AFU newsletter

Magazine Overview

This issue of the AFU Newsletter (issue 22, dated August-December 1981) from the Archives for UFO Research (AFU) in Sweden focuses on a variety of UFO-related topics, with a significant portion dedicated to the "Inner Earth Theory" and UFO sightings within Sweden. The newsletter is published by AFU, with Anders Liljegren as the editor and Håkan Blomqvist as a contributing editor. The ISSN is 0349-2346, and the price for non-Scandinavian areas is 35 Swedish kronor for a one-year subscription (three issues).

Editorial

The editorial, written by Anders Liljegren, announces a new direction for the newsletter, with an increased emphasis on English-language articles and news, starting from page one. This shift has proven successful, and AFU is establishing more international contacts and exchange agreements with over 100 newsletters. The editorial highlights AFU's extensive library, which includes approximately 900 titles of Scandinavian and English/American literature, six bookshelf sections of UFO magazines, and a collection of about 15,000 press clippings. AFU aims to be an open-minded, yet skeptical, source of information and mutual contact for UFO research in Sweden and Scandinavia. Future issues are planned to include interviews and insights into Swedish contactee lore by Håkan Blomqvist, focusing on occult, religious, and folklore connections. The editorial also mentions an upcoming translated article on the "modern" ghost flyers of the 1970s and a documentary article on a 1974 Swedish abduction case. A warning is issued about a potentially false article on Swedish UFO research being spread by an unscrupulous writer. Finally, the editorial reminds readers of AFU's new postal address.

The Inner Earth Theory - A Source Study

Written by Håkan Blomqvist, this article explores the "Inner Earth Theory," which suggests that UFOs may have an earth-based origin rather than being extraterrestrial. The author presents sources from occult literature, including works by Brinsley le Poer Trench, Charles Leadbeater, and Alice Bailey, who hinted at "vast cavities" within the Earth inhabited by different evolutions of beings. Dr. Douglas Baker describes an out-of-the-body experience visiting an underground civilization of "Atlantean degenerates" practicing occult arts. The article also touches upon the Richard Shaver material and the "Deros," described as degenerate descendants of Atlanteans inhabiting underground regions. Contactee literature is also referenced, with mentions of entities from the inner earth by Will and Evelyn Miller, and a theory of an "inner-earth mafia connection" involving degenerated races and negative interplanetary visitors. The article concludes by referencing a story of two coal miners trapped in a mine who encountered three mysterious men, described with rugged features and slightly pointed ears, a description that aligns with MIB-type encounters.

More Than a Scientific Problem

This section discusses the implications of the Inner Earth Theory and the broader UFO phenomenon, suggesting that widespread acceptance could lead to paranoia. It argues that UFOs represent an "intelligence problem" as much as a scientific one, implying deliberate interference and deception by unknown groups. The author suggests that solving the UFO enigma requires more than just scientific procedures, advocating for an awareness of intelligence work and ESP. The possibility of a "secret war" or power struggle between esoteric groups manipulating the UFO phenomenon is raised.

Reports

...AND INSIDE THERE WERE TWO GREY-BLACK CREATURES...

This report, summarized by the editor, details a UFO sighting by Kristina Rydholm and Nina Grundin near Örebro, Sweden, on November 1, 1980. The witnesses observed a large, anti-clockwise circular object that descended and hovered. They saw two grey-black creatures moving inside a curved "window" on the object. The object then ascended, and shortly after, the witnesses' car experienced vibrations and electrical failure. The object was described as oval, with a "greenish light" and "yellow windows." The report also includes a previous sighting by Kristina Rydholm in the summer of 1979 of a greyish-blue, oval object.

TV SET "DIED"

This report describes a UFO sighting by Gunnar Pettersson in the Örebro area on November 3, 1980. While watching television, he observed a strong greenish light from a cigar-shaped object at an altitude of about 100 meters. The object moved slowly and silently. During the sighting, his TV set went black and remained so until the object disappeared.

New Books

This section provides a curated list of new books and publications related to UFOs and fortean phenomena, compiled from the AFU's international index. It includes reviews and descriptions of various titles, such as "1981 UFO Literature Reference Guide & Catalog," "A UFO Guide to Fate," "The Hidden World," and "Intelligenze extra-Terrestri." The list covers a range of perspectives, from skeptical analyses to those embracing contactee accounts and occult interpretations.

Follow-up

THE FALSE REPORT FROM LOCH NESS, OR... THE DANGER OF GETTING TOO MUCH INVOLVED

Written by Anders Liljegren, this follow-up addresses a controversy surrounding Jan-Ove Sundberg, a Swedish ufologist and writer, who was portrayed as a hoaxer in an article titled "False Report from Loch Ness." Sundberg had claimed to have witnessed and photographed a UFO landing near Loch Ness in August 1971. The article by Stuart Campbell challenges this claim, citing doubts from UFO researcher Ted Holiday and John Kees. Liljegren notes that Sundberg has decided to postpone his active interest in the UFO field due to subsequent shocking incidents, including claims of seeing a MIB type and experiencing telephone harassment. Sundberg is also known for his belief in UFOs (Unidentified Submarine Objects) and has a book on the subject in preparation. The article also mentions Sundberg's interest in "ghost flyer" sightings in Sweden and his reduced interest in UFOs to a more "sound" level.

Exchanges

This section lists amendments to AFU's exchange mailing list, providing updated addresses for various UFO-related publications and organizations worldwide. It also notes the discontinuation of some publications, such as the BUFORA Journal and Journal UFO.

Magazines

This section reviews several UFO-related magazines and newsletters, including:

• New England UFO Newsletter: Features investigation reports, close encounter cases, and comparisons between UFOs and occult traditions.
• Zetetic Scholar: The official organ of the Center for Scientific Anomalies Research, presenting reports on ongoing research, including a critical study of Peter Hurkos and an examination of UFO sightings among engineers and scientists.
• Frontiers of Science: Includes an article questioning whether ufology is a "Twentieth Century Witchhunt" and an interview with Trevor James Constable.
• Skeptica: A new Danish magazine with a critical attitude towards forteana and pseudoscience, aiming to bring sound skepticism.
• UFO-Information: Covers a recent Swedish case of a horse being burnt by a "flying ribbon" and uses various sources for its articles.
• UFO-Sverige-Aktuellt: UFO-Sweden's new magazine, which has improved in layout and illustrations, featuring an interview with a Swedish inventor and a report on a UFO sighting by a Swedish poet.

Recensioner (Reviews)

VÄLSKRIVEN BOK OM NIKOLA TESLA'S LIV (A Well-Written Book About Nikola Tesla's Life)

This review discusses a book about Nikola Tesla, highlighting his unique ability to visualize inventions mentally. It details his invention of the alternating current motor and generator, and his sale of patents to George Westinghouse. The review notes that Tesla's ideas were often ahead of their time and that some of his inventions, particularly an "anti-war machine," are speculated to have been suppressed due to their potential to disrupt military-industrial interests. The review also mentions a theory that Tesla may have been influenced by "extraterrestrial contacts" and had a device for communicating with Venusians.

Forskning (Research)

PETROZAVODSK-FENOMENEN BEKRÄFTADE (Petrozavodsk Phenomena Confirmed)

This research report discusses the mysterious phenomena observed over Petrozavodsk, Soviet Union, on September 20, 1977. An American astronomer, Dale P. Cruikshank, visited the Soviet Union and met with Russian astronomers, confirming reports from the National Enquirer. Investigations revealed glass rulers with small holes and coffee cup-sized holes in pavements after the phenomenon passed. Russian colleagues suggest these phenomena have occurred about 30 times since the city was established as a base for launching Soviet spy satellites. The report also touches upon the possibility of these phenomena being related to the U-137 submarine incident in Sweden.

UFO-FENOMEN OCH VARIATIONER HOS GEOFYSISKA DATA (UFO Phenomena and Variations in Geophysical Data)

This section details a study that analyzed geophysical data in relation to 73 well-documented American UFO cases. The study aimed to identify potential correlations between UFO sightings and geophysical parameters. While many parameters showed no significant correlation, five types of data indicated possible causal relationships: geomagnetic activity index, magnetic storms, solar protons, "f-plots" (anomalous ionization layers in the atmosphere), and "normal magnetograms." The findings suggest that geomagnetic disturbances may be linked to UFO phenomena, a conclusion previously noted by Claude Poher.

Nyförvärv (New Acquisitions)

This section lists recent additions to the AFU library, including books, brochures, and periodicals on UFOs, contactee cases, and related topics. Titles cover a wide range of subjects, from bibliographies and historical accounts to analyses of specific cases and theories.

AFUs bokfond (AFU's Book Fund)

This brief note encourages financial contributions to AFU's book fund, stating that donations are invested in materials that will be valuable for Swedish UFO research in the future and may become difficult to acquire later.

Forskning (Research) - Continued

Sociologisk studie av ufologer (Sociological Study of Ufologists)

This article summarizes a study conducted by sociologists David Stupple and Abdollah Dashti on customers of Saucerian Press, a small American publisher specializing in contactee cases. The study, based on a questionnaire sent to 4,400 customers, categorized respondents into "mystics" (who recommended authors like Adamski and Menger) and "scientists" (who preferred Hynek and Vallée). The study found that those interested in contactee literature showed little interest in occultism unless it was directly linked to UFO theories. The authors concluded that Barker's contact literature followers form a distinct group with their own belief system. The "scientist" group also showed interest in contact experiences, particularly "Men in Black" (MIB) reports, which have increased in the US. A significant majority of respondents believed that authorities were conspiring to hide the truth about UFOs, with the extraterrestrial theory being the most popular, followed by "fourth dimension" and "inner earth" theories. Few respondents had personal experiences that could serve as reality tests for their beliefs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The AFU Newsletter consistently promotes UFO research and documentation, maintaining an open yet critical stance. Themes recurring throughout this issue include the exploration of alternative origins for UFOs (Inner Earth Theory), detailed accounts of sightings within Sweden, the role of contactees, and the intersection of UFO phenomena with occultism and folklore. The editorial emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and maintaining a comprehensive archive. There is a clear effort to present a balanced view, including skeptical analyses and critiques of potentially false reports, while also acknowledging the complexity and mystery of the UFO phenomenon. The newsletter encourages reader participation through letters, contributions, and financial support.