Extraterrestres, Les - Series 2 - No 07 - juil 1978

Magazine Overview

This issue of *Les EXTRATERRESTRES*, dated July 1978, is the seventh issue and focuses on the topic of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). The cover features a striking red design with a central sunburst and the prominent title "Les EXTRATERRESTRES" along with the subtitle "-Objets Volants Non Identifiés-". The magazine is published in France and includes an ISSN of 0399-5216 and a cover price of 10 French Francs.

Editorial and Administration

The editorial and administrative details are provided on page 2. The publication is based in Saint-Denis-Les-Rebais, France. The Director of Publication is Gerard Lebat. The magazine is produced with the help of various collaborators, including those responsible for artistic direction, advertising, diffusion, translation, and specific rubrics such as literary reviews, international news, and ufology.

Reader Collaboration and Subscriptions

The magazine actively solicits collaboration from its readers, inviting serious articles on UFO phenomena to advance ufology. Submitted documents are for publication and the magazine disclaims responsibility for their content. Reproduction is authorized with clear attribution. Readers are also encouraged to send press clippings related to UFOs. Subscription information is provided, with options for normal, support, and foreign subscriptions, as well as a package including membership in the GEOS group.

Public Meetings

The publication organizes public meetings in Paris to discuss UFO phenomena, followed by private working sessions on the magazine's organization and ufological research. These meetings are held at the cultural center at 31, rue de Chateau Landon, Paris 10ème, at 3 PM. The schedule indicates a closure in June, July, and August, with a resumption in September. Public conferences are held weekly in the Paris region.

Research Groups and Correspondents

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to listing researchers and groups involved in UFO studies. This section, titled "CHERCHEURS ET GROUPEMENTS," provides contact information for various associations across France and internationally, including the Association Bourguignonne d'Etudes des phénomènes Spatiaux (A.B.E.P.S.), Eden Bulletin (USA), Club Ufologique du Mont Blanc, Cercle Ufologique Aquitain, and others. The magazine aims to connect these researchers and facilitate the exchange of information.

Unedited Investigations

This section, "LES ENQUETES INEDITES," features detailed reports from correspondents and collaborators. One notable case is "LE CAS DE LA FAMILLE 'X'," an investigation by the GEOS service concerning a family's sighting in May 1974. Three family members observed a bright yellow-orange oval object moving at high speed towards a cloud, disappearing into it, and reappearing on the other side. The object's trajectory and estimated altitude are described. The report also mentions the presence of two military jets in the vicinity. The investigator notes that air corridors were cleared, suggesting a possible unknown aerial object.

Another detailed report describes an "OBSERVATION D'UN OBJET LUMINEUX EN GIRONDE" from October 14, 1977. Two witnesses observed a large red luminous ball with smaller red and green balls on its perimeter, hovering at a low altitude (20-25 meters) near La Réole. The object emitted no sound and then disappeared rapidly. The investigation concluded that the phenomenon might be of an electrical origin but did not fit existing atmospheric knowledge.

UFO News Briefs

The "L'ACTUALITE UFO EN BREF" section provides a series of brief reports on UFO sightings from various locations, including Moeres (Nord), Huby Saint Leu (Nord), Laon, Behren (near Forbach), and St Anne d'Aunay (Morbihan) in France. It also includes reports from international locations like Lacoste (Vaucluse), Meyrargues (Bouches du Rhône), Carnoy (Somme), Guayaquil (Ecuador), and a significant incident involving a Colombian pilot.

Colombian Pilot Encounter

A detailed account describes an incident on April 5, 1977, where a young Colombian pilot experienced a dramatic encounter with a UFO near Bogota. While flying, his aircraft's instruments failed, and the plane was violently shaken. He observed an oval object with intense yellow and red phosphorescent lights. The object passed under the landing gear, causing further loss of control and temporary blindness. The pilot eventually regained partial vision and managed to land his aircraft, which was then assisted by four other aircraft. The UFO was not detected by radar due to the terrain.

New Zealand UFO Wave

The "VAGUE SUR LA NOUVELLE-ZELANDE" section, contributed by Jean Sider, details a wave of UFO observations in New Zealand. The article highlights the significant number of reports received, with many confirmed by local researchers. It mentions a specific sighting on October 30, 1977, near Matakana Island, where a family observed a red object with white lights. The section also includes numerous other reports from November and December 1977, describing various luminous objects, discs, and spheres with different behaviors and characteristics, including a detailed account of an object observed near Gisborne on November 29, 1977, which hovered, emitted a light beam, and had a specific shape and size.

UFOs at the United Nations

This section, "LES OVNI AUX NATIONS UNIES," begins the publication of a dossier on the United Nations' involvement with UFOs. It features the text of a speech delivered by Sir Eric Gairy, the Prime Minister of Grenada, at the First International Ufology Congress in Acapulco, Mexico, in April 1977. Gairy's speech emphasizes the need for global recognition of a supreme being and the universal presence of divine intelligence. He advocates for a new world order based on peace and love, urging for the establishment of a UN department to promote psychic research and the study of extraterrestrial phenomena. He references the Robertson Panel report from 1953 as evidence of government secrecy regarding UFOs.

Sir Eric Gairy's address to the UN General Assembly in October 1975 is mentioned, where he requested the UN to undertake research into psychic phenomena. He notes that his interest in UFOs intensified when he realized that some national organizations had deliberately concealed information about extraterrestrial phenomena. He highlights the importance of understanding the nature of superior forces and intelligences surrounding humanity and using this knowledge for the benefit of mankind. Gairy expresses his belief in the common spiritual origin of all beings, including those from extraterrestrial zones, and the potential for humanity to achieve a higher state of consciousness through connection with this universal intelligence.

The issue includes letters of support and encouragement for Gairy's initiative from various individuals and organizations, including the Centre d'études des OVNI in Ontario, Canada, and the Académie canadienne de psychotronique in Toronto. These letters express enthusiasm for his call to the UN to support psychic research and UFO investigations.

Further UN Involvement and Global Interest

Sir Eric Gairy's second address to the UN General Assembly in October 1976 is mentioned, where he reiterated his call for a UN department dedicated to psychic research. He notes that while his recommendation was supported by individuals and groups worldwide, it had not yet been acted upon. He expresses his hope that his intervention at the Mexico conference would draw the attention of world leaders to the urgent need for the UN to address psychic research and related UFO matters. He points out that many major countries have been hesitant to engage with this subject.

Gairy recounts Grenada's intervention at the UN General Assembly in 1975, where he raised the issue of UFO research. He expresses disappointment that concrete measures have not yet been taken, despite strong support. He calls upon nations to support the UN in creating a department for psychic research and for monitoring extraterrestrial activities and communication. He notes the reluctance of large countries to engage with this topic, which he describes as "manifestly scabrous."

He further elaborates on the idea that UFOs are likely spacecraft belonging to beings of high intelligence and extraterrestrial origin, possibly with a specific purpose, whether benevolent or hostile. He suggests that these beings might be sharing their universal intelligence to help humanity enter a new era of fraternity and divine spirit. Gairy believes that direct contact with these extraterrestrial beings could provide humanity with an inexhaustible source of scientific discoveries, citing examples of alleged healings and psychically-induced phenomena attributed to UFOs.

He mentions the ongoing "space race" among global powers, suggesting that the objective might be to decipher signals from extraterrestrial satellites and establish direct contact. He notes that telepathic communication with space inhabitants has reportedly been achieved, opening new horizons that are both exciting and concerning for humanity. The magazine also touches upon the potential role of the United Nations in monitoring UFO activities, suggesting that these activities are often linked to strategically important global installations and resources, particularly in the southern United States.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the increasing global interest in UFO phenomena, the potential for extraterrestrial intelligence, and the role of international organizations like the UN in addressing these topics. There is a strong emphasis on the need for open research, transparency, and a shift away from government secrecy. The magazine advocates for a broader understanding of psychic phenomena and their connection to UFOs, suggesting a spiritual or cosmic dimension to these events. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting ufology as a serious field of study and encouraging scientific and public engagement with the subject.

This issue of "Les Frontières de l'impossible" focuses on the international efforts and scientific investigations surrounding Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and related phenomena. It highlights a significant initiative by the nation of Grenada to establish a dedicated agency within the United Nations for UFO research, a proposal championed by Prime Minister Sir Eric Gairy. The magazine delves into the political and diplomatic challenges of this endeavor, including the opposition from major global powers like the USA and USSR, and the complex interplay of national interests.

United Nations Initiative for UFO Research

The central theme revolves around Grenada's proposal at the United Nations General Assembly to create an international agency for UFO studies. The article details the efforts of Grenadian representatives, including Ambassador Wellington Fritlay and the Prime Minister himself, to garner support for this resolution. It discusses the strategic importance of such an agency for coordinating research, disseminating findings, and fostering a more open approach to the subject. The text also touches upon the historical context of UN involvement, referencing past requests for information by former Secretary-General U Thant and the archiving of reports, such as one by Major Colman Von Keviczky.

Political and Scientific Challenges

The magazine explores the significant hurdles faced by the UN initiative. The USA and USSR are identified as key players whose opposition stems from perceived national interests, particularly concerning military and industrial implications. The article suggests that public awareness and potential military vulnerability could influence budget allocations for defense, creating a powerful incentive for secrecy. The text also mentions the "conspiracy of silence" and the resistance from established powers to acknowledge the UFO phenomenon openly. The role of the Condon Report is also brought up as a point of contention, with some arguing it is outdated.

GEPAN and Scientific Investigation

This issue also features information about GEPAN (Groupe d'études et de recherches en sciences physiques de l'environnement), a French organization under CNES dedicated to UFO research. The creation of a Scientific Council for GEPAN is announced, comprising seven external personalities tasked with providing opinions and recommendations on the group's work. The Council emphasizes the public's right to scientific studies on environmental phenomena and advocates for rigorous, multidisciplinary research. They acknowledge the unusual nature of UFO studies and commend GEPAN's commitment to objectivity and statistical analysis, while noting that current data is insufficient to confirm or deny the anomalous nature of reported facts.

Book Reviews

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to reviewing recent books on UFOs and related topics:

• "Ces OVNI qui annoncent le surhomme" by Pierre Viéroudy: This book is presented as an original and courageous work that shifts the focus from extraterrestrial intervention to parapsychological hypotheses. The author's personal experience and theoretical model, which suggests a sociopsychological explanation for UFO sightings, are discussed. While praised for its honesty and intellectual courage, the book's subjective approach and its conclusions are noted as potentially controversial within the ufological community.

• "Et si les OVNI n'existaient pas ?" by Michel Monnerie: This book is described as a provocative work that challenges traditional ufological views by suggesting that many reported UFO phenomena might be misinterpretations or psychological illusions. Monnerie, an ufologist with extensive experience, analyzes photographic evidence and human testimony, highlighting the fragility and potential for misjudgment in eyewitness accounts. The review notes that his work, like Viéroudy's, is based on rigorous personal research but may be difficult for some to accept.

• "Les OVNI du passé" by Christiane Piens: This book explores the historical dimension of UFO sightings, presenting cases from ancient times to the present. It aims to demonstrate that UFO phenomena are not recent occurrences. The review suggests that while the book is accessible and well-documented, it may be less comprehensive than other historical works on the subject, such as Michel Bougard's "La chronique des OVNI."

Cinema and UFOs

The release of Steven Spielberg's film "Rencontres du troisième type" (Close Encounters of the Third Kind) is highlighted as a significant cultural event. The film is discussed for its attempt to approach the UFO phenomenon realistically and its potential to spark public interest and further investigation. The article notes the film's technical achievements and its incorporation of ufological expertise, including the involvement of J. Allen Hyneck. The film's message that humanity is not alone in the universe is emphasized as a key takeaway.

Documentation Service

The magazine includes a comprehensive list of books and documents available through its documentation service, covering a wide range of topics related to UFOs, parapsychology, and extraterrestrial phenomena. This section provides titles, authors, and prices, serving as a resource for readers interested in acquiring further information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the growing international interest in UFOs, the challenges of scientific and governmental acknowledgment, and the exploration of various theoretical explanations for these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of advocating for serious, scientific investigation and open discussion, while acknowledging the complexities and controversies surrounding the subject. There is a clear emphasis on the need for rigorous research by qualified individuals and organizations, moving beyond amateurish approaches. The magazine promotes the idea that UFOs represent a reality that humanity has yet to fully understand, and that continued investigation is crucial.