Notizie UFO - No 51

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Notizie UFO" (Issue 51), published in July 1996 by the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU), serves as an informative circular for its members. It aims to update subscribers on the organization's activities, research, and UFO-related news from the period of late 1995 to mid-1996. The publication emphasizes its commitment to serious investigation and research rather than mere sensationalism, contrasting its approach with what it perceives as distorted media portrayals of ufology.

From the Secretariat (Dalla Segreteria)

Membership Renewals ('96)

This issue is the final one to be sent to members who were current in 1995 but had not yet renewed their 1996 membership. The management of membership fees and other requests has been delegated to the Cooperativa UPIAR, with payments to be made to their postal account.

Investigations Received

The secretariat reports on the principal investigation reports received between October 1995 and June 1996, excluding those already mentioned in the "Informazioni" section. The CISU acknowledges the intense activity of its local representatives in both field investigations and study/research.

• Antonio BLANCO (CT) submitted a detailed report on a nocturnal light observed for over an hour in San Giovanni La Punta (CT) on January 26, 1995.
• Fabio BREMBILLA (BG) sent photos related to a presumed trace connected to a UFO sighting on December 24, 1995, in Medagolo (BG).
• Claudio CAVALLINI (PV) provided a report on the sighting of three luminous spots performing evolutions in the sky over Pavia on December 28, 1995, attributing them to disco lights.
• Alessandro CORTELLAZZI (TN) submitted a dossier on cases in the Tre Venezie region, including an anomalous white cloud observation at Padua Airport on May 3, 1994, and a trace without a sighting in Montebelluna (TV) on September 3, 1994.
• Gian Pietro DONATI (NO) reported on a strange object observed at sunset in Novara on March 3, 1996, and lights observed in the night sky over Novara in September 1988.
• Alessandro FEDI (FI) provided a report on the case of a filmed object in Ibiza (Spain) on July 28, 1995, and a daytime sighting in Florence on December 10, 1995.
• Massimiliano GRANDI (AR) investigated a luminous object seen and filmed on the outskirts of Arezzo on March 23, 1996, identified as a mini-advertising blimp.
• Simone GRANDICELLI (MC) investigated a green and red elongated object moving slowly in the sky in Trioviggiano di Cingoli (MC) on November 11, 1995.
• Fabio GROPPO (VI) reported on sightings including a light that pursued a car in Romano d'Ezzelino (VI) and other nocturnal lights in the same area.
• Corrado GUARISCO (CO) followed a case of a nocturnal light observed on December 19 and 20, 1995, in Monticello Brianza (CO).
• Giuseppe STILO (FI) produced two reports: one on a "disc" with a trail observed between Prato and Florence in late September/early October 1995, and an investigation into a "sausage-shaped" opaque object observed for six hours over Pisa Airport on September 23, 1969.
• Antonio CHIUMIENTO (PN) provided photographic documentation of circular traces from the previous summer in the Pordenone area.

Campanian Snippets (Ritagli Campani)

Giorgio RUSSOLILLO reports that the Naples-based Centro Napoletano di Ricerche Solaris has compiled a dossier of newspaper clippings on unusual phenomena, including 180 UFO-related items from Campania newspapers between 1993-1995.

New Addresses (Nuovi Indirizzi)

Two CISU local representatives have changed their contact details: Angelo FERLICCA and Simone GRANDICELLI.

Assembly (Assemblea)

The annual CISU assembly was held in Rome on November 19, 1995, to approve the 1994 budget and elect the 1995-96 board. For the first time, collaborators could vote. The 1995 financial year showed a positive result due to an increase in members. The assembly also ratified the board's actions in defense of accurate ufological information against potential legal action from Mr. Maurizio Baiata.

CISU Activities (Attività)

National Conference in Rome

The 9th annual national ufology conference, organized by CISU, took place in Rome on November 18. The event marked the tenth anniversary of CISU's founding. Presentations included:

• Marco ORLANDI (BO) on counter-investigations into the 1979 aero-radar-visual case over Treviso.
• Marco BIANCHINI (SI) on the initial results of the USOCAT project (cataloging unidentified submerged objects).
• Renzo CABASSI (BO) and Giuseppe STILO (FI) on the status of Project 1978 (analysis of the 1977 UFO wave).
• Edoardo RUSSO (TO) on telematic tools for ufology.
• Giuseppe STILO on CRASHCAT (a new catalog of crashed flying objects in Italy).
• Paolo TOSELLI (AL) on the latest developments in the Santilli affair.
• Giorgio RUSSOLILLO and Giovanni ASCIONE (NA) on recent filmed cases of alleged UFOs in Campania.

CISU on the Internet

In late November 1995, CISU-ON-LINE was launched on the World Wide Web, hosted by the City of Turin's Telematic Public Service. Managed by Edoardo RUSSO, it provides information on UFOs in Italy, CISU publications, a catalog of UFO books, and discussion forums. The website address is http://www.arpnet.it/~ufo.

CISU Sues Pinotti (Il CISU Querela Pinotti)

This section details the long-standing conflict between CISU and Roberto Pinotti, a figure associated with the CUN (Centro Ufologico Nazionale). Pinotti has been accused of consistently criticizing and attacking CISU and its members in his publications for years. CISU states that Pinotti has never accepted the formation of CISU, which arose from internal polemics within the CUN. CISU asserts that its members operate on a voluntary, scientific basis, unlike what they perceive as Pinotti's profit-driven approach to ufology.

CISU explains its initial policy of non-response to Pinotti's provocations, which they claim was misinterpreted as impunity. The article cites specific defamatory statements made by Pinotti in the October-November 1995 issue of "Filo diretto," accusing CISU of being founded by expelled CUN members and engaging in disruptive, unscientific, and illegal activities. These accusations are refuted by CISU, which states that its founding members left the CUN voluntarily and that no one was expelled.

Consequently, CISU filed a lawsuit against Roberto Pinotti on March 28, 1996, for aggravated defamation via the press, reserving the right to seek damages. A second lawsuit was filed on June 18 against Pinotti as the responsible director of "Notiziario UFO" for an article titled "Ufonauti virtuali," which allegedly contained further false and defamatory claims about CISU's leadership and operations.

CISU emphasizes that these legal actions are taken to protect the reputation and image of the association and its members, who are unfairly targeted by Pinotti's criticisms.

Dissemination (Divulgazione)

This section summarizes the dissemination activities of CISU representatives across Italy from October 1995 to June 1996. These include media appearances, interviews, and lectures:

• Geremia ACCIARRI and Carlo CRUCIANI (AP) were interviewed by "Corriere adriatico" about the establishment of a local CISU section.
• Lello CASSANO (BA) was featured in "La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno" regarding recent sightings in Puglia.
• Paolo TOSELLI (AL) was interviewed about the autopsy film and participated in a TV program.
• Renzo CABASSI (BO) gave a lecture on "UFOs in the past, present, and future."
• Angelo FERLICCA (VT) participated in a TV program and was interviewed multiple times by "Corriere di Viterbo."
• Marco BIANCHINI (SI) gave his first conference on UFOs in Siena and was interviewed by local media.
• Simone GRANDICELLI (MC) was interviewed about a regional catalog of sightings.
• Gian Paolo GRASSINO (TO) gave lectures on ufology.
• Fabrizio DIVIDI and Matteo LEONE gave lectures and conferences on ufology.
• Corrado GUARISCO and Maurizio VERGA (CO) published an appeal to witnesses.
• Maurizio VERGA (CO) was interviewed for a youth magazine.
• Paolo FIORINO and Matteo LEONE gave a conference on close encounters of the third kind in Italy.
• Renzo CABASSI, Marco ORLANDI (BO), and Roberto RAFFAELLI (FO) held a conference at a scientific high school.
• Giuseppe STILO (FI) had his research on crashed flying saucers presented in a magazine column.

Armenia and CISU

The "Armenia" publishing house, a historical UFO publisher from the 1970s, is launching a new series of UFO books in collaboration with CISU, directed by Edoardo Russo. This initiative aims to provide serious, documented, and non-sensationalist UFO literature to the Italian public, building on Armenia's past contributions to the field.

New Catalogs

• Lello CASSANO (BA) has published the updated edition of "UFO sulla Puglia 1945-1995," a regional catalog of sightings.
• Marco BIANCHINI (SI) has published "USOCAT," the national catalog of Italian "unidentified submerged objects" (USO) cases.

UFO in Siena: From Catalog to Book

CISU has published "Gli UFO in visita a Siena" by Marco BIANCHINI and Roberto CAPPELLI, a detailed catalog of nearly 120 sightings in the Siena province, which also serves as a historical overview of Italian ufology.

National Conference in Treviso

The 10th National Ufology Conference was held in Treviso on May 4, 1996, with the theme "UFO: The Presence of a Phenomenon. Towards Scientific Dissemination." The event attracted around 700 attendees and included a photographic exhibition by CISU. The conference featured presentations on various aspects of ufology, including the analysis of Italian cases and the scientific approach to the subject.

Information (Informazioni)

New Year, New Cases

This section provides a summary of UFO sightings reported in the first six months of 1996:

• January 1: A bright glow observed near Monte Corona, Umbertide (PG).
• January 2: A white light observed over clouds in Tindari and Castroreale (ME), and a red-tinged white light moving slowly in Fellette (VI).
• January 3: A light reported in Rimini, identified as Venus.
• January 6 (Epiphany): A luminous elliptical object with a central rotating structure observed near Romito Magra (SP).
• January 7: Two round white lights observed in Erba and Como.
• January 8: A brightly luminous sphere observed hovering over Torrile (PR).
• January 10-11: Sightings in Como province, including a large antenna-like object and rectangular white lights.
• January 11: A large white discoid light observed in Canzo.
• January 11-15: Luminous objects observed in Taranto.
• January 14: A star-like light observed moving slowly in Ponte di Piave and Olmi (TV).
• January 14: A white opaque triangular object observed at high altitude in Cimpello (PN).
• January 15: An orange circular object observed moving slowly and then rapidly ascending in Romano d'Ezzelino (VI).
• January 17: A strange luminescence reported near Fiume (TS).
• January 25: An oval white light observed hovering over a hill in Mussolente (VI).
• February: A luminous ring observed in Valdumentina (VA), and orange spherical objects seen in Ticino, Switzerland.
• February 5: A spherical luminous object observed in Porto Torres (SS).
• February 8: A blue-white light with a long white tail observed crossing the sky in Brescia, possibly a meteor. A luminous ball descended near Lajatico (LI), prompting a police investigation.
• February 14: A luminous ball observed in Pradis di Sotto (PN).
• February 18: Five black dots, identified as Austrian hot air balloons, observed descending in Conogliano di Cassacco (UD).
• March 3: A strong colored light observed over Turchino, Genoa, and a luminous object over Sanpierdarena (GE).
• March 10-11: Green and blue lights observed moving erratically in the Genoa area.
• March 8: A vertical blade of light observed near Martano (LE), followed by a dark cigar-shaped object.
• March 17: A green triangular object with a bluish light observed in Milan.
• March 19: A red hemispherical object with an orange halo observed in Bari.
• March 23: A partially luminous oval object filmed hovering low over Arezzo.
• March 28: Circular grass patterns discovered in Nichelino (TO).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently highlights the CISU's dedication to rigorous, scientific ufological research and investigation. It contrasts this approach with sensationalist media portrayals and criticizes individuals and publications that it deems to be spreading misinformation or engaging in personal attacks against the organization. The CISU emphasizes its role in providing reliable information and fostering a serious study of UFO phenomena. The recurring theme of legal action against Roberto Pinotti underscores the organization's commitment to defending its reputation and the integrity of its work. The growing use of the internet for information dissemination and research collaboration is also a prominent feature, reflecting the evolving landscape of ufological study.

Title: NOTIZIE UFO
Issue: 1996
Volume: 11
Date: July 1996

This issue of "Notizie UFO" focuses on UFO sightings and related phenomena in Italy and internationally during the spring and early summer of 1996. It also covers the ongoing controversy surrounding the alleged alien autopsy film, new book releases, and government involvement in UFO investigations.

UFO Sightings Across Italy

The magazine details numerous UFO sightings reported across various Italian provinces in April, May, and June 1996. These include:

• April: Sightings in Pordenone province (Azzano, Porcia, Fontanafredda, Visinale) involving lights, trails, and sudden illumination. A postman in Montevecchia (CO) observed a strong glare and a strange object. In Borgo a Buggiano (PT), a luminous object with a red trail was reported. Piedmont experienced sightings of a luminous globe, possibly a meteorite. In Alessandria, a white light was identified as Venus. The director of the Montalenghe observatory reported a luminous white object. In Domodossola (NO), a luminous object was seen hovering near the ground, and later, a dark metallic substance was found in circles. Novara reported a 'glow' with red lights, confirmed by authorities.
• May: A sighting near Castiglione Messer Marino (CH) involved an object described as 'rocking' and moving at high speed. In Massa, people reported seeing an 'incandescent sphere' resembling the sun, possibly a pareidolia. In Roseto degli Abruzzi (TE), two women observed a black, round object with a pointed beak. Summonte (AV) reported a strong light that was even filmed.
• June: A peculiar incident in Vicenza involved a blue ray entering a window and causing a table crystal to break. In Bologna, a luminous white disc was reported, but it was later identified as a circus spotlight. In Pavone Mella (BS), a luminous trail was seen, and a metallic fragment was reportedly found.

The Alleged Alien Autopsy Film Controversy

The issue dedicates significant attention to the controversial alien autopsy film, particularly its Italian connection. It notes that the film was made available in Italy on videocassette for 19,900 lire. The magazine highlights an article from the MUFON UFO Journal by Kent Jeffrey, which raised numerous doubts and inconsistencies about the film. Jeffrey contacted military cameramen from the era who reportedly dismantled the technical aspects of the footage. The article also mentions an offer to analyze the original film, which was previously accepted by Kodak but never materialized. Ray Santilli, who claims to own the rights, plans to release more footage.

The film was also awarded the "Bufala d'oro" (Golden Hoax) prize by Scienza e paranormale, acknowledging Santilli's success in selling the film globally despite its immediate recognition as fake by experts.

New Books and Media

Several new books and media related to UFOs are reviewed:

• Books: "Le civiltà degli alieni" by Richard Thompson, a new edition of "I dischi volanti sono atterrati," and upcoming books on UFO abductions: "Abduction" by Jenny Randles, "Taken" by Karla Turner, and "Without Consent" by Carl Nagaitis and Philip Mantle. "UFO Dossier - Alla scoperta delle macchine meravigliose" by Alan Watts is also mentioned.
• Media: The X-Files series is highlighted, with a guide to its episodes and a videocassette titled "The Unopened File." A new UFO video, "Dossier UFO," was released, featuring interviews with American ufologists and recent news on the Roswell case.

International UFO News

• United States: The magazine discusses the renaming of Nevada State Route 375 to "Extraterrestrial Highway" to attract tourism. It also touches upon the ongoing mystery of Area 51, with speculation that UFOs might be a cover for advanced aeronautical experiments, citing Susan Crabtree's report on experimental aircraft like the "Aurora." The release of a declassified document from May 1948 regarding UFOs and the establishment of "Project Sign" is noted. President Clinton's brother, Roger Clinton, expressed interest in investigating UFOs.
• United Kingdom: The Civil Aviation Authority officially declared a 1995 sighting by airline pilots as a UFO, ruling out other explanations. The article also mentions Nick Pope's book "Cieli aperti, menti chiuse," which suggests no conspiracy but rather a lack of official understanding of the phenomenon. Timothy Good's book "Oltre il top secret" posits that governments are hiding the truth about UFOs.
• Canada: A trio of pulsating lights appeared nightly in Fort Resolution. Repeated sightings of colored lights were observed in Hay River, Northwest Territories. A metallic, diamond-shaped object was reportedly seen landing and taking off in Waltham, Quebec.
• Spain: The Spanish Ministry of Defense released new UFO investigation files, and the UK Ministry of Defense announced the release of 1950s UFO documents.

UFOs and Military Investigations

• UK Ministry of Defence: The article notes that the Royal Air Force's "RAF News" officially mentioned the A2 Secretariat of the Air Staff, which has been collecting UFO reports for 40 years.
• US Air Force: A declassified document from May 1948 revealed that top US Air Force officials were aware of UFOs and the possibility of recovering crashed objects.
• Italian Military: An incident involving a patrol of six soldiers in China reportedly witnessed a fiery human-shaped figure emerging from a light above a tank. The soldiers were later hospitalized for psychiatric issues.

Other Notable Items

• San Marino UFO Controversy: Disputes between the CROVNI and CUN regarding the authenticity of the autopsy film led to a split, with four of CROVNI's six founding members leaving.
• Italian Ufologists: The issue lists several Italian ufologists who contributed to the magazine, including Giovanni Ascione, Antonio Blanco, Claudio Cavallini, Paolo Fiorino, Simone Grandicelli, Marco Orlandi, Edoardo Russo, and Giuseppe Stilo.
• Senate Inquiry: An alleged inquiry in the Italian Senate regarding the "Cecconi case" (a 1979 aero-radar-photographic case) is mentioned, though its significance is downplayed.
• Extraterrestrial Hoax: A 70-year-old man from Pescara was prosecuted for defrauding a couple by claiming he could cure cancer with extraterrestrial help.
• Pordenone Traces: Ufologist Antonio Chiumiento presented findings on three circular traces in Pordenone, which he believes are not natural, despite some biologists suggesting a fungus.
• Lecce Military Base: Chiumiento also reported a close encounter near Lecce in 1994, where a fiery globe was seen falling and bouncing back into the sky, not detected by radar.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently reports on UFO sightings, often with detailed accounts and witness testimonies. There is a strong emphasis on debunking hoaxes and critically examining claims, particularly concerning the alien autopsy film. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, while maintaining a skeptical approach to unsubstantiated evidence. The publication also highlights the role of media, government secrecy, and the growing body of UFO literature and research.

Title: NOTIZIE UFO
Issue Date: July 1996
Issue Number: 21
Language: Italian

This issue of "NOTIZIE UFO" delves into several prominent UFO-related events and discussions from early to mid-1996, including a widely reported alleged alien capture in Brazil, statements from former astronauts, and the efforts of ufological organizations in France.

Alien Capture in Brazil?

The magazine details a sensational news story originating from Varginha, Brazil, where firefighters purportedly captured a strange, meter-tall creature with brown skin and red eyes. The creature was allegedly handed over to the army. While initial reports from the "Globo" television network cited various witnesses, military officials later denied the capture. Despite the official denial, the incident sparked widespread interest. In the aftermath, numerous UFO sightings were reported across Brazil. The article highlights several filmed incidents, including a disc-shaped object filmed in Joacaba, Santa Catarina, and a large light with smaller orbiting lights filmed in Conceicao, Bahia. Other footage included a daytime sighting of two black dots and an oblong object in Campo Largo, Parana, and amateur night footage of round lights with dark spots in Governador Baladares, Minas Gerais, and Rio Claro, Sao Paulo.

SETI Project vs. UFOlogists

On February 11th, leading figures from the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) project met in Baltimore. Despite years of systematic searches yielding no results, the radio astronomers expressed optimism about future discoveries. They lamented the reduction in public funding for the project and firmly stated that SETI has no connection to "UFO pseudoscience."

New Statements from Astronauts

In February, astronaut Gordon Cooper, in an interview with ufologist Michael Lindemann, declared that he had never seen a UFO in space and believed no other American astronauts had either, contrary to popular ufological claims. However, Cooper confirmed a personal sighting in 1951 when he was a military pilot in Germany. He reiterated his long-held conviction, previously stated at the United Nations, that these craft are of extraterrestrial origin.

Following Cooper, on April 19th, Edgar Mitchell, interviewed on NBC, stated that he considered the Roswell case to be real and believed there was a "silence conspiracy" regarding UFOs, suggesting that the United States was utilizing alien technology. Anticipation built for a May 7th announcement by Neil Armstrong, the first man on the Moon, who was expected to claim for the first time that the US government lied about UFOs and that he himself had seen UFOs. This announcement was later corrected; it was not Armstrong but Cooper who would make these statements, as he had long been an advocate for the reality of UFO phenomena.

The French SEPRA and the Conspiracy of Silence

After a two-year legal battle, the French ufological group SOS-OVNI obtained a directive from August 1993 from the Ministry of Defense. This directive instructed all Gendarmerie brigades not to collaborate with ufological associations by providing data and information, which should instead be exclusively supplied to SEPRA (the official study group established at the Centre Nationale d'Etudes Spatiales in 1977). Jean-Jacques Velasco, the director of SEPRA, had reportedly requested the Ministry's intervention in 1992 following investigations by ufologists into sightings by military pilots. During the legal proceedings, the Ministry had unsuccessfully attempted to prevent the release of the directive, citing unjustified secrecy.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently reports on alleged UFO sightings and encounters, often highlighting specific incidents with details about the objects and their alleged origins. There is a clear interest in official statements and denials from government and military sources, as well as the perspectives of astronauts and scientists. The issue also touches upon the theme of government secrecy and cover-ups related to UFO phenomena, particularly in the context of the French SEPRA case. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on these phenomena and the debates surrounding them, while also acknowledging the skepticism from mainstream scientific bodies like SETI.