CENAP-REPORT

Magazine Overview

Title: CENAP-REPORT
Issue: Nr. 249
Date: March/April 1998
Publisher: CENAP (Centrale Erforschungsnetz außergewöhnlicher Himmelsphänomene)
Country: Germany
Language: German

This issue of CENAP-REPORT, a German-language UFO journal, focuses on significant UFO cases and the challenges of UFO research and disclosure. It features a mix of historical cases, official document reviews, and critical analysis of the UFO phenomenon and its proponents.

Key Articles and Features

The Trancas Case (Argentina) in New Light

The issue revisits the classic Trancas UFO landing case from October 23, 1963, in Argentina. The report details witness accounts from the Moreno family and their staff, describing a squadron of six UFOs hovering at low altitude, emitting lights, and causing a localized temperature increase. The objects were described as disc-shaped with visible rivets and emitting a white gas. The article includes an investigation by Dr. Roberto Banchs, who compared witness testimonies and analyzed potential explanations. While official explanations leaned towards military exercises or misidentification of celestial bodies, the article highlights the persistent mystery and the emotional impact on the witnesses.

Encounter at Edwards AFB

This section details an event on October 7, 1965, at Edwards Air Force Base in California, based on an audio documentary produced by Sam Sherman. The incident involved multiple sightings of luminous objects by air traffic controllers and other personnel. The objects were described as flashing green, red, and white lights. The report notes that the Los Angeles Air Defense Sector (LAADS) authorized the recordings due to credible UFO reports. The military response involved scrambling F-106 interceptors. The article discusses the possibility of misidentification of celestial bodies like Jupiter and Saturn, suggesting it might be a 'near IFO' (Identified Flying Object) case, despite its listing as 'unidentified' in the Blue Book files.

Spanish UFO Files

This extensive section reviews the declassification of UFO documents by the Spanish Air Force, a process largely driven by UFOlogists like Pepe Redon and Juan Ballester Olmos. The article discusses the 'Manises incident' of November 11, 1972, and a UFO epidemic over Madrid in September 1968, initially mistaken for a flying saucer but later identified as a balloon probe. It also covers a sighting from June 1978 on the island of Las Palmas and an event in Guia de Isora, Tenerife, in November 1980. The report highlights the internal divisions within the Spanish UFO community and the government's cautious approach to disclosure, including restrictions on photocopying and publicizing the documents.

UFOs and the German Government

This part of the magazine critically examines the German government's stance on UFOs, referencing articles and statements from organizations like DEGUFORUM and the Ministry of Defense (BMVG). It addresses the official position that UFOs are not extraterrestrial and that there is no evidence to support such claims. The article discusses the frustration of UFOlogists who believe the government is not taking the phenomenon seriously or is actively concealing information. It highlights the distinction between the military's use of 'UFO' for unidentified flying objects and the UFO community's interpretation of them as extraterrestrial spacecraft.

Other Sections

• Editorial: The editorial team expresses their commitment to providing in-depth analysis of the UFO phenomenon, aiming to educate a select group of UFO enthusiasts with background material not found in mainstream UFO journals.
• Impressum: Provides contact details for the publisher, editor-in-chief, and subscription services.
• Internet Homepages & E-mail: Lists online resources for CENAP.
• Letters to the Editor: Implied by the "Hallo Leute" section, though no specific letters are detailed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The CENAP-REPORT consistently adopts a critical and analytical approach to UFO phenomena. The editorial stance emphasizes a desire to uncover the truth behind sightings, even if it means debunking popular beliefs or challenging the credibility of some UFO proponents. There's a clear distinction made between genuine unexplained phenomena and misinterpretations, hoaxes, or natural occurrences. The magazine highlights the difficulties in obtaining official information and criticizes what it perceives as government secrecy or indifference. The recurring theme is the pursuit of factual investigation over speculative or pseudoscientific claims, aiming to provide a more grounded understanding of the UFO topic.

This issue of CENAP REPORT, dated March/April 1998, titled "UFOs: Direkt aus der Forschung" (UFOs: Directly from Research), focuses on the ongoing investigation and public perception of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). The magazine explores the challenges faced by government agencies in handling UFO-related information, the public's fascination with the phenomenon, and the scientific and pseudoscientific approaches to understanding it.

PR-Problem namens UFO!

The article "Das PR-Problem namens UFO!" (The PR Problem Called UFO!) discusses the difficulties government ministries face in dealing with UFO affairs. It highlights the public's right to information and the bureaucratic hurdles, such as understaffed UFO departments, that impede thorough investigation. The text mentions a "paper war" waged by the U.S. Air Force regarding "flying saucers" and the extensive efforts to verify reports, many of which come from young people. It also touches upon the issue of public perception, where reports from alleged "spinners" are often dismissed.

A significant portion of this section is dedicated to the declassification of UFO documents by various U.S. government agencies. The FBI, CIA, and NSA have made their UFO archives accessible to the public via the internet. The article provides URLs for these online reading rooms, emphasizing the new era of information freedom. The FBI's "real X-Files" are mentioned, with UFO researcher Dr. Bruce Maccabee stating that declassified FBI documents confirm the existence of secret X-Files concerning UFO sightings from the late 1940s to the late 1970s.

UFOs: Buntes Allerlei im CR (UFOs: Miscellaneous in CR)

CIA-Vorbereitungen fürs Jahr 2000: Die Geheimnisse offengelegt (CIA Preparations for the Year 2000: Secrets Revealed)

This article reports on the CIA's efforts to declassify millions of documents by April 17, 2000, as mandated by a White House Executive Order. The process involves a dedicated team, including retired CIA personnel, meticulously reviewing and redacting sensitive information. The article highlights the challenges of this massive undertaking, the cost involved, and the personal involvement of staff who once handled these secret documents. It also mentions the declassification of documents related to the U-2 spy plane program and discussions within the CIA in 1964 regarding the influence of the Civil Rights Movement on hiring quotas.

50 Jahre UFO-Untersuchung: Was haben wir daraus gelernt? (50 Years of UFO Investigation: What Have We Learned?)

Bob Tidwell, a UFO researcher since 1965, reflects on five decades of UFO investigation. He notes that despite thousands of reports, photos, videos, books, and magazines, little is definitively known about UFOs, including whether they truly exist. Tidwell recounts his own experiences, including radar blips observed while working for the Aerospace Defense Command and his involvement with MUFON. He expresses frustration with the lack of progress, attributing it to the subjective nature of many reports and the difficulty in distinguishing between genuine UFOs and Identified Flying Objects (IFOs).

He argues that many UFO enthusiasts are driven by fantasy rather than empirical evidence and suggests that sociologists, psychologists, and psychiatrists should investigate the alleged "alien contacts." Tidwell also discusses the prevalence of IFOs in UFO reports, emphasizing that even misidentified objects are important data points for understanding the phenomenon. He criticizes the tendency of some UFO researchers to dismiss IFOs, hindering the scientific process.

The article then delves into the analysis of UFO radar reports, explaining how radar technology works and the role of transponders. It notes that many "unknown" radar signals are eventually identified as malfunctioning aircraft or other conventional objects. The author also touches upon the concept of "black projects" being "filtered out" of radar systems.

Kanada: UFOs im Jahr 1997 (Canada: UFOs in 1997)

This section presents findings from Chris A. Rutkowski's "The 1997 Canadian UFO Survey." The report indicates a decrease in unidentified sightings (NL-Fälle) and an increase in identified objects (IFO-Fälle). Rutkowski highlights the challenges in data collection and analysis, including the inconsistent quality of investigators and the tendency to count individual elements of crop circles as separate sightings. The survey also notes that most reported UFOs were lights or distant points in the sky, contradicting the popular image of flying saucers.

The article details specific UFO sightings from Canada in 1997, describing various objects, their shapes, colors, and behaviors. These include reports of silver-gray objects, a tube-like object, a red triangular object, and a diamond-shaped object with lights.

Persönlichkeiten (Personalities)

George Fawcett

This section profiles George Fawcett, a 68-year-old UFO investigator from North Carolina who has spent 50 years collecting UFO-related materials. He has been trying to raise $5 million to build a UFO museum but has only managed to gather $100. He has decided to donate his 20,000-piece "Sauceriana Collection" to the International UFO Museum & Research Center in Roswell, New Mexico.

Steve Schiff

This brief note announces the passing of Steve Schiff, a US Congressman from New Mexico, who died on March 25, 1998, after a battle with aggressive skin cancer. He had been undergoing chemotherapy and had been unable to attend sessions in Washington, D.C. since April 1997.

Reiner Feistle in Gütersloh

This section summarizes a lecture by Reiner Feistle at a UFO conference in Gütersloh. Feistle describes his personal experiences with alleged alien encounters, starting from childhood fears that resurfaced in 1992. He recounts experiences of paralysis, encounters with small gray beings and tall, humanoid beings with angelic appearances, and claims of being taken aboard spacecraft. Feistle believes these beings are from Aldebaran and are working towards a positive future for Earth, assisting humanity with their spiritual and emotional development.

He mentions that many people worldwide share similar experiences and that he aims to create a network to help those who have undergone these events to remember and process them. The article also briefly mentions the VRIL Society and German flying saucer projects from the 1930s and 40s, suggesting a connection to extraterrestrial technology.

Illuminaten unter Feuer (Illuminati Under Fire)

This is a review of Jan van Helsing's book "Geheimgesellschaften und ihre Macht im 20. Jahrhundert" (Secret Societies and Their Power in the 20th Century). The review criticizes the book for relying on outdated conspiracy theories, such as the "Protocols of the Elders of Zion," and for perpetuating old enemy images. The reviewer dismisses the book's claims about a "Brotherhood of the Serpent" and its alleged influence on world history, religious, economic, military, and political elites. The review also points out the book's reliance on obscure North American sources and its poor translation and editing.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the challenges of UFO research, the role of government transparency (or lack thereof), the public's fascination with the unknown, and the prevalence of conspiracy theories. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, attempting to separate factual reporting from speculation and fantasy. While acknowledging the public interest in UFOs and the importance of declassifying information, the magazine also expresses skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims and highlights the need for rational analysis and scientific investigation. There is a clear emphasis on distinguishing between genuine UFO phenomena and misidentified objects (IFOs) or psychological phenomena like mass hysteria.

This issue of CENAP REPORT, dated March/April 1998, focuses on internal disputes and controversies within the ufology community, alongside a critical examination of media representation of UFO phenomena. The publication appears to be a German-language magazine dedicated to critical analysis of UFOlogy and related topics.

Key Articles and Discussions

Streitfall UFOlogie... UFOlogen unter sich: Funkenflug

This section details a significant conflict involving Michael Hesemann, described as a UFO expert. Hesemann accuses the international MUFON (Mutual UFO Network) community of being government-controlled and actively working to discredit the Santilli film. He alleges that former government agents have infiltrated MUFON and that individuals like Richard Hall and Walt Andrus have ties to government or defense contractors. Hesemann claims that MUFON members have systematically discredited evidence related to cases like Roswell, the Meier case, and the Phoenix Lights. The dispute escalates with accusations and counter-accusations between Hesemann and MUFON representatives, particularly regarding the credibility of researchers like Jim Dilettoso and the integrity of MUFON's operations.

MUFON-Staats-Director im Dienste für Scientology

This article exposes alleged scandals within MUFON, focusing on Jon Spears, a former MUFON Director for Tennessee. Spears is accused of promoting Scientology and Dianetics, allegedly using his UFO research platform to recruit individuals for the organization. The article details Spears's controversial behavior, including his public statements, his alleged use of fake identification, and his eventual death following a car accident. It also highlights concerns about MUFON's leadership, particularly Walt Andrus, and his alleged association with Scientology.

The 'Phoenix Lights' and Jim Dilettoso's Analysis

This section critically examines the analysis of the 'Phoenix Lights' incident by Jim Dilettoso. The article, referencing a feature in the Phoenix New Times, questions Dilettoso's claims that the lights were not flares or of terrestrial origin. It presents counter-arguments from astronomers and other experts who suggest conventional explanations, such as aircraft and flares. The article also delves into Dilettoso's background, his company 'Village Labs,' and his alleged exaggerations regarding his technical capabilities and involvement in projects like the movie 'Titanic.' The piece suggests that Dilettoso may be a 'blender' (deceiver) and that his claims are not scientifically supported.

International UFOlogy Critiques

Several sections discuss broader critiques of the ufology field and its prominent figures. An internet survey conducted among South American UFO enthusiasts reveals a strong negative sentiment towards many well-known UFO researchers, including Steven Greer, Sean David Morton, Richard Boylan, and Michael Hesemann, who are seen as 'negative Oscars' of the scene. The article "Auch in Brasilien stinkts" highlights similar criticisms within the Brazilian ufology community, with accusations of disinformation and sensationalism directed at figures like Ademar Jose Gevaerd and Claudeir Covo, who are associated with MUFON Brazil. Wendelle C. Stevens is also criticized for promoting questionable cases and photos without rigorous analysis.

The 'CAUSE' Organization and Media Criticism

The article "Das Aus für CAUSE?" reports on the dissolution of the organization 'Citizens Against UFO Secrecy' (CAUSE) following Barry Greenwood's resignation as editor of its publication 'JUST CAUSE.' Greenwood expresses frustration with the new direction and internal politics of the organization under Peter Gersten. He announces his intention to launch a new newsletter, 'UFO Historical Review.'

The section "Medienkritik im CR! Die Wirklichkeit der Medien" offers a scathing critique of media coverage, particularly concerning UFOs. It argues that media outlets often sensationalize phenomena, prioritize entertainment over factual reporting, and contribute to a 'dumbing down' of public discourse. The article suggests that media create their own versions of reality, influencing public belief and perception, especially regarding topics like UFOs, which are often presented as sensational 'mysteries' rather than subjects for rigorous investigation. It criticizes the commercial pressures on media to produce content that appeals to specific demographics, even at the expense of accuracy or depth.

Technical Analysis of UFO Photographs

A supplemental report details the technical analysis of photographs allegedly showing a UFO and a jet aircraft, received via Federal Express. The analysis, conducted by Jim Dilettoso's company, Village Labs, involved digitizing and scanning the images. The report notes that the photographs appear to be third-generation copies and were taken at dawn or dusk. While stating there is no evidence of photo-overlays or doctored images, the analysis concludes that the airborne objects are metallic and of significant size, but it also notes that the aircraft appears to be moving at detectable speeds, suggesting a potential distinction between the UFO and the aircraft. The report recommends further analysis with different filters and higher resolution equipment.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the internal conflicts and perceived lack of scientific rigor within the ufology community, the alleged infiltration of UFO organizations by external influences (government, Scientology), and a strong critique of how media outlets sensationalize and distort UFO phenomena. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical and critical, aiming to expose what it views as deception, pseudoscience, and commercial exploitation within the UFO field. The magazine champions a more scientific and critical approach to UFO research, contrasting it with what it describes as the 'entertainment' and 'sensationalism' prevalent in much of the UFO community and media coverage.

This issue of CENAP REPORT, dated March/April 1998, focuses on the critical examination of how media, particularly television, reports on UFO phenomena. It argues that the pursuit of sensationalism and commercial interests, under the guise of 'infotainment,' distorts reality and influences public perception, rather than presenting factual accounts.

The Influence of Media on UFO Beliefs

The article posits that media has been highly successful in shaping public opinion regarding UFOs, leading to an increase in the number of people who believe in extraterrestrial spacecraft. It notes that despite an increase in the number of journalists and academics working in media, the influence of media on public attitudes is undeniable, citing opinion polls as evidence. The 'Mühldorf' case is presented as a significant example of how media can construct and reinforce specific worldviews, both current and historical, by opening and closing 'drawers' in people's minds.

The authors criticize the trend of media outlets prioritizing market demands over journalistic integrity. They argue that the need to fill airtime with engaging content, especially in the competitive television market, leads to a focus on sensationalism and entertainment over in-depth research and factual reporting. This is described as a self-perpetuating cycle where media outlets cater to what they perceive the audience wants, thus reinforcing those perceptions.

Criticism of "Infotainment" and Modern Journalism

The magazine strongly criticizes the concept of 'infotainment,' where factual reporting is blended with entertainment to create a sensationalized narrative. It argues that this approach, exemplified by a critical ARD broadcast from October 1994, has led to a "dam break" in UFO reporting, setting a precedent for the future of journalism. The authors lament the decline of traditional journalism, which they define as the professional and critical examination of events to provide credible and useful information. Instead, they see a trend towards superficiality, driven by economic considerations and the desire to avoid costs associated with thorough research.

Journalists are accused of prioritizing quick, attention-grabbing content over accuracy and depth. The pressure to produce "knackig" (snappy) and entertaining content, especially for UFO-related stories, leaves little room for background research. The concept of a "MacGuffin" is introduced, referring to a fictional element used to drive a narrative solely for audience entertainment, even if it distorts the underlying reality.

The Role of UFO Promoters and Media

There is a symbiotic relationship described between UFO promoters, enthusiasts, and the media. This dynamic has created structures where media outlets present 'processed' events that fit pre-determined narratives, rather than the unfiltered reality. The article suggests that television, in particular, struggles to show 'reality as it is,' instead offering a blend of events and fiction that is compatible with its established structures.

Specific Cases and Examples

The 'Mühldorf' case is repeatedly cited as an example of how media can sensationalize events, with reporters allegedly being more interested in securing witnesses for a TV segment than in investigating the UFO report itself. The focus was on the 'show and effect' rather than the substance. The article also references the Michael Born case and the Heaven's Gate sect as instances where media coverage, while often sensationalized, eventually brought underlying issues to light.

Book Review: "Das Rätsel: Unbekannte Flugobjekte"

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to promoting the book "Das Rätsel: Unbekannte Flugobjekte" (The Riddle: Unknown Flying Objects) by Hans-Werner Peiniger. Peiniger, chairman of the "Gesellschaft zur Erforschung des UFO-Phänomens" (Society for the Research of the UFO Phenomenon), has reportedly investigated over 500 UFO sightings. The book is described as a comprehensive overview of UFO research, including sightings, UFO photos, alleged alien contacts, abductions, and the Roswell crash. It is presented as a "spannender Wissenschaftskrimi" (exciting science thriller) that offers new insights and challenges existing perceptions of UFOs. The book is priced at DM 19.80 and is available for purchase.

Recommendations for Further Reading

Readers interested in further exploring the themes of media responsibility and the UFO business are recommended to obtain CENAP's documentary work "UFOs: Am Ende des Regenbogens! UFOs Ein schwer zu fassendes Phänomen," which is available for DM 35. Additionally, Rudolf Henke's critical documentation of the 1994 ARD film, "Mit UFOs - Und es gibt sie doch nicht!" (With UFOs - And They Do Not Exist!), is recommended for DM 25. The book "Neues vom Tage: Die Schreinemakerisierung unserer Medienwelt" by Siegfried Weischenberg is also suggested for study.

Upcoming Issue and Reader Engagement

The issue announces the upcoming CENAP REPORT Nr. 250 and invites readers to share their thoughts and experiences with the report, how they discovered it, what they have learned, and how it has shaped their views on the UFO phenomenon. This material is to be sent to Werner Walter.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are media criticism, the impact of 'infotainment' on journalism, the sensationalization of UFO phenomena, and the blurring lines between fact and fiction in media reporting. The editorial stance is highly critical of contemporary media practices, particularly television, which is seen as prioritizing commercial interests and entertainment over journalistic integrity and factual accuracy. The magazine advocates for a more responsible and critical approach to reporting on complex topics like UFOs, emphasizing the need for in-depth research and a commitment to presenting reality as it is.