CENAP Infoline - no 013

Magazine Overview

This issue of cenap-infoline, titled nr.13 and dated January 28, 1995, is a German-language publication from CENAP, focusing on UFO phenomena and related research. The issue reflects on the past year and two decades of UFO research, offering critical perspectives on the UFO scene in Germany.

Thoughts on the UFO Scene...

The editorial, written by Hansjürgen Köhler of CENAP, begins by reflecting on the past year and the preceding 20 years of UFO research. Köhler acknowledges that some personal 'bubbles' have burst and some 'evidence' has been debunked. He notes the continued presence of both newcomers and 'old hands' in the UFO scene. The article contrasts the idealistic views of the 1970s, when organizations like MUFON-CES in Munich were revered, with the current reality. Köhler criticizes the trend of 'sectarianism' that once dominated the German UFO scene, noting that while these elements have been marginalized, some, like 'Jung-Hesemann', continue to defend certain figures like Adamski.

CENAP's approach to UFO research is described as a continuous process of learning, recognizing, and revising previous findings. The editorial criticizes the notion of 'scientific research' being used as a cover for mundane ufology, specifically targeting MUFON-CES. The magazine points to MUFON-CES's alleged support for a 14-month film project that resulted in a film about flying 'toasts' and their failure to thoroughly investigate the Greifswald case after four years of having video recordings. CENAP suggests that a 'light point' might have been presented as an 'Unknown Phenomenon' to inform the public about the 'scientific research from Munich'. When protests arose, CENAP claims that the 'other side' was dismissed with low-level arguments, and private UFO research was attacked without 'well-founded knowledge', leading to CENAP being labeled a 'furniture store'.

The editorial also addresses criticisms from SDR-3's 'Leute' program on January 26, 1995, where CENAP was allegedly portrayed as 'furniture salesmen who downplay everything'. Köhler states that CENAP is capable of 'making a stink' with well-founded case research, contrasting this with verbal insults seen in the DEGUFORUM. While CENAP supports newcomers with information, they express disappointment when these individuals later turn against them.

Köhler emphasizes that CENAP is willing to share its findings and knowledge but expects reciprocity. He criticizes those who write books and promote 'moon flashes' while presenting their sources as definitive, especially when they do so as a 'publicistic medium' while claiming to reject such publications. He also criticizes individuals who argue based on 'read bestseller knowledge from Switzerland' without knowing the research of the person they are criticizing.

CENAP expresses a fundamental interest in a fact-based dialogue and acknowledges good research, even from newcomers. However, they lament the loss of private research when old myths are repeated and criticism is unwanted, leading to the 'reinvention of the wheel'. Admitting mistakes openly is seen as a sign of character, superior to background 'squabbling'.

Köhler concludes by stating that CENAP has unexplained cases but will acknowledge natural causes if evidence supports them, even if it doesn't fit the 'big UFO picture'. They prefer to avoid presenting a 'false UFO picture' with 'false puzzle pieces', especially concerning public television broadcasts that might spread misinformation about phenomena that do not exist.

'Ekip' Starts its Maiden Flight

This section reports on the Russian 'Ekip' flying saucer project. The prototype is described as a disc-shaped aircraft, two by two meters in size, remotely controlled via radio, and capable of vertical takeoff. It is being developed at the state aerospace facilities in Saratov. The article mentions that the aircraft has the shape of a fried egg, measures 11 by 15 meters, weighs nine tons, and can carry 18 passengers at 650 km/h. It is named 'Ekip', an acronym for Ecology and Progress in Russian. Chief engineer Lew Schukin dreams of a future version with 400 seats, an 8000 km range, and amenities like a cinema, bar, and hotel.

The 'Ekip' is claimed to be the most aerodynamic aircraft ever, capable of vertical takeoff and landing, even from water. Its jet engines have air intakes at the front. The advantages cited are three times less fuel consumption and eight times more cargo space than conventional aircraft. Schukin has been researching this since 1978, initially developing plans for the Red Army. A two-by-two meter, two-ton model has undergone test flights over the Moscow satellite town of Podlibki.

However, the path to a commercially viable 'Ekip' is fraught with financial challenges. Billions of dollars are needed, with the prototype costing 11 million Marks and the commercial version requiring an additional 1.7 billion Marks. Schukin has not yet found a European partner for the project.

UFO Believers Will Be Disappointed

This section, accompanied by images and a model drawing of the 'Ekip', suggests that the reality of this flying saucer project will disappoint UFO enthusiasts. The model drawing shows a larger version with a glass dome designed for 400 passengers. A photo depicts the 'Ekip' during a test flight over Podlibki, north of Moscow, with the Russians calling it 'Tarelka' (saucer).

"I Was Abducted by Extraterrestrials" - True or False?

This article delves into the phenomenon of alleged alien abductions. It notes that discussions about UFOs, particularly on television like RTL2, tend to divide people. The piece recounts the story of Maria Struwe from Berlin in 1986, who described being in a large room with strange, gray, wrinkled beings about 1.50 meters tall with large black eyes. She claimed these beings interfered with her lower abdomen and that her fetus was removed, leaving her placenta empty.

The article also mentions Georg Spöttle, a Berlin police officer, who claimed that thousands of abductions occurred in the former GDR, with victims taken to spaceships for medical experiments. He alleged that West German and American intelligence agencies quickly removed all related reports from the Stasi archives.

Another account comes from a Swiss farmer who claimed to have encountered extraterrestrials with three breasts who examined his reproductive organs. Michael Hesemann, described as Germany's 'greatest UFO expert', is quoted as saying that such accounts should be viewed with skepticism. However, he suggests that women might have been impregnated by extraterrestrials, leading to half-human, half-alien offspring living among us.

TV Tips

This section provides television listings related to UFOs:

• February 6th, RTL, 23:00h: A program titled '10 vor 11' featuring a magazine segment on UFOs over Moscow and L.A., with retired Colonel Komorowski investigating.

Publication Information

cenap-infoline is presented as current supplementary information to the CENAP-Report, an international UFO scene newsletter. It is planned to be published every three weeks, possibly with shorter intervals. Hansjürgen Köhler is responsible under press law, with his address provided. Subscription is required, costing DM 30,--, payable to Sparkasse Mannheim, account number 7810906, BLZ 67050101. Interested parties are asked to send a copy of the transfer and a written order.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of the UFO research community in Germany, the technological advancements in aerospace (specifically the Russian 'Ekip' project), and the controversial topic of alien abductions. The editorial stance of CENAP, as articulated by Hansjürgen Köhler, is one of skepticism towards sensationalism and unverified claims, advocating for rigorous, fact-based research and open dialogue. They position themselves as a source of reliable information, willing to admit errors and revise conclusions, while actively challenging what they perceive as flawed methodologies and public misinformation from other organizations and media.