CUFORN Bulletin - Vol 11 No 06 - 1990 - Nov-Dec

Magazine Overview

Title: CUFORN BULLETIN
Issue: Vol.11, No.6
Date: November-December 1990
Publisher: Canadian U.F.O. Research Network inc.
Country: Canada

This issue of the CUFORN Bulletin, dated November-December 1990, is a comprehensive look at UFO phenomena, featuring reports from various international locations, a book review, and details on an upcoming UFO congress.

CUFORN Gets Phone Listing

The bulletin announces that CUFORN will be listed in the Metropolitan Toronto and Vicinity Bell Canada telephone directory starting April 1991. The listing will read: UFO-Canadian UFO Research Network, P.O. Box 15, Station "A", Willowdale M2N 557..787-1935. It clarifies that this is not a 24-hour hot line, but the editor's home number, with a recorded message for those who call when the editor is unavailable. The increased cost of this listing will be covered by a rise in annual subscription/membership rates and sales of the Recommended Reading List and the Index to Leonard Stringfield's book. A further substantial rate increase is planned for 1992.

Bulletin Staff and CUFORN Staff

The editorial staff includes Editor Lawrence J. Fenwick, Circulation Manager Ero Talvila, and Toronto Area Chief Investigator Tom Theofanous. The CUFORN staff includes President Meskat, Secretary Lawrence J. Femick, and Treasurer Harry Tokarz. A list of consultants in various fields such as Physics, Astronomy, Computer Technology, Microbiology, Sociology, and Engineering is also provided.

UFO Museum to Open in 1991

The National UFO Museum is set to open in Reno, Nevada, in 1991. It aims to be an archive, repository of UFO data, bookstore, mail order outlet, data clearing house, and resource center. It will publish its own books and a newsletter for members of the 'Friends of the Museum' association. Interested individuals can send $2 to be placed on the museum's mailing list.

UFO Service

An enlarged listing of 162 sources of worldwide UFO information is available for $5 by check or money order from investigator/lecturer George D. Fawcett.

Editorial: Going Around in the Wrong Circles

In his editorial, Lawrence J. Fenwick argues that UFO researchers are wasting their time on "corn circles." He asserts that corn circles, which are actually wheat circles in England, show no connection to UFO landing traces. Unlike genuine UFO traces, corn circles do not involve flattened or dead crops, nor are they radioactive or burned. Fenwick believes that the media's interest in corn circles, and ufologists' eagerness to satisfy this interest for publicity, is a distraction from genuine UFO research. He urges researchers to "stop wasting our time and get back to UFOs."

Two Non-Experts Spoil Canadian TV Show on UFOs

This section recounts the experience of CUFORN's editor and Chief Toronto Investigator Tom Theofanous at the taping of a TV show called "Shirley" on December 10, 1990, which had UFOs as its theme. The panel included Stanton Friedman, Philip Klass, John Robert Colombo, Dr. David Gotlib, and John Gower. The author criticizes Gower for his background with a tabloid that fabricated UFO stories and Colombo for being a compiler of stories rather than an expert. While Klass made his usual generalizations, Friedman's contributions were met with ad hominem attacks from Klass. The editor notes that, privately, Klass seemed to believe that UFOs are real.

PSU May Have Investigated UFOs

An article from The Daily Collegian reports on a new book, "UFOs, MJ-12 and the Government," co-authored by T. Scott Crain, Jr., a former Penn Stater. The book suggests that former University president Eric A. Walker may have attended secret meetings where government officials discussed UFO investigations in the 1950s. Crain alleges that Walker's involvement could jeopardize his security clearances. The book also discusses "Operation Majestic Twelve," a top-secret federal research and development project allegedly approved by President Truman in 1947, which involved 12 scientists, military, and intelligence officials tasked with overseeing UFO crash recovery. Crain believes the U.S. government has teams dedicated to recovering and analyzing unknown aerial objects and is attempting to duplicate alien technology. The book also details a supposed 1965 UFO crash near Pittsburgh and the military's investigation of the Kecksburg incident.

D. Scott Rogo Murdered

This brief report announces the shocking death of parapsychologist and author D. Scott Rogo, who was stabbed to death in his Northridge, California home on August 17, 1990. Rogo was known for his work on UFOs and parapsychology, including co-authoring "The Tujunga Canyon Contacts" and editing "UFO Abductions." The police found no clues or arrests in the case.

Two CUFORN Members May Speak at First World UFO Congress

Two CUFORN members, Ryszard Fiejtek of Poland and the bulletin's editor, have been invited to speak at the First World UFO Congress in Tucson, Arizona, from May 3-7, 1991. Fiejtek's topic is "The Polish View," while the editor plans to speak on the Carp, Ontario UFO incident of November 1989. The editor notes that attending will require unpaid time off. The congress theme is "Extraterrestrials Are Visiting Earth": A Challenge to Science." The event will feature 30 speakers from 18 countries, 50 display tables of UFO-related materials, and presentations translated into other languages. Speakers include prominent figures in the UFO field from around the world. Prices for lectures and accommodation are detailed, with early bird reservation deadlines mentioned.

First World UFO Congress Program

This section provides a detailed schedule for the First World UFO Congress, listing speakers, their topics, and countries for each of the five days (May 3-7, 1991). Topics range from "CHMD Contacts" and "Adriatic Flap 78-79" to "Venusian ETs" and "UFO Photos." The program also includes lunch and dinner breaks and lists various UFO-related exhibits and sales.

Soviet Fisherman Abducted by Four Blonde Humanoids

This article, translated from the Yaroslavl Ufologist Group, recounts the experience of a Soviet fisherman named "Gennadij" in July 1966. He reported being abducted by four well-built, blonde humanoids in a silvery, drop-shaped apparatus. The humanoids claimed to be "the cognizant" and investigated the world. They spoke of changing biological programs for lifespan and stated that mankind's perishing was "our problem" and they would not allow it. The contact lasted about half an hour, and Gennadij kept the experience secret for over 20 years, convinced he had met representatives of a different Mind.

Hundreds Report UFOs to SOBEPS, NUFOC groups in Belgium during major wave of 1989-1990

This article details a significant wave of UFO sightings in Belgium that occurred between November 29, 1989, and April 18, 1990. It includes reports of daylight discs and close encounters. One incident on November 29, 1989, involved Belgian highway police observing a dark, triangular platform with searchlights near Kettenis. The object moved toward Eupen, where other witnesses saw it hover low over houses. Another report describes a larger "triangle" following a police car. A twelve-year-old boy in Beringen heard a loud sound and saw a red, metallic object with white lights and a transparent dome.

UFOs: A Sociopolitical View - A Book Review

Lawrence J. Fenwick reviews Sal Amendola's new 274-page book, "UFOs: A Sociopolitical View." Fenwick praises the manuscript's readability and near-perfect proofreading, noting its art book-like presentation due to ample white space. However, he criticizes its looseleaf binder format, deeming it unsuitable for bookstores. He also finds Amendola's use of Latin phrases and focus on political views to be a detraction for readers primarily interested in UFOs. The book lacks photographs. Amendola reportedly seeks details about readers' backgrounds and interests in UFOs. The review concludes with a strong recommendation to purchase the book, highlighting its uniqueness, skeptical-vs-ufologist style, and down-to-earth language.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include detailed reports of UFO sightings from various countries, particularly Belgium and Switzerland, and the ongoing efforts of UFO research organizations like CUFORN. The editorial stance, as expressed by Lawrence J. Fenwick, is critical of research that strays from core UFO investigation, exemplified by his dismissal of "corn circles" as a distraction. There is also an emphasis on the importance of accurate reporting and the dissemination of information through publications and events like the upcoming UFO Congress. The issue also touches upon the potential government involvement in UFO phenomena and the personal experiences of individuals with alleged extraterrestrial encounters.

Title: CUFORN BULLETIN
Issue: NOVEMBER-DECEMBER, 1990
Date: 1990-11
Publisher: CUFORN
Country: Belgium
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of the CUFORN Bulletin focuses on two primary topics: a wave of UFO sightings in Belgium during late 1989 and early 1990, and the analysis of a mysterious white powder found at a reported landing site in Israel.

Belgian UFO Flap

The bulletin details numerous sightings from various locations in Belgium. On a particular evening, two 13-year-old boys in Eupen reported being frightened by a large, circular disk with two searchlights that flew low and fast, emitting a "soft, scraping noise." Another witness in Eupen described a circular disk with a dome flying slowly over her house, followed by a blinding ray of light from the sky.

In Butgenbach on December 2, 1989, a young boy claimed to be "eye to eye" with a solid object, prompting him to jump into a canal to hide. The report notes that other witnesses in different areas of Belgium saw three or four objects simultaneously. The Elons radar station detected strange echoes, which the Belgian Air Force attributed to "atmospheric disturbances." The organization SOBEPS (Societé Belge d'Etude des phénomènes Spatiaux) interviewed approximately two hundred witnesses.

A significant event highlighted is the "seven-month wave" which included a sighting in Sint-Truiden around March 21-24, 1990. A Ms H. reported seeing a triangular-shaped object hovering about 100 meters from her house at an altitude of approximately 100 meters. She observed three "disks of light" at the bottom of the object, noting its clear shape in the dusk. Later, Ms H. reported seeing another object, possibly the same one, between 6 and 7 p.m. This object also flew at a low altitude (estimated at 100 meters) and was described as moving at a moderate speed. Ms H. drew a picture resembling a Mirage jet fighter, but she excluded this hypothesis because the object made no noise, and jet fighters would not typically fly at such low altitudes in inhabited areas.

Another report from near As, Belgium, on April 13, 1990, describes Ms O. and her children witnessing a triangular object at low altitude around 10:45 p.m. The object moved slowly enough to be followed by a bicycle. It had the usual characteristics of three white lights and one red light, but also a yellowish circle around it. Twenty minutes later, another similar object was seen 63 km away.

The bulletin lists other reported dates for sightings, including several in late 1989 (Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 16, 18, 21) and early 1990 (Jan. 27, Feb. 2, Mar. 30, April, Apr. 13, 14, 18, June 23 and 24).

U.K. Analysis Concludes Powder Not Terrestrial

The second major article details the analysis of a white powder found at Shikmona Beach, Haifa, Israel, following an incident on April 21, 1989, described as a "pillar of fire." The incident was witnessed by Ida Bidderman and Allon Eilat.

A sample of the powder was obtained by Tony Dodd of Quest International in England and sent to a university in England for preliminary analysis. The material was described as aggregates of white grains with a dust-like appearance. Microscopic examination revealed hollow spheres and plates with large void spaces.

X-ray diffraction analysis indicated the primary component was Periclase (natural magnesium oxide, MgO). While Periclase is a naturally occurring material, its powdery form and the absence of other phases (above 5% by weight) were noted as unusual. Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis confirmed Magnesium as the dominant element, with minor amounts of Calcium, Sodium, Chlorine, Sulphur, and Potassium.

Further analysis using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) on the trace element content revealed the presence of Bromine, Strontium, Rubidium, Iron, Thorium (radioactive), and Uranium. The analyst concluded that the sample was "not a natural terrestrial sample of Periclase" and that Periclase is not known from meteorites. The analyst's best guess was that the material was the product of burning Magnesium, but with a different structure from Periclase produced under normal burning conditions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The CUFORN Bulletin appears to focus on UFO and UAP phenomena, presenting witness accounts and scientific analysis of physical evidence. The editorial stance seems to be one of open investigation into unexplained aerial phenomena, presenting findings from various sources, including witness testimonies and laboratory analyses. The inclusion of detailed witness reports from Belgium and the scientific breakdown of the Israeli powder sample suggest a commitment to exploring both sightings and potential physical traces associated with these events. The bulletin also highlights the role of investigative organizations like SOBEPS and Quest International in gathering and analyzing such data.