Notizie CUN - No 08

Magazine Overview

Title: NOTIZIE C. U. N.
Issue: 8
Date: June 1985
Publisher: CENTRO UFOLOGICO NAZIONALE
Country: Italy
Language: Italian

This issue of NOTIZIE C. U. N. (Circular Informative of the National Ufological Center) signals a perceived revival in Italian ufology after a period of 'crisis.' The editorial expresses moderate optimism, noting a return of 'disappeared UFOs' and a small 'wave' of sightings reported in the press. The C.U.N. itself has seen an increase in active members, now numbering around 60, with an additional hundred interested individuals. This has led to renewed investigation activities, research, meetings, and discussions.

The editorial dismisses claims of a general crisis within ufology, attributing them to a few individuals confusing their personal issues with the broader field. It emphasizes that those who are actively working and producing are not experiencing this crisis. The magazine also extends thanks to numerous individuals and supporters for their financial and material contributions.

DALLA SEGRETERIA (From the Secretariat)

This section details the material received by the C.U.N. Secretariat:

• Massimo PELILLO (Taranto): Submitted a report on a case from March 25, 1985, in Taranto (8 pages).
• Vittorio CROSA (Busalla-GE): Sent a group of sighting records collected directly by the 'Centro Ricerche Valle Scrivia' in the Busalla area between 1977 and 1984 (22 pages).
• Umberto TELARICO (Napoli): Provided reports on a daytime sighting near Matera on October 23, 1978 (4 pages), and a case from July 1976 near Turin in Val di Susa. He also sent a report on the IR-3 case in Prata Principato Ultra (AV) from October 9, 1984, by Guido Carione (Salerno) (5 pages).
• Paolo FIORINO (Torino): Transcribed two television broadcasts: one on 'Domenica IN' (November 11, 1984) about the Poloanto (FI) case (October 9, 1984) (5 pages), and another from Radio 2's 'Chiamate 3131' (April 30, 1985) focusing on the Castaldia (PN) case (April 14, 1985) (7 pages).
• Paolo TOSELLI (Alessandria): Transcribed an interview with a witness from the Varzi (PV) case (June 5, 1983), conducted by the C.U.N. offices in Genoa and Parma (16 pages).
• Massimo FERRANTE (Odissea 2001 – Milano): Submitted reports on IR-3 cases, including the Rizzi case (December 18, 1962, Milan) (28 pages), the Mazzanti case (January 25, 1974), and a 'presumed abduction' on June 7, 1983, in Trezzano sul Naviglio (MI) (12 and 3 pages respectively).
• Luigi DI RUZZA (G.S.E. Cassino - FR): Sent a report on an IR-3 case with psychical implications in Cassino (May 11, 1980) (3 pages).
• Ferdinando GUAZZOTTI (Rozzano - MI): Provided another investigation into the Varzi (PV) case (10 pages).
• Solas BONCOMPAGNI (S.U.F.): Supplied documentation on the close encounter cases in Sturno (AV) and Nocera Umbra (PG) from 1977 (18 pages).

The magazine reiterates its thanks to all who contribute clippings, studies, and material, keeping them updated on ufological events.

ABBONAMENTO ALLA BANCA DOCUMENTAZIONI (Subscription to the Documentation Bank)

Following the release of the 'Catalogo Casistica Italiana 1980-84' (Italian Casebook Catalog 1980-84), the C.U.N. received requests for the entire catalog (over 1800 pages). To manage the photocopying workload, they are offering subscription options:

• Total Subscription: Access to all incoming investigation reports.
• Geographical Area Subscription: Material from a specific region or province.
• Period Subscription: Reports from a particular year (e.g., 1984 sightings).
• Type Subscription: Cases of a specific type (e.g., landing traces).

These will be sent along with the NOTIZIE C.U.N. issues. The cost is L. 5,000 for most subscriptions and L. 10,000 for the 'total' subscription, covering reproduction costs for the first 50 (or 100) pages.

ATTIVITA (Activities)

LAVORI IN CORSO (Ongoing Work)

The magazine notes the successful continuation of projects initiated through its pages, highlighting the 'organic' work involving individuals and groups across Italy.

• CATALOGHI PROVINCIALI (Provincial Catalogs): Luigi DI RUZZA (G.S.E. Cassino) has updated the Frusinate case files with 23 cases (10 pages).
• OPERAZIONE ORIGINI (Operation Origins): Giuseppe VERDI (Vittoria-RG) has compiled 14 monthly press clippings from 'La Sicilia' newspaper between 1946 and 1954 (63 notices). Umberto TELARICO (Napoli) provided a list of newspapers and periodicals he examined (303 months from 28 different newspapers). Fabrizio DIVIDI and Riccardo DE FLORA are reviewing Turin's newspapers for 1952.

IL "CASO CHIUMIENTO": DISCUTIAMONE INSIEME ("The Chiumiento Case": Let's Discuss It Together)

This section addresses recent media attention surrounding Antonio Chiumiento and his reported sightings, primarily in the 'Venezie' region. The magazine acknowledges that while some perceive a 'never-ending flap' in this area, it's more likely due to Chiumiento's consistent activism over eight years. His extensive network of informants, including students, astronomers, journalists, and Carabinieri, makes him a central figure for unusual sightings. The article clarifies that Chiumiento is often sought out by journalists for his expertise, making him a de facto spokesperson for Italian ufology. The magazine suggests that if more individuals like Chiumiento were active in other parts of Italy, the C.U.N. would benefit significantly.

Recent radio appearances by Chiumiento (RAI 2 on April 30 and May 5) have generated a large number of direct witness reports from across Italy. The magazine views this positively, as it has created a regular channel to the press and public, leading to a more serious treatment of the UFO phenomenon by journalists and enhancing the C.U.N.'s image as a competent research center.

CONFERENZA A REGGIO EMILIA (Conference in Reggio Emilia)

A conference was held in Reggio Emilia on June 2, organized by Lorenzo BARTOLI and the local C.U.N. branch, with participation from Giuseppe ZUNGRI and representatives from the Parma and Turin branches. Despite low public attendance, the event received significant coverage in local newspapers.

ESTERO (Abroad)

MINI-ONDATA IN FRANCIA (Mini-Wave in France)

Information from French correspondents indicates a 'mini-wave' of sightings in southeastern France from late October to December, coinciding with sightings in northern Italy. The wave appears to have begun after a French Television program on UFOs on October 13, 1984, which featured scientists like Jacques Vallée and Jean-Pierre Petit, as well as witnesses from classic cases.

Key French sightings include:

• October 22, 1984 (approx. 6:50 PM): Near Le Luc (Var), two mothers and children witnessed a luminous ball with a white light beam that rotated 180 degrees and moved across the road.
• November 10: Between La Valette and Toulon (Var), several people reported the landing and subsequent departure of two objects with a bright light and loud noise.
• November 22: A UFO with red and green lights was seen silently evolving at an altitude of 100 meters above Patrimonio (Corsica).
• December 5 (approx. 11:30 AM): Hundreds in Provence observed a fiery bolide falling towards Italy, possibly the same phenomenon seen in Piedmont and Liguria. This event triggered alerts for regional air traffic control and civil protection.

A witness in Solliés-Toucas (Var) reported seeing the object fall into a pine forest, with subsequent searches involving helicopters yielding no findings.

Other sightings mentioned include those in Marseille (October 25 and December 4), Moretbéliard and Rougemont (Doubs) (November 27 and December 1), Monaco and Beausoleil (Nizza) (December 23), Menton and Camolés (December 24), and Cap Martin (Alps Maritimes) (January 7, 1985), the latter accompanied by photos.

The magazine thanks Yves BOSSON, Michel FIGUET, Marc TOLOSANO, Jean-Pierre TROADEC, and René VOARINO for their contributions.

DI NUOVO IN ITALIA L'ARGENTINO AGOSTINELLI (Argentine Agostinelli in Italy Again)

In late May, the C.U.N. hosted Argentine ufologist Alejandro AGOSTINELLI, editor of 'UFO PRESS.' He met with Roberto FARABONE (Milan), Maurizio VERGA (Como), Paolo FIORINO, Gian Paolo GRASSINO, and Edoardo RUSSO (Turin). Agostinelli shared magazines and books from Argentina, discussing the ufological situations in both countries.

INFORMAZIONI (Information)

IL CASO ZANFRETTA IN TV (The Zanfretta Case on TV)

In December, RAI Liguria aired a two-part regional TV program titled "UFO A GENOVA? INCONTRI RAVVICINATI DI PIERO ZANFRETTA." The program, based on texts by Rino Di Stefano, reconstructed the sightings and alleged close encounters of Genoa night watchman Piero Zanfretta. The broadcast included witness accounts and dramatizations, with interviews of ufologists and experts. The C.U.N. Sound Archive has a recording of the transmission, thanks to Emi and Roberto BAIBI.

AVVISTAMENTI RECENTI (Recent Sightings)

New sightings continue to be reported from the 'Venezie' region, largely due to Antonio Chiumiento's efforts and good information circulation.

• Morsano (PN), July 1984: Four teenagers observed an orange sphere with reddish hues descend slowly over a poplar grove, leaving behind blackened leaves. Analysis ruled out combustion.
• Castaldia, near Piancavallo, Aviano (PN), April 14: A highly significant close encounter case involving two young people, Roberto and Manuela. While driving, Roberto observed two beings (approx. 1.70m tall, 1.40m wide) wearing grey-silver suits. Their car then stopped and was enveloped in a strange yellow-green mist. After several attempts, the car restarted, and the beings reappeared. The car was eventually towed home without damage. Chiumiento conducted an investigation, including an interview and a site inspection with the Carabinieri.
• San Quirino (PN), April 21 (approx. 9:45 PM): Two reports related to the Castaldia case. The first describes a luminous oval with pulsating lights and two fixed red lights on the left. The second describes a large white light observed for 5 minutes.
• Pordenone, April 17: Circular imprints were found on a road, identified by Chiumiento as caused by street cleaning vehicle brushes.
• Pordenone outskirts, April 30 (9 PM): Two police officers reported a luminous object with two yellow lights (one central green, one red) that passed rapidly overhead.

APERTI AI GIORNALISTI GLI ARCHIVI DELL'AVIAZIONE (Aviation Archives Open to Journalists)

A journalist from "Epoca" magazine, Remo Guerrini, has published an exclusive report on UFO dossiers from the Italian Air Force and Civil Aviation. These archives, which the C.U.N. had long sought access to, were made available to Guerrini. The article briefly covers about a dozen cases from 1978 onwards, including some from pilots and 80 photographs taken in 1979 by Marshal Cecconi. The report highlights that Civil Aviation is primarily concerned with UFOs as a potential source of accidents, while the military focuses on territorial airspace violations. A joint commission exists to evaluate data and provide explanations for most cases (95%).

The "Epoca" article portrays military and civilian officials as the 'serious' and 'scientific' ufologists, while private ufologists are dismissed. The article quotes a captain emphasizing the rigor of the Air Force's work and then adds a sarcastic comment about UFOlogists, dreams, and 'Third Kind Encounters' being the domain of devotees of E.T. It also mentions "ufological associations" like C.U.N. and the 'Cosmic Brotherhood.'

The C.U.N. interprets this article as potentially a 'maneuver' by the military to discredit C.U.N. with the journalist's complicity. However, they also suggest it should inspire self-critical reflection. The magazine argues that the 'official' ufology approach has been largely unproductive, despite years of contact with military bodies. It suggests that perhaps better media relations, rather than relying on journalists seeking 'scoops' who then mock the subject, would have been more effective.

RICHIETA DI INFORMAZIONI (Information Request)

The Secretariat is seeking information from subscribers regarding their subscriptions to:

• Flying Saucer Review (PSR), England
• UFO Express (Cavalieri di Pegaso), Rome

Subscribers are asked to indicate which issues they have received in the past year.

ULTIMISSIME: TRACCE MISTERIOSE A BRESCIA (Latest News: Mysterious Traces in Brescia)

On June 1, mysterious traces were discovered in a field in Virle Treponte (BS). These consisted of two sets of convergent parallel strips, about 5 meters long, resembling 'chicken tracks' and covered in a grey 'dust.' Investigations, photos, and sample collections were carried out by the C.U.N. Brescia branch (Massimo GRECO, Marco MOCURUTTI, Antonio SORLINI), Antonio CHIUMIENTO, Gian Paolo GRASSINO, and Edoardo RUSSO. Local press gave significant coverage to the find, which was also reported nationally. Several recent UFO sightings were also mentioned. Analysis of the samples is ongoing.

IL C.U.N. A "ITALIA SERA" (C.U.N. on "Italia Sera")

Following the attention given to the Brescia traces, the popular TV program "Italia Sera" aired a long segment on "the return of UFOs" on Tuesday, June 11. The report included footage of the traces, a satellite link with J. Allen Hynek in Los Angeles, and studio guests including C.U.N. Vice President Antonio CHIUMIENTO and a witness from the San Quirino (PN) case. Chiumiento also presented three photographs of a supposed UFO taken near Vicenza on May 27, which were reportedly corroborated by sightings in the same area that morning, as well as in Gorizia and Fontanafredda (PN).

Significantly, for the first time on RAI-TV, the C.U.N.'s address and phone number were displayed, along with an invitation for witnesses to report to the Center. This is seen as a positive development for the C.U.N.'s image and for Italian ufology in general. Audio and video recordings of the transmission are available.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the resurgence of ufological activity in Italy, the increasing media coverage of UFO sightings, and the C.U.N.'s role in documenting and disseminating this information. The magazine adopts a stance that is both optimistic about the growing interest in ufology and critical of official approaches that may marginalize independent researchers. It emphasizes the importance of grassroots activism, detailed case reporting, and strategic engagement with the media. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting serious, evidence-based ufological investigation while advocating for greater recognition and accessibility for civilian researchers.