APRO Bulletin - 1980 05 00 - Vol 28 No 11

Magazine Overview

This issue of "the apro bulletin" from May 1980, Volume 28, Number 11, covers a range of UFO-related topics, with a strong focus on phenomena in New Zealand and legal actions in the United States. The cover headline highlights "DIVERSE PHENOMENA IN N.Z." and specifically the "KAIKOURA CONTROVERSY."

Press Release: Group Sues More Federal Agencies Over UFO Documents; Pressure on CIA Continues.

A press release dated June 24, 1980, details lawsuits filed by Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS), a Washington D.C.-based public-interest group, against three Federal agencies: the National Security Agency (NSA), the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The suits, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, allege that these agencies have failed to comply with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) regarding unreleased UFO data. The action is spearheaded by New York City attorney Peter A. Gersten, whose previous litigation against the CIA for UFO records had garnered national attention.

The lawsuit against the NSA is expected to yield significant disclosures concerning the impact of UFOs on national security. The NSA contends that the documents are being withheld for national security reasons, despite the government's public stance that UFOs pose no threat. Gersten's action seeks to compel the NSA to release UFO-related records, including 18 documents referred by the CIA during the earlier CIA suit.

Regarding the DIA, Gersten asserts that the agency's search for UFO-related documents was inadequate. The DIA had previously denied possessing such documents, only to be embarrassed when the CIA's own search uncovered DIA-originated UFO records.

The FAA suit claims the administration conducted an insufficient search for UFO documents and charged unreasonable fees for the few documents it did locate.

In a related development, Gersten's two-year-old suit against the CIA has seen progress, yielding nearly 1,000 pages of UFO-related documents detailing the agency's 30-year involvement. However, the judge granted the CIA's motion for summary judgment on May 30, 1980, despite the agency admitting to withholding 57 documents. Furthermore, released documents suggest the CIA failed to disclose at least 200 additional UFO documents. Gersten filed a notice of appeal on June 24, 1980.

For interviews or copies of legal papers, Peter A. Gersten, Esq. can be contacted at (212) 992-9600.

The Kaikoura Controversy

By Kevin R. Berry, this article delves into UFO reports from Kaikoura, a town in the South Island of New Zealand, and its surrounding areas, which were reportedly buzzing with UFO activity during December 1978 and January 1979. Residents claim UFOs have been present for about three years, suggesting the area might be a "UFO entry window." Clarence, about 40 miles north of Kaikoura, is also mentioned.

Earlier Sightings

In 1978, two individuals driving to Kaikoura reported seeing a famous object hovering over the Hundalee Hills. One resident of Clarence described an object he initially mistook for a satellite but realized was not.

Diverse Phenomena in N.Z.

December 20, 1979, Napier's Marine Parade: A couple observed a moving light that fell erratically and vanished, only for a silvery-orange, ball-shaped object to appear and move at high speed. A second object followed the first at twice the speed, and both disappeared south.

April 27, 1980, Auckland: Four boys on a fishing expedition witnessed a strange glowing object, described as eye-shaped with brightly colored lights, moving about 50 feet above the ground. It appeared to land behind a hill, emitting a tremendous color. The boys' independent sketches of the object were identical.

Inquiries with the New Zealand Air Force revealed no planes in the area at the time. Within a week, two more sightings were reported, including a bright white light observed by Mrs. Grace Fry.

December 21, 1978, Blenheim to Christchurch: Captain John Randle of an Argosy aircraft reported "several white lights" over the sea off Kaikoura, tracked by Wellington radar at approximately 1250 mph. He had another sighting later while flying back to Auckland.

December 21, 1978, Blenheim to Christchurch (continued): While Captain Randle's UFOs were being tracked, Captain Vernon Powell of another Argosy reported something approaching at tremendous speed on radar, leaving a trail and covering 15 miles in 5 seconds, suggesting a speed over 10,000 mph. The object vanished from radar but reappeared as a flashing white light, pacing the plane for 20 km and changing color.

The Crockett Film (December 31, 1978): An Australian film crew aboard an Argosy filmed objects near their aircraft. The film, taken by David Crockett, shows a main object, orange on top and red on the bottom, about 100 ft. in diameter, which performed a giant loop in 1/20 of a second. A smaller, white, shuttle-shaped object and four smaller dots were also filmed. The film crew noted differences between the observed object and its appearance on film. The Royal New Zealand Air Force conducted a search for UFOs in the Kaikoura/Clarence area following this incident.

Guido Valentich: The father of a pilot who vanished over Bass Strait believes his son was abducted by a UFO, finding hope in the Crockett film.

The Television One Film (January 3, 1979): Three reporters filmed a light that rose over the treetops, darted, and appeared to rotate and glow. They estimated its altitude at 10,000 ft. A second yellowish object appeared later and scudded off. The object filmed was later identified by Dr. Bruce Maccabee as the planet Venus rising.

Other Sightings: The article lists numerous other sightings in New Zealand, including three UFOs over Clarence on December 23, 1978; a bright spherical light in Holland and London; a green light photographed in Christchurch; an egg-shaped light in Westport; a UFO causing radio interference in Hamilton; an object pacing a plane carrying the Prime Minister; and a vertical cigar-shaped object in Kaikoura. Many towns reported UFOs in early January.

Australia: A banana-shaped light was reported chasing a woman and her son in Queensland on January 3.

International Sightings: Reports of UFOs and third-kind encounters were also noted in England, Italy, Israel, USA, and South Africa.

The Explanations

The article addresses common explanations for UFO sightings, including Venus, Mercury, Mars, and Jupiter, but dismisses them as not matching the filmed objects. Balloons, squid boat lights, and car lights are also mentioned but deemed insufficient to explain high-speed or unusual maneuvers. Saucer-shaped clouds, warm dry air, light-reflecting sea-foam, and ball-lightning are also cited as potential explanations.

More on Mutilations

April 15-18, 1980, Santa Fe, New Mexico: Special Investigator Ken Rommel, a former FBI agent, concluded after nearly a year of investigation that "Mother Nature" is the primary culprit in cattle mutilations, attributing them to predation, scavenger activity, and normal decomposition. Rommel investigated approximately 25 cow carcasses. However, critics and those who have studied the phenomena since 1975 insist Rommel did not investigate "classic" mutilations and failed to consult knowledgeable ranchers and investigators. State Historian Myra Ellen Jenkins found no record of reported cattle mutilations in New Mexico prior to recent years. U.S. Senator Harrison Schmitt requested continued investigation.

Anatomy of a UFO Window (Conclusion)

By P. Wayne Laporte, this section explores the theory that UFOs might be a natural phenomenon related to seismic activity and electrical fields. The piezoelectric effect in crystalline rock, under seismic stress, can generate electrical fields that concentrate along fault lines. These fields could theoretically create low-level ionization of air molecules, potentially leading to phenomena like "spook lights" or "natural luminous phenomena" (NLs). The article notes that many known "spook light" locations are situated on geological fault maps.

Theories:

1. Energy Fields Causing Materialization: Energy fields could cause spontaneous materialization, though the immense energy required is a challenge.
2. Extraterrestrial Spaceships Using Natural Energy: UFOs might use natural and man-made electromagnetic power sources to boost their engines or teleport. This theory doesn't explain all observed phenomena.
3. Materialization from Another Dimension: UFOs and entities could be materializations from another dimension, possibly translating into our space-time continuum at areas of high energy (quartz deposits, generators) and de-materializing to return.

Critiques of the Theory:

• Plasmoid Independence: The theory relies on electrical columns projecting from the ground to sustain plasmoids, but some NLs appear to be self-sustaining and free-floating, not dependent on such columns.
• One-Sided Emission: Some NLs emit light from only one side, which is unusual for ionized balls of air.
• Multi-Witness Sightings and Landing Traces: Sightings of craft-like UFOs by multiple witnesses, coupled with landing traces, seem to refute the hallucination component of the seismic field theory.

Specific Cases:

• Hookerman Ghost Light (Indian Point, New Jersey): Observed near the Ramapo Border Fault, this light appeared only to observers on one side.
• Nara Nara, New Mexico (Summer 1978): During a period of seismic activity with livestock mutilations and reports of unmarked helicopters, several NLs were observed. A coordinated intercept by a small aircraft with ranchers failed to visually confirm the lights, despite them being visible to ground observers.
• O'Barski Case (New Bergen, New Jersey, 1975): A 72-year-old man reported a metallic craft with lighted windows that hovered, extended a ladder, and scooped soil samples into bags before ascending. Landing traces (holes in the ground) were found.

Other Sightings

This section compiles various UFO sightings from different locations:

• New York (September 1978): Peter Filicetti, a part-time officer, has been investigating sightings of a strange creature in Lewiston for four years. He reported seeing movement and hearing a grunting noise, finding mashed stalks and three-toed tracks. Two hunters later provided Filicetti with a head and two feet from a carcass, which were photographed. The creature's head was described as bear-like with large tusks. Museum experts believe it was a bear, while others disagree.

• Press Reports:
• Alabama (February 17, 1980): Maxwell AFB security personnel reported an unidentified object with red and blue flashes.
• Kentucky (February 12, 1980): Five bank employees saw two unusual lights that accelerated rapidly and disappeared.
• Michigan (March 12, 1980): Patrolmen investigated a UFO call in Gladstone, describing a large, bright light that moved erratically.
• Oregon (February 7, 1980): Don Winters reported a large, spinning, multi-colored wheel-shaped object.
• Utah (February 10, 1980): Multiple witnesses saw a large, orange, illuminated form in the sky with a shaft of light dropping to the ground. Another witness described it as a "big orange thing" like molten lava.
• Virginia (January 16-23, 1980): Loudoun residents reported bright lights emanating from large craft with cone-shaped protrusions.
• Michigan (March 10 & 19, 1980): Fowlerville residents reported a bright white light following their car, which changed direction and reappeared. The object was described as huge with red and green lights. A chandelier in the hall shattered as Mrs. White went downstairs.

• West Virginia (December 5, 1979): Mrs. Norma White reported seeing a bright object that shot off 12 red objects before disappearing. Another bright object appeared later. Her husband reported a white object returning to pick up red objects. Judi Carmichael saw a glowing object that changed shape. Jay Debord saw two yellow objects.

• South Africa (February 4, 1980): Len Meier and Basil Green saw a bright, funnel-shaped object with blue and red sparks.

Allen Landsburg Productions - "In Search Of... UFO Coverups"

A letter from Seth Hill, writer/producer for Allen Landsburg Productions, requests that the APRO Bulletin mention or print the TV station schedule for their program "In Search Of... UFO Coverups" for 1980. A list of TV stations and air dates across the US is provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing effort to obtain government UFO documentation through legal means, a comprehensive catalog of UFO sightings primarily from New Zealand, and an exploration of potential natural explanations for UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to favor the reporting of unexplained phenomena and critical examination of official explanations, while also acknowledging the possibility of natural causes. The magazine presents a wide array of witness accounts and investigative reports, suggesting a belief in the significance and reality of the UFO phenomenon, while also maintaining a degree of skepticism towards some explanations and claims, as seen in the commentary on the cattle mutilation investigation and the critiques of the natural phenomena theory.