CUFORN Bulletin - Vol 08 No 05 - 1987 - Sep-Oct

Magazine Overview

CUFORN BULLETIN, Vol. 8, No. 5, September-October, 1987. Published bi-monthly by CUFORN Inc., this issue focuses on the controversial MJ-12 UFO documents, presenting arguments for their authenticity and critiquing debunkers.

The MJ-12 UFO Documents: Major Breakthrough Or Clever Hoax?

This lengthy article, reprinted from Focus, Vol. 2, No. 8, delves into the alleged MJ-12 documents released in May 1987. It highlights the research of William L. Moore, Jaime H. Shandera, and Stanton T. Friedman, who have spent years investigating the 1947 Roswell crash and related government activities. The article details how the documents, including an alleged Eisenhower briefing, arrived via mail on a roll of undeveloped film. While an unqualified endorsement of authenticity is not possible, the article states that no information has surfaced to suggest they are not genuine. A key piece of evidence cited is a document found at the National Archives that verifies the existence of an "MJ 12" group in 1954 and links it to the National Security Council and the President.

The article includes a Q&A section addressing various aspects of the MJ-12 documents and the Roswell Incident. It confirms extensive research into the Roswell Incident, involving interviews with 92 people, including generals and base personnel. Evidence is presented that a government press release initially reported a crashed disc, which was later retracted and attributed to a weather balloon. Ten first-hand witnesses reportedly described the object as a spacecraft, and five individuals who handled wreckage described unusual symbols.

Regarding the alleged 1952 briefing for President-elect Eisenhower, information from the Eisenhower and Truman libraries, along with a Washington Post article, confirms briefings on November 18, 1952. The article also addresses the meeting between Dr. Bush and Secretary Forrestal with President Truman on September 24, 1947, supported by Forrestal's diary and Truman Library records.

Further Q&A segments discuss the Cutler to Twining memo, with evidence suggesting its authenticity, including its discovery in National Archives files and a similar memo from 1953. The article also defends against claims that Dr. Donald H. Menzel, a known UFO skeptic, could not have been part of a secret group, detailing his security clearances, associations with intelligence agencies, and expertise in cryptanalysis and disinformation.

Another incident mentioned is a second object crash in Texas on December 6th-7th, 1950, supported by an FBI communique indicating a "high alert" status for UFOs and abruptly cancelled military leaves.

Debunkers Ignore Key Evidence About Government UFO Documents!

This article, reprinted from Focus, Vol. 2, No. 9, directly addresses the claims made by debunkers, particularly Philip Klass and The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP). It argues that these debunkers have failed to raise any issues that cannot be explained by further examination of the evidence. The article criticizes Klass' approach as "unscientific, highly emotional" and premature, noting that his assessment was based on a brief review of limited evidence and without interviewing witnesses.

Specific points of contention include the Cutler to Twining memo, which Klass claims is a forgery. The article counters that the memo was found in National Archives files, that Cutler's staff could have handled it in his absence, and that the "typed original" claim is flawed as onionskin carbons often show impressions. Klass' argument about the "Top Secret Restricted Security Information" caveat is also challenged, with research indicating this terminology was used in the early 1950s, and that the memo's classification "Top Secret Restricted" might refer to distribution rather than content.

The article also refutes Klass' claims about the absence of an "Eagle" watermark on the onionskin paper and the alleged lack of government records concerning MJ-12, citing National Archives staff who state that not all documents bear watermarks and that many classified files remain inaccessible.

The authenticity of the alleged Truman executive memorandum authorizing "Operation Majestic 12" is also defended. The article states that a print from the original negative shows no sign of superimposition and bears an authentic-looking Truman signature. Klass' assertion that the format does not match an authentic Truman letter is dismissed, as the document is an executive memorandum, not a letter.

Finally, the article discusses the seven-page Eisenhower briefing paper, arguing that it does not imply Eisenhower was unaware of UFOs, but rather that his direct involvement might not have been necessary given his role as President of Columbia University and later as Supreme Commander of NATO forces. The article emphasizes that the research by Moore, Friedman, and Shandera has established the occurrence of the Roswell crash, a government cover-up, the recovery of alien bodies, and debriefing of civilians.

British Defence Ministry Replies to CUFORN Query About UFO Information

This section includes a letter dated August 5, 1987, from the British Ministry of Defence (MOD) to M. James Esq. The MOD states that while they receive and coordinate some UFO information, their main concern is to determine if UFOs pose a threat to UK security and defence. They do not attempt to identify sightings unless there are defence implications and only provide limited details. They also note that MOD files are subject to the Public Records Act, generally remaining closed for 30 years, but that specific queries about particular incidents can be answered.

CUFORN members are encouraged to specify incidents when asking for information, and Mark James, who initiated the query, has agreed to send copies of any reports received to CUFORN for publication.

UNICAT's Listing of Top 20 Canadian Cases

This section presents a list of 24 Canadian UFO reports ranked high in the UNICAT listings, compiled by Dr. Willy Smith. UNICAT is described as a database with strict qualifications to exclude Identified Flying Objects (IFOs). The list includes cases from various locations across Canada, with dates ranging from 1950 to 1981. Notably, only three cases occurred after CUFORN's founding in December 1977, and the list contains no nocturnal lights or abduction reports. The article points out that debunker Philip Klass has only mentioned one of these cases in his books, suggesting his claim to have investigated "thousands of reports" is questionable.

1965 CE3 Report from British Columbia

This is a brief mention of a CE3 (Close Encounter of the Third Kind) report from British Columbia in 1965, likely referring to a specific case within the UNICAT listings or a separate article not fully detailed in the provided scan.

UFO Researcher Tommy R. Blann Retires

A short announcement states that Tommy Roy Blann, a longtime ufologist from Arlington, Texas, has retired from the field after thirty years of searching for truth. He announced his retirement in a letter dated August 18, 1987, and plans to write a book about his experiences.

250 at Friedman lecture in Toronto

This brief report details a lecture given by nuclear physicist and ufologist Stanton T. Friedman at York University in Toronto on October 6, 1987. Approximately 250 people attended the free lecture, titled "Flying Saucers Are Real." Friedman prefaced his talk with remarks about recent events, including President Reagan's comments on alien invasion cooperation and the Vatican preparing priests to deal with alien creatures.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The CUFORN Bulletin consistently champions the investigation of UFO phenomena and the release of government information. The editorial stance is clearly pro-UFO investigation, critical of debunkers who dismiss evidence without thorough examination, and supportive of researchers like Moore, Shandera, and Friedman. The publication aims to disseminate information about UFO sightings, alleged government cover-ups, and the scientific study of the phenomenon, with a particular focus on Canadian cases and international developments.

Title: CUFORN BULLETIN
Issue: September-October, 1987
Volume: 11
Cover Headline: SIX WITNESSES FLEE UFO IN 1965 CE3 IN B.C.

This issue of the CUFORN Bulletin focuses on a detailed account of a Close Encounter of the Third Kind (CE3) that occurred on June 25, 1965, near Becker Lake in British Columbia, Canada. The report is based on testimony from six witnesses, primarily recounted by William K. Allen, a CUFORN member and investigator.

The Becker Lake Incident

The incident began around 3:20 p.m. Pacific Time on June 25, 1965, when six boys were at Becker Lake for raft fishing. The primary witness, William K. Allen, was at the east end of the lake when he observed a bright light in the sky, brighter than the sun, hovering over a distant mountain. The light expanded and formed a shape, which then disappeared, leaving a dark grey object that materialized momentarily.

This object began to fall, then spun and fluttered like a leaf before smoothing out its flight, increasing speed, and leveling off. It then disappeared behind a low ridge. Shortly after, the object reappeared very close, hovering about 50 feet above the eastern part of the lake. Its edges glowed reddish hot and it made almost no sound until it began to emit a high-pitched whine, causing small waves to vibrate on the lake's surface.

The whine intensified, and a column of water began to whirlpool downwards and then upwards to the underside of the craft. During this phenomenon, a large fish briefly appeared and disappeared in a counter-clockwise motion. After a few minutes, this activity ceased, and the UFO maintained its hovering position, appearing to spin like a top as it slowed its rotation until it was completely still.

The water column then fell back to the lake, causing a loud splash and large waves. The witness heard his friends signal by whistle, indicating they had also seen the object. He used a prearranged code to signal extreme danger and to run for their lives. While standing in plain view of the object, he saw his friends run for their bicycles. The UFO then moved into a tilt and slid in a sideways motion into a hovering position about ten feet in the air and less than 30 feet in front of him.

Three Occupants Seen

Through what appeared to be two main windows, the witness could clearly see three occupants staring back at him. He stepped forward and raised his right arm, palm upwards, saying "Peace." The object hesitated, and then bright blue, red, and yellow spotlights turned on from its top.

The flash from the lights momentarily blinded and unbalanced the witness as he fell backward. While running towards his bicycle, he glanced back and saw the object had moved over the beach where he had stood. As the object moved closer, a small silver ball, approximately two feet across, detached from underneath it and swooped directly towards him.

"Raced for My Life"

The witness jumped on his bicycle and raced for his life towards his friends. The silver ball followed him until he met his friends, at which point it stopped and hovered invisibly. He yelled to his friends to run, and they kept pace together until they reached an intersection in a logging road. There, they decided to split up.

The witness noticed something wavering in the air near a bush. He asked his friend to look, who confirmed seeing something funny. They decided to go home. The others left in a south direction, while the witness and his friend left in a north direction. The silver ball followed the witness, and his friend accompanied him home.

Upon arriving home, they found no one there. They locked the doors and waited. About an hour later, a friend's father arrived looking for their fathers and eventually took the friend and his bicycle home. The witnesses did not tell anyone about the encounter at the time, fearing they could not explain it.

The "Follower" Sphere

The next morning, the witness went outside and realized he was seeing the invisible sphere again. It followed him to his bedroom window. He moved to several other windows, and the sphere followed each time. It became a "Follower" for almost two years, but did not do anything. After a month, the first sphere was replaced by a new one, and these spheres were replaced or recharged at least every two months, their main purpose being to observe and learn. In 1968, when the witness moved out of the Okanagan Valley, the spheres did not follow, and he has not seen them since.

Other Content

Two New Books Out

• The bulletin announces two recently published books of interest to subscribers:
• Above Top Secret: The World-Wide UFO Cover-Up by Timothy Good (Sidgwick & Jackson, London, England), priced at $14.95.
• Night Siege-The Hudson Valley UFO Sightings by Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Philip Imbrogno, and Bob Pratt (Ballantine Books Div. of Random House, Inc.), priced at $6.95 in the U.S.A.

16 Listed in MAYBECAT

This section details Dr. Smith's MAYBECAT, which lists UFO cases that meet certain criteria but not all UNICAT standards. As of May 21, 1987, there were 16 such observations in Canada. The article acknowledges Dr. Smith's assistance and provides contact information for the UNICAT PROJECT in Longwood, Florida, for those interested in learning more about UNICAT and MAYBECAT. A table lists these 16 Canadian cases with their dates, locations, and sources.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The CUFORN Bulletin consistently features detailed witness testimonies of UFO sightings and encounters, emphasizing the importance of documenting such events. The publication appears to be dedicated to collecting and disseminating information on UFO phenomena, particularly within Canada. The editorial stance is one of serious investigation and reporting of these unexplained events, providing a platform for researchers and enthusiasts to share and learn about UFO cases. The inclusion of book reviews and lists of documented cases suggests a commitment to providing comprehensive resources for the UFO community.