En Direct - No 06 - juin 1989

Magazine Overview

"EN DIRECT" is a French-language publication, with this issue being number 6, dated June 1989. The magazine is published by AESV. This particular issue is described as "special" because, in addition to its usual content, it includes press clippings related to the association and UFO reports, as promised to its readers.

Association Activities and News

The editorial team apologizes for delays in correspondence due to the time needed to prepare "Actes part two" and "OP 42." They note that subscriptions are still arriving. Once these tasks are completed, significant administrative work awaits, including formalizing the new bureau, statutes, and association name. This involves applications to the CPPAP, opening a new account with Crédit Mutuel, filing tax documents, and seeking grants, though the association has never received any funding.

The association welcomes a new member, M. Praxède Raoul from Marseille.

News from the "Science et Illusion" festival indicates a "monumental flop" with financial problems anticipated for the organizers. However, thanks to the efforts of Parisian members, particularly Renaud, the association received excellent coverage in "Libération" and a "cash inflow" of approximately 1200 francs.

An article about Lyon in "Paris-Match" is reportedly close to publication.

A "Comité Conseil" (Advisory Committee) will be formed to assist in organizing future events. Members already include M.T. De Brosses (reporter at "Paris-Match"), J.C. Ribes (Director of the Lyon Observatory), P. Chassagneux (National Meteorologist), and J.B. Renard (Sociology Lecturer). The committee is open to new members.

An exposé by Dominique Deyres on radar, presented in Lyon in 1988, has been published in the Spanish journal "Cuadernos de Ufologia."

After considerable negotiation, the association secured a discount of 1022 francs on a total invoice of 22,124 francs from the CISL.

Notable Mentions and Events

An organization named "Magonia," distinct from a British review, has materialized and is based in the Bouches-du-Rhône region. It can be contacted by mail at "Magonia, Les Faienciers BT A1 13011 Marseille."

A unique "round house" with saucer-like features, designed to pivot and change orientation, has been constructed in Scaër (Finistère).

The "First World Congress on Contact with Extraterrestrial Intelligences" is scheduled to take place in Francfort from October 26-29, organized by the "Institut Mondial de la Lumière." The event promises participation from figures like Bill Moore, Nina Hagen, Tim Good, Erich von Daniken, Budd Hopkins, Brad Steiger, Wendelle Stevens, and Charles Berlitz. Registration fees are 1300 francs for ufological groups and 2000 francs for others.

On January 12, 1989, J. Lear and W. Cooper accused President Bush and the US government of being aware of secret ET bases, abductions, mutilations, and the murder of "patriots" who attempted to expose these situations. They demanded that the government cease all exchange with an "enemy nation" and leave the United States by June 1, 1989. They claim to have proof of these events.

TF1 is reportedly considering replacing the show "Demandez la Lune" with a more mainstream program about the strange.

Canal Plus is preparing a series of mini-portraits on "contactees," including one on a moderately known, "allumé" contactee.

A May 1979 issue of "OMNI" is mentioned for its UFO page, featuring a case involving Michael and Janet who recalled an RR3 in 1968. Walter N. Webb concluded the event likely occurred, while Robert Baker suggested it could be a fabricated memory from a romantic outing, a theory that Webb strongly refutes.

UFO Sightings and Phenomena

There were few UFO sightings reported this month. However, phenomena were observed on March 28 and 29 above Sologne and Berry. On March 28, witnesses saw a red, iridescent ring around the sun. On March 29, a witness south of Bourges reported a sky illuminated with pastel colors. These events are tentatively attributed to atmospheric phenomena like parhelia (due to ice crystals) and auroras, possibly linked to intense solar activity.

Specialized Press Review

The issue reviews several specialized UFO publications, including "Quest International" (GB), "Twenty Twenty Vision" (GB), "Northern UFO News" (GB), "UFO Brigantia" (GB), and "Cuadernos de Ufologia" (E). "Quest" is criticized for its poor production quality, while "UFO Brigantia" is praised for its engaging style.

Swiss UFO Survey Results

Multiple articles from various Swiss newspapers (April 15, 1989) report on a survey conducted by the AESV (Association d'étude sur les soucoupes volantes) and the Link research institute. The survey, involving 1117 people, found that 5.4% of Swiss residents claim to have seen a UFO. The majority of respondents believe UFOs are known phenomena that are simply misinterpreted by witnesses. However, one in five sees extraterrestrial presence as a possible explanation. The survey also revealed that 96% of Swiss people have heard of UFOs. Explanations for UFOs included misinterpretation (61%), unknown scientific phenomena (60%), hallucinations/hoaxes (52%), extraterrestrial spacecraft (23%), and secret terrestrial craft (12.5%). The survey was partially funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.

Notably, the canton of Ticino reported a disproportionately high number of sightings, with 112 out of 123 reported UFOs in 1988 occurring there.

Media and Entertainment

• Cinema: "Shadow Zone" (filming in the USA) and "Contamination - The New War of the Worlds" (a TV series) are mentioned.
• TV: "ARGON 01" is noted as a recent victim, featuring intergalactic wars and romances.

Cartoons

A comic strip, "Fluide Glacial," humorously depicts a conversation about a regime that prevents people from being eaten by extraterrestrials, with one character suggesting that humans are being fattened by aliens for consumption.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings and related phenomena, the public's perception of these events, and the activities of UFO research organizations. The magazine appears to be a platform for sharing news, survey results, and press clippings related to the UFO phenomenon, with a particular focus on Swiss reports. The editorial stance seems to be one of reporting on these topics, including scientific and skeptical viewpoints, while also acknowledging the persistent public interest in extraterrestrial life and unexplained aerial phenomena.

This issue of "Die Ostschweiz" (and several other Swiss newspapers from April 1989) focuses on a significant survey regarding UFO sightings and beliefs in Switzerland. The main headline, "Schweizer als Ufo-Beobachter" (Swiss as UFO Observers), highlights the key findings of a telephone survey conducted by the "Ovni-Présence" (UFO-Presence) magazine in Vevey, Switzerland.

Key Findings of the UFO Survey

The survey, which polled 1117 individuals aged 15 to 74, revealed that one in twenty Swiss citizens (5%) claims to have personally seen an Unidentified Flying Object (UFO). Furthermore, one-third of respondents consider it possible that extraterrestrial beings have visited Earth. The survey also indicated that 61.3% of those questioned believe UFOs are known phenomena that witnesses have misinterpreted, while 59.9% are convinced they represent phenomena unknown to science. A significant portion, 52.2%, also acknowledged the possibility of hallucinations, while 22.8% expressed a belief in extraterrestrial spacecraft.

In 1988, a total of 123 UFO sightings were reported across Switzerland, a slight increase from the 120 reported in the previous year. Notably, the canton of Tessin accounted for the vast majority of these sightings, with 112 cases (91.1%). Other cantons with reported sightings included Geneva (four cases), Waadt and Neuenburg (two cases each), and Aargau, St. Gallen, and Zürich (one case each).

Radar Technology and UFO Detection

Beyond the survey results, the magazine delves into the technical aspects of radar detection, particularly in relation to UFOs. An article titled "Mitos y Realidades en la Detección de los OVNI por Radar" (Myths and Realities in the Detection of UFOs by Radar) by Dominique Deyres, an air traffic controller, aims to demystify radar technology. It explains the basic principles of primary and secondary radar systems.

Primary Radar

Primary radar works by detecting the natural reflection of an object or phenomenon. Its fundamental properties are detecting an object and locating its position (azimuth and distance). However, its use in air traffic control is limited, often employed only when secondary detection fails. The article notes that primary radar can detect various objects, including those with high reflectivity or large, less reflective surfaces, making it a potential tool for UFO detection under specific conditions.

Secondary Radar

Secondary radar is a surveillance radar with two essential functions: identification and altitude indication. It relies on a transponder on the aircraft, assigning a unique four-digit code to each plane. This system is highly selective and can filter out objects that do not respond, making it difficult to detect objects without such equipment.

Limitations and Future of Radar Detection

The article discusses various reasons for the "no detection" of objects by radar, including "Garbling" (interference from two close objects), "Diffusion" (variation in station characteristics), "Effect of Circle" (around the antenna), and "Reflection" (from atmospheric layers). It also touches upon the limitations of radar in detecting objects at very low or high altitudes, or those that remain stationary.

Future developments in radar technology, such as the introduction of Doppler treatment and the "Mode S" system, are expected to improve detection capabilities and reduce ambiguities. The article suggests that while radar has historically served to confirm observations, its role in detecting anomalous phenomena may diminish as detection systems become more precise and pilots increasingly rely on their own observations.

Other Articles and Sections

The issue also features several smaller articles from different Swiss newspapers, all reporting on the same UFO survey and its findings. These include reports from "Rorschacher Zeitung," "Schweiz Bodensee-Zeitung," "Die Ostschweiz," "20er Tagblatt," "Aargauer Tagblatt," "Thuner Tagblatt," "Walliser Bote," "L'Hebdo," "L'Express," "L'Eco di Bergamo," "Femina," "24 Heures," "Giornale del Popolo," "L'Impartial," "Anriswiler Anzeiger," "Blick," and "Tessiner Zeitung." These articles largely echo the main survey results, with slight variations in phrasing and emphasis.

Additionally, there is a section titled "La grande anti-illusion sous chapiteau" discussing a "Science and Illusions" festival in Ivry, France, which aimed to critically examine various beliefs and scientific claims. This article touches upon astrology, parapsychology, and the skepticism of scientists towards such phenomena.

Another section, "La valse des soucoupes," reiterates the survey findings and mentions the role of the "Ovni-Présence" magazine and the Link Institute in conducting the research. It also highlights the geographical distribution of sightings within Switzerland, with a strong concentration in Tessin.

Finally, there are brief mentions of other topics, including a report on a "Procès de Vevey" (Vevey trial) and a piece on the "CICR transparent" (ICRC transparent), discussing the International Committee of the Red Cross's role in conflict zones.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the prevalence of UFO sightings and beliefs in Switzerland, supported by survey data and anecdotal reports. The articles generally present the survey findings factually, with a degree of scientific skepticism evident in the discussions about radar technology and the distinction between known phenomena and the unknown. The "Science and Illusions" festival article explicitly criticizes pseudoscience and highlights the importance of critical thinking. The overall stance appears to be one of reporting on public interest in UFOs while also grounding the discussion in scientific inquiry and technological capabilities.