Notizie UFO - No 27

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Notizie UFO" (Issue 27, July 1989) from the Secretariat of the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU) apologizes for a delay in publication, attributing it to the heavy workload of the Turin-based secretariat. This includes organizing the Bologna Conference, participating in the Lyon meeting, editing the "UFO" magazine, and preparing for an international conference in London, alongside regular administrative and investigative tasks. The publication notes that despite the delay, the graphic design and layout have been improved. The content reflects a vibrant and active association dedicated to the serious study of ufology.

Secretariat Updates

The "Dalla Segreteria" (From the Secretariat) section details received investigation reports from March to May. These include a report from Giampiero Donati (Novara) on a photo case with an unseen image and a sighting of two lights, as well as a detailed 81-page report on a night light case in Ornavasso (NO). Antonio Cuccu (Sassari) provides updates on Sardinian sightings, including a case from Sinnari (CA). Roberto Balbi (Genoa) reports on sightings in the Torriglia (GE) area, and Bruno Mancusi (Switzerland) submits a case from Lusco (AV). Moreno Tambellini (Gruppo SHADO, Lucca) contributes a case of an 'isolated entity' from Castelvecchio Pascoli (LU).

The secretariat also thanks numerous collaborators for sending clippings and materials for the archive, listing many individuals. It highlights the work of Alessandro Cortellazzi, Giuseppe Stilo, Umberto Cordier, and Paolo Fiorino for their consistent contributions. The circular emphasizes the importance of local collaboration in maintaining information flow and encourages members to share local UFO news and information.

Publications and Resources

Books

CISU's Library Service is actively acquiring rare UFO books. Recently acquired are Rino Di Stefano's "Luci nella notte - UFO: il caso Zanfretta" (1984), focusing on abduction cases, and Rocco Manzi's "UFO e potere delle tenebre" (1979), which interprets UFOs as demonic manifestations. Payment for these and other materials can be made via postal current account.

In Brief

The Central Archives are seeking copies of "Il Tempo" and "Brescia Oggi" newspapers that published an appeal for witnesses to a luminous phenomenon on August 17/88. They are also looking for issues 2 to 8 (1969-70) of the monthly "Cielo e terra" and volunteers to archive Italian cases published in "Gli Arcani" magazine.

CISU Activities and News

Assembly and New Board of Directors

The annual general meeting in Bologna approved the 1988 budget and renewed the board. The analysis of the past year showed a usual turnover of members but an overall increase in membership. Economic performance was positive due to book sales, a key self-financing method. While field investigation networks are still developing, research projects and collaborations are increasing. New initiatives in 1988 included cataloging "Pre-UFO" cases, a study group on electromagnetic effects, an archive of UFO-related advertising, and a national bibliography.

UFO Magazine

Issue number 7 of "UFO - Rivista di Informazione Ufologica" (June 1989) has been released. It features articles on Italian UFO bibliography, the March 21st flap, early 'third kind' encounters, and the results of "Operazione Origini." It also includes a "ufological" visit to the Turin Book Fair and a report on the Gulf Breeze case.

UFO Bibliography

The monograph "I libri sugli UFO - Quarant'anni di bibliografia ufologica e paraufologica italiana (1948-1988)" by Marcello Pupilli has been published. It is a comprehensive catalog of Italian books on UFOs, listing approximately 400 volumes.

Ongoing Projects

Operation Origins: Research into Italian newspapers from 1946-1954 is revitalized, with members like Giuseppe Stilo and Arcangelo Cassano meticulously collecting and transcribing UFO-related articles. Volunteers are sought to assist with this extensive archival work.

Regional Catalogs: Antonio Rampulla (Catania) has updated the provincial catalog for Catania. Stefano Innocenti (Rome) is managing archives for Abruzzo and Molise. Umberto Cordier (Savona) has created a circular on computerizing geographical coordinates for sighting locations and has cataloged Italian cases from "Scienza e ignoto" (1972-1974).

UFO and Advertising: Paolo Toselli (Alessandria) has created a catalog of "ufological advertising" titled "UFOs in Advertising: a Worldwide Catalogue of UFO/ET Images, Concepts and Words Used in Commercials," listing 140 examples.

Disclosure

CISU members have participated in conferences and television interviews across Italy. Topics covered include public opinion on UFOs, close encounters, UFOs and science fiction cinema, and specific sighting cases.

Bologna Conference

The "Third National Ufology Conference" was held in Bologna on June 24th, focusing on the current state of ufological research and study projects. Over thirty scholars and enthusiasts attended, discussing various CISU projects such as Regional Catalogs, Hypnosis, Electromagnetic Effects, UFO Bibliography, and Fortian/Pre-UFO events.

New Study Projects

Two new study projects have been initiated: 'Angel Hair' by Massimo Nebbia, analyzing reports of white filaments seen falling to the ground during UFO sightings, and 'UFO Photos' by Camillo Michieletto, aiming to create a comprehensive archive and catalog of Italian photographic UFO cases.

Recent Sightings

Reports of UFO and IFO (Identified Flying Object) sightings from the spring months are presented. These include:

• March 10th: Multiple reports in Trieste of three luminous spheres chasing each other, possibly related to fairground lights.
• March 13th: Red skies and multicolored clouds with white streaks observed in Fonteblanda (GR), interpreted as an unusual aurora borealis coinciding with a solar magnetic storm.
• March 13th-15th: Aurora-like phenomena observed across Great Britain and France, and even in the USA (New York).
• March 21st: A fireball seen falling towards the ground in Sesto Fiorentino (FI).
• April 9th: A luminous sphere, about one meter in diameter, observed at low altitude near Secinaro (AQ).
• April 15th: A blinding white light observed moving from the mountains to the sea in Tortoreto (TE).
• May 11th: A dark object observed moving in the sky in Segrate (MI).
• June 8th: A bright light in the sky photographed by astrophotographers in Porto Maurizio (IM).

UFO on TV

There are no positive developments regarding UFO coverage on television, with a critique of how national networks often distort the topic into a sensationalist or folkloric spectacle. Examples include the "Maurizio Costanzo Show" featuring controversial guests and a "Pronti a tutto" program on RAI-3 that involved a staged alien insemination scenario.

International Panorama

Great Britain: Ministry Cases

The UK Ministry of Defence has released data on UFO sightings from the past decade, totaling approximately 3,200 cases, significantly more than those reported by private ufological organizations. A notable surge of 600 sightings was recorded in 1981.

France: GEPA N.

The French GEPA N. (Group for the Study of Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena), previously part of CNES, has been transformed into SEPR A. (Service Identification of Atmospheric Re-entry Phenomena). This change may stem from criticism of GEPA N.'s limited results over eleven years. Official data from 1977-1987 shows 1660 examined cases, with only three remaining unidentified. The number of reports submitted by the Gendarmerie has decreased from 900 in 1977 to 50 in 1987.

Soviet Union: Largest Ufological Congress

Following the trend of "glasnost," the Soviet Union has seen its first pro-UFO book, authorized private association, and participation in Western congresses. A major week-long congress was held in Tomsk, Siberia, in April 1988, attended by 400 delegates. Over 250 reports were presented, covering a wide range of topics from methodology to propulsion systems and correlations with seismic activity.

USA: Gulf Breeze Film

Following Whitley Strieber's "Communion," the Gulf Breeze witness has sold the rights to his story and photos for a film adaptation. Negotiations are ongoing for a television series.

Great Britain: Disappearance of W. R. Drake

Walter Raymond Drake, a prolific author known for interpreting myths as evidence of extraterrestrial visits, passed away at age 76.

International Panorama (Continued)

Great Britain: Ministry Cases

The UK Ministry of Defence has released data on UFO sightings from the past decade, totaling approximately 3,200 cases, significantly more than those reported by private ufological organizations. A notable surge of 600 sightings was recorded in 1981.

France: GEPA N.

The French GEPA N. (Group for the Study of Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena), previously part of CNES, has been transformed into SEPR A. (Service Identification of Atmospheric Re-entry Phenomena). This change may stem from criticism of GEPA N.'s limited results over eleven years. Official data from 1977-1987 shows 1660 examined cases, with only three remaining unidentified. The number of reports submitted by the Gendarmerie has decreased from 900 in 1977 to 50 in 1987.

Soviet Union: Largest Ufological Congress

Following the trend of "glasnost," the Soviet Union has seen its first pro-UFO book, authorized private association, and participation in Western congresses. A major week-long congress was held in Tomsk, Siberia, in April 1988, attended by 400 delegates. Over 250 reports were presented, covering a wide range of topics from methodology to propulsion systems and correlations with seismic activity.

USA: Gulf Breeze Film

Following Whitley Strieber's "Communion," the Gulf Breeze witness has sold the rights to his story and photos for a film adaptation. Negotiations are ongoing for a television series.

Great Britain: Disappearance of W. R. Drake

Walter Raymond Drake, a prolific author known for interpreting myths as evidence of extraterrestrial visits, passed away at age 76.

International Activities

Panorama Internazionale

Great Britain: Ministry Cases: The UK Ministry of Defence has released previously classified data on UFO sightings from the last ten years, totaling around 3,200 cases, which is about triple the number collected by private ufological organizations. The data reveals a significant wave in 1981 with 600 sightings, previously unknown to BUFORA. This contrasts sharply with Italy, where the Ministry of Defense has reportedly collected less than a tenth of the reports received by CISU.

France: UFOs of GEPA N.: The GEPA N. (Group for the Study of Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena), part of the French scientific institution CNES, has been modified into SEPR A. (Service Identification of Atmospheric Re-entry Phenomena). An article in 'Science et Nature' from July 1988 criticized GEPA N.'s existence due to its limited results over eleven years. Official quantitative data from 1977 to 1987 shows 1660 examined French cases, with only three (0.2%) remaining unidentified. The number of reports from the Gendarmerie has drastically decreased from 900 in 1977 to 50 in 1987.

Soviet Union: The Largest Ufological Congress

"Glasnost" continues to impact ufology in the Soviet Union. Following the first pro-UFO book, the first authorized private association, and the first Soviet ufologist participating in a Western congress, a major week-long congress was held in Tomsk, Siberia, from April 18-24, 1988. Organized by the "anomalous phenomena section" of the Soviet Academy of Sciences, the seminar, titled "Fleeting Non-Periodic Phenomena in the Atmosphere," attracted 400 delegates from over 50 cities. More than 250 reports were presented by scientists, academics, and private researchers, covering a broad spectrum of topics including methodology, propulsion systems, field investigations, correlations with seismic activity, chemical analysis of ground traces, natural hypotheses, and extraterrestrial civilizations. The proceedings were published in three volumes.

USA: Gulf Breeze in Film

Following Whitley Strieber's "Communion," "Mr. Ed," a witness and photographer in the Gulf Breeze case, has sold the rights to his story and photos to a major publisher for $200,000. Contact is being made with ITC for a potential television series, though an agreement between the offered $100,000 and the requested $450,000 has not yet been reached.

Great Britain: The Disappearance of W. R. Drake

Walter Raymond Drake, a prolific author of clipeology who interpreted myths and legends as accounts of extraterrestrial visits, passed away at the age of 76 last April. Some of his well-known books, such as "Men, Gods or Space Beings" and "Extraterrestrials in the Ancient East," have also been published in Italy.

UFOs and Paranoia

Abduction-Mania in the USA

The frenzy surrounding abductions in the United States continues. A questionnaire in "Omni" magazine received over 2,000 responses, and 450 respondents were sent a follow-up questionnaire by Budd Hopkins. The article highlights concerning extreme cases reflecting a climate of paranoia and irrationality among some ufologists.

Abduction and Phobias

Budd Hopkins suggests that many psychological disorders reported in medical literature could be explained by repressed childhood abduction experiences. He posits that abduction might be a "universal key" to explaining sexual neuroses and phobias.

Abduction and Acupuncture

A book by Dr. Albert Dardanelli proposes that the positions of scars on abductees correspond to acupuncture focal points used to influence sexual and reproductive behavior.

The Peak of Paranoia

Ufologist John Lear claims to have learned from US intelligence sources that aliens made an agreement with the US government, allowing "greys" to abduct Americans for genetic experiments in exchange for advanced extraterrestrial technology, such as that used in the "Stealth" aircraft. He suggests "Majestic 12" is the interface between the National Security Council and EBEs (Extraterrestrial Biological Entities) and orchestrated a public relations campaign for aliens, including Spielberg films.

International Panorama (Continued)

Great Britain: Ministry Cases: The UK Ministry of Defence has released previously classified data on UFO sightings from the last ten years, totaling around 3,200 cases, which is about triple the number collected by private ufological organizations. The data reveals a significant wave in 1981 with 600 sightings, previously unknown to BUFORA. This contrasts sharply with Italy, where the Ministry of Defense has reportedly collected less than a tenth of the reports received by CISU.

France: UFOs of GEPA N.: The GEPA N. (Group for the Study of Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena), part of the French scientific institution CNES, has been modified into SEPR A. (Service Identification of Atmospheric Re-entry Phenomena). An article in 'Science et Nature' from July 1988 criticized GEPA N.'s existence due to its limited results over eleven years. Official quantitative data from 1977 to 1987 shows 1660 examined French cases, with only three (0.2%) remaining unidentified. The number of reports from the Gendarmerie has drastically decreased from 900 in 1977 to 50 in 1987.

Soviet Union: The Largest Ufological Congress

"Glasnost" continues to impact ufology in the Soviet Union. Following the first pro-UFO book, the first authorized private association, and the first Soviet ufologist participating in a Western congress, a major week-long congress was held in Tomsk, Siberia, from April 18-24, 1988. Organized by the "anomalous phenomena section" of the Soviet Academy of Sciences, the seminar, titled "Fleeting Non-Periodic Phenomena in the Atmosphere," attracted 400 delegates from over 50 cities. More than 250 reports were presented by scientists, academics, and private researchers, covering a broad spectrum of topics including methodology, propulsion systems, field investigations, correlations with seismic activity, chemical analysis of ground traces, natural hypotheses, and extraterrestrial civilizations. The proceedings were published in three volumes.

USA: Gulf Breeze in Film

Following Whitley Strieber's "Communion," "Mr. Ed," a witness and photographer in the Gulf Breeze case, has sold the rights to his story and photos to a major publisher for $200,000. Contact is being made with ITC for a potential television series, though an agreement between the offered $100,000 and the requested $450,000 has not yet been reached.

Great Britain: The Disappearance of W. R. Drake

Walter Raymond Drake, a prolific author of clipeology who interpreted myths and legends as accounts of extraterrestrial visits, passed away at the age of 76 last April. Some of his well-known books, such as "Men, Gods or Space Beings" and "Extraterrestrials in the Ancient East," have also been published in Italy.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The editorial stance of "Notizie UFO" is one of serious, scientific ufological research. The publication emphasizes the importance of rigorous methodology, data collection, and archival work. It critiques sensationalism and misinformation in media coverage of UFOs, advocating for a mature and responsible approach to the subject. The circular highlights the collaborative efforts of its members and aims to foster a growing community dedicated to understanding UFO phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on the ongoing development and professionalization of ufology as a field of study.