contact).

Correction: Olle Öhman's Translation

Following the review, there is a section titled "RÄTTELSER" (Corrections) where Olle Öhman, the translator of J.-C. Bourret's book, addresses a point raised by the editor. Öhman clarifies that Robert Galley was the Minister of Defence during the period the book covers, and he was also known as "ministre des armées." He confirms this information was verified by the Swedish Institute of International Affairs and the University Library in Umeå. Öhman also corrects a potential misunderstanding regarding the broadcast of a program series on French TV, stating that "France-Inter" is a radio channel, not television. He explains that the confusion might stem from a letter he received from a French journalist who had made a UFO series for French TV. Öhman expresses regret for the error but emphasizes that it does not alter the content of the documentation itself.

Ufology and Politics

This section explores the intersection of ufology and politics, particularly in the USA and Sweden. It notes that ufologists, parapsychologists, and New Age proponents often have strong opinions about societal change. The article highlights Gabriel Green, president of the Amalgamated Flying Saucer Clubs of America (AFSCA), who ran for president in 1960 with the slogan "Abe in 1860 - Gabe in 1960." In Sweden, the newly formed "Hälso- och Miljöpartiet" (Health and Environment Party) is mentioned for including several individuals with ufological backgrounds on its candidate list, such as Carl-Axel Jonzon, Ulla Johansson, and Reinhold Carleby. The author observes that despite the seemingly confusing mix of individuals, the party has achieved some success, reflecting a trend in society.

New Books and AFU Library Additions

This part of the magazine lists recently published books and those acquired by the AFU (Archives for UFO Research) library. Books reviewed or listed include works by Daniel Cohen, Stan Deyo, Erich von Däniken, Morris Goran, Sherman J. Larsen, Walter Wiers, Clifford A. Wilson, John Weldon, and others covering topics from UFO phenomena and conspiracy theories to ancient astronauts and extraterrestrial contact.

Swedish Press Chronicle (Svensk Presskrönika)

This section provides a compilation of UFO-related news items from various Swedish newspapers and publications. Topics covered include:

• UFO-Köping: The positive impact of a UFO exhibition in Köping on tourism.
• Field Researchers: Mentions of individuals like Per Söderström and Mikael Nanne involved in UFO research.
• Scientific Beliefs: An interview with Jens Tellefsen discussing the complexity of UFOs.
• Media Coverage: Articles about UFO sightings, theories, and related events in different regions of Sweden.
• Political Motions: Jan Sima's motion regarding UFOs at a CUF (Centerpartiets Ungdomsförbund - Centre Party Youth League) meeting.
• Hypnosis Investigations: Reference to Alvin H. Lawson's hypnosis research on UFO sightings.
• Swedish UFO Organizations: Mentions of UFO-Sverige, Västerbergslagens UFO-Förening, and their activities, including a split from UFO-Sverige by the Västerbergslagen group.
• Contactee Accounts: References to figures like George Adamski and their claims.
• UFO Sightings: Reports of various sightings, including a CE2 case and a potential CE3 case.
• Government Research: A mention of FOA (Swedish Defence Research Agency) expert Sture Wickerts' views on UFO research and the possibility of government cover-ups.

International UFO Conference in London (BUFORA's London Congress)

Bertil Kuhlemann reports on the BUFORA International UFO Conference held in London. He describes BUFORA as a leading UFO research organization in England that focuses on developing the scientific quality of UFO research through extensive case investigations. The conference aimed to foster international cooperation, with representatives from various countries invited. The event was divided into an open session for the public and a closed "Working Party on International Standards in UFO Research." Kuhlemann notes that the "Working Party" faced challenges due to the prominent speakers also participating in the open sessions, limiting the time for in-depth discussions on topics like terminology, classification systems, and data processing.

Key points from the conference included:

• Leo Sprinkle's insights on human consciousness levels and the components of an observation situation.
• Allen Hynek's view that UFO research is in a crisis and the urgent need for a classification system to understand the origin of UFO phenomena.
• Peter Hill's emphasis on the failure to convert data into information and the importance of finding patterns.
• Bertil Kuhlemann's perspective on the reliance on human observation due to limited instrumental data and the need for a coordinated international effort, possibly requiring societal resources.

The report also mentions the presentation of Projekt URD's systematic approach and clear objectives, which were well-received.

UFO Knowledge: A Critique of Martin H. Sable's Bibliography

Anders Liljegren reviews Martin H. Sable's "Exobiology: A research guide," a bibliography of UFO and space research literature. Liljegren praises the extensive collection of references, particularly those in non-English languages, which would be valuable for the AFU library. However, he criticizes the lack of annotations, making it difficult for users to gauge the content of the works. He also points out several indexing errors, such as classifying works by Adamski and Fry under "teleportations" and the inclusion of irrelevant keywords while omitting crucial ones like "Abductions" and "Hypnosis." Liljegren suggests that Sable could have benefited from studying existing bibliographies, such as Lynn Catoe's and Kjell Jonsson's, which offer more structured and user-friendly indexes.

Industrial Scientists: Good Chance UFOs Exist in Some Form

This section presents the results of an opinion poll among over 1,200 industrial scientists and engineers regarding their beliefs about UFOs. Key findings include:

• Belief in Existence: 61% believe UFOs probably or definitely exist.
• Personal Sightings: 8% have seen a UFO, and another 10% think they might have.
• Origin of UFOs: Over 40% believe UFOs originate from "outer space," while only 2% believe they are from the USA. 28% consider them natural phenomena.
• Age Correlation: Younger researchers (under 26) are more than twice as likely to believe in UFOs than older researchers (over 65).
• Education Correlation: Increased education appears to correlate with reduced belief in UFO existence.
• Government Support: 51% believe the government should support further research into UFOs.

The poll also indicated that belief in UFOs is correlated with reading books on the subject, but not with personal sightings.

A Statistical Study of UFO Sightings in Sweden

This article presents a statistical analysis of UFO sightings in Sweden, divided by macro provinces (Norrland, Svealand, Götaland) and seasons. The study, based on the SweCat sample, found that:

• Seasonal Patterns: Sightings are most frequent during winter and spring/autumn in Norrland, while Götaland shows a higher rate in summer, potentially due to vacation activities.
• Time-of-Day Patterns: Winter activity peaked between 18-19 and 22-23 hours. Spring/autumn activity peaked later (20-21), and summer activity between 22-23 hours. Norrland cases showed a tendency to occur during "daytime" hours more than other regions.
• Arctic Regions: The article notes that further study of Arctic regions might be interesting, given the unique daylight conditions.

The study concludes that it is premature to establish a universal "Vallée time law" for UFO activity patterns.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, the challenges in classifying and understanding UFO reports, and the societal and political implications of ufology. There's a clear emphasis on the need for rigorous research, data collection, and international cooperation. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging serious, scientific inquiry into UFOs while acknowledging the difficulties and potential for misinterpretation or manipulation of information. The magazine also highlights the growing interest in UFOs within Sweden, as evidenced by media coverage and the activities of various UFO organizations.