Notizie CUN - No 04

Magazine Overview

Title: NOTIZIE C.U.N.
Issue Date: September 1984
Issue Number: 4
Publisher: Centro Ufologico Nazionale (C.U.N.)

This issue of NOTIZIE C.U.N. marks the beginning of a new 'ufological year,' with the editorial staff expressing hope for a more stimulating period than the previous one, given the abundance of events and news from the summer months. The newsletter emphasizes the importance of members and collaborators continuing to send material and information to the Secretariat, especially as NOTIZIE C.U.N. is now the sole internal communication tool for C.U.N., following the temporary halt of 'Notiziario UFO.'

From the Secretariat

The Secretariat reports on recently received materials:

• Maurizio Verga (Cermenate) submitted an update on ITACAT, including Italian cases of type 1 and an appendix to the catalog of Italian cases with tracks, published in 'Notiziario UFO' No. 101 (16 pages).
• Luigi Di Ruzza (G.S.E., Cassino) provided a detailed report on a case from the early 1970s (12 pages), which cannot be duplicated due to the witness's explicit request.
• Claudio Cavallini (Vigevano) sent a substantial report (44 pages) on the Tromello (PV) ground effects case of October 28, 1957. This report includes a translation of an Australian article discussing tracks caused by lightning. An update (2 pages) to the Provincial Catalog of Pavia was also received.
• Marcel Delaval (CUFOC, Ispra) submitted a study on sightings from June 6, 1983, comparing them with Lombardy cases investigated by him and his collaborators (20 pages).

The Secretariat also thanks numerous individuals for frequent submissions of clippings, information, and various materials, including Alessandro Cortellazzi, Pietro Forgnone, Michele Sisti, Marcello Crino', Massimo Valloscuro, Luigi Di Ruzza, Guido Carione, and Lorenzo Bartoli. Special thanks are extended to Vittorio Crosa (Busalla) for a 44-page dossier of journalistic articles on the June 6, 1983 case.

Translators Wanted

There is an ongoing need for collaborators who can translate articles from English and American ufological magazines. Interested individuals are urged to contact the Secretariat.

External Documentation Service

All twelve monthly issues of S.D.E. for 1983 and the first ten issues of 1984 (plus two specials) are available. Each issue contains approximately 30 pages of photocopied articles from foreign ufological magazines received during the month. These can be obtained by reimbursing reproduction and shipping costs (L. 3,000 each).

Activities

Archive Research

A new research project has been launched to investigate the 'origins' of the UFO phenomenon in Italy. The project aims to study how interest in 'flying saucers' was introduced and spread in Italy between the late 1940s and early 1950s. Based on a hypothesis about the influence of foreign news on Italian public opinion, an initial data collection program involving the review of newspapers from 'key periods' has begun. A detailed circular about the project has been sent to some associates, requesting collaboration. Those interested are invited to request it.

Triveneto Coordination

As part of the Regional Catalogues Project, a new initiative is being established to create a regional, or rather tri-regional, coordination for the Venezie area. Following the completion of the Trentino catalog, Alessandro Cortellazzi (Trento) has begun transcribing investigations by Antonio Chiumiento and compiling material related to Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. He has now initiated a more organized network of collaboration across the three Venezie regions, forming a Triveneto Coordination. Members residing in these regions are encouraged to contact Alessandro Cortellazzi.

From the Naples Office

The Naples office's activities, previously omitted due to an oversight, are now reported. Investigations into cases in Atripalda (CE) and Baia Domitia (CE) are underway, with reports in preparation. Additionally, a report on the hypothesis of 'bio-materialization' is being prepared and will be available soon.

Information

UFO, Parliament, and Government

Two written parliamentary inquiries were submitted to the government on July 10 regarding the UFO issue. One was addressed to Prime Minister Bettino Craxi, and the other to the Minister of Defense, Senator Giovanni Spadolini. Both inquiries, preceded by a lengthy preamble discussing the involvement of the Italian Air Force and its alleged incompetence in scientific study, reference the recent national C.U.N. Congress in Genoa and official 'openings' in some foreign countries.

The first inquiry questions the advisability of entrusting the CNR with a research project on UFOs, to be conducted by Italian university researchers, and requests the declassification and release of relevant documents. The second inquiry, referencing the positive experience in Uruguay where the military ufological entity CRIDOVNI opened up to civilian input, asks if the Ministry of Defense deems it appropriate to valorize its own entity by accrediting civilian experts and if this would provide qualified consultation to the military authority. It also reiterates the request for material release.

The initiative by MPs Abete, Fiori, Scaiola, and Scovacricchi received significant media attention. However, very few newspapers reported the Minister of Defense's response. The Minister admitted that the Air Force's General Staff is tasked with handling the UFO matter and has established 'special procedures for the collection, verification, and analysis of reports from its own bodies and occasional observers.' He stated that these reports are carefully evaluated and correlated with other data, and if they require more in-depth examination, they are submitted to a specially appointed technical military commission.

The Minister emphasized that the conclusions drawn from various cases do not exclude the possibility of them being attributable to meteorological phenomena. He also indicated that the Prime Minister's office is considering the possibility of entrusting the CNR with UFO research. Crucially, Spadolini announced that all documentation related to unidentified flying object sightings is kept by the Air Force's General Staff, and excerpts can be made available to civilian entities through competent channels for consultation.

This response provided Antonio Chiumiento, vice-president of C.U.N., with material for his rebuttal in 'Domenica del Corriere' on September 1st. He presented a case from 1979 involving a military pilot who witnessed and photographed a stationary object in the Trevigiano area, countering the meteorological explanation. In a widely circulated statement on August 25th, Chiumiento formally requested the Ministry to provide documentation related to this sighting, including the pilot's photographs, and to issue an opinion on the case, possibly from the special commission.

The press widely covered this request, framing it as a proposed reciprocal exchange of archives between C.U.N. and the Ministry. A graphic reconstruction by Ugo Furlan was published by ANSA and some newspapers on September 15th. Chiumiento has become a focus of media attention, with interviews appearing in numerous newspapers.

Full texts of the parliamentary interpellations, the Minister's response, Chiumiento's interview, press comments, and two previous parliamentary interrogations (one from 1979 and an unpublished one from 1950) are reproduced in a special fascicle of 'NOTIZIARIO ARCHIVIO STAMPA,' sent to collaborators and available to others upon request for L. 2000.

Recent Sightings

This summer saw fewer sightings in Italy than usual. However, several cases were reported:

• June 19: At 10:23 AM in Trentinara (SA), a group of young people observed a black, pear-shaped object with clear contours moving southwest at a constant speed for about 15 minutes. The case was investigated by Guido Antonio Carione.
• July 16: In the late evening near Marcianise (CE), a family in a car observed the maneuvers of a light that was being followed by a civilian aircraft and, in turn, was following a military aircraft. A report is being prepared by Giorgio Russolillo.
• July 23: Several newspapers reported a sighting of a disc-shaped object by a couple who attempted to 'chase' it by car near Castelnuovo Monti (RE) around 10 PM. Lorenzo Bartoli is investigating.
• July 23: In the early morning hours (2:30 AM) in the Forlì and Ravenna areas, multiple witnesses saw a 'luminous cigar' zigzagging in the sky. Sergio Casadei managed to contact one witness who emphasized the object's rapid movement.
• August 29: Around midnight, two young people driving from Turin to Grugliasco (TO) observed a large light in the sky for about 10 minutes, feeling their car being 'shaken' by it. This was reported by Mario Iacomussi.

UFO Newsletter

The future of the official publication 'Notiziario UFO' remains uncertain. Due to excessive costs and a low number of subscriptions, publication was suspended after issue No. 102. Despite rumors of an imminent issue No. 103, all activity has ceased as of September 20th. It is probable that the Center will resume printing the magazine independently, but the timeline and format are unknown.

The Disappearance of Kenneth Arnold

Kenneth Arnold, often called the 'father of the flying saucers,' passed away on January 16th in Bellevue, Washington, at the age of 68. His sighting on June 24, 1947, is considered the birth of the modern UFO phenomenon. His description of the objects as 'like plates skipping on water' led to the neologism 'flying saucers,' which became universally adopted.

National Convention in Piglio

Information from 'Giornale dei Misteri' No. 156 (August 1984) reveals that a National Convention on 'UFOs and Mass Media: For Correct Information' was held in Piglio (FR), organized by members of the C.U.N. Directorate and supported by the municipal administration. The convention was attended by MP Falco Accame (who filed a parliamentary inquiry in 1979) and MPs Abete and Fiori (who would later file another inquiry).

The article expresses hope for the convention's success and notes that attendees were not informed in advance. It also takes the opportunity to request that members promptly report various research and dissemination activities to be featured in the magazine.

Jacques Vallée's Latest Book Translated into Italian

Jacques Vallée's latest book, "Messengers of Deception" (1979), has been translated into Italian as "Messaggeri di illusioni" and is available from Sperling & Kupfer Editori, Milan. Vallée posits that the UFO phenomenon is a 'control system' manipulated by a hidden power center. He particularly examines contactee cults and their role in spreading certain moral, social, and political ideologies. Despite its high price (L. 16,900), the book is considered interesting, albeit controversial. A special booklet of photocopied English reviews is available from the External Documentation Service for L. 2000.

Personal

• Paolo Fiorino has a new address in Turin following his recent marriage: Via Bologna 23, 10152 Torino. His phone number is (011) 28.95.93.
• Antonio (alias Daniele?!) Lolicato from Rome is still active despite military service. The publication 'Ufologia Italiana' is expected to resume upon his return. For urgent contact, his address is C.le Antonio Lolicato, C.C.S. Caserma Castro Pretorio, Viale Castro Pretorio 123, 00185 Roma.
• Maurizio Verga is seeking any photographs or drawings of ground UFO traces for the iconographic appendix of his extensive study on IR-2 cases. He can be contacted at Via Matteotti 85, 22072 Cermenate (CO).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of NOTIZIE C.U.N. revolve around the ongoing efforts to document and understand UFO phenomena in Italy. There is a strong emphasis on information sharing, collaboration among members, and the importance of maintaining internal communication channels. The magazine actively reports on official government responses and parliamentary inquiries, advocating for greater transparency and civilian involvement in UFO research. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent investigation, cataloging, and dissemination of information, while also acknowledging the challenges faced by ufological organizations, such as financial constraints affecting publications. The issue highlights the C.U.N.'s commitment to both grassroots investigation and engagement with official bodies.