La Circulaire - No 30 - 1994 Avril

Magazine Overview

Title: LA CIRCULAIRE
Issue: 30
Date: April 1994
Publisher: SOBEPS
Country: Belgium
Language: French

This issue of LA CIRCULAIRE, number 30 from April 1994, delves into recent UFO observations and related phenomena. It presents a collection of news items, articles, book reviews, and media coverage concerning UFOs and the paranormal.

NOUVELLES OBSERVATIONS (New Observations)

The magazine begins with a section detailing recent UFO sightings. A report from the Belgian daily "De Standaard" describes a UFO seen on February 15, 1994, in three locations in Belgium, detected by two military radars. The object was described as tricolor (red-green-blue) and diamond-shaped, with its color changing regularly. Another report from "Le Soir" details luminous points sighted near Beauvechain on the same date, observed by civilians, gendarmes, and military, with an echo on the Maastricht radar. The SOBEPS suggests a possible confusion with stars.

A television report from RTL-TVi is also mentioned, detailing an observation on February 25, 1994, in Bouillon (Belgian Luxembourg), where two young girls reported seeing a triangular UFO emitting three powerful luminous beams.

MEPRISES (Possible Misidentifications)

This section addresses potential misidentifications of UFOs. It reviews the book "les ballons du futur" by P. Balaskovic and F. Moizard, which discusses potential uses, performances, and technology of "balloons of the year 2000" in a fictional narrative. The book covers dirigibles with pseudo/lenticular hulls, different hull shapes, and captive balloons. It also touches upon hot air balloons and prospective balloon technology.

A report from Europe 1 on March 17, 1994, mentions the creation of a drone-helicopter by a company in Toulouse, capable of remote control and with a 20 km action range. This type of drone was previously non-existent, with two drone-helicopters and a guidance station costing 2.5 million francs, and a sale to the French Navy was considered.

MESSAGE & PRECISION & ERRATUM

• Several short notices are included:
• A message offering a volume titled "les phénomènes inexpliqués" (unexplained phenomena) published by Sélection du Reader's Digest.
• A message selling a complete encyclopedia "Atlas "Inexpliqué"" in 11 volumes, covering UFOs, phantom dirigibles, parapsychology, and esotericism for 1000F.
• A clarification regarding a stage organized by Jean Michel, referring readers to CCNEGU 24, p.6.
• An erratum correcting the title of a section in CCNEGU 28 from "Méprises" to "Méprises possibles".
• Another erratum correcting a newspaper reference from "Saône et Loire" to "Dimanche Saône et Loire".
• A correction noting that information from A2 on February 1, 1994, was broadcast on F2 and not AGD.

CONFERENCES

• Information is provided about upcoming conferences:
• A conference on March 18, 1994, at Espace Cévennes in Paris, featuring Jimmy Guieu, with a theme of UFOs/extraterrestrials. The entry fee is 50F.
• A conference on March 26, 1994, at Hotel Paris Lyon Palace in Paris, with speakers including H. Chaloupek (early ufology in France), F. Fouéré (national defense information potential regarding UFOs), and R. Alexandri (CERPA, UFO detection). The report notes that J.F. Gille was present but did not intervene, and highlights F. Fouéré's remarks regarding the SCEAU's methods, expressing concerns about document access and trust issues, and criticizing J.C. Bourret's attitude towards GEPA.

VIDEO (UFO)

A video titled "OVNI les visiteurs de l'espace" is advertised. It is described as a 60-minute film featuring testimonies from credible individuals (astronauts, cosmonauts) and specialists, presenting encounters, approaches, and touches with UFOs. It is available through France Loisirs.

UFOLOGIE PRATIQUE (Practical Ufology)

• This section compiles various media reports and articles related to ufology:
• An article in "Le Progrès - Le Dauphiné" about the "OVNI de Willamette" in Oregon, USA, suggesting it was a photographed road sign.
• An article in "Air et Cosmos-Aviation International" discussing McDonnell Douglas's "phantom works" and their advanced technology prototypes, including composite materials and stealth technologies.
• A note about a returned mail from GEIPIS/JL. Lagneau.
• An article in "VSD" titled "Photomessages," discussing how digital manipulation can create realistic but false images, making it difficult to distinguish fiction from reality.
• A report from F3's "Pégase" magazine about the night training of Army Aviation helicopter pilots in Valence-Chabeuil, using a system that provides pilots with "owl vision" (amplification of light).

PRESSE UFOLOGIQUE (Ufological Press)

• This section lists recent articles from various publications:
• "LDLN" (n°323) covers a clarified mystery, a crash on the Bolivia-Argentina border, the humanoid of Tenay, recent observations, and ideas about djinn and UFOs.
• "Phénomèna" (n°19) discusses the Ummo mystification, the truth according to the liar, UFOs at the European Parliament, and an investigation in Tronville-en-Barrois.

SOUTENANCE DE THESE (Thesis Defense)

A notice about Manuel Jimenez defending his doctoral thesis in humanities at Université Paul Valéry (Montpellier) on March 11, 1994. The thesis subject is "UFO Testimony and the Psychology of Perception."

VIDEO (Fiction)

A mention of the science fiction series "Babylon 5" on M6, with its pilot film available for rent, featuring computer-generated effects and large budgets, including spaceships and extraterrestrials.

PRESSE

• This section details articles from various magazines:
• "Science et Vie" (March 1994) features articles on "E.T. abandonné" (the end of the Megaseti program), a "jeep for extraterrestrials" (Lunar Rover), and "the gazette of invaders" (about a magazine called "Unicus").
• "RCM" (March 1994) discusses useful meteorological elements for model aircraft enthusiasts.
• "Dimanche Saône et Loire" articles explore the possibility of organic atmospheric phenomena as UFOs, the tectonic hypothesis for UFOs, and the global increase in UFO observations.
• "Dimanche Saône et Loire" also covers "OVNI d'un autre type," describing a "flying diamond" observed and photographed in several locations.
• "Dimanche Saône et Loire" highlights the "Oscars de l'Etrange 91" and "Oscars de l'étrange," listing extraordinary events chosen by "Strange Magazine," including Japanese subway circles and satellite debris.
• "Newlook" (December 1993) reports that NASA spent millions to listen for extraterrestrials but is hindered by terrestrial interference.
• "Le Méridional" (March 1, 1994) details the activities of CERPA in searching for UFOs.
• "Var Matin" (November 14, 1993) includes a brief article about B. Hugues of CERPA, who attempted to explain sheep attacks as potentially extraterrestrial.
• "VSD" (March 3-9, 1994) mentions Paul Wermus interviewing Jean-Claude Bourret about his unemployment.

PRESSE SPECIALISEE (Specialized Press)

• "Mystères" (April 1994) features articles on Steven Spielberg's future film about the Roswell crash, studies on UFO witnesses, "lights in the Vauclusien sky," a police radio hoax about Martians, "extraterrestrials wandering in the Meuse," "vibrations" possibly caused by the Aurora spy plane, the SETI program's status, "mutants of Movile," and a dossier on hypnosis.
• "Etrangetés et Mystères" (March 1994) covers the Povoljye affair, an alert night at Orly, Spanish armed forces and UFOs, the Tronville-en-Barrois case, and UFOs in China.
• "Horoscope" (May 1994) includes brief articles on UFO observations by J.G. Greslé and the astronomical knowledge of the Dogons.

Science... et pseudo-sciences (Cahiers de l'AFIS)

An article discusses the rarity of life in the universe and the role of massive satellites like the moon in climate stabilization. It also makes two allusions to UFOs in an article on near-death experiences, noting the fallibility of human testimony and how UFO imagery has become standardized.

RADIO

• RFM (March 18, 1994) featured a "Bank of UFOs" appeal regarding a strong explosion near Epinay-sur-Seine.
• RFM (March 22, 1994) discussed research into power outages caused by psychokinesis or "angry people," but also mentioned natural/artificial causes.
• RFM (March 28, 1994) reported on alleged UFO abductions of seven young women in the USA, noting that the case is taken seriously due to the multiplication of such cases.
• France Infos (March 30, 1994) cited a new publication, "Infos du monde," which includes unusual information, such as a French ufologist's research suggesting one in three cats might be extraterrestrial.
• RFM (April 7, 1994) reported on two frog hunters in northern France who observed a strong luminous source and found a circular reddish trace, with hypotheses including the moon or kerosene dumping.
• RFM (April 12, 1994) announced the closure of the Benveniste laboratory and the release of the book "H20" by J.P. Petit.

TV (UFO)

• Arte (February 27, 1994) aired "Gare au faux" (Beware of the False), discussing archaeological reconstructions and the interpretation of past events.
• F3 (March 12, 1994) featured "Jamais sans mon livre" (Never Without My Book), a literary magazine discussing "Dark White" by Jim Schnabble, which explores UFO-related delusions and psychiatric archives.
• M6 (March 20, 1994) presented "Culture Pub," with a report on the irrational market, including TV shows, "reality shows," and specialized magazines.
• C+ (March 20, 1994) featured "Télés dimanche" with JC Bourret discussing his participation in a new news channel and an upcoming show on F2, hinting at contact with extraterrestrials.
• C+ (March 20, 1994) included a segment from "Mystères" showing flying apples and a witness's account of them passing through doors.
• TF1 (March 21, 1994) aired "Faut pas pousser" on the theme of the paranormal, with guests discussing various topics but no specific mention of UFOs.
• C+ (March 25, 1994) reported on a gas pipeline explosion in Edison, USA, which some interpreted as a nuclear explosion or a spaceship landing.
• C+ (April 2, 1994) presented "L'oeil du cyclone" on the theme of "the end of the world," mixing interviews, archival footage, and science fiction films.

LIVRES (fiction)

• "L'invasion des profanateurs" by Jack Finney is reviewed, describing alien plants replacing humans and referencing UFOs and extraterrestrials.
• Dan Simmons' "Nuit d'été" (Summer Night) is mentioned, with passages describing Venus as a UFO and a telepathic contact with spaceships.
• Isaac Asimov's "Science-fiction et faits de science" discusses extraterrestrial hostility, the history of flying saucers, and galactic civilizations.
• "Mon prof est un extraterrestre" by Bruce Coville is a children's book about an alien tasked with abducting children.

TV (fiction)

• C+ (March 15, 1994) featured "Les Guignols" with PPDA presenting JC Bourret being attacked by extraterrestrials.
• M6 (March 3, 1994) aired "le corbillard," an episode from a mini-series about a "monster escaped from space."
• F3 (March 13, 1994) showed "la maison hantée" (the haunted house), a TV movie where a character reads about hundreds of young girls being raped by extraterrestrials.
• M6 (March 9, 1994) featured "Nestor Burma," with a character humorously responding to a delay by saying, "I'm not driving a flying saucer."
• F2 (March 19, 1994) presented "Eclats de rire" with Yves Lecoq imitating Jacques Pradel, announcing Jean-Claude Bourret's disappearance and alleged abduction by extraterrestrials.
• F3 (April 4, 1994) showed "Ben-Hur," with a depiction of the Star of Bethlehem as a luminous point moving in the night sky.
• TF1 (April 6, 1994) featured "Coucou c'est nous !" with manipulated radio-controlled models of a submarine and a saucer.

PUBLICITE (Advertising)

Advertisements include Levi's jeans, the "RFM-Mystères" radio segment, "La vague Interactive" CD-ROM magazine, EDF's "flying saucer" experience, Power Macintosh computers, "Infos du monde" magazine, J. Guieu's video series, and various commercial products like a flying saucer toy, a magnet, and a radio-controlled saucer.

B.D. (Comic Strip)

A comic strip from "Super Picsou géant" (April 1994) titled "A la rencontre des OVNIs" (Encountering UFOs) is mentioned, where Picsou and his nephews participate in a UFO photo contest, and the UFO leaves traces that create diamonds.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of LA CIRCULAIRE are UFO sightings, potential misidentifications, media coverage of ufological events, and the intersection of UFOs with science fiction and paranormal phenomena. The magazine appears to present a wide range of information, from news reports and scientific discussions to fictional accounts and media critiques, aiming to inform its readers about the latest developments and perspectives in the field of ufology. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry, presenting various viewpoints and evidence while also acknowledging skepticism and the possibility of misinterpretations.