En Direct - No 12 - decembre 1989

Magazine Overview

Title: EN DIRECT
Issue: N° 12
Date: December 1989

This issue of "EN DIRECT" serves as the final publication of the year, offering readers essential information about the UFO phenomenon and the association's activities. The editorial expresses optimism about a resurgence in interest and activity, encouraging members to re-subscribe to ensure uninterrupted reception of "EN DIRECT" and "Ovni-Présence". The team wishes readers happy holidays and looks forward to 1990.

Association News and Events

L'association en vrac

The association had the pleasure of hosting British ufologist Hilary Evans on October 30th. The discussion covered various issues, including the increasingly famous crop circles, and Evans provided copies of his books on the subject. The second volume of the "Actes des Rencontres 1989" has been published and will be shipped shortly. The dates and location for "Lyon 90" are set for April 28-30, 1990, with a registration deadline of March 15, 1990. The chosen venue is confirmed to meet high standards. Investigator Eric Maillot has completed an in-depth study of the Bertre case, with results expected in a future "Ovni-Présence" issue. The association is also seeking assistance from M. Da Costa and Mme Frappa, requesting they contact the AESV.

"A noter" (Notes and Updates)

Television and Media Mentions

• A mini-reportage on "crop circles" was broadcast on M6 on November 1st, featuring BBC sound engineers who detected unusual buzzing within the circles.
• Kenny Rogers' new music video, "Planet Texas," depicts a contact between the singer and aliens.
• The GEIPIS (International Group for the Study of Irrational Phenomena) has launched a new Minitel service offering information on ghosts, haunted houses, auras, mysterious archaeology, and ufology.
• "Science et Vie Junior" featured photos of "crop circles" in its November 1989 issue.
• On November 5th, VSD reported that Christophe Dechavannes was preparing a UFO-themed show for November 7th. The AESV ensured representation, with Renaud attending. The strategy was to promote the SOS OVNI publication. The show generated a significant number of calls, with approximately 40% of callers providing information, though many were vague or anecdotal.
• The Yugoslavian newspaper "Borba" reported on October 23rd that a radio station in Skopje had hoaxed Belgrade residents into believing ETs had landed.
• A phonographic publishing house is releasing the complete "War of the Worlds" broadcast by Orson Welles on CD, accompanied by a 160-page booklet.
• Whitley Strieber has founded the "Communion Foundation," which publishes the "Communion Newsletter," potentially competing with Budd Hopkins' "Intruders Foundation."
• The November 1989 issue of "OMNI" reviewed the SETI project, comparing American and Soviet approaches. Soviets are noted for ingenuity in seeking Dyson spheres, while the West focuses on detecting signals from slightly advanced civilizations.

Du côté des livres... (Regarding Books...)

• "ULTRA TOP SECRET" by Jean Sider was expected to be released.
• Jacques Vallée's new book, "Autres Dimensions," with a preface by Whitley Strieber, was published by Robert Laffont but deemed uninteresting.
• Whitley Strieber's latest work, "Transformations," was published by J'ai Lu.
• The third part of Jean Cocteau's memoirs, covering 1954, has been published, with a significant portion dedicated to flying saucers.
• Shirley MacLaine's "L'amour foudre" in the "New Age" collection is noted for its connection to UFOs.

...de la TV (...on TV...)

• The series "V" was being broadcast.
• The film "Le Prince des Ténèbres" by John Carpenter, which describes Christ as an "envoy of ETs," was scheduled.
• "Star Trek IV - Retour sur Terre" was scheduled.
• "Rencontres du 3ème type" was scheduled for TF1.
• The program "Voyage au pays des sorciers" was mentioned.

et du cinéma... (and Cinema...)

• "Invasion Los Angeles" (They Live) was released on video.
• "J'ai épousé une Extraterrestre" (My Stepmother Is an Alien) was released on video.
• The film "Alien" was reissued.
• "Alien Private Eye" was released in the USA.
• A film about future scientists studying a distant planet was completed in Germany.

Les ovnis dans tout ça ? (UFOs in all this?)

This section compiles selected reports from over 4000 calls received by SOS OVNI following the broadcast "Ciel, mon mardi!".

• November 3, 1989: A witness in Bouc Bel Air (13) saw four or five luminous, white-blue spheres with undefined edges around 8:00 PM.
• August 8, 1989: A witness near Mont St Michel observed a stationary red ball at midnight. It transformed into a disc with lights before tilting and disappearing.
• August 8, 1989: In the Paris region, around 10:20 PM, a witness observed a triangular shape with bright points, described as large, dark, rapid, and silent.
• October 1, 1989: A witness in Saran (45) observed an object moving north around 6:00 PM, resembling an inverted plate with a V-shaped tail.
• July 29, 1989: A report from London described a ballet of lights in the sky for over 45 minutes, noted for its regularity and compared to a laser show. The witness linked it to circular traces found in Wales.
• November 18, 1989: Air traffic controllers reported three aircraft observed vertically above Mende, between Montpellier and Martigues, and above Nîmes around 9:10 PM, displaying a red luminosity and two light beams. The following day, three pilots reported observing two green, vertical light beams for 5 minutes. Another witness in Haut-Rhin reported seeing an object rise with luminous points and intense red light, followed by two light beams.

Divers (Miscellaneous)

• October/November: Numerous residents of Dauphiné observed a very bright, colored point moving slowly before disappearing. An article in "Le Dauphiné Libéré" initially identified it as a UFO, but later corrected it to Venus, noting that Venus is often mistaken for UFOs.
• November 27, 1989: Radio France Provence reported that the gendarmerie in Saint Maximin (83) was searching for a red ball that had crashed in the Var region on Sunday, November 26th, around 1:00 PM. The incident involved children observing a fireball, followed by an explosion, and a subsequent search for what was initially thought to be a small plane wreck.

Revue de la presse spécialisée (Review of Specialized Press)

This section lists various specialized publications received, including "Notizie UFO" (Italy), "Cahiers rationalistes" (France), "UFO Brigantia" (Great Britain), "Cuadernos de Ufologia" (Spain), and others. It highlights "UFO Brigantia" as a leading review and notes that "Cuadernos" features a detailed dossier on French ufology. Articles in "Il Giornale dei Misteri" are also mentioned, including one on the "illusion of sure casuistry" and another on Major Donald Keyhoe.

ENSAYO PARA UNA DEFINICION DE "OVNI" (Essay for a Definition of "UFO")

This extensive article by Claude Maugé attempts to establish a rigorous definition of the term "OVNI" (UFO). The author argues that a precise definition is lacking and proposes a dialectical approach that combines various aspects.

Introduction

Maugé notes that while everyone has an idea of what a UFO is, a precise definition remains elusive. He discusses previous attempts to define UFOs, including terms like PAN (Unidentified Aerospace Phenomenon) and UAP (Unidentifiable Atmospheric Phenomenon), but concludes that "OVNI" is too ingrained to be replaced. He suggests using qualifiers to specify different meanings.

Types of Definitions

According to L. Schönherr, three models of UFO definitions exist:
1. Phenomenological: Defines UFOs by a set of characteristic descriptors.
2. Degree of Investigation: Based on the level of research applied to each case.
3. Process-Oriented: Defines the phenomenon through a scientific approximation of the signal.

Maugé finds the third type ideal but currently unachievable. He considers the phenomenological approach less committal but requires knowledge of essential characteristics. He ultimately leans towards a negative definition, defining UFOs by what they are not, while acknowledging its limitations.

The Level of the Pre-OVNI

1. A "pre-OVNI" is defined as any object or phenomenon stimulus, objective or not, observed or perceived by a witness, which is considered capable of flying. Its nature is unknown or unrecognized by the witness based on its presence, appearance, trajectory, or effects. This is a Condon-type definition, encompassing cases that might be imagined or misinterpretations.

Studies of Reports and False UFOs

5. Reports are studied by one or more experts. The author notes that ufology often studies reports rather than the UFOs themselves.
6. A report may be unexploitable due to incoherence or lack of data.
7. A stimulus described in a report can be identified or "probably" identified, making it a false UFO or OVI. This identification can be due to misinterpretation of a known natural or artificial object, a known phenomenon of physiological or psychological origin, or a hoax.

The Level of the Quasi-OVNI

9. A pre-OVNI report may remain unsatisfactorily identified, leading to a "quasi-OVNI." This means the stimulus remains unidentified by "competent experts." This is the definition of a UFO in the Hynek sense. The author notes that the socio-psychological component of the phenomenon is not eliminated, giving ufology a purpose even if UFOs are disguised conventional objects.
10. Quasi-OVNIs constitute the UFO phenomenon in a strict sense, serving as a reference for "physicists" (broadly defined).
11. The classification of a quasi-OVNI is based on the current state of research and science. It may later be reclassified as a pseudo-OVNI if identified through further investigation or new expert analysis.
12. Scientific progress may also lead to the identification of quasi-OVNIs as natural or psychological phenomena, previously unknown or poorly understood, but not requiring major alterations to scientific understanding (Category D). These are also termed pseudo-OVNIs.

The Level of the True-OVNI

13. A quasi-OVNI that can never be identified constitutes an approximation of the "true-OVNI," which is fundamentally inexplicable. The origin of true-OVNIs can be threefold: E, natural phenomena (physical, biological, or human psychological) that cannot be integrated into science without significant disruption (e.g., paranormal phenomena); E, objects or phenomena related to non-human intelligence (extraterrestrial entities, "spirits," etc.) or completely abnormal human intelligence (time travelers, etc.); E, phenomena essentially unknowable to humans due to provisional or definitive limitations of our brain or our conception of the world, and possibly other categories.

Conclusion

Maugé concludes that the definition is complex but has merits, allowing for the consideration of various hypotheses. It compels clarification of the level at which one is discussing UFOs or the UFO phenomenon. The author emphasizes that the UFO phenomenon is dual: potentially founded on an original and irreducible phenomenon, but also a socio-psychological phenomenon.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, investigations, and the ongoing effort to define and understand the phenomenon. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness and scientific inquiry, encouraging detailed reporting and analysis while acknowledging the complexities and potential socio-psychological aspects of UFO experiences. There's a clear emphasis on promoting the association's publications and activities, urging readers to stay engaged with the subject matter.

Title: Ovni-Présence
Issue: 9
Date: Vendredi 3 novembre 1989

This issue of the quarterly review Ovni-Présence, published by AESV, features Yves Bosson, its editor-in-chief, who is a former resident of Vevey now living in Marseille. Bosson, a photographer by profession, has dedicated his leisure time to the study of the UFO phenomenon, a passion that began in 1973 following a wave of UFO sightings reported in the media. He emphasizes a professional and objective approach to research, aiming to identify phenomena through rigorous investigation.

Key Articles and Content

Yves Bosson: The Editor-in-Chief

The article introduces Yves Bosson, highlighting his background in photography and his deep involvement with the Association d'études sur les soucoupes volantes (AESV) in Vevey, where he organized congresses and meetings. Now based in Marseille, he continues his passion with friends across Switzerland and France, stating that this pursuit has become more than a hobby, consuming significant time and money. Bosson recounts how the 1973 UFO wave sparked his particular interest, leading him to dedicate himself to the phenomenon.

Rigorous Approach to Ufology

Ovni-Présence is presented as a credible review that strives for a scientific, rigorous, and objective approach to understanding UFOs, utilizing a multidisciplinary perspective encompassing social and physical sciences. Bosson stresses the importance of not expecting specific outcomes but maintaining a professional stance. He notes that while many UFO study groups have disbanded, AESV persists. He explains that ufology's activity is often tied to the number of reported cases, which in turn influences media attention.

Swiss UFO Observations and Surveys

AESV's research also delves into the psycho-sociological aspects of the UFO phenomenon. The magazine highlights a recent survey conducted by Institut Link in Switzerland, which found that only 4.1% of Swiss people had never heard of UFOs, and approximately 5.4% reported having seen one. Extrapolating this to the entire population suggests around 270,000 witnesses, a figure that does not align with the 870 cataloged observations. Bosson attributes the lower reported sightings in Switzerland compared to other countries to a cultural tendency for Swiss people to be less inclined to boast or seek attention, unlike Italians who might immediately call a newspaper.

Personal Anecdote

Bosson shares a personal experience from Vevey where he observed a 'flying saucer' with intense outlines. Initially, this sighting almost shook his convictions. However, the next day, he realized it was merely the sun setting, a realization that helped him understand how easily someone could believe they had seen a UFO.

Review of Ufological Publications

The issue also includes a section reviewing various ufological magazines and newsletters received by the publication. These include:

• FLYING SAUCER REVIEW (Vol. 33 n. 4, Dec. 1988): Featuring articles on crop circles, the Nullarbor desert case, UFOs as material phenomena, and reports from Malaysia.
• OVNI PRESENCE (n. 41, March 1989): Highlighting the Swiss Link/OVNI Présence survey, comparative studies of UFO/IFO cases, and reviews.
• UFO CONTACTEE (GAP Japan Newsletter n. 5, March 1989): A Japanese newsletter focusing on George Adamski's contacts and related topics.
• UFO EXPRESS (n. 50-52, Feb.-Apr. 1989): A clipping service providing news from various international sources on UFO phenomena.
• UMMO (a. III n. 6, 1989): An official organ discussing Ummo information and related topics.
• CRIU INFORMES (n. 4, 1988): A bulletin featuring information on the Ummo affair.
• CATALOGO CASISTICA DELLA PROVINCIA DI CATANIA: A catalog of UFO cases from the province of Catania, Italy.
• GAU NEWSLETTER: An informative circular from the GAU group, including guidelines for reporting UFO sightings.

Additionally, the issue mentions the proceedings of the Third European UFO Congress held in Lyon from April 29 to May 1, 1989, which included presentations on UFOs in comics, astronomical and meteorological phenomena mistaken for UFOs, defining UFOs, and the Roswell crash.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Ovni-Présence strongly emphasizes a rigorous, scientific, and objective approach to ufology. The editorial stance is one of skepticism tempered with openness, focusing on identifying and explaining phenomena rather than jumping to conclusions about extraterrestrial origins. The magazine actively promotes the idea that many reported sightings can be attributed to misinterpretations or mundane explanations, as illustrated by Yves Bosson's personal anecdote. The inclusion of survey data and reviews of international ufological literature underscores a commitment to comprehensive research and a broad perspective on the subject. The magazine also touches upon the sociological factors influencing the reporting and perception of UFO phenomena.