Notizie UFO - No 28

Magazine Overview

Title: NOTIZIE UFO
Issue: 28
Date: October 1989
Publisher: Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (C.I.S.U.)
Country: Italy
Language: Italian

This issue of "Notizie UFO" (News UFO), published by the Italian Centre for Ufological Studies (C.I.S.U.), covers a period of heightened interest in UFO phenomena, largely spurred by the "Voronezh effect" – the extensive media coverage of a close encounter reported in the Soviet Union. The magazine details numerous UFO sightings and investigations conducted by its members in Italy, alongside updates on research projects, publications, and international UFO events.

Editorial and Cover Story

The editorial highlights the surge in UFO-related news, noting that October 1989 saw UFOs return to the front pages of Italian newspapers for the first time since 1978. This renewed public and media interest is attributed, in part, to the Soviet Union's "glasnost" policy, making the topic fashionable. The magazine acknowledges being inundated with press clippings and requests for information from journalists and the public.

Secretariat: Received Material

The "Dalla Segreteria" (From the Secretariat) section details the numerous investigation reports received from CISU members between June and September. These include:

• Giorgio Russolillo (Naples): Reports on close encounters of the third kind (IR-3) and entity encounters (*-3) in the Naples and Avellino provinces between 1980 and 1986.
• Arcangelo Cassano (Bari): A report on a nocturnal light phenomenon in Taranto on June 16, 1989.
• Giuseppe Stilo (Florence): Information on two past sightings: a second-kind encounter in the early 1930s and an IR-3 in the mid-1950s.
• Biagio Liotti (Roccagloriosa): A report on an isolated entity case (*-3) in June 1988.
• Fabio Gariani (Milan): A report on a daytime object observation in Segrate (MI) on May 11, 1989.
• Antonio Cuccu (Sassari): Two reports on nocturnal lights in Cagliari and Pula (CA) in 1970 and 1981.
• Corrado Guarisco (Fenegrò): Indications of nocturnal lights observed in Brunate (CO) in 1973 and 1988.
• Alberto Lazzaro (Salsomaggiore): A report on a strange circular trace in Cozzano (PR).
• Giampiero Donati (Novara): A detailed report on a nocturnal light observed in Ornavasso (NO) in August 1988.
• Giorgio Pattera (Parma): A report on a luminous object observed in Parma on May 29, 1989.

The magazine thanks its numerous collaborators and lists publications received, including "Il Giornale dei Misteri," "Nonsiamosoli," and others.

Methodology of Investigation

To improve and standardize investigation report writing, the Secretariat distributed copies of a standardized "report-type" based on the "Manual of Investigation Methodology" to members who had purchased the manual or submitted reports.

Publications Released

Recent CISU publications include issue No. 4 of "Rassegna Casistica" (Case Review) and issues No. 47 and 48 of "Notiziario Archivio Stampa" (Press Archive Newsletter), with issue No. 47 being a special edition on the March 21 luminous phenomenon.

Activities

• Ongoing Work:
• Regional Catalogs: The network of regional catalog curators is now complete, with Renzo Cabassi and Francesco Sortino covering Emilia-Romagna, Marche, and Calabria.
• Case Indexing: Umberto Cordier has been diligently indexing Italian UFO cases, including those from historical publications.
• Local Dissemination: Activities in this area were reduced, but a conference by Gian Paolo Grassino and Edoardo Russo was held in Turin.

Media Interviews

Following the Voronezh event, CISU members were frequently interviewed by Italian media outlets (newspapers, radio, and television) to provide expert commentary.

Men in Black: Phenomenon and Myth

A new monograph, "M.I.B.: gli 'Uomini in Nero' tra mito e fenomeno" (M.I.B.: Men in Black between Myth and Phenomenon), is announced. This anthology features writings from four authors exploring the MIB phenomenon, aiming to provide a new and dispassionate perspective based on firsthand data.

International UFO Congress (London)

The 5th International UFO Congress was held in London from July 14-16. It featured prominent British ufologists and a more limited international presence. Discussions included the Gulf Breeze case and abduction phenomena. Hilary Evans praised the Italian ufologists for their contributions.

New Books

• "Guardiani Cosmici" by Hilary Evans is a new book that examines UFO phenomena alongside other subjects, drawing parallels between religious apparitions, paranormal events, and alien encounters.

UFO in Italy - Third Volume

The imminent release of the third volume of the "UFO in Italia" trilogy is announced. This volume covers the period from 1955 to 1972 and details over two hundred cases, including UFO sightings, mass sightings, Fortian phenomena, and contactee reports.

International News

• USA: The Shuttle UFO: News emerged of alleged astronaut communications about an "incendio" (fire) and "alien spaceship" during a Space Shuttle mission, though NASA and the astronauts denied these claims.
• Great Britain: Aerial Battle with a UFO?: A report of a Royal Air Force (RAF) Tornado fighter jet engaging a mysterious orange light over Blackpool.
• Spain: UFO Filmed?: Thousands reportedly witnessed a luminous object in Estepona, which was allegedly filmed by a Dutch psychologist.
• France: UFO on the Roof: A luminous object was reported to have landed on a roof in Bertre, leaving behind darkened and displaced tiles.

CISU International

CISU's intervention at the European Congress in Brussels, discussing the "American way" of ufology and contrasting it with European approaches, has generated reactions. Articles by CISU members are appearing in foreign journals, and the "International UFO Reporter" published a summary of Italian abduction cases.

Recent UFO Sightings (International)

• USA: The Fear of Abduction: A specialized insurance company offers policies against UFO abduction.
• "Communion": The Film: A film based on Whitley Strieber's book "Communion" is set for release.
• Strieber Strikes Again: Whitley Strieber's new novel "Majestic" is inspired by the Roswell UFO crash and the alleged "Majestic 12" group.
• "Majestic 12": Latest Developments: Robert Hastings documents alleged disinformation campaigns related to the MJ-12 documents, implicating William Moore.
• Moore Confesses: At the MUFON Congress, William Moore admitted to being recruited by US intelligence services to spread disinformation, particularly concerning Paul Bennewitz.

Books Recently Released

• "An Alien Harvest" (454 pages) by Linda Howe, focusing on animal mutilations and conspiracy.
• "Encounters" by Edith Fiore, detailing hypnotic sessions with alleged abductees.
• "The October Scenario" by Kevin Randle, discussing the 1973 abduction wave.
• "UFO Proof Positive: A True Story of the Gulf Breeze Sightings" by Edward Walters (postponed).
• "Earth Lights Revelation" by Paul Devereux, on geophysical phenomena.
• "Frontiers of Reality: When Science Meets the Paranormal" by Hilary Evans, an anthology of unusual phenomena.

Available Documents

• "International Who's Who Directory in Ufology" by Robert Boyd is available.
• The CISU Library has acquired documents from the "Fund for UFO Research," including Thomas Bullard's "UFO Abductions: the Measure of a Mystery - Vol. II" and Robert Bartholomew's "UFOlore: A Social Psychological Study of a Modern Myth in the Making."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently emphasizes rigorous investigation and documentation of UFO cases, often contrasting this with sensationalism in mainstream media. There is a clear stance of promoting ufology as a serious field of study, evidenced by the detailed case reports, methodological discussions, and critiques of disinformation. The publication also highlights the importance of international collaboration and the dissemination of accurate information. The recurring theme of alleged government cover-ups and disinformation campaigns is also prominent, particularly in discussions surrounding the MJ-12 documents and the 'Men in Black' phenomenon.