Notizie UFO - No 19

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Notizie UFO" (July 1987, Issue 19) is a circular from the Secretariat of the Italian Center for Ufological Studies (Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici - CISU). It marks a return to regular communication after an intensive period of work preparing for the third issue of their journal, an international congress, and a "National Week of Ufological Information." The circular highlights an increase in ufological topics in the media, particularly concerning the 40th anniversary of ufology and US "abduction" cases, though this has not yet led to a rise in reported sightings.

Secretariat Updates

The secretariat thanks new collaborators and acknowledges financial contributions from several individuals. It also notes that the Turin secretariat will remain operational in August, with direct contact possible on Tuesday evenings.

Received Material

The "Received Material" section details various reports and investigations submitted to CISU:

• "ORGANISMO STUDI UFO" (Cassino, FR): A 25-page report on a presumed third-type encounter case in Settefrati (FR) on December 13, 1985, coinciding with widespread sightings across Italy.
• Antonio CUCCU (Sassari): A 9-page report on an investigation into a luminous "cigar" object sighted in September 1982 in the province of Oristano.
• Sezione Ufologica Fiorentina: Three reports on third-type encounters: Santa Maria (CZ) on September 12, 1976 (3 pages) and Abano Terme (PD) on July 5, 1987 (11 pages).
• Paolo FIORINO (Torino): A 24-page report for "Progetto Italia 3" detailing "encounters" with an entity described as a "devil" in Montechiaro (AT) in July 1986, which was later revealed to be a prank.
• Moreno TAMBELLINI (SHADO Cerreto, LU): A 7-page report on an investigation into a luminous object sighted at low altitude on August 12, 1967, on the state road between Calavorno (LU) and Fornoli.
• Giorgio RUSSOLILLO (SOLARIS Napoli): 4 pages of notes on another IR-3 case in Capodimonte in June 1980.

The section also acknowledges contributions of press clippings, sighting cards, foreign material, studies, and information from numerous collaborators.

Activities

The Congress of Turin

The issue details the international congress held in Turin on June 20-21, 1987, themed "Forty Years of UFOs: Towards a Scientific Approach to the Phenomenon." The congress featured two days of discussions: the first focused on the scientific community's perspective on UFO study, with participation from various disciplines, and the second addressed "Forty Years of Ufology: Results and Perspectives" from the ufologists' viewpoint. Notable participants included Danilo ARONA, Alexander KEUL, Marcel DELAVAL, Bertrand MEHEUST, Alessandro MELUZZI, Piero BIANUCCI, Renzo CABASSI, and Roberto FARABONE. The congress received positive media coverage, presenting a more serious image of ufology than typically seen in Italian media. The full proceedings will be published, with a summary in the next issue of the "UFO" journal.

National Week of Ufological Information

This section provides an update on the "National Week of Ufological Information" held from June 20-28. Initiatives included daily radio programs by Antonio BLANCO in Catania, radio broadcasts by Alberto LAZZARO in Salsomaggiore, and an ANSA interview with Pier Luigi SANI that was widely published. Paolo TOSELLI organized a photographic exhibition in Asti. Press conferences were held in Milan and Turin to present the "DOXA" opinion poll and the Turin Congress, leading to national media coverage. An 8-page article on the UFO problem was sent to major Italian newspapers, with some publications featuring it and related interviews. The Turin Congress itself garnered significant media attention, with reports on national television (TG-1, GR-1, TG-2, TG-3) highlighting its scientific approach.

Interviews in Newspapers

A series of interviews with Maurizio VERGA regarding CISU's "Ufological Database" and "Computerized Ufological Network" appeared in various newspapers in May and June. An interview with Antonio CHIUMINETO was published in "Stampa Sera" concerning a conference in Ancona. Scientific supplements of "La Stampa" and "Corriere della Sera" also featured articles on ufology, including one by physicist Ottavio Vittori and another by astronomer Margherita Hack.

Ongoing Work

• Cataloguing: Marco BOTTAINI is updating the Tuscan catalog of UFO cases. Work is also progressing on decentralized cataloguing of regional data based on magazine schedulings, with contributions from Lorenzo BARTOLI, Fabio FILIPPETTI, Francesco SORTINO, and Maurizio VERGA.
• Typing and Translations: The center is using personal computers for typing texts and translations for its publications. They are seeking translators from English and French.
• BIBLIOBANK: Marco BOTTAINI has completed an updated edition of the catalog of books held by ufologists.

News from CISU

The Center's Assembly

The ordinary assembly of CISU members was held in Turin on June 21. The activities of the first year were reviewed, and the 1986 financial statement was approved, with the economic loss to be covered in the future. The 1987 Steering Committee was elected, including Antonio Chiumiento, Gian Paolo Grassino, Massimo Greco, Alberto Lazzaro, and Maurizio Verga. Projects for 1987 and a provisional budget were presented.

CISU-DOXA Opinion Poll

In anticipation of the Turin Congress, CISU commissioned the "DOXA" Institute to conduct an opinion poll on UFOs in Italy, comparing results with a 1979 poll. The survey of 2000 adults revealed a decrease in belief in UFOs (from 35% to 19%) and an increase in disbelief (from 31% to 53%). This shift is attributed to the current lack of media interest compared to 1979, which coincided with a major wave of sightings. Younger individuals, those in higher socio-economic classes, and residents of northwestern and central regions were more likely to believe in UFOs. Approximately 70% of believers thought UFOs were extraterrestrial in origin, with 60% believing they were piloted. The issue also notes that the 6.5% of Italians who reported seeing a UFO (approximately 3 million people) showed no significant variation across social demographics.

UFOlogy-Showbiz on TV

This section criticizes the TV show "LUPO SOLITARIO" on "Italia 1" for its sensationalist and disrespectful treatment of ufology. The show featured "connections" with a supposed mobile post from the Milanese group "Le Pleiadi-Arcadia," where Claudio Naso interviewed witnesses and presented cases. The magazine denounces this as an "attitude devoid of any respect" for ufological witnesses, using them for purely spectacular purposes. It highlights that most individuals appearing on the show were members of "Le Pleiadi-Arcadia," who had previously presented conflicting accounts. A photo published by Naso was shown as taken by Jacques Vallee, then presented as taken by Naso himself in France. This incident is seen as further discrediting the image of ufology.

Recent Sightings

Reports from May and June include:

• May: Sightings in the Ancona area on the 10th, 11th, and 13th. On May 10th, a fisherman saw an orange, lens-shaped object moving rapidly inland with a buzzing sound. On the 11th, two luminous orange-red objects were seen descending vertically. On the 13th, a green, drop-shaped object was observed moving slowly. On May 27th, a large orange metallic body was seen, followed by strange glows over the sea and a luminous object hovering and then departing rapidly. On May 30th, several people observed strange luminous globes circling in the sky near Massa.
• June: On June 1st, a luminous ovoid object with a small dome was seen in Verona. On June 22nd, a large pink oval object, resembling a "melon," was observed by a couple in Cortile (MO), moving in a spiral pattern. A farmer had previously reported seeing a luminous object at low altitude multiple times.
• July: Sightings in the Marche region include a strange luminous object observed in Casine di Paterno (AN) on July 3rd, and a white-silver cigar-shaped object streaking over the sea near Porto Sant'Elpidio (AP) on the same evening.

Abroad: The "Communion" Case

This section discusses the surge of public interest in the US regarding UFO "abduction" cases, influenced by horror novelist Whitley Strieber. Strieber, after reading a book on ufology, realized he had experienced similar phenomena. He contacted New York ufologist Budd Hopkins, who specializes in "abduction" cases. Through hypnotic regression, Strieber recounted alleged childhood encounters and experiments by mysterious creatures. Strieber then wrote the book "Communion," which became a bestseller, focusing on the profit potential of his story. The book has fueled public interest in UFOs, leading to media coverage and discussions. Budd Hopkins' second book, "Intruders," further explores the abduction phenomenon, suggesting thousands of people have been abducted for genetic manipulation. This theme was central to a recent MUFON congress in Washington and has revived interest in "conspiracies of silence" and crashed UFOs. The article notes that "Communion" is set to be published in Italy by Rizzoli, predicting the abduction theme will become topical there as well. The author expresses skepticism about Strieber's sudden transformation into a witness but acknowledges the impressive scale of the "abduction" phenomenon as revealed by Hopkins, while cautioning that hypnotic regression can surface repressed memories, fantasies, and suggestions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a strong emphasis on scientific investigation and reporting of UFO phenomena, as evidenced by the Turin Congress and the detailed case reports. There is a clear stance against sensationalism and disrespectful treatment of the subject, as demonstrated by the criticism of the TV show "Lupo Solitario." The magazine also highlights the growing international interest in UFO abduction cases, particularly from the US, and aims to inform its Italian readership about these developments. The editorial stance is one of serious inquiry, seeking to elevate ufology's public perception beyond mere entertainment or fringe speculation.