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Magazine Overview

This issue of "Amérique du Sud : continent de prédilection des OVNI" (South America: Continent of UFO Preference), published by Inforespace in 1978, focuses on UFO sightings and related phenomena, with a particular emphasis on South America and Italy. The magazine features detailed accounts of specific incidents, photographic evidence, and analytical articles exploring potential correlations between UFO waves and socio-economic factors.

The Brazilian Jeep Encounter

The lead article recounts a significant UFO sighting that occurred on August 3, 1967, in Brazil. Coral and Jim Lorenzen, directors of the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO), visited their Brazilian correspondent, Dr. Olavo Texeira Fontes. During their stay, they learned of an extraordinary UFO observation by Dr. Jonil Feydit Vieira, a young lawyer. Vieira's account, translated by Mme Irène Granchi, was taken down by the APRO directors. They described the interview as taking place in an atmosphere of shock, as Vieira struggled to find a logical explanation for his experience.

Dr. Vieira, accompanied by his driver Amauri Barbosa da Silva, was returning to Camp Graham Bell in a jeep on a road near M. Pereira. Around 8:00 PM, approximately 15 km from Rio, they noticed two lights on the left side of the road. These lights multiplied, appearing as a considerable number of luminous points. The lights, initially yellowish, turned a tender blue. As they disappeared, two lights remained, one yellow and one blue-green, scintillating until they vanished.

Later, the object reappeared, this time illuminated and to their right. The driver, Amauri, flashed the headlights, and the object responded by scintillating in rhythm. The object then moved in front of them, oscillating from side to side, suggesting it was observing them. They noted the object made no sound despite its movements.

Vieira and Amauri experienced a sense of being followed. The object, described as a large dome or cupola, had a blue light at one end and a yellow light at the other. The driver reported the object was moving slowly towards them. After the lights disappeared, they continued their journey, shaken and deciding not to report the incident for fear of being dismissed as pranksters.

Upon returning to the camp, they were delayed by a locked gate. Amauri went to check the path, and the object reappeared behind the hills, displaying yellow and brilliant red lights. The object moved in a wide curve, its pulsating lights illuminating the area. Vieira described the object's dome as resembling a fire department control tower. The entire phenomenon lasted about 40 minutes, from 8:00 PM to 8:40 PM.

Vieira discussed the incident with lawyers Jacques Alhadeff and Pereira, who could corroborate his account.

Secondary Effects

The report details secondary effects experienced by Vieira and his driver. They reported receiving a "mental message" from the object, which caused severe headaches between their eyes. Amauri continued to experience pain for sixteen days. Vieira also noted a yellowish tint to his face and a slowing of his reflexes for several days. He felt he had lost weight, though this was not the case. The chauffeur experienced no significant issues beyond the headaches. The administrator was unaffected. Vieira mentioned a feeling of "lightness" twenty days after the observation.

The Bellaria, Italy Photo Dossier

The issue includes a photo dossier concerning an exceptional wave of UFO sightings in Italy in 1978, specifically focusing on an event on December 20th in Bellaria. Elia Faccin, a 45-year-old professional photographer, was awakened by carabinieri reporting a UFO at sea. Initially dismissing it as a prank, Faccin soon realized the seriousness of the report when he saw a large, luminous object, described as a "flaming vessel," appearing on the horizon. Numerous people had gathered to witness the phenomenon.

Faccin attempted to photograph the object. However, his sophisticated camera's automatic mechanism inexplicably jammed at the moment he tried to take the first shot, suggesting a possible electromagnetic influence. After replacing the batteries, he was able to capture a sequence of photos. The images depict an object resembling a ship or a fire at sea. Port authorities confirmed that no vessels or platforms were operating in the area due to rough seas.

Witnesses using telescopes described the object as having a series of greenish lights around a turret, with yellow-orange lights on the left. The phenomenon lasted from 9:00 PM to 3:00 AM. Despite the exceptional nature of the sighting, with thousands of witnesses across two towns, the event did not cause widespread public outcry.

Faccin used a Leica M2 and Olympus OM 2 with a 400mm telephoto lens. The estimated size of the object varied, with some calculations suggesting a diameter of approximately 440 meters based on the photographic evidence and distance.

UFO Waves and Human Anxiety: A Critical Analysis

The magazine critically examines Pierre Viéroudy's theory linking UFO waves to periods of population anxiety and economic distress. The analysis, presented by Michel Bougard, challenges Viéroudy's methodology and conclusions.

Viéroudy's theory posits that UFO phenomena are manifestations of the human mind, appearing during times of population unease. He attempts to correlate UFO waves with economic indicators such as stock market performance and interest rates.

The critique highlights several weaknesses in Viéroudy's approach:

• Selective Use of Data: The analysis points out that Viéroudy dismisses certain economic indicators (like industrial production and price indices) while favoring others (like stock market indices), often without clear justification. For instance, he discards price indices because they fall during recessions, yet later uses them to support his arguments.
• Contradictory Arguments: The critique notes instances where Viéroudy's own data contradicts his claims. For example, he claims French prices fell during a period of economic crisis, but the provided curve shows a rise.
• Geographical Selectivity: The analysis questions why certain UFO waves are linked to specific regions (e.g., Scandinavia in 1933) while ignoring broader global economic crises that should, according to Viéroudy's theory, generate widespread UFO activity.
• Flawed Correlation: The critique argues that Viéroudy's chosen economic indicators, particularly stock market indices, do not always accurately reflect the general population's economic well-being or anxiety, as they are influenced by various factors including political events and affect only a minority of the population.

Specific Periods Examined:

• 1800-1900: Viéroudy identifies waves in 1883 and 1897. The critique notes that the 1883 wave is primarily American and occurs during a period of economic expansion, not recession as Viéroudy suggests. The 1897 wave, largely American, coincides with a recovery after a severe crisis, again contradicting the anxiety-driven theory.
• 1900-1940: Viéroudy identifies waves in 1905, 1909, and 1933-1934. The critique questions the focus on England and Scandinavia, ignoring other regions experiencing similar or worse economic conditions. The 1933-1934 wave is linked to the Great Depression, but the critique argues that the widespread nature of this crisis should have resulted in more global UFO activity, not just in Scandinavia.
• The Great Depression (1929 onwards): The analysis strongly refutes Viéroudy's attempt to link the 1929 depression to UFO waves, stating that his argument collapses due to the selective and contradictory nature of his data. The critique also points out that Viéroudy conveniently ignores periods of significant crisis where UFO activity was reportedly low.

Conclusion of the Critique:

The analysis concludes that Viéroudy's theory, while attempting to provide a framework for understanding UFO phenomena, suffers from significant methodological flaws. The selective use of data, contradictory arguments, and geographical biases undermine his conclusions. The critique suggests that Viéroudy's approach is artificial and lacks a solid foundation, particularly in its narrow focus on economic indicators as the sole driver of UFO sightings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Inforespace demonstrates a commitment to presenting detailed case studies of UFO sightings, complete with witness testimonies, photographic evidence, and attempts at scientific analysis. The magazine appears to adopt a critical yet open-minded stance towards the UFO phenomenon. It engages with theoretical frameworks, such as the correlation between economic cycles and UFO waves, but rigorously scrutinizes them for methodological soundness. The editorial stance seems to favor empirical evidence and logical analysis, while acknowledging the mysterious and often inexplicable nature of the events reported. The inclusion of detailed critiques of existing theories suggests an effort to advance the field of ufology through rigorous examination rather than mere acceptance of popular hypotheses.

This issue of "Les grands cas mondiaux" focuses on the 1964 UFO landing incident in Socorro, USA, continuing the analysis from a previous issue. It also explores various scientific and alternative explanations for UFO phenomena and details international efforts, particularly at the United Nations, to address the subject.

The Socorro Case and Related Reports

The article revisits the 1964 Socorro incident, emphasizing the importance of providing maximum detail for researchers and critically examining the case. It notes that while the case is well-known, it's crucial not to overlook certain aspects. The author, Nicolas Greslou, critiques the work of 'Viéroudy,' suggesting his statistical analyses are selective and misleading, particularly regarding the correlation between economic crises and UFO waves.

Ray Stanford's involvement and personal investigation into the Socorro case are highlighted. Stanford's own sighting on April 30, 1964, near Socorro, is described: an elongated object with a metallic appearance and a dark blue glow, moving rapidly. Although his photographs were not conclusive, his testimony added to the body of evidence concerning the Socorro events.

Scientific Explanations and Alternative Theories

Under the heading "Un mythe, des mites" (A myth, some moths), the magazine discusses new theories attempting to explain UFO phenomena. It critiques the tendency of some popular science magazines to present 'miracle' explanations that dismiss more complex realities. Serge Berg's article in "Sciences & Avenir" is mentioned as an example of this trend.

A remarkable hypothesis from "Science & Vie" suggests that UFOs could be explained by swarms of butterflies passing through atmospheric electrical fields. Researchers Philip S. Callahan and R.W. Mankins observed that these insects can release electrical discharges, creating a bluish light. The external structure of the insect is dielectric, while the internal fluids act as an electrolyte, leading to colored lights at extremities. The theory posits that the erratic movements of these swarms could explain the abrupt changes in direction observed in UFOs, and large swarms could account for 'mother ships' releasing smaller craft.

Another explanation is offered for UFOs observed in New Zealand in late 1978, attributed by agricultural meteorologist Neil Cherry to the interaction of strong north-west winds with a dense, cold, and humid air front, which projected the lights from fishing boats into the sky.

Ufology at the UN

The issue details the intervention of ufologists Jacques Vallée and J. Allen Hynek, along with Lieutenant-colonel Coyne, before the United Nations General Assembly on November 27, 1978. The agenda item was the establishment of a UN agency to coordinate research on unidentified flying objects.

Following this, on December 8, the General Assembly voted on a resolution. This resolution recommended that the UN, in consultation with specialized agencies, establish and coordinate research into UFOs. It also requested the Secretary-General to invite member states, specialized agencies, and non-governmental organizations to submit information and proposals by May 31, 1979. Furthermore, it called for the appointment of an expert group to propose directives for the study and for this group to report its findings during the 34th General Assembly session.

The driving force behind this initiative was Sir Eric Gairy, the Prime Minister of Grenada. The article notes that Grenada, a small island nation, had limited infrastructure, lacking television and having only one newspaper. The political context of Grenada is also touched upon, mentioning a dictatorship, riots in 1973-74, and economic problems including inflation and unemployment.

Tragically, shortly after the UN resolution vote, a coup d'état in Grenada overthrew the ufologist dictator. The article expresses doubt about the follow-up on the report presented by Dr. Lubos Perek in June 1979, suggesting that the information gathered might have been meager and that the topic might not be revisited at the UN.

The First Forum for Parallel Research

The issue announces a two-day event organized by SOBEPS and KADATH in Brussels, featuring conferences, films, debates, and exhibitions. Participants included Jean-Claude Bourret, Francis Mazières, and Simone Waisbard. The event was scheduled for November 30 and December 1, 1979, at the Auditorium du Passage 44.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a critical stance towards simplistic explanations of UFO phenomena, emphasizing the need for thorough research and detailed analysis. It highlights the challenges in bringing the UFO subject to mainstream scientific and governmental attention, as seen in the UN initiative and its subsequent political disruption. The editorial team appears to be dedicated to providing comprehensive coverage of significant UFO cases and related developments in the field, while also engaging with and critiquing various theories and publications.