Notizie UFO - No 34

Magazine Overview

Title: NOTIZIE UFO
Issue: 34
Date: May 1991
Publisher: Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU)
Focus: Informative circular covering ufological news and research, primarily for the first quarter of 1991.

Editorial Introduction

The editorial notes that the first quarter of 1991 was relatively quiet for UFO news, partly due to the general attention being focused on the Gulf War. However, by the end of March, new UFO news began to circulate, returning to normal levels in April. The center has observed a positive increase in interested individuals joining CISU, possibly influenced by prominent Soviet and Belgian sightings from the previous year. CISU aims to provide non-sensationalistic information and opportunities for scientific collaboration on the UFO phenomenon.

From the Secretariat

Material Received

Several contributors have submitted detailed reports and investigations:

• Corrado GUARISCO investigated cases including an anomalous photo of a light without a sighting in San Benedetto del Tronto, a luminous object in 'take-off' in Cislago, and four lights in Cislago possibly identified as disco lights.
• Umberto TELARICO provided a comprehensive dossier on a mysterious track case in Luogosano, including chemical-physical analyses by Alessandro DATTILO and Vincenzo IORIO.
• Paolo FIORINO completed a detailed report on a suspected landing with traces in Ferrere, conducted with Riccardo DE FLORA, Fabrizio DIVIDI, and Gian Paolo GRASSINO. A summary will be published in the next issue of UFO magazine.
• Gian Pietro DONATI investigated the observation of two spherical lights on the Torino-Milan highway near Agognate.
• Riccardi CIABATTONI submitted a report on a sighting from December 13, 1985.

The secretariat also thanks numerous associates and new members for their contributions to the Ufological Database, listing several individuals who have provided information.

A Magazine on 'Voices'

The first issue of 'TUTTE STORIE' has been released, a newsletter from the Center for the Collection of Contemporary Voices and Legends. It includes articles on 'voices' in Italy, the appearance of a 'black panther' in Rome, and the 'child-catching ambulance' in Naples.

Announcements

The CISU Technical-Scientific Committee is seeking information on ongoing personal or group study projects related to ufology. A brief description should be sent to Renato FEDELE.

Activities

Ongoing Projects

• Regional Catalogs: Fabio ANZELLINI has completed a provincial catalog of sightings in Rieti, covering 28 cases from 1954 to 1983.
• Operation Origins: Giuseppe STILO and Lello CASSANO are meticulously reviewing old newspapers for UFO-related news, photocopying or transcribing articles for the central archives.
• Project Italia 3: Paolo FIORINO is compiling a catalog of over 400 'third type encounters' (IR-3) in Italy, including case descriptions and sources.
• Regional Coordination: An inter-regional meeting was held in Caserta, with participants from Lazio, Campania, and Puglia discussing local investigation activities. Regular meetings are also held in various cities like Turin, Rome, Naples, and Sassari.

Local Dissemination

Maurizio VERGA gave a conference-debate in Como on 'UFO or IFO? The Origin of Sightings,' organized by the Astrophile Group.

CISU News

Board Meeting

The CISU Board met in Milan on February 23rd. The 1990 membership balance was presented as improved. Discussions included upcoming issues of UFO magazine, the annual assembly, and the 1991 national ufology convention. Objectives and operational methods of the Technical-Scientific Committee were clarified, and preliminary ethical criteria for ufological information were approved to address sensationalistic declarations in the media.

Publications and Renewals

The latest issues of 'Rassegna Casistica' and 'Notiziario Archivio Stampa' (from 1990, published in 1991) should have been received. This is the last issue of Notizie UFO sent to non-renewed subscribers. Subscription and membership fees are listed, payable to Gian Paolo Grassino.

Information

Sightings

• New Year's Dawn: A boomerang-shaped object with white and red lights was seen for nearly ten minutes in Enna.
• January 1st Evening: A journalist observed a light moving across the sky in Albenga.
• January 6th: Two families in Castel Giorgio observed five luminous objects for about two hours.
• January 11th: A round object was seen hovering and disappearing with a red trail in Civitavecchia.
• January 24th: Dozens of luminous trails were visible over western Liguria, causing concern about a missile attack.
• January 31st: A strange 'cloud' phenomenon was observed in Corinaldo.
• February 1st: A circular, red-orange light was observed stationary in Senigallia.
• February 16th: A sphere reported falling in Cengio was identified as a meteorological balloon.
• March 23rd: A triangular object was photographed and filmed in Casalbordino.
• March 29th: During a religious procession in Sirolo, a luminous yellow object was observed.

All reported news is from newspapers and will be detailed in the Notiziario Archivio Stampa. Investigated cases will be published in Rassegna Casistica.

Books

Several books related to ufology have been released. Roberto PINOTTI authored "I fenomeni BVM" and "Angeli, dei, astronavi - Extraterrestri nel passato." "UFO: visitatori da altrove" is also mentioned. The issue critiques some books for being sensationalistic or recycling old material, while acknowledging their potential appeal to newcomers.

What the Press Says

The Press and UFOs

The Italian press coverage of UFOs in the first three months of 1991 was limited, largely overshadowed by the Gulf War. Notable mentions included a UFO sighting over New York (March 7th), the Casalbordino UFO film (March 29th), and reports from Belgium and China. The article also discusses the tendency of some self-proclaimed ufologists to make sensationalistic claims, linking UFOs to Marian apparitions or political figures, and emphasizes that these individuals are not affiliated with CISU.

Skeptics and UFOs

The Italian Committee for the Control of Claims on the Paranormal (CICAP) occasionally mentions UFOs as part of their anti-paranormal crusade. The article notes their aprioristic negativity in interviews. Two points of interest are mentioned: the registration of individuals claiming to have seen UFOs in a Carabinieri database, and an article by a former cine-operator explaining a famous 1980 UFO film over the Grand Canal as an optical effect.

International News

Estero (Abroad)

• Recent Sightings:
• Persian Gulf: A Soviet satellite was observed and mistaken for an Iraqi Scud missile over Tel Aviv.
• USA: A bright phenomenon, described as a ball of fire or cluster of lights, was observed over the northeastern United States on March 7th.
• Belgium: Following the 1990 Brussels sightings, thousands of new testimonies were collected by SOBEPS in March 1991, including two films of rapid-moving objects and a close encounter with a dark object.
• China: A commercial airline pilot reported an object with strong red lights near Shanghai, which emitted smaller objects before merging and flying away.
• USSR: A Book on Voronezh: The Voronezh Committee for Research on Anomalous Phenomena has published "UFO a Voronezh," detailing sightings from autumn 1989 based on interviews with around 500 witnesses.
• The November 5th Phenomenon: Discussions continue in France and Germany regarding the luminous phenomenon observed across Europe on November 5, 1990. While official explanations suggest the reentry of a Soviet rocket stage, some testimonies indicate different timings and routes, suggesting the possibility of genuine UFO phenomena.

USA: New Opinion Poll

A Gallup poll conducted in June revealed that 90% of Americans had heard of UFOs. While the number of people who believe they have seen a UFO increased to 14%, the percentage considering them real decreased to 47%. The number of uncertain individuals rose to 22%.

New Foreign Books

• Richard HAINES' book "Advanced Aerial Devices Reported During the Korean War" analyzes UFO sightings by American pilots during the Korean War.
• "The UFO Cover-Up" by Lawrence FAWCETT and Barry GREENWOOD, a republication, presents 264 pages of US government documents related to UFOs.
• Jacques VALLEE's "Dimensions" (economic edition) compiles chapters from his earlier works "Passport to Magonia" and "The Invisible College."
• VALLEE's latest book, "Confrontations," is also available in French and English pocket editions.

C.I.S.U. International

Articles by Paolo TOSELLI and Marcel DELAVAL were featured in the Spanish magazine 'Cuadernos de Ufologia.' CISU's publications received positive reviews in French magazines 'OVNI Prèsence' and 'Phénomèna.' Reports on the Russian wave and the third volume of 'UFO in Italia' were also noted in the Soviet Union's 'Quarta Dimensione.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings, the dissemination of ufological information through publications and conferences, and the analysis of UFO phenomena from both scientific and public opinion perspectives. The editorial stance, as indicated by the emphasis on non-sensationalistic information and the development of ethical guidelines, is to promote a serious and scientific approach to ufology, distinguishing it from sensationalism and pseudoscience.