EN DIRECT

Magazine Overview

Title: EN DIRECT
Issue: 4
Date: April 1989
Publisher: Ovni-présence
Language: French

This issue of EN DIRECT, a supplement to Ovni-présence, provides updates on UFO-related activities, research, and media. It covers preparations for upcoming events, recent sightings, and analyses of past cases.

Association News and Events

The primary focus of this issue is the upcoming 'Rencontres' in Lyon. A venue has been secured for a diorama with 100 seats. A fundraising campaign is underway in Paris to cover the travel expenses of Bill Moore to Lyon, with a participation fee of 150 francs. The organizers are pleased to announce that nearly 80 registrations have been received, a record number, and they anticipate welcoming Michel Figuet. The publication 'Ovni-présence' has also released a new book titled 'Ovni-présence', which readers are encouraged to look out for. A press campaign to promote the Rencontres is about to launch, and readers are asked to submit any relevant press clippings or information on audiovisual press coverage.

Notable Cases and Investigations

Bernard Florent, a man from the Var region who had previously gained notoriety for his amnesia regarding UFOs, has resurfaced near Nantes. He had previously claimed to only remember the IMSA and Jimmy Guieu from the previous summer, an incident that had involved Gendarmerie investigators for several days. His current reappearance is noted with uncertainty regarding whether it is a coincidence.

A new group focused on the application of computer science in ufology is being formed in the Bouches-du-Rhône region, under the guidance of Pierre Vallée.

Regarding the observation by Kenjyu Terrauchi over Alaska, a report from the San Diego Tribune dated January 19, 1987, states that the witness not only claimed to have seen UFOs again but also that a family member had a brief experience inside a flying saucer.

The 'OVNI' page in OMNI (March 1989) discusses William Pitts, an industrialist from Arkansas, who is reviving the Blue Book project. This project, which was intended to lead to the Condon Report in 1969, concluded that UFOs posed no danger to the US and did not warrant further study. Pitts aims to re-examine past and future cases with an anonymous advisory committee of 148 individuals, including military personnel and officials. American ufologists are cautiously awaiting results, emphasizing that Pitts must prove he is not feeding information to the federal government to avoid accusations of contributing to a climate of suspicion in the USA.

Jon Myhre, a Vietnam veteran and employee of the US Federal Aviation Administration, believes, based on calculations, that the five Avengers that disappeared off the coast of Florida in 1945 were lost due to difficult meteorological conditions, not a 'Devil's Triangle'. Further research on this matter is expected.

UFO Sightings and Reports

Two articles in 'Le Provençal' (March 19 and 20) distorted reports of UFO sightings in Provence on the night of March 17-18. The first witness described a cigar-shaped object, while the second did not come forward. These reports were also mentioned on Radio France Provence and in SOS-OVNI.

The Soviet railway newspaper 'Goudok' reported an incident in February 1985 where a mysterious luminous ball accompanied a freight train in the Leningrad region for several kilometers, appearing to alternately push and brake the train. A station employee also observed a luminous disc. The train reportedly saved 300 kg of fuel during this event.

A significant scare occurred on the evening of Tuesday, March 21, due to a phenomenon observed in the Provençal sky (and extending to Switzerland and Italy) by tens of thousands of people, including members of AESV. This was revealed to be a discreet experiment involving a rocket launched from the Landes Test Centre in Biscarosse. Despite cloud cover, the object was not observed in the southwest but was seen over the Alps.

Books, Cinema, and Television

In the realm of books, 'La secte Soka Gakkai ou les envahisseurs' by Pierre-Jean Vuillemin is mentioned, though it has no direct link to UFOs. Vuillemin also authored 'Provence, terre des sectes' with the same publisher.

Several films are highlighted: 'Lobster man from Mars' (released in the USA), 'Adventure 1' (about a war between two ET races, currently filming in the USA), and the 12th festival of fantastic films in Vannes (March 28 - April 2) will screen 'They Live' among other premieres. 'Le vampire de l'espace' starring Traci Lords is now available on video. John Carpenter's film, 'Invasion Los Angeles', is set for release on April 19.

On television, the series 'Les envahisseurs' is being re-broadcast on M6 starting March 13. Other scheduled programs include 'L'Empire contre-attaque' on La Cinq on March 21, followed by 'Le retour du Jedi' the next week. 'Le monstre qui vient de l'espace' will air on M6 on March 19. 'Un cosmonaute chez le roi Arthur' is scheduled for Canal plus on March 25. 'Les aventures de Bukaroo Banzai' will be shown on M6 on March 26, and 'Superman' on A2 on April 6.

Specialized Press Review

The issue includes an extensive list of specialized UFO and paranormal publications from various countries, including France, Great Britain, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, and Australia. Notable mentions include 'Quest International' (formerly Quest), 'Vimana 21', and 'Fortean Times', described as a comprehensive catalog of Fortean phenomena. The Italian bulletin 'Paranews' is temporarily suspended in favor of 'UFO Ovni mondial news'. 'UFO Nachrichten', a long-standing German publication, has ceased publication.

New Projects and Correspondence

A new project called W.A.U.R.L.D. is introduced. This is a yearly listing, published in March, that aims to compile and provide a comprehensive overview of UFO observation reports. The first issue, covering 1987-1988, is scheduled for September 1, 1989. Readers are invited to submit information on new cases, with contact details provided for Patrick Vidal in the Netherlands.

The editorial team is seeking updates from Laurent Toupet, Jean-François Barani, and Laurence Commandeur.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the organization of UFO conferences and events, the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings, the analysis of historical UFO cases, and the dissemination of information through publications, films, and television. The editorial stance appears to be one of active engagement with the UFO community, encouraging participation, information sharing, and critical analysis of phenomena and related media. There is a clear effort to keep readers informed about both domestic and international UFO news and developments.