IUSI - No 19 1979

Magazine Overview

This issue of "UFO-Sverigeinformation" (Internal UFO-Sweden Information) is dated November 5, 1979, and is designated as issue number 19 for the year 1979. It is published by the Riksorganisationen UFO-Sverige (The National Organization UFO-Sweden). The publication is marked as confidential and intended only for internal use by the organization's members, including local groups, district managers, and field researchers. The content is explicitly stated not to be shared with third parties.

Conference Report: Planning Conference in Stockholm (October 20, 1979)

The issue extensively covers the planning conference held at ABF-huset's Katasal in Stockholm on October 20, 1979. The attendance was noted as minimal. The conference addressed several key points:

Financial Matters:

• Support Fund: The current capital of the support fund was reported to be approximately 80 SEK. The discussion touched upon state grants, which require 3000 members under 25 years old. Various methods for increasing the fund were proposed, including 'begging letters' (to be used only in emergencies), a reserve fund for costly investigations, and contributions to local groups organizing national meetings.
• Membership Fees: Proposals included an automatic portion of local group membership fees going to the national organization, perhaps 1 SEK per member. Thorvald suggested this extra fee only apply to working members, but Arnold argued this would discriminate against students. Jörgen agreed, noting it was only 1 SEK per year.
• Event Surcharges: Jan J. suggested adding a 1 SEK surcharge to entry fees for local events, to be sent to the support fund. Göran proposed collecting 3 SEK per member at four different meetings. Jörgen expressed concern that this would burden only active members, as many members rarely attend meetings.
• Publication Sales: Selling the magazine "UFO-Information" directly was discussed, but it was noted that approximately 30,000 copies would need to be sold to be profitable due to high administrative costs. Private agreements with shop owners were suggested as a potential solution.
• Financial Reporting: The lack of a detailed financial report was highlighted, with a promise of a report that had not yet materialized. Concerns were raised about the handling of 75,000 SEK, with a demand for a specified economic report.

Organizational Issues:

• Reporting: A request was made for field researchers to complete their reports more thoroughly before submitting them to the report center to ease their workload.
• Event Promotion: Local groups planning events were asked to submit their programs for "UFO-Information" at least three months before the event.
• Idea Submissions: Håkan encouraged local groups to submit ideas for the "Intern UFO-Sverigeinformation" magazine as they arise.
• Västerbergslagens UFO-förening's Resignation: A significant portion of the conference report and accompanying appendices detail the decision of the Västerbergslagens UFO-förening to resign from UFO-Sverige. This decision was made at an extraordinary meeting on June 7, 1979. The reasons cited include dissatisfaction with the handling of their motions at the last national meeting (Riksstämman), where many of their proposals were rejected, while similar ideas from the former Central Group (Köpings UFO) were accepted. They also expressed concerns about internal dealings and a lack of financial accountability.
• The history of the conflict is traced back to a URD (UFO Rapport och Data) course in Stockholm on March 27, 1976, attended by Juan Manzanares, chairman of Västerbergslagens UFO-förening. This course was led by Sten Lindgren.
• The resignation letter from Västerbergslagens UFO-förening (Bilaga 1) outlines their grievances, including the rejection of their motions and the acceptance of similar ones from the Central Group. They also mention a lack of financial reports and accuse the organization's leadership of operating on lies and ignorance.
• Thorvald Berthelsen, in his response (Bilaga 2), refutes the claims made by Västerbergslagens UFO-förening. He denies that their motions were rejected, stating they were all published and discussed. He clarifies his own role, stating he was a consultant for 'National Cooperation in UFO Issues' and not part of URD's leadership. He also corrects the claim about his election as UFO-Sverige chairman in 1976, explaining the process of central group elections. Berthelsen accuses Bernt Berglund, the secretary of Västerbergslagens UFO-förening, of leading the 'harassment' and manipulating the board, including Juan Manzanares.
• The Västerbergslagens UFO-förening stated their intention to continue publishing their own member magazine, "UFO-Nytt", and to work on their own development.

Other Content:

• Döda Landade Flygplan... Eller ??? (Dead Landed Airplanes... Or ???): This section recounts a historical incident from World War II where a British RE 8 fighter plane, with an Australian crew, disappeared in a cloud. Hours later, the plane was found to have landed perfectly at its airfield, but the crew was deceased. The article notes this is documented in official British records and speculates on possible explanations, suggesting the mystery might have led to the story being forgotten.
• Stig Ekberg's Presentation: Stig Ekberg, known for the 'Väddö case', was invited to the conference. He presented his experience from 1959 and showed a metal fragment from the incident. The conference participants collected a financial contribution for him, which he declined, donating it instead to UFO-Sverige's support fund.
• UFO 80: Jan Eriksen informed that UFO 80 is planned for week 27 in Västerås, with the local cultural board showing positive support.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are internal organizational politics, financial management, and membership relations within UFO-Sverige. The resignation of a significant local group, Västerbergslagens UFO-förening, highlights deep-seated disagreements and a breakdown in communication and trust. The editorial stance, as presented through the responses to the resignation, appears to defend the national organization's procedures and leadership while accusing the dissenting group of misrepresentation and manipulation. The publication aims to keep its members informed about these internal matters and ongoing UFO research and history.

This issue of UFO 80, dated November 1979, delves into internal conflicts within the UFO-Sverige organization and explores the profound experiences and subsequent lives of astronauts, particularly those who traveled to the moon. It also touches upon historical unexplained phenomena.

Internal Conflicts within UFO-Sverige

The magazine details a significant dispute within UFO-Sverige, primarily between the central group and a faction referred to as 'Vb.', represented by Berglund. Point 5 discusses how 'Vb.' did not request an economic report at the 1978 national meeting, but later raised objections via letter. Point 6 suggests that 'Vb.' sought to obtain the membership list to distribute a libelous document to members. Point 7 refutes 'Vb.'s claim that UFO-Sverige representatives from local groups failed to pay a 120 kronor participation fee for a planning conference in Björsjö, explaining that 'Vb.' implemented advance payment, and those who couldn't attend due to valid reasons were not refunded, thus not causing an economic loss.

Point 8, quoting Manzanares, describes 'Vb.'s actions during the autumn of 1978 as bombarding the central group with letters and calls, causing important activities to suffer and aiming to create total paralysis. Point 9 questions the authority of a central group member (Thorvald) to promise mandates, explaining that mandate distribution is based on strict rules and membership numbers, and that 'Vb.' sent two delegates when only one was permitted per local group according to the statutes.

Point 10 notes that an economic report for UFO-Sverige was presented at the internal negotiations. Point 11 discusses UFO-Informations' economic activities, mentioning that the organization receives tens of thousands of kronor annually that are not reflected in the books, often in the form of gifts and non-reimbursed expenses for magazine distribution. It highlights that these contributions, like free coffee and meals provided by Fru Jonzon, and fuel costs covered by volunteers for magazine delivery, amount to significant sums over time, suggesting that Berglund, who has not contributed such work, may not understand this.

Furthermore, the issue notes that 'Vb.'s representative (Berglund) requested the national meeting be adjourned and a new one convened, which was against UFO-Sverige's statutes. The text mentions Carl-Axel Jonzon becoming 'furious' due to 'shameful attacks,' and Berglund's agitated state during the proceedings, which were led by a hired professional meeting chairman.

Point 12 addresses the question, "Who decides in UFO-Sverige?" and dismisses it as a baseless insinuation. It states that the Västerbergslagens UFO-förening left UFO-Sverige because the 'Berglund-falangen' within its board tried to create bureaucracy and paralysis within the national organization, predicting this destructive force would turn inward and destroy the Västerbergslagens UFO-förening itself. This development, which began in January 1978, is lamented.

A letter from Thorvald Berthelsen, dated Köping 1979-10-19, further elaborates on the internal issues, particularly regarding the planning conference organized by the Stockholm UFO-förening on October 20th. Berthelsen notes the lack of an agenda and the representation of 6-7 organizations, attributing this to the cost of participation. He discusses the debate on collecting one krona per member for a support fund and suggests that organizations unable to send representatives should submit their wishes in writing to the central group's representative to facilitate a more focused debate.

Astronaut Experiences and Reflections

The magazine features several articles on astronauts, focusing on their experiences and lives after their space missions. "Den Långa Vågen Från Månen" (The Long Wave From the Moon) explores the question of whether the astronauts' experiences have changed their perspective on life and the world. It recounts the atmosphere during the Apollo 16 launch and describes astronaut James Irwin's reflections on his time on the moon. Irwin describes a feeling of being watched over and protected, and he later founded the organization "High Flight" to share his spiritual "encounter with God on the moon."

The article details how Irwin, along with David Scott, were the first to drive a vehicle on the moon during the Apollo 15 mission. It also mentions the controversial sale of franked envelopes from the moon for a significant sum, with Irwin stating that his "meeting with God on the moon" was the primary reason for his decision.

Other Apollo 15 crew members' post-NASA careers are mentioned: David Scott remains a technical assistant in Houston, and Alfred Worden is a test pilot in the Air Force. Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, has chosen a quiet life as a professor at the University of Cincinnati, avoiding interviews.

The article highlights the challenges faced by astronauts upon returning to Earth, particularly the overwhelming public attention and goodwill tours. It focuses on Edwin Aldrin, who struggled to cope with the 'space hero' role, leading to personal and marital problems, and a subsequent breakdown. He eventually left NASA and underwent treatment.

"Nya Gudar" (New Gods) discusses the idealized portrayal of astronaut families in the media, contrasting it with the reality of strained family lives due to long training periods and the inherent risks of space travel. It notes a surge in divorces among astronauts after 1969, suggesting that while divorces were discouraged earlier to maintain the heroic image, the pressure of post-mission life became unbearable for many.

"Svar På Livets Mening" (Answer to the Meaning of Life) profiles astronauts Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell. Shepard, the first American in space, is now a successful businessman. Mitchell, known for his telepathic experiments from space, has left NASA and founded EDMA, a company focused on psychic research, believing that the exploration of consciousness is crucial for understanding ourselves and the universe.

"Ikö för rymden" (In Line for Space) reflects on the common experience of astronauts seeing Earth as a small, blue marble, evoking feelings of insignificance. It mentions that many astronauts are eager to return to space, with numerous individuals waiting for new missions.

"Nya Rekordmän" (New Record Holders) updates on the achievements of astronauts like Charles Conrad, who set new space endurance records with the Skylab missions. It notes Conrad's decision to leave the astronaut corps to become a vice president at an American cable-TV company. The article also mentions Thomas Stafford preparing for a joint US-Soviet space docking mission with other astronauts, including Alan Bean, Ronald Evans, and Eugene Cernan.

Historical Mysteries and Unexplained Phenomena

The Brig Gloriana

An article titled "Skeppet Gloriana" recounts the mysterious fate of the brig Gloriana, sighted in 1775 by a whaler near Greenland. The ship was found adrift, frozen, with its rigging encased in ice and the deck covered in snow. The captain was found dead at his desk, having apparently been in the process of writing an entry in the logbook, which was unfinished. The crew were also found frozen in their positions. Despite ample provisions, no apparent reason for their sudden deaths was found. The logbook entry was dated November 11, 1762.

USO Sighting

Under the heading "USO?", the magazine describes an incident on June 10, 1909, when Captain Gabe of the Danish East Asiatic Company's steamship BINTANG sighted a giant, rotating wheel of light beneath the surface of the Malacca Strait. He described it as having long spokes radiating from a central point, moving forward and sinking into the sea. The object's light dimmed before disappearing. The account notes that the captain was convinced the light was not from any known source, nor from the ship itself, and that no other vessels were in sight. The report concludes by stating that Captain Gabe's account is published in the archives of the Danish Retrological Institute.

Pierre Loti's Mosque

A brief anecdote describes a mosque built by the French author Pierre Loti, where he claimed to have seen the imprint of a child's footprints on the floor. He and his household members reported hearing knocking sounds from the mosque. Even after the knocking stopped, Loti observed the marks of small feet on the floor, with no children having been in the room. This phenomenon remained unexplained at the time of Loti's death in 1923.

Calendar of Events

The issue includes a calendar for November and early December 1979, listing various meetings, lectures, and observations organized by local UFO-Sverige chapters and affiliated groups across Sweden. Events include monthly meetings, themed evenings on topics like electrical field effects on organisms, space music, and astronomy observations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO 80 strongly emphasizes internal organizational politics and disputes within the UFO movement, particularly concerning UFO-Sverige. There is a clear editorial stance in favor of the central group and critical of the 'Vb.' faction's actions, portraying them as obstructive and potentially damaging to the organization. The magazine also dedicates significant space to the human aspect of space exploration, focusing on the psychological and personal impact of astronaut missions, and the challenges of reintegrating into society. The inclusion of historical unexplained events suggests a continuing interest in the broader field of UFOlogy and unexplained phenomena. The tone is investigative and critical when discussing organizational matters, and reflective and somewhat awe-inspired when discussing astronaut experiences.

This issue of December 1979, covering weeks 49 and 50, presents a diverse range of articles, including scientific discoveries, paranormal investigations, and cultural trends. The calendar section lists various meetings and events across Sweden, such as 'Månadsmöte' in Östersund, 'Temakväll' in Köping focusing on psychic healing, and a NASA image viewing in Karlskoga.

Radio to Other Worlds

The main article details the intriguing case of David Wilson, a man who built a 'wave detector' that allegedly received messages from deceased individuals. Scotland Yard and British intelligence were initially concerned about these mysterious radio signals during World War I. Wilson's device, incorporating a quartz crystal and components resembling a radio receiver, was confiscated but later returned when he was cleared. The messages, often in Morse code and in various languages, provided personal details and sometimes advice. Wilson meticulously documented these communications, which suggested survival after physical death and retention of memory. The article also mentions A.V. Peters, a psychic medium who interacted with the device, leading to both coherent and confusing messages. The text explores the possibility of contacting the deceased and the scientific community's ongoing attempts to replicate Wilson's work.

Astronomical Discoveries

Another significant section reports on the surprises encountered by the Voyager spacecraft during its flyby of Jupiter. Scientists were astonished to discover that Jupiter possesses rings, similar to Saturn and Uranus, composed of dark particles. The article also details the observation of the most powerful auroras ever seen by humans on Jupiter's north pole, estimated to be twice the diameter of Earth. Furthermore, the intense volcanic activity on Jupiter's moon Io, with active volcanoes spewing ash and lava, was a groundbreaking discovery, marking the first time such phenomena were observed outside Earth.

UFOs in Sweden

The issue delves into the growing interest in UFOs, with a dedicated section titled 'Konstigt med UFO' (Strange about UFOs). It highlights that UFO-Sverige, an organization that investigates Unidentified Flying Objects, receives around 300 reports annually. Christer Nordin, a UFO investigator and head of the Stockholm UFO association, explains that most reports are misidentifications of natural phenomena, but about 20 cases remain unexplained each year. The article notes a shift in public perception, with more people becoming open to the existence of UFOs, despite some initial skepticism and fear of ridicule. It emphasizes the importance of critical investigation rather than blind belief.

Notable UFO Case from Småland

A specific UFO incident from Småland in 1959 is recounted. A man witnessed a craft with two beings, and shortly after, experienced radiation-like symptoms that led to the amputation of his leg. This case is presented as one of the most interesting UFO incidents in Sweden.

Health and Longevity

Short news items include a report on the Tswana tribe in South Africa, whose members exhibit unusually young arteries and a low incidence of heart disease, attributed to their diet rich in fiber and low in animal protein. Another piece discusses the impact of the new Karakorum Highway on the Hunza people, known for their health and longevity, noting that increased access to 'civilization' might be altering their traditional lifestyle.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue reflects a strong interest in the unexplained and the frontiers of science. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging critical investigation into phenomena like UFOs and alleged communication with the deceased, while also reporting on significant scientific advancements in space exploration and human health. The magazine aims to inform readers about both the mysterious and the scientifically verifiable aspects of the world.