Notiziario UFO - 1982 01-12 - Vol 17 No 100 English abstracts

Magazine Overview

Title: NOTIZIARIO UFO
Issue: Vol. XVII, Issue No. 100
Date: January-December 1982
Publisher: Centro Ufologico Nazionale (C.U.N.), Italia
Country: Italy
Language: English abstracts from Italian original.

This issue of NOTIZIARIO UFO marks its hundredth publication, featuring a comprehensive editorial, detailed case histories, and reflections on the state of UFO research.

Leader-Editorial: An Official Study in Italy, Too

By Roberto Pinotti, Editor

The editorial discusses the administrative procedure launched by the Italian Prime Minister in March 1980 to establish a governmental investigation committee on UFO phenomena. C.U.N. had been aware of this since 1979 but kept the information confidential until a journalist's scoop revealed distorted details. It was revealed that the Air Force was already tasked with this, with Defense Headquarters ordering the Second Detachment of the A.F. to collect and coordinate UFO reports through a special committee within ITAV for technical-scientific analysis. This committee was integrated with the Centro Elaborazione Dati Spaziali and Civil Aviation Services to handle reports from civil and military pilots, with new visual/radar sighting questionnaires prepared. Plans for international contacts with more advanced countries were made but never actualized due to lack of funds. However, informal contacts with C.U.N. officers facilitated the publication of a paper by the President of C.U.N. before the House of Lords in the Air Force Journal. The editorial suggests that Defense Headquarters should officially associate civilian UFO students, similar to the Uruguayan Air Force's committee (CRIDOVNI). C.U.N. announced its 1983 Annual Congress in Rome would focus on the "UFO problem and Authorities in Italy: indications and perspectives".

The editorial is followed by reproductions of military questionnaires for "optical sighting of UFO" and "radar detection of UFO," classified as "reserved when completed." The "characteristics" page of the optical sighting form, with 12 parameters and four variables each, indicates a prior collection and analysis of UFO cases for precise character selection, suggesting preparation for computerization.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind in Italy: San Giorgio di Nogaro 1978

By Antonio Chiumiento

This article details a sighting by Giorgio F. on September 18, 1978, near Porto Nogaro. While fishing, he heard a buzzing sound and saw an unusual object on the mud, described as egg-shaped, 4-5 meters large, and domed, with three telescopic legs, appearing to be made of yellowish metal. A 1.3-meter tall entity in a silver, diving-like suit emerged from behind the dome. The entity worked on the object for 3-4 minutes, seemingly astonished by Giorgio F.'s presence. After the entity re-entered, the object emitted a strong rumble and a high whistle, then took off vertically with a bluish flame. It assumed an oblique position and disappeared southwest at high speed, described as a bright ball. Giorgio F. found three circular holes, 50 cm in diameter and 3 cm deep, in the ground. He later met another fisher who had seen a similar "thing" in the sky, and his brother convinced him to publish the story.

Radiation Symptoms on UFO Witnesses

This section briefly reviews the Cash-Landrum CE-II case in Texas on December 29, 1980.

Italian Case Histories: The Year 1981

By Gian Paolo Grassino & Massimo Nebbia

This section provides short summaries of 33 cases filed in 1981. Notable cases include:

• April 28, 21:20, Ravenna: A worker and his girlfriend observed odd intermittent lights and heard a strange dull sound. A large, reddish dazzling light appeared briefly, followed by the sound and a yellow light moving southwards.
• May 26, 23:15, Fornaci di Barga (Lucca): The town was illuminated by a very bright red-orange globe during a storm, witnessed by hundreds of people.
• August 5, evening, Bruscarella (Pavia): Three youngsters saw a bright point in the sky that moved erratically, described as disk-shaped with orange lights and a greenish beam. An anonymous letter suggested "two men in black" descended from the object.
• October 24, 19:45, Licata (Agrigento): Fishermen saw lights emerge from the water. Three luminous portholes appeared, and two lights approached the beach. A two-meter tall being was observed, and a wave of heat dried the sand. One witness required hospitalization.
• December 3, between 18:00 and 20:00, between Frisolino and Reppia (Genova): A truck driver was enveloped in a blinding light, saw seven red "flames," and felt his truck moving without driving, ending up kilometers off his intended route.
• November 8, 16:30, Praglia (Genova): Six youngsters witnessed a green light descend over Lake Bruno, revealing a metallic grey ovoid with telescopic legs. An anthropomorphic being emerged. A squat body was seen in the water, and the object later ascended rapidly.
• December 23, 3:30, Monte Quiesa (Lucca): A fishmonger was blinded by a strong light with a trail, causing him to brake and crash. The light disappeared with a boom, changing from white to violet.
• December 30, 19:00, Sant'Elpidio (Ascoli Piceno): A woman reported a "visit" by two very tall "beings" with helmets in her house, who examined her daughter. The beings exited through the door-window. The dog was found inside the house, though it had been outside earlier.

UFO News

UFO Follows Plane

A short report of a UFO-plane encounter in Brazil on February 8, 1982.

A Visit to GEPAN: Some Reflections

By Roberto Pinotti

This section discusses a visit to GEPAN, the French official UFO commission, in Toulouse. GEPAN is a branch of CNES (the French NASA) established in 1977 for studying UFOs, utilizing significant financial and technical resources. Unlike amateur associations, GEPAN operates within a scientific framework, free from the enthusiasm or biases typical of traditional ufologists. The scientists at GEPAN maintain discretion and have not been swayed by sensationalist press or criticism from some French ufologists who accuse them of debunking the UFO "truth." Pinotti emphasizes the need for a scientific approach to UFO research, stating that as scientists provide answers, the role of private ufologists will diminish. He expresses thanks and moral support for GEPAN's ongoing work.

Cergy-Pontoise: End of a Hoax

An update on the well-known French abduction case from 1979, which was later revealed to be a hoax.

CUFOS "Acquires" NICAP

A brief note on the acquisition of NICAP by CUFOS.

Eugenio Siragusa Acquitted by the Court

This report details the acquittal of Eugenio Siragusa by the Catania Criminal Court on April 5, 1982. Siragusa, a well-known Sicilian contactee, had been jailed on November 24, 1978, on charges including fraud, continuative extorsion, illegal practice of medical activities, and sexual rape. He was released on bail after 72 days, during which he claimed to have been visited by UFOs and aliens. Some charges were found inconsistent by the judicial inquiry, and he was acquitted in a first-degree trial for the remaining ones. The article notes that CUN offered no comment, having previously expressed its opinions in NOTIZIARIO UFO No. 80. It humorously congratulates Siragusa on his claimed intention to expatriate to the Soviet Union.

Please Note: Change of Address

An announcement regarding a new address for C.U.N. in Torino, Italy, for exchange publications.

Copyright and Reproduction

Copyright 1982 by Centro Ufologico Nazionale (C.U.N.), Italy. Reproduction of material is allowed provided the author, source, and C.U.N.'s full address are reported.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of NOTIZIARIO UFO strongly emphasizes the importance of official, scientific investigation into UFO phenomena, as exemplified by the Italian government's initiative and the French GEPAN commission. There is a clear call for a rigorous, evidence-based approach, moving away from sensationalism and speculation. The magazine documents a wide range of UFO sightings and encounters, particularly within Italy, showcasing witness testimonies and the challenges of investigating such events. The editorial stance supports the integration of scientific methods and institutions into ufology, suggesting that while private researchers have played a crucial role, their importance may wane as official scientific bodies provide answers. The issue also touches upon legal aspects of UFO-related claims, as seen in the Eugenio Siragusa case, and highlights the ongoing efforts of C.U.N. to document and analyze UFO reports.