Inforespace - No 87

Magazine Overview

This issue of "inforespace", number 87, dated August 1993, is a semiannual review focusing on ufology and spatial phenomena. It is the 22nd year of publication.

European Ufology Initiative

The lead article, "VERS UNE UFOLOGIE EUROPEENNE ?" (Towards a European Ufology?), explores the efforts to establish a more organized and recognized approach to UFO research within Europe. The author notes that ufologists have adopted practices similar to scientific researchers, including organizing conferences and publishing articles. However, the author expresses skepticism about the progress made, suggesting that many gatherings often result in repetition and a lack of tangible advancements.

The article highlights the "1° Simposio Internazionale sugli Oggetti Volanti Non Identificati e i Fenomeni Aerei Anomali" (1st International Symposium on Unidentified Flying Objects and Anomalous Aerial Phenomena) held in San Marino from April 2-4, 1993. This event, organized with the support of the CUN (Centro Ufologico Nazionale) and the Ministry of Telecommunications and Transport of San Marino, aimed to pressure the European Community to establish a UFO research commission. The symposium's objective was to inform physicist Tullio Regge, the rapporteur designated by the European Commission (CE), about the need for such a body.

The article traces the history of this initiative, recalling how Elio Di Rupo, then a Member of the European Parliament, became involved after the events of November 5, 1990, when thousands of witnesses across Europe reported observing what they believed to be UFOs. Di Rupo subsequently proposed a resolution to the European Parliament for the creation of a "European center for the observation of UFOs." The proposed resolution, detailed in the text, called for the center to collect all scattered observations, be managed by the European Communities and a permanent committee of experts, and for the Commission to present a report on the matter.

Physicist Tullio Regge was tasked with preparing a report on this proposal for the European Commission's energy, research, and technology committee (CERT). However, Regge, known for his rationalist stance and occasional collaboration with CSICOP, expressed reservations about the subject. The article suggests that Regge's skepticism might stem from his ignorance of UFO data and a tendency to conflate serious research with contactee claims. He was reportedly inundated with letters from individuals claiming to have secret information about UFOs, which may have influenced his cautious approach.

Despite Regge's reservations, the article considers it a success that he agreed to consider the idea of European-level UFO research. His recommendation is expected to involve extending the capabilities of SEPRA (Service d'Expertise des Phénomènes de Rentrée Atmosphérique) at CNES in Toulouse to a European scale. Jean-Jacques Velasco, director of SEPRA, expressed readiness to undertake this mission if provided with the necessary resources.

The article also touches upon the potential for a more structured, official approach, which might exclude private researchers and groups. It suggests that a European scientific council could be formed to coordinate and oversee investigations, potentially involving inter-university collaborations and law enforcement agencies.

Breaking the Vicious Cycle

The author argues that ufology must break its self-imposed cycle of stagnation. To gain credibility, a clear distinction needs to be made between rigorous researchers working within established structures and amateur enthusiasts. The article posits that it is currently almost impossible for any private association, however serious, to become a recognized interlocutor at the European level due to the prevalence of unsubstantiated claims within the international ufology community.

The dilemma is framed as a choice between current ufology, which is competent but lacks scientific credibility and funding, and future ufology, which might be more credible and better funded but could exclude the contributions of "ancients" for purely formal reasons.

The Symposium of San Marino, despite the organizers' good intentions, is described as being typical of usual ufological gatherings.

Book Reviews

The "DANS LES LIBRAIRIES" (In the Bookstores) section reviews recent ufology publications. The author notes that the production is uneven, with some works offering little new information while others contribute meaningfully to the field. Two points are highlighted: the frequent mention of SOBEPS, which is increasingly perceived as an official body, and the rapid growth of the "French wave of November 5-7, 1990" myth, which downplays Belgian observations. The review criticizes this as a form of revisionism.

• "Intelligences extra-terrestres" (Extra-terrestrial Intelligences) by Jean Heidmann (1992) is praised for its methodical and comprehensive approach to exobiology, covering the Big Bang, evolution, and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI).
• "Objets Volants Non Identifiés" (Unidentified Flying Objects) by Jean-Gabriel is mentioned as a work that relates experiences and observations.

Media and UFO Phenomena: A Statistical Approach to a Rumor Effect (Part 2)

This section, "MEDIAS ET PHENOMENE OVNI", continues the statistical analysis of UFO events and media coverage, focusing on the period from late winter to early spring 1990, specifically the Belgian UFO wave.

The article details the initial phase of the Belgian UFO wave in January 1990, noting a lull in significant events and media attention. Despite some articles in weekly magazines like "Humo" and "Télé-Moustique" summarizing the November-December 1989 events, these had no impact on the number of calls received by SOBEPS or the number of observations recorded. The data shows that peaks in calls and cases were not correlated with press publications.

A period of very little information about UFOs in the press from late January to early February 1990 coincided with a significant drop in phone calls. This silence caused concern, as it was feared that witnesses might be hesitant to come forward, believing their sightings were misidentifications or that their reports would not add anything new. The researchers, however, wanted to gather as many testimonies as possible to clarify the nature of the phenomenon.

In response, SOBEPS issued a press release in early February 1990 to re-engage journalists. This led to some media coverage, but the author notes that the press's silence was associated with a lack of phone calls, which was problematic for SOBEPS. They feared that the public might believe the wave had ended if the media remained silent.

The article then describes the "folle nuit des F-16" (crazy night of the F-16s), an event that apparently led to a decision by the French Air Force to collaborate more closely with SOBEPS and provide logistical support for their information gathering. Despite this development, the media remained largely discreet.

Following this, SOBEPS organized a second UFO watch weekend, dubbed "Opération Identification OVNI" (Operation UFO Identification), from April 13-16, 1990, with the support of the French Air Force. The press was invited to announce this event, and most French-speaking Belgian dailies covered it. This operation generated a significant increase in phone calls, but many of the reported cases were older or involved misidentifications. However, the operation did yield some older cases, helping to demonstrate the persistence of the UFO wave in Belgium.

The period from April 13th to April 17th saw intense media coverage, particularly on radio and TV, surrounding the "Identification OVNI" operation. This intense media attention is discussed in relation to "Vague d'OVNI sur la Belgique" and is described as leading to a "psychodrama."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently emphasizes the need for a more scientific and organized approach to ufology, particularly at the European level. There is a clear critique of the sensationalist and often unsubstantiated nature of some ufological claims, and a call for rigorous research and data collection. The editorial stance appears to favor collaboration with official bodies while advocating for the inclusion of credible private researchers. The analysis of media coverage highlights the complex relationship between media attention and public perception of UFO phenomena, suggesting that media reporting does not always directly correlate with an increase in actual sightings.

Title: Inforespace
Issue: 87
Volume: 12
Date: April 1990
Publisher: SOBEPS
Country: Belgium
Language: French
ISSN: 0770-6440
Price: 120 FB

This issue of Inforespace, a Belgian publication focused on UFOs and related phenomena, delves into the media's reaction to a wave of sightings in April 1990 and presents detailed accounts of three specific encounters.

Media Frenzy and Analysis

The magazine begins by analyzing the media's response to the OVNI events, particularly around the Easter weekend of 1990. It notes how certain sensationalist headlines, such as "Chasse ouverte aux OVNI" (OVNI Hunt Open) and "OVNImania," fueled public interest and sometimes bordered on collective hysteria. The article highlights the contrast between the initial excitement and the subsequent disappointment as no definitive proof emerged. A quote from Van Vlodorp suggests that this media event was a turning point, leading to public disillusionment when expectations were not met.

By April 17, 1990, many newspapers, including La Libre Belgique and La Dernière Heure, began to adopt a more cautious and analytical tone, questioning the lack of concrete evidence despite numerous sightings. The Flemish press also contributed significantly, with 41% of articles on the subject appearing in their publications. However, by April 20, media interest began to wane significantly, as analyzed by Van Vlodorp, who noted that the public's initial high hopes were tempered by the lack of conclusive findings, leading to a decrease in media coverage.

Key Witness Testimonies

The issue then presents detailed accounts of three significant sightings that occurred over a 24-hour period in early April 1991 (though the context suggests these might be related to the 1990 wave or are being presented as examples of similar phenomena).

Observation in Seilles (April 3, 1991)

This account begins with a report communicated to SOBEPS via the gendarmerie brigade in Andenne. The witness, an agent of the Eaux et Forêts, described observing a punctual, strong white light in the sky. Using 7x50 binoculars, he identified it as a luminous object with a rhombus shape, approximately 20 meters long and 7 meters wide, with a conical protuberance in the center. It appeared to be moving slowly, with a slight drift, at an estimated altitude of 45 degrees. The object was visible for a short period before disappearing. The witness noted an unusual, low humming sound. The report emphasizes that the witness's credibility is high and that the conditions ruled out conventional aircraft.

Observation in Waret-la-Chaussée (April 4, 1991)

Less than an hour after the Seilles sighting, a family (M. and Mme F., restaurateurs) reported observing a phenomenon while driving near Waret-la-Chaussée. Around 0h20, they noticed a strong, stationary light that turned out to be a large object, approximately 30 meters long and 25-27 meters wide. The object had three white headlights at the front, a grey underside, and red lights at the rear. It hovered stationary at a low altitude (100-150 meters) before moving slowly towards the north-northwest. The witnesses described a low, rumbling sound similar to a boat engine. They noted that the object's structure resembled an aircraft fuselage but was darker and more angular. The daughter of the family described the rear as more pointed, with a single red light.

Observation in Stembert (April 4, 1991)

As a final event for April 4, a sighting was reported in Stembert, a suburb of Verviers. The object was described as a triangular object flying low over the area.

Comparative Analysis and Context

The article draws parallels between these sightings and other reported phenomena, including a comparison of the Waret-la-Chaussée object to a sculpture by Constantin Brancusi titled "Flying Turtle." It also notes similarities with an observation made in Loncin in November of the same year.

The author, Jean-Luc Vertongen, concludes by summarizing common elements across these three cases: rectilinear trajectories, slow flight speeds, and the initial surprise of the witnesses. He notes that despite being nocturnal, the sightings were well-described, with good visibility and favorable psychological conditions for the observers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on detailed witness accounts, investigative efforts by organizations like SOBEPS, and the critical analysis of media coverage. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation into UFO phenomena, acknowledging the public's interest while maintaining a degree of skepticism and demanding evidence. The publication aims to document sightings, analyze their potential implications, and provide a platform for researchers and witnesses.

The issue also includes a request for a volunteer translator for an article on OVNI reports within the Spanish Air Force, indicating a broader scope of interest within the UFO research community.