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Magazine Overview

Title: inforespace
Issue: 87
Volume: 22
Date: August 1993
Publisher: SOBEPS
Country: Belgium
Language: French

European UFO Research Initiatives

The issue begins by discussing the trend of ufologists emulating scientific practices, such as organizing conferences and publishing articles. It highlights the growing effort to establish a more organized and recognized European ufological presence.

The San Marino Symposium

A significant event covered is the "1st International Symposium on Unidentified Flying Objects and Anomalous Aerial Phenomena" held in San Marino from April 2-4, 1993. Organized with the support of the CUN (Centro Ufologico Nazionale) and the Ministry of Telecommunications and Transport of San Marino, the symposium aimed to pressure the European Community to establish a dedicated UFO research commission. Physicist Tullio Regge, appointed by the CE to study the matter, was a key figure.

The article traces the history of this initiative, noting that Elio Di Rupo, a Member of the European Parliament, had previously proposed the creation of a "European center for the observation of UFOs" in 1990. The proposition detailed the need for such a center to collect observations, coordinate research, and potentially involve public and inter-university collaborations.

However, the report also touches upon the skepticism faced, particularly from physicist Tullio Regge, who was reportedly influenced by Italian "rationalist" circles and tended to conflate serious research with less credible claims. Despite this, Regge's eventual recommendation to extend the competencies of SEPRA (Service d'Expertise des Phénomènes de Rentrée Atmosphérique) to a European level is seen as a step forward.

Challenges in Ufology

The magazine discusses the inherent difficulties in ufology, particularly the need to distinguish serious researchers from those with less rigorous methods or an agenda. It suggests that for ufology to gain credibility at a European level, a clear distinction must be made between structured, official research teams and amateur enthusiasts. The article posits that private associations, however serious, are unlikely to be considered valid interlocutors by European institutions due to the prevalence of "farfelus" (eccentrics) in the field.

This leads to a dilemma: choosing between current ufology, which is competent but lacks scientific credit, and future ufology, which might be more credible and better funded but could alienate experienced researchers.

Media and UFO Phenomena: A Statistical Approach

A substantial portion of the magazine is dedicated to a statistical analysis of UFO reports and media coverage, particularly focusing on the Belgian UFO wave of late 1989 and early 1990. The study, conducted by analyzing calls received by SOBEPS and press publications, reveals a significant disconnect between media attention and actual witness reports.

Early 1990 Observations

In January 1990, despite some media articles, there was no significant increase in UFO reports. The study notes that media coverage did not correlate with the number of calls received by SOBEPS, indicating that the press was not effectively stimulating witness accounts.

Media Silence and Relance

From late January to early February 1990, a period of media silence coincided with a low number of UFO reports. This silence worried researchers, who feared that potential witnesses might be hesitant to come forward or that the public might believe the wave had ended. To counter this, SOBEPS issued a press release, which was partially picked up by some media outlets.

The "Operation Identification OVNI"

A major event discussed is the "Operation Identification OVNI" in April 1990, a collaborative effort between the Air Force and SOBEPS. This operation involved a weekend of systematic UFO observation, advertised through the press. While it generated significant media attention, the analysis of collected cases revealed that many were either old reports or misidentifications, rather than new, significant sightings.

The article highlights the media's role in both amplifying and potentially distorting the UFO phenomenon. It points out how certain journalists and media outlets, like La Dernière Heure, played a crucial role in bringing attention to UFO cases and the work of organizations like SOBEPS.

Book Reviews

The magazine includes a section on recent books in ufology. "Intelligences extra-terrestres" by Jean Heidmann is reviewed as a serious and comprehensive work on exobiology, covering the evolution of life and intelligence, and the SETI project. Another book, "Objets Volants Non Identifiés" by Jean-Gabriel Liger, is also mentioned, focusing on the author's personal experiences and observations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the professionalization of ufology, the push for European-level research initiatives, and a critical analysis of media reporting on UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to favor a rigorous, scientific approach to ufology, emphasizing the need for credible data and distinguishing serious research from sensationalism. There is a clear concern about the public perception of ufology and the challenges of gaining institutional acceptance.

Key Incidents and Data

The issue presents statistical data on UFO reports and media coverage for January, February, and March 1990, including tables and graphs showing the number of cases, lines of text published, and phone calls received. While specific detailed incidents are not listed as separate entries, the analysis of these data points forms the core of the articles on media and UFO phenomena.

Notable Quotes

Richard Haines' quote, "In ufology, it's not so much the destination that counts, but the path one takes to get there," encapsulates the article's perspective on the journey of ufological research.

FAQ

• What was the main goal of the 1st International Symposium on UFOs in San Marino? The main goal was to urge the European Community to establish a research commission on UFO phenomena and to inform physicist Tullio Regge about this initiative.
• How did the media coverage of UFOs in early 1990 correlate with witness reports in Belgium? The study indicates a totally negative correlation, meaning media coverage, even when significant, did not lead to a notable increase in UFO sightings or calls to organizations like SOBEPS.
• What challenges did ufological organizations face in Belgium during 1990? Organizations like SOBEPS faced challenges in gaining credibility, securing financial and human resources, and dealing with media skepticism or misrepresentation of their work.
• What was the 'Operation Identification OVNI'? It was a systematic UFO observation weekend organized by SOBEPS with the support of the Belgian Air Force in April 1990, aiming to gather more significant cases and potentially overcome previous limitations.

This issue of Inforespace, number 87 from April 1990, focuses on UFO (OVNI) phenomena in Belgium. The cover headline, 'OVNI: L'énigme reste entière' (UFO: The enigma remains whole), suggests a continued mystery despite significant media attention and witness reports. The magazine features a detailed analysis of the media's role and public reaction to a wave of sightings, alongside specific case studies.

Media Frenzy and Public Reaction

The article 'OVNI: L'énigme reste entière' by Michel Bougard and Jean-Luc Vertongen delves into the 'OVNImania' that gripped Belgium in April 1990. It highlights how certain media outlets fueled public excitement with sensationalist headlines, such as 'Chasse ouverte aux OVNI' (Open hunt for UFOs) from Nord-Eclair and 'La chasse à l'OVNI est ouverte' from La Nouvelle Gazette. This atmosphere, described as bordering on collective hysteria, led to widespread media coverage.

However, by Tuesday, April 17th, the tone shifted. Publications like La Libre Belgique and La Dernière Heure began to adopt a more cautious approach, with titles like 'Bilan troublant pour un week-end de traque' (Troubling assessment for a weekend of tracking) and 'Des témoignages mais aucune preuve' (Testimonies but no proof). The article notes that Flemish-language newspapers also covered the events extensively, with 41% of articles on the subject appearing in publications like De Morgen and Het Volk.

Starting April 20th, journalistic interest began to wane. Van Vlodorp analyzes this decline, suggesting that the Easter weekend was a turning point. He posits that the public's high expectations were not met, leading to disappointment. The initial media buzz, which made selling UFO stories easy, faded as the reality failed to match the hype, diminishing the 'passionate aspect' of the phenomenon.

Data Analysis: April 1990

A table and graph on page 18 provide statistical data for April 1990, tracking 'J: Jour' (Day), 'C: Cas' (Cases), 'L: Lignes (x100)' (Lines/Reports in hundreds), and 'A: Appels' (Calls). The data shows fluctuations throughout the month, with a notable increase in cases and calls around the middle of the month, likely correlating with the peak media attention. The graph visually represents the 'Nombre de cas' (Number of cases), 'Nombre de centaines de lignes' (Number of hundreds of lines), and 'Nombre d'appels' (Number of calls), illustrating the ebb and flow of reported sightings.

Detailed Case Studies

Case 1: Seilles (April 3, 1991)

This section, 'Trois observations en 24 h' (Three observations in 24 hours), details an encounter reported by M. P.G., a 31-year-old agent from the Eaux et Forêts, communicated via the gendarmerie brigade in Andenne. The initial observation was of a punctual, strong white light appearing above trees. Using 7x50 binoculars, M. P.G. observed a diamond-shaped object with a luminous, rotating movement at an angular altitude of about 45°. It showed a slight drift to the northwest but no significant change in appearance. Later, around 11:30 PM, the object had disappeared, but a dark, 'plate-form' shaped mass, approximately 20 meters long and 7 meters wide, appeared, moving slowly (estimated 25-30 km/h) at an altitude of about 40 meters. It had a triangular protrusion at the center and a red light at the rear. The underside displayed a pattern of fixed lights in a diamond shape, with white lights at the front, green on the right, and red on the left. A low, rumbling sound, compared to a boat engine at idle, was audible.

Case 2: Waret-la-Chaussée (April 4, 1991)

Less than an hour after the Seilles sighting, the F. family, restaurateurs from Ciney, observed a phenomenon near Waret-la-Chaussée. Around 0:20 AM, they noticed a bright, stationary light, which turned out to be three white headlights belonging to a large, imposing object, estimated at 30 meters long and 25-27 meters wide. The object was hovering stationary above the road. The front appeared faceted, with a triangular shape surrounded by small, non-flashing white lights. The underside was dark gray, almost anthracite. Two beams of light, emanating from beneath the object, illuminated the ground at an angle of approximately 45°. The rear of the object was described as rectangular, though the witness's daughter recalled it as more arrow-shaped with a single, bright red light. The object moved slowly, emitting a sound comparable to a lift, and then disappeared. The witness noted no electromagnetic disturbance to their car. The description is compared to a sculpture by Constantin Brancusi, 'Flying Turtle'.

Case 3: Stembert (April 4, 1991)

As a final event for April 4th, a brief mention is made of an observation in Stembert, a suburb of Verviers, around 10:10 PM. The object was described as a 'triangle' that flew over Stembert.

Other Observations and Comparisons

The article also briefly mentions a sighting by the H. family at the Loncin highway interchange on November 27th of the same year, noting striking similarities to the Waret-la-Chaussée case. Another observation by Mme D.P. involved a large, dark, triangular 'plate-form' with orange lights and fixed white lights, observed at an estimated altitude of 250-300 meters, moving slowly and vertically.

Gendarmerie and SOBEPS Collaboration

The article highlights the collaboration between the gendarmerie and SOBEPS (Belgian Society for the Study of Space Phenomena). Lieutenant-Colonel Rousseau of the gendarmerie contacted SOBEPS early in the wave to understand their objectives and methods. A meeting led to an agreement for brigades to transmit all UFO-related information to SOBEPS, a directive that remained in effect.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the intense media coverage of UFO events, the psychological impact on witnesses and the public, and the challenges of distinguishing genuine sightings from misidentifications or hoaxes. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation, presenting detailed witness accounts and statistical data while acknowledging the enduring mystery of UFO phenomena. The magazine aims to provide a factual account of sightings and the surrounding public and media reactions, emphasizing the need for continued research.

Notable Quote

"On pourrait dire que ce week-end pascal a constitué un tournant au niveau médiatique. Beaucoup de gens ont le sentiment que tous les moyens déployés n'ont pas servi à grand-chose."

Speaker: Van Vlodorp