Internt UFO Forum - 1979 No 3

Magazine Overview

Title: INTERNT UFO FORUM
Issue: Nr 3
Volume: 1. Årgang
Year: 1979
Publisher: NORSK UFO CENTER
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian
Price: 30 kr.

This issue of INTERNT UFO FORUM, the internal information organ for Norsk UFO Center, provides updates on the organization's activities and features articles on UFO phenomena and broader societal issues.

Contents

NUFOC's Congress 1979

The congress was held at Hotel Phoenix in Trondheim and largely followed its planned agenda. Key decisions included the adoption of a new organizational plan, which was based on Smevik's proposal but amended with a suggestion from Finn W. Kalvik. This amendment allows for the expansion of the congress committee with a representative from each department, plus the SA (Secretariat), in cases of highly controversial matters to ensure a more democratic process. The statutes and bylaws were also revised and unanimously adopted, resulting in a new, more concise set of rules.

Further decisions from the congress included that only leaders would be provided with detailed job instructions, while field researchers would receive a brief description of their functional areas, to be included in the NUFOC's information booklet. The committee was tasked with creating this booklet, which would contain the statutes, guidelines for field researchers, and a telephone list, including an 'alarm telephone network' for rapid reporting of observations.

Intern Informasjonsseksjon (Internal Information Section)

Terje Hansen took on the task of distributing lists of new members to the departments. Any member can send internal information material to this section, which will then forward it to leaders and others. Terje Hansen will assess the urgency of distribution. A question regarding the listing of 'NUFOC in the telephone directory' is progressing, with steps taken to ensure NUFOC appears under 'U' and 'N' in the directory, with assurances that members will not be overwhelmed with calls.

It was decided that only leaders should receive identification cards; others would receive an 'aspirant certificate' or similar. However, field researchers who distinguish themselves over time may be awarded an identification card by their county leader. A proposal for purchasing materials, including films from the USA, is still under consideration, and one film has already been shown and reviewed by the committee. Kenneth Nilsen was appointed county leader for Hordaland, representing both Sør and Vest.

Hovedkassen (Main Cashier)

Hans Aass from Sør has taken over as treasurer and accountant, succeeding Erik Fjeldberg. His new address is on the cover page.

Kongresskomiteen (Congress Committee)

The congress committee consists of department leaders, county leaders (Odd Gunnar Røed, Arne Smevik, Per Ottesen, and Tom R. Lemb), and section leader T. Hansen. The committee will serve for four years, until the next congress. Future orientations will follow as developments occur. Systematic planning of activities is emphasized as crucial for achieving results.

FOA og UFO-spørsmålet (FOA and the UFO Question)

This section features an excerpt from an article by Thorvald Berthelsen, former head of UFO Sweden, published in UFO-Sveriges magazine UFO INFORMATION. The article criticizes the Swedish National Defence Research Institute (FOA) for its handling of UFO reports. Berthelsen claims that despite widespread belief among UFO enthusiasts that the Swedish military and FOA possess secret reports on UFO incidents, FOA denies this. He states that in his experience since 1973, FOA or any other defense agency has not conducted its own investigations into UFO cases, with only a few exceptions for ambiguous cases possibly involving foreign military activity.

Berthelsen notes that conversations with military personnel who have observed UFOs have not indicated any interest in internal follow-up or investigation. He highlights the case of Lieutenant Colonel Åke Somnell of the air force, who was surprised by the lack of interest shown by the defense establishment towards a reported incident. Sture Wickerts, representing FOA in UFO matters, has not been forthcoming with information.

The article asserts that FOA and the defense establishment are not conducting investigations into UFO phenomena. Instead, they deny the existence of documented UFO cases to the media and the public. This is achieved by avoiding the most compelling reports and focusing on easily explainable phenomena such as meteorites, satellites, balloons, aircraft, Jupiter, Venus, rocket launches, and auroras, as well as incomplete reports lacking date or time. This selective approach creates a statistical basis to claim that all UFO reports are due to misinterpretations or vivid imaginations.

Berthelsen argues that FOA's actions are a "threat to democracy" as politicians are influenced by these 'experts,' diminishing public trust in authorities. He criticizes Sture Wickerts for attempting to discredit UFO Sweden's field researchers by portraying them as naive fantasists. Wickerts allegedly asked Berthelsen how UFO reports were compiled, implying they were based on waiting for sightings rather than scientific investigation. Berthelsen clarifies that their aim is to find natural explanations but acknowledges a residual 20% of cases that defy explanation. He emphasizes that it is the public, not UFO Sweden, that reports sightings, and their role is to explain them.

Wickerts, who has been the 'UFO expert' since 1976, claims he was unaware of the position when it was assigned to him. Despite this, he is referred to as a 'UFO expert' in the media. Berthelsen contends that politicians seeking information on UFOs are inevitably directed to Wickerts, who provides a dismissive explanation that no real UFO phenomena exist. This situation, where politicians are dependent on 'experts' who deny phenomena, erodes trust in Swedish politicians and authorities.

Urettferdige Metoder (Unfair Methods)

Berthelsen details how Sture Wickerts attempts to discredit UFO Sweden's active field researchers and investigative work by labeling them as naive fantasists. He recounts an incident at ASEA where Wickerts questioned his methods. Berthelsen explained that their goal was to find natural explanations but that a significant portion of cases remained unexplained. He also stressed that UFO Sweden receives reports from the general public, police, and military, and their task is to investigate these.

Despite receiving UFO Sweden's materials and understanding their serious goals and methods, Wickerts remains convinced that everyone involved in UFO matters is a fantasist. Berthelsen notes that UFO Sweden has largely refrained from confronting FOA since 1975, unlike during the tenure of Tage Eriksson, who engaged in direct methods.

Nå er det ingen mangel på veldokumenterte UFO-rapporter hos FOA! (There is no shortage of well-documented UFO reports at FOA!)

Following Wickerts's appearance at ASEA, UFO Sweden decided to print special editions of all Swedish UFO cases presented in UFO-information no. 5/1978 and send them via registered mail to FOA. These reports are to be treated as individual reports from the public and journalized. UFO Sweden also requested investigation documentation and reasoning for cases explained as misinterpretations by FOA. The article states that these well-documented reports at FOA should outweigh the 1978 statistics of explained UFO cases. It is clarified that UFO Sweden's investigations are not scientific but that FOA's professional research resources might provide explanations for some reports. UFO Sweden's objective is to have the UFO phenomenon accepted as a reality and to promote expanded research outside of ideal organizations.

Et politisk spørsmål (A Political Question)

Berthelsen poses a question to Swedish parliament members: Why does Sweden slavishly follow the US approach to UFO matters instead of, for example, following France's example by officially declaring that UFO phenomena pose no threat to national security and investing in state-sponsored UFO research? He notes that half of the Swedish electorate believes UFO phenomena exist and tens of thousands consider them worthy of investigation. The article concludes that problems are not solved by denial.

De gåtefulle UFO'er (The Enigmatic UFOs)

This section features an article by Hans Aass, originally published in Agderposten on June 16 and 20, 1978, titled "Hvor står mennesket?" (Where does humanity stand?). Aass responds to an article by infantry captain Sverre Evensen in Fædrelandsvennen (February 4, 1979), who criticized potential "visitors" from distant worlds for their "undignified" behavior of disappearing when detected. Aass suggests that these visitors might have good reasons for their actions.

Aass argues that to seriously understand the UFO problem, one must first understand the origin of life on Earth. He explains that paleontology traces the evolution of life from single-celled organisms in the primeval ocean 3.2 billion years ago, through various stages like fish, amphibians, and mammals, ultimately leading to humans. The origin of the first single-celled organism remains a mystery.

Aass posits that the direct lineage of humanity belongs to physical mediocrity. He suggests that individuals with weaker traits did not survive to reproduce, while those with special abilities became overspecialized and died out with environmental changes. This led to the survival of the average, resulting in the diversity of life where species became experts in their respective fields. He applies this to human races, stating that their distinct characteristics are a result of their environment, and no race is inherently superior.

He questions the idea that the human body is universal and that extraterrestrial life would resemble humans. While acknowledging the human body is well-suited for technological advancement, he notes its physical similarity to gorillas. Citing zoologist Arthur Portmann's scale of spiritual levels, humans rank highest with 215 points, followed by dolphins (190), elephants (150), and apes (63). However, Aass argues that humans are still in a "baby stage," controlling only 10% of their brain capacity. He questions humanity's achievements, contrasting it with the peaceful, friendly, and social nature of dolphins. He points to human self-destruction through war, starvation, and the existence of numerous languages as evidence of humanity's immaturity.

The Evolution of Intelligence

Aass further discusses the evolution of intelligence, suggesting that in the absence of physical advantages, our ancestors relied on cunning and intellect to survive. This led to an increase in brain volume over time. He contrasts Australopithecus (2 million years ago) with Peking Man (400,000 years ago) and modern humans, highlighting the significant development. He uses Neanderthals as an example: despite having a large brain volume, they went extinct 35,000 years ago, possibly due to a physical handicap – the inability to articulate sounds and speak. This handicap might have forced them to rely more heavily on their intelligence, but it ultimately did not ensure their survival.

Aass proposes that mediocrity became the pattern for development, with deviations disappearing because they lacked the 'right to life.' He observes that countless animal species have gone extinct, while those with minor adaptations survived and contributed to the vast diversity of animal life. He believes this principle also applies to humans, where different races have developed unique traits based on their environments, making them distinct but not superior to one another.

He challenges the notion that the human body is universal and that extraterrestrial life would necessarily share our appearance. While our current form is suitable for technological progress, he points out the physical similarities between humans and gorillas. Referencing zoologist Arthur Portmann's scale of intellectual levels, humans score 215 points, but Aass considers this a "baby stage," as we only utilize about 10% of our brain capacity. He questions whether we can truly boast about our 215 points and suggests we could learn from dolphins, described as peaceful, good-natured, and social beings. He contrasts this with human behavior, such as engaging in war, allowing people to starve, and speaking thousands of languages.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of INTERNT UFO FORUM reflects a strong emphasis on transparency and critical examination of official stances on UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to advocate for open investigation, public access to information, and a questioning of government secrecy, particularly highlighted in the critique of FOA's policies. There is also a philosophical exploration of humanity's place in the universe and its evolutionary path, suggesting a critical self-assessment of human progress and intelligence. The magazine serves as a platform for internal discussion within Norsk UFO Center, encouraging members to contribute their views, while also engaging with broader societal and scientific questions related to UFOs and human evolution.

Title: INTERNT UFO FORUM
Issue: 3/1979
Date: March 1979
Publisher: Norsk UFO Center (NUFOC)
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian

This issue of INTERNT UFO FORUM, the internal publication of the Norsk UFO Center, focuses heavily on the topic of 'Humanoids' and explores various facets of UFO phenomena, including scientific investigations, personal accounts, and even the use of UFOs for tourism.

The 'Humanoider' Phenomenon

The central theme of this issue is the exploration of 'Humanoids' reported in UFO encounters. The magazine begins by reflecting on humanity's ecological challenges and the vastness of the universe, posing the question of whether humans are alone. It suggests that any intelligent extraterrestrial life would likely have solved its ecological problems and possess advanced technology and morality, far surpassing human capabilities.

The article "Humanoider" delves into the characteristics of these beings. It notes that Norsk UFO Center (NUFOC) maintains a neutral stance, collecting data without forming official theories to avoid entanglement with occult or religious movements. The organization's goal is to gather facts and observations to find patterns. The article acknowledges the diversity of opinions within the membership regarding the nature of UFOs and the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

It discusses the existence of approximately 5000 'Humanoid' reports, acknowledging that some are likely hoaxes. The article contrasts these with reports from individuals claiming to have received 'messages' from extraterrestrials, often without describing the beings' appearance. The author speculates that advanced beings would likely have evolved differently due to varying planetary conditions. For instance, a planet with higher gravity might necessitate beings with more legs.

Common characteristics of 'Humanoids' are described based on analyzed reports. They are often depicted as being between 100-130 cm or around 170 cm tall. Their heads are frequently oversized, suggesting a strong mental focus over emotional life. Eyes are typically large, friendly, or piercing, and ears are often large and pointed upwards. Noses are usually small, and lips underdeveloped, indicating a potentially weak physical build without significant muscle mass. The skin is often described as pale and sickly. The author notes a resemblance between the described head and facial features and caricatures of Norwegian politician Kåre Willoch.

The article also touches upon the idea that these beings might be from advanced civilizations that have solved their ecological problems, possibly living on massive space stations as Earth faces its own environmental crises in the distant future.

Scientific Investigations and Reports

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a "French UFO Report" (Fransk UFO-rapport). This report details a secret French government study of eleven 'near-contact' UFO incidents between 1966 and 1978. The study concluded that the observed objects were material phenomena that could not be explained by natural events or human-made technology. The report highlights that these UFOs exhibited flight characteristics beyond current knowledge. The French research group, established in 1977, receives real-time UFO event notifications via teletype from the national police. The study involved scientists from various disciplines, including psychology, who conducted psycho-examinations of witnesses. The article contrasts this rigorous approach with the perceived shortcomings of the American Condon Report.

It is stated that France is the only country known to have a government-funded UFO research unit. The scientific committee for this project included members from prestigious institutions like the National Meteorology Administration and the Lyon Astronomical Observatory.

The magazine also references a symposium on Unidentified Flying Objects held before the US House of Representatives in July 1968. It mentions that a translated Norwegian version of this document is available for purchase.

UFO Tourism in Koping, Sweden

The issue features an article titled "Flying Saucers in the Battle for Tourists!" (Flyvende Tallerken i Kampen om Turistene!). It describes how the Swedish town of Koping is leveraging public interest in UFOs to attract tourists. An earlier UFO exhibition at the Koping museum drew over ten thousand visitors, making it the second most visited tourist attraction in the region. A new, larger UFO expo, "Nærkontakt med Køping" (Near-Contact with Koping), has been launched, featuring displays, models, and films about UFOs. The article suggests that this initiative is a unique approach to tourism.

NUFOC Activities and Publications

The magazine also includes information about NUFOC's activities, such as an upcoming meeting in Oslo in August 1979, which will coincide with a large exhibition. Readers are encouraged to contribute relevant materials.

There are also sections dedicated to ordering NUFOC merchandise, including T-shirts and stickers with emblems, and a book titled "ENOKS BOK" (ENOK's Book). Information is provided on purchasing back issues of UFO Forum and subscribing to "Rapportnytt," Norsk UFO Centers's other publication.

An announcement for a UFO Congress in London on August 26-27, 1979, is included, mentioning the participation of Dr. J.A. Hynek and offering travel packages. Contact information for NUFOC ØST is provided for interested individuals.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of UFO phenomena, particularly the 'Humanoid' aspect, and the scientific and governmental approaches to understanding these events. There is a strong emphasis on data collection and analysis, as exemplified by NUFOC's methodology and the French government's research. The magazine also touches upon broader implications, such as humanity's ecological future and the potential for extraterrestrial intelligence. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging the collection of evidence and the exploration of various theories, while maintaining a critical and scientific approach, as demonstrated by the dismissal of hoaxes and the focus on verifiable reports. The inclusion of UFO tourism suggests an awareness of the public's fascination with the subject and its potential for broader engagement.