En Direct - No 16 - avril 1990

Magazine Overview

This issue of "EN DIRECT", number 16, dated April 1990, is a French-language publication from Ovni-Présence. It serves as a newsletter providing updates on the association's activities, upcoming events, and news within the ufology community.

Association News

The editorial opens with a message to "Chers Amis," expressing optimism about the upcoming "Rencontres de Lyon," despite organizational challenges. It anticipates an upcoming General Assembly around September and notes that the overall balance is positive, though more work is needed to foster a cohesive and active team.

A significant announcement is the financial donation from Bruno Mancusi to Ovni-Présence.

The major news is the operational launch of the "36.15 SOS OVNI" Minitel service, also accessible via "36.15 OVNI." This service offers various sections including "general info," "French sightings," "world sightings," "association directory," information about the association, the magazine, the Lyon encounters, a bookstore service, a mailbox, and astronomical calculation software for investigations. Readers are urged to widely disseminate the Minitel code.

There is a brief mention that the next issue of "OP" (Ovni-Présence) will be "exceptional" but expensive.

The issue highlights the dedication of its members, with AESV being represented at the Lyon event by several individuals, including Laurence Commandeur, Jean-Paul Lamagna, Renaud Marhic, Michel Hertzog, Michel Figuet, Jean-Louis Peyraut, and Gérard Coenca. There is a slight uncertainty about the attendance of Yves Bosson and Laurent Toupet.

International Ufology and Contacts

The "rideau de fer" (Iron Curtain) is reported to be lifting, leading to contacts with Romanian ufologists who are sending observations from their country. While nothing exceptionally significant has been reported yet, the publication promises to keep readers informed.

The "Rencontres Européennes de Lyon" are noted to have been announced in international publications such as "Cuadernos de Ufologia" (Spain), "Orbiter" (USA), "Mufon UFO Journal" (USA), and "Notizie UFO" (Italy). Additionally, "UFO Brigantia" (Great Britain) has distributed registration forms to English-speaking attendees.

British participation in the Lyon event is highlighted, with Terence Meaden, Hilary Evans, John Rimmer, and Peter Rogerson expected to attend.

Notes and Corrections

A "Mea Culpa" section corrects a previous announcement, stating that the magazine "Télérama" never mentioned a "flying fritter" (frite volante), and that the responsibility for this misinformation lies with "Science et Vie Junior."

Information is provided regarding a change of address for obtaining photos of English crop circles. Correspondence should now be directed to M. Hervé Pierron at 11, rue du Char d'Argent, 88000 Epinal.

A broadcast by the FM network "TSF" is mentioned, featuring an interview with AESV around 1 PM on April 20th.

A "planetary week for the welcoming of extraterrestrials" is noted, which began on March 24th in Strasbourg. This event, organized by a group identified as likely Raelians, claimed that life on Earth originated from beings from other planets. The goal was to send a message of love to celestial progenitors and achieve "cosmic orgasm." This event was reportedly covered with a satirical tone by Christophe Dechavannes' team.

New Association: SERPAN

Michel Figuet announces the creation and official declaration of the association "SERPAN" (Société d'Enquête et de Recherche sur les Phénomènes Aérospatiaux Non identifiés). Established on January 29, 1990, SERPAN aims to study and research UFO sightings, conduct investigations, and collaborate with scientific bodies and official organizations like the Gendarmerie Nationale. Its research will cover aspects such as the physical and socio-psychological nature of "close encounters." Contact information for SERPAN is provided via mail.

Book Review: "La Manipulation occulte"

A new book titled "La Manipulation occulte" by Jean-Michel Lesage, published by Ed. Atlantic in 1989, is reviewed. The book is described as an ufology work by a pseudonymous author, dealing with the conflict between good (Christ, Love, Light) and evil (Antichrist, Nazism, rock music, cults, manipulators, and enemies of Israel). The reviewer finds it impossible to identify the author behind the pseudonym but understands why they chose to remain anonymous.

MJ12 Controversy

Significant elements are emerging on both sides of the Atlantic that reportedly demonstrate with greater clarity that the MJ12 documents are a vast hoax orchestrated by William Moore, possibly with assistance from Jaime Shandera, for reasons yet unknown. Communiqués suggest that documents reproduced by Tim Good in Great Britain and Bill Moore in the USA originate from the same photocopier. Truman's signature is claimed to have a regular enlargement factor (1.2x) across different documents. The "TOP SECRET" and "EYES ONLY" stamps are said to be identical to those used by Bill Moore for his coordinates and might come from a DIY stamp kit. Furthermore, texts attributed to the 1940s-50s are reportedly written on typewriters from the 1960s. This casts a new light on a previous article titled "L'Intox" published in issue 39 of "OP."

BIDU and the "OVNI" Trademark

The "Banque Internationale de Données Ufologiques" (BIDU), also calling itself "Secrétariat aux Recherches et Etudes Spéciales," has registered the trademark "OVNI" with the National Institute of Industrial Protection. BIDU claims the right to prevent others from using the term, a move that is met with skepticism, as the association is believed to have only one member and no prior ufological work. The article suggests that BIDU's attempt to intimidate their Minitel server is a futile effort, as the trademark application, filed on March 8, 1990, will only be examined in six months and is likely to be rejected because the term "indicates the composition or quality of the product," which is not registrable.

Media and Television

A report on the TV program "Ex Libris" (TF1, March 8th, 10:15 PM) is mentioned, featuring a "Dr X" who annually displays a triangle of pigmented skin on his stomach on the anniversary of an encounter with an unknown phenomenon.

The series "Les Envahisseurs" (The Invaders) is being re-broadcast on M6 every weekend starting March 3rd at approximately 3:10 PM.

Another program to watch is "My Télé is Rich" on A2, Wednesdays at 10:10 PM.

UFO Sightings

A dispatch from AFP dated September 23, 1989, reports that an inhabitant of Kanazawa, Japan, filmed a UFO on the evening of July 6th. The film, showing a luminous diamond-shaped object, was sent to Dr. Bruce Maccabee of the Fund for Ufo Research, who stated it could not be a known terrestrial phenomenon.

Specialized Press Review

This section lists numerous ufology publications from various countries, including Great Britain, Denmark, France, USSR, USA, Turkey, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Spain, Italy, and Germany. Titles and issue details are provided for each.

Editorial Stance and Themes

The issue touches upon several recurring themes in ufology, including UFO sightings, the activities of ufological associations, the dissemination of information through publications and Minitel services, and the critical examination of controversial topics like the MJ12 documents. There is a clear emphasis on international collaboration and information sharing within the ufology community. The publication also engages with media coverage of UFO-related topics, both critically and informatively. The review of specialized press indicates a broad engagement with the global ufological discourse. The mention of Pierre Lance's quote about "celticism or death" suggests a leaning towards a more profound, perhaps existential, interpretation of the UFO phenomenon or its implications for humanity.