Circulaire CIGU - No 04-05-06 -1989 jan fev mars

Magazine Overview

This document is the January-March 1989 issue of the 'CIRCULAIRE CIGU', published by the Comité Ile-de-France des Groupements Ufologiques. Prepared by Thierry Rocher and Gilles Durand, with Gilles Durand also responsible for editing and layout, the circular aims to provide a comprehensive overview of ufological news and events.

Editorial and Administrative Notes

The editorial team apologizes for a four-month suspension of activities due to the relocation of the AIHPI, a promoter within CIGU. They acknowledge a significant backlog in publications, including the 'CCIGU' newsletters and the 'Circulaire' itself, and express hope for a renewed engagement from subscribers. An 'Errata' section corrects errors in a previous issue's 'Circulaire N° 3', specifically a typographical mistake in the title of the 'L'évènement du Jedi' section and a word in the 'Nouvelles Obs' section.

Nouvelles Obs (New Observations)

This section details recent UFO sightings and related phenomena:

• January 22, 1989, Le Vigan (30), France: Four young individuals observed two orange rectangles separated by a black band on a rural road (CD 113) around 2:00 AM. The note suggests the journalist may have been influenced by 'The Invaders'.
• January 25, 1989, Oregon, USA: A fireball reportedly crossed the atmosphere for five seconds, moving vertically before heading towards the Pacific. It was described as intensely luminous, with a diameter twice that of the Moon, and its nature (meteor?) is questioned.
• January 27-28, 1989, Creuse, France: A brightly scintillating object emitting green, blue, red, and white flashes was observed in multiple locations between 7:45 PM and 7:15 AM, seemingly moving eastward. The possibility of it being a planet is raised.
• February 6, 1989, Saint Martory (31) and surrounding regions, France: A couple and their son reported a large, dazzling, rugby ball-shaped object, approximately 30 meters long, hovering stationary in the air. Numerous other witnesses in the Toulouse area and surrounding departments also reported sightings, with atmospheric re-entry being a possible explanation.
• November 1988, Mirebeau, France: An unusual spectacle in the sky involved an intense light surrounded by four dancing, luminous satellites. This led to numerous calls to the gendarmerie and local press, but was later identified as laser tests conducted at the 'Futuroscope' for a promotional event by Lancôme.
• November (date unspecified), Paris, France: Another incident involved a 'skytracer' used by a 'Bateaux-mouches' company on the right bank of the Seine near the Pont de l'Alma, which was mistaken for a UFO.
• February 7, 1989, Plouvenez-Moedec (22), France: A witness contacted SOS-OVNI reporting a bizarre craft with no visible wings following a trajectory parallel to an airplane. Initial investigations by GEPSI suggested it might be an aircraft viewed from an unusual angle.
• February 14, 1989, Marseille (13), France: An unidentified luminous glow was observed for about six seconds, moving erratically across the Marseille sky.
• Late February 1989, Guatemala: Hundreds of people, including government officials and police, reported observing strange balls of light in the sky for several days.
• January 11 & 30, 1989, Nord Italie, Lac de Come: UFOs were observed in the Ticino sky, with reports of effects on a vehicle and sound recordings of involuntary music due to electromagnetic effects. Photos were taken, and the investigator Massimo Cantono is reportedly overwhelmed.

C'est la Confusion (It's Confusion)

This section highlights instances where phenomena were misidentified or caused confusion:

• Balloons: A large concentration of 789 hot air balloons was scheduled to take place between Metz and Nancy from July 26 to August 6, 1989. The event was described as a historical gathering, and the presence of many participants arriving by air was noted as a potential source of confusion with UFO sightings.
• Spatial Sculptures: A controversy is brewing among sky enthusiasts, astronomers, and 'Space-Art' artists regarding the creation of large, luminous satellite sculptures. Jean-Marc Philippe, founder of the 'Comité Mondial d'éthique pour une utilisation pacifique de l'espace', opposes these projects, fearing they will pollute the space environment, obstruct astronomical observation, and deprive future generations of the view of a pure, starry sky. Proposed projects include an 'Eiffel Tower of space' and a 203 km diameter mirror. The article suggests that if such projects proceed, they would undoubtedly lead to confusion.
• Tour du Monde en Ballon (Round the World by Balloon): A French stratospheric balloon from CNES completed two round-the-world trips in 53 days, operating at altitudes over 30 km. CNES offers various balloon types, including open, pressurized, and infrared montgolfières. A future project aims for an altitude of 44 km and a payload of 300 kg. The metallic envelope of these balloons absorbs solar heat, and the reflected light could potentially lead to misidentifications.

Insolite/Parapsy (Unusual/Parapsychology)

This section covers various unusual and parapsychological topics:

• Apparitions (Yugoslavia): Since 1981, the Virgin Mary has reportedly appeared daily at the same time to six chosen individuals in Medjugorje, a village that has benefited significantly from tourism generated by these alleged apparitions.
• Rumors (France): A study day on contemporary legends, also known as 'urban legends', was held on January 3, 1989, focusing on the circulation of non-official information.
• Human Phenomena (Great Britain): The case of Pauline Shaw, an English woman who reportedly caused electrical surges that damaged numerous appliances, is presented as a public danger due to an allergy to certain foods.
• Archeology (Egypt): A pharaonic princess's mummy from the 5th Dynasty (4,600 years old) was discovered near Giza, accompanied by a piece of glass, which is significant for its presence in treasures from that era.
• Sects (France): A group identified as 'Bâtisseurs' (Builders), reportedly members of Jehovah's Witnesses, constructed a 300 m² house in 40 hours near Toulouse.
• Raelism (France): The Raelian movement was featured in media reports, including a segment on TF1 titled 'Ciel mon Mardi' and a report on LA5 about their guru, Raël. The report mentioned 20,000 followers and a predicted contact in 2025, accompanied by an animated drawing of a flying saucer.
• Raelism (bis) (France): The Raelian movement was actively promoting a large conference in Paris on March 31st with posters, distribution of flyers, and sales of their master's works.
• Italy (Demence): A man in Florence reportedly killed his future wife, claiming she was a spy and an extraterrestrial from the Andromeda constellation. This incident occurred while they were both undergoing treatment at a psychiatric hospital.

Telescopages (Telescope Observations)

This section covers astronomical and space-related news:

• The Space Telescope: The Hubble Space Telescope was nearing its launch, having been stored in a nitrogen cocoon for nearly three years. Its conservation and handling costs were estimated at 2.5 billion Francs. The launch was anticipated for January 1990.
• The Face on Mars: The article discusses the 'face' on Mars, first photographed in 1976 and re-examined by a magazine in September 1988. While some suggested it was an artifact of an ancient Martian civilization, experts from Boston, France, and the US concluded it was a natural geological formation, an eroded hill, and not evidence of extraterrestrial bases. The article also questions the title 'The Woman of the Red Planet', suggesting it might be a misinterpretation or a misogynistic label for a natural feature.

Messages

This section contains requests for information and documents from readers:

• Alain Gamard is seeking a photocopy of a France-Dimanche article from October 10, 1954, about observations by Cedric Allingham.
• Another request is for a France-Dimanche article from October 24, 1954, detailing 20 models of flying saucers.
• Patrick Fournel is looking for dates and locations of observations by witnesses named Sion, Vignolles, Gardelle, and Jaullien, cited in Michel Carrouges' book 'Les Apparitions de Martiens'.
• The GEU & Franck Martin are seeking documents related to 1952 press clippings (French and foreign), the 1968 Blue Book project, the SETI project, the Washington observation of July 19, 1952, and photos of UFOs.

Travaux/Activités (Work/Activities)

This section details ongoing projects and activities within the ufological community:

• Counter-Investigations: Michel Figuet is preparing two counter-investigations for FRANCAT: one on the St Vallier-de-Thiey case (January 7, 1974) and another on the Malmont/Draguignan CE3 case, which is reportedly nearing identification.
• Orange Light Balls: Greg Long, an American researcher, is working on orange light balls. A list of criteria for reporting such events is provided, along with his updated contact information.
• SEPRA Activities: SEPRA, the successor to GEPAN, has clarified its scope, focusing on atmospheric and unidentified aerospace phenomena.
• W.A.U.R.L.D.: A new project, W.A.U.R.L.D., is a yearly listing (published in March) that compiles UFO observation reports across all classifications, aiming to provide a comprehensive reference for readers.
• Ufological Update: Patrick Vidal is compiling a rapid and comprehensive overview of ufological news for the past year, inviting readers to submit information on new cases with referenced source copies. The first WAURLD compilation for 1987-1988 was scheduled for September 1, 1989.

Manifestations (Events)

This section lists past and upcoming ufological and related events:

• Past Events:
• 32nd CNEGU (June 1989): Held in St Broingt-le-Bois, Haute-Marne, organized by Groupe 52/55. Topics included UFO catalogs for 1976, 1987, and 1988, archiving ufological data, a presentation of the CNEGU, actions on uncovered departments, and reports from Brussels 1988 and PARAPSY 89.
• Raelism Conference (March 31, 1989): Held at Espace Cardin, Paris, with the Raelian master present.
• 1989 CSICOP European Conference (May 5-7, 1989): To be held in Bad-Tolz, Germany, under the auspices of GWUP (Gesellschaft zur Wissenschaftlichen Untersuchung von Parawissenschaften). Topics included parallel medicines, the philosophy of pseudoscience, telluric currents, and graphology. The 'amazing RANDI' was a featured speaker. Simultaneous translation was offered in German and Spanish, but not French.
• Sciences & Illusions Festival (May 12-21, 1989): Organized by Alain Cuniot, this festival in Ivry-sur-Seine (Paris) included conferences, experiments, and an exhibition.
• Upcoming Events:
• LYON 89 (April 29 - May 1, 1989): The 3rd European UFO encounters in Lyon, focusing on serious research. The event was not open to the public and featured presentations on UFOs in Chile, physical aspects of abductions, the first three days of flying saucers, and astronomical phenomena that could cause confusion. Speakers included William Moore, Jean-Claude Ribes, Jean-Bruno Renard, Nigel Watson, François Bourbeau, Patrick Chassagneux, and others.
• CNEGU (June 17-18, 1989): The next CNEGU session was scheduled to take place in Nancy.
• Jean-Bruno Renard in Paris: Sociologist Jean-Bruno Renard met with Parisian ufologists during his visit to Paris in early January, coinciding with a conference on rumors and contemporary legends.

Parutions (Publications)

This section lists recently published books and articles:

• Le Livre Venu d'Ailleurs by Kris Hadar: Discusses ETs, their visits, and cosmic considerations.
• Les Morts Nous Parlent by Père Brune: Focuses on transcommunication and reincarnation.
• Le Secret de la Grande Pyramide by Georges Barbarin: Presents revelations about the Great Pyramid and the end of the Adamite world.
• Communion by Whitley Strieber: The French edition of Strieber's bestseller, noted for its slow sales in France, suggesting 'visitors' are not popular with the French public. The article recommends reading the book before any potential film adaptation.

Tele Scoops (Television and Film)

This section reviews television programs and films with ufological or science fiction themes:

• Fictions (Series): Several series were being rebroadcast or aired, including 'V' (both series), 'Les Chasseurs d'Ombres', 'Au Coeur du Temps', 'L'Homme Invisible', 'Superminds', 'La Belle et la Bête', and 'Les Envahisseurs'.
• Films & Telefilms:
• 'L'Emprise' (A2, Feb 13, 1989): About a mysterious and malevolent creature.
• 'Maléfices' (LA5, Feb 27, 1989): A man confronts a mysterious creature.
• 'L'Hybride Infernal' (M6, Mar 9, 1989): A monster/hybrid attacking attractive women.
• 'L'Empire Contre-Attaque' (M6, Mar 21, 1989): Part of the 'Star Wars' saga.
• 'Le Retour du Jedi' (M6, Mar 27, 1989): The third installment of 'Star Wars'.
• 'Le Justicier Venu d'Ailleurs' (M6, Dec 3, 1988): An ET seeking revenge on Earth.
• 'Le Naufrage des Étoiles' (M6, Dec 9, 1988): An ET builds a spaceship to return home.
• 'La 4ème Rencontre' (LA5, Feb 13, 1989): A telefilm with a difficult-to-access broadcast time.
• 'L'Éclosion des Monstres' (LA5, Feb 22, 1989): A monster from space.
• 'Le Monstre Qui Vient de l'Espace' (LA5, Mar 19, 1989): The reviewer had not seen it.
• 'Les Aventures de Bukaroo Banzai' (LA5, Mar 26, 1989): Described as an effective 'B' series.
• 'Les Explorateurs de la Mort' (A2, Jan 11, 1989): An emission dedicated to Near-Death Experiences (NDE), featuring testimonies and scientific opinions.
• 'Matin Bonheur' (TF1, Mar 30, 1989): A segment on miracles with a theologian and a professor of medicine.
• 'Libre et Changé' (M6, Feb 1, 1989): A segment titled 'Beware the Guru'.
• 'Ciel Mon Mardi' (TF1, Feb 14, 1989): A debate on parapsychology with pseudo-scientists and mediums, deemed 'lamentable'.

Radio Scoops

• Return to Grover Mills & The War of the Worlds: Following reports on the 50th anniversary of Orson Welles' broadcast, Alain Gamard noted a retrospective on France-Culture on October 30, 1988. He expressed disappointment that he and other ufologists had waited in vain for this broadcast.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The publication consistently reports on UFO sightings, often with a critical eye towards potential misidentifications (e.g., balloons, lasers, atmospheric phenomena). There is a strong emphasis on gathering information and cross-referencing reports. The 'Insolite/Parapsy' section covers a wide range of fringe topics, from alleged apparitions to unusual human phenomena and archaeological discoveries. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained phenomena, while also maintaining a degree of skepticism and encouraging rigorous investigation. The publication also highlights media coverage of ufological and related subjects, critiquing its accuracy or sensationalism where appropriate. The recurring theme of 'confusion' underscores the challenges in distinguishing genuine anomalous events from mundane explanations.

This issue of "Le Quotidien de Paris," dated January 3, 1989, under the "ANNEXE N° 1" section, features a prominent article titled "Enquête sur quelques rumeurs" (Investigation into some rumors), which occupies the majority of the page. The issue also includes sections on cinema, press reviews, Minitel, and contacts.

Videophages

The issue briefly mentions a film titled "LE VAMPIRE DE L'ESPACE" (The Vampire of Space), starring Traci Lords, noting its plot involves a vampire seeking blood and that the film reportedly causes hearing loss.

Presse (Press Reviews)

This section reviews various publications and articles of interest to the magazine's readership:

• MYSTERAMA: Two articles are highlighted: "TEMOIGNAGE: UN GENDARME ENLEVE PAR DES E.T" (Testimony: A Gendarme Abducted by ETs) and "OVNI: L'HYPNOSE EST-ELLE UN REEL SERUM DE VERITE" (UFO: Is Hypnosis a Real Truth Serum?), featuring Dany Dan. (Info Robert Fischer).
• L'INCONNU: Two articles concerning Père Brune are mentioned: "LE PERE BRUNE FACE A LA REINCARNATION" (Father Brune Faces Reincarnation) in issues N° 150 and N° 151. (Info Xavier Burot).
• NEW LOOK: Features on "Dossier Antimatière" (Antimatter Dossier) and "ENTERRES-VIVANTS: LES ZOMBIS" (Living Dead: The Zombies).
• MOTS PASSANTS: A review published by the Bibliothèque G. de Maupassant in Bezons (92) dedicated issue N° 2 (April 1988) to ETs in Science Fiction, including humorous drawings.
• VSD: A dossier on "FAUT-IL CROIRE A LA REINCARNATION?" (Should We Believe in Reincarnation?) by J.Y. Casgha & Caroline Laurent (VSD, N° 602).
• DOSSIER: "LA TERRE CREUSE" (The Hollow Earth) and its myths, a dossier by Pierre Carnac & Pierre Jarnac (LES DOSSIERS DE L'HISTOIRE MYSTERIEUSE, N° 3).
• SCIENCE & VIE: Articles from the December 1988 issue include "LE SUAIRE DE TURIN NE SE REND PAS" (The Shroud of Turin Does Not Give In), "QUAND UN SAVANT SE FAIT LA DENT SUR LES ANERIES" (When a Scientist Mocks Nonsense), "LE NOUVEAU SIGNAL DES SOURCIERS" (The New Signal of the Dowsers), "A LA RECHERCHE DE LA 5ème FORCE" (In Search of the 5th Force), and "LE CROISEUR INVISIBLE" (The Invisible Cruiser). (Science & Vie N° 855).
• NO U V E L OBS: An article titled "Du nouveau sur les origines de l'Univers: DIEU ET LE BIG BANG" (New Developments on the Origins of the Universe: God and the Big Bang), discussing the integration of evolutionism with religious views. (Le Nouvel Observateur, N° 1271).
• LE JOURNAL DU TELEPHONE: An article questioning "LA TELEPATHIE REMPLACERA-T-ELLE LE TELEPHONE?" (Will Telepathy Replace the Telephone?), exploring the potential decline of Telecom. (Le Journal du Téléphone, N° 3).
• PIF POCHE: A special issue titled "MISSIONS TRES SPATIALES" (Very Spatial Missions) featuring a role-playing game about ETs and a comic strip.
• VSD (bis): An article on the SETI project titled "Sciences: ILS TRAQUENT DANS LE CIEL LES E.T. / A L'ECOUTE DES ETOILES. LA FRANCE ABRITE LES MEILLEURS CHASSEURS D'ET DU MONDE" (Science: They Hunt ETs in the Sky / Listening to the Stars. France Hosts the World's Best ET Hunters). (VSD, 1-7/12/88).

C'EST DU CINEMA ! (It's Cinema!)

• Upcoming films mentioned:
• "J'AI EPOUSE UNE EXTRA-TERRESTRE" (I Married an Alien), starring Kim Bassinger & Don Ackroyd.
• "INVASION LOS ANGELES" (They Live) by John Carpenter, released April 19.
• "LOBSTER MAN FROM MARS" released in the States.

• Filming in progress:
• "ADVENTURE 1," about humans witnessing a war between two alien races, filming in the States.

MINITEL

Following up on a previous mention of the "BTEL" server for an UFO poll, colleague Alain Gamard provides details. The "Bien Public & Yonne Républicaine" server offered a "SONDAGE" (Poll) under the "Réagir avec l'Yonne Républicaine" (React with Yonne Républicaine) section, titled "DES OVNIS DANS LE CIEL" (UFOs in the Sky). It posed questions about belief in UFOs, sightings, and encounters with ETs, followed by analysis of responses. Note AGD indicates very few responses.

CONTACTS

NOUVELLES COORDONNEES (New Coordinates): The AIHPI's postal address remains BP 19, but their headquarters has changed to c/o Gilles Durand, 1, résidence St Médard, Appt N° 2, 91800 BRUNOY.

NOUVEAUX (New Groups): A new UFO group has formed in Normandy: GROUPEMENT UFOLOGIQUE DE L'EURE, c/o Mr Martin Franck, 15 rue des Fontaines, 27800 BRIONNE. This group consists of high school students, with F. Martin as the driving force.

The issue concludes with a note that this is a triple issue of the "Circulaire" and the next one should be published soon.

Enquête sur quelques rumeurs (Investigation into some rumors)

This extensive article, published in "Le Quotidien de Paris" on January 3, 1989, and also appearing in "Le Parisien" on January 5, 1989, explores the phenomenon of contemporary urban legends and unofficial information. It notes that these narratives, often called urban legends, are distinct from official news.

The Nature and Spread of Rumors

The article begins by defining rumors as unofficial, non-institutionalized information that can evolve into modern legends. It highlights that rumors touch upon various aspects of current life, including consumer products, health concerns (like carcinogens), and even food safety (e.g., the hamburger-worm rumor in the US).

Types of Rumors Discussed:

• Accidents: Rumors about bombs being found and disarmed, especially during attack waves.
• Weather: Fears of cyclones, heavy snowfall, or apocalyptic droughts.
• Attraction Centers: False reports of fatal accidents at water parks.
• Animals: Stories about vipers being released by environmentalists or the Ministry of the Environment to feed raptors (a rumor originating in 1976 and spreading across France), mysterious felines (like the 'beast of Drôme'), and rumors about Chinese restaurants using rat meat.
• Financial Rumors: Announcements of hostile takeovers (OPA).
• Modern Myths: The 'hitchhiker ghost' story is presented as a modern myth.
• The 'Dinner in Town' Story: A detailed account of a widely circulated story about a child killing a burglar, which was even reported by a journalist in "Le Monde" and later investigated. The article traces its origins to the 17th century theme of tragic misidentification, referencing Albert Camus's play "Le Malentendu."

The Role of Researchers and Institutions

A day of exchange on rumors was held at the Maison des sciences de l'homme in Paris, organized by Véronique Campion-Vincent (CNRS) and Jean-Bruno Renard (University of Montpellier). Notable participants included Jean-Noël Kapferer (president of the Fondation pour l'étude et l'information sur les rumeurs) and Françoise Reumaux (originator of the Allo-Rumeurs experiment).

Specific Rumors and Their Analysis:

• Viper Release: The Société herpetologique de France launched an inquiry into rumors of vipers being released from planes.
• Mysterious Felines: The article notes a trend of 'mystery feline' sightings, contrasting with traditional French legends of dogs or wolves, and links it to escaped zoo animals or deliberate releases.
• Mygales (Tarantulas): A rumor about tarantula nests in yuccas and their ability to 'hiss' was widespread, overwhelming the Muséum de Paris with calls, but found to be unsubstantiated.
• Animal Shelters: Rumors accuse shelters of supplying animals to laboratories, often linked to mysterious vans.
• SIDA (AIDS): Rumors suggest AIDS originated from a bioweapon experiment by a major power (USA or USSR) or from a young couple's encounter where one left a note about having AIDS.
• Men-Frogs: A classic rumor about frogmen found in forests, supposedly abducted by a Canadair during a forest fire.
• The Dead Woman: A rumor about picking up a woman hitchhiker who vanishes, only for the driver to later learn she died at that spot in an accident.

Appropriation and Opinion Analysis

Jean-Noël Kapferer, in his book "Rumeurs, le plus vieux média du monde," suggests that rumors about politicians serve to construct their image (e.g., Giscard d'Estaing as frivolous, Mitterrand as Machiavellian, Barre as a false Gaullist, Rocard as hesitant, Mauroy as hedonistic). He posits that rumors, being spontaneous and free, are ideal tools for observing the depths of public opinion as it forms.

Conclusion

The article emphasizes that rumors are not necessarily false and can contain a kernel of truth. They tend to fade as the public loses interest. The study of rumors, particularly 'exemplary' types, reveals they align with journalistic themes, are modeled on current events, and are spread through 'appropriation' by individuals within their own context. Despite the age of satellites and Minitel, the power of word-of-mouth remains significant.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature, spread, and impact of unofficial information, particularly urban legends and rumors. The magazine adopts an investigative stance, presenting various rumors and examining their potential origins, societal implications, and the scientific efforts to understand them. There's a clear interest in paranormal phenomena, unexplained events, and the psychological underpinnings of belief in such stories. The editorial stance appears to be one of curiosity and analysis, presenting information from different sources and perspectives without necessarily endorsing the rumors themselves, but rather exploring the phenomenon of their existence and persistence in modern society.