Nsrkontakt - 1996 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: NÄR KONTAKT
Issue: Number 1, 1996, Volume 7
Publisher: UFO-VÄST (Sweden)
Date: January 1996
Price: 30 kr.

This issue of Närkontakt, the member magazine for UFO-Väst, presents a diverse range of topics related to UFO phenomena, investigations, and theories. The magazine has undergone a significant facelift with a new editor, Jörgen Westman, who aims to elevate the publication's content and quality.

Editor's Introduction

Jörgen Westman introduces himself as the new editor, sharing his lifelong fascination with UFOs and his active involvement in the field through his website, Westm@n UFO/Alien Central. He expresses his enthusiasm for taking over the magazine and his intention to cover the current UFO scene worldwide. Westman clarifies his stance on New Age movements, stating he believes in observable evidence rather than unsubstantiated claims. He notes the lack of local UFO reports for this issue, leading to a focus on international cases.

Key Articles and Features

The Silent Vulcan and British Airways

An article details an incident on February 3, 1996, near Manchester, UK, where a British Airways Boeing 737 pilot reported a brilliant white light passing dangerously close. The British UFO Research Association (BUFORA) identifies the object as the 'Silent Vulcan,' a triangular craft reportedly seen for 20 years in the UK. BUFORA views the official investigation's report, which dismissed extraterrestrial speculation, as a significant, albeit cautious, acknowledgment of the UFO phenomenon.

Bob Lazar and Area 51

The issue features extensive coverage of Bob Lazar, who claims to have worked at the secret S-4 facility near Area 51 from 1987-88. Lazar alleges his task was to reverse-engineer alien technology. The article discusses his radio show appearances, where he uses hypnotherapy to recall details of his experiences. It also touches upon other individuals who claim to have experienced memory loss related to their time at Nellis Air Force Base, possibly due to alien technology or government cover-ups.

The Orion Mystery

An article excerpted from 'Amateur Astronomy' magazine explores the 'Orion Mystery,' proposing a direct link between the Giza pyramids and the Orion's Belt star constellation. Author Robert Bauval suggests the pyramids are a terrestrial reflection of the belt's stars as they appeared around 10450 BC. The theory is supported by the alignment of the pyramids and the relative positions of the stars Mintaka, Alnilam, and Alnitak. The article also mentions the supposed alignment of ventilation shafts in the Cheops pyramid with specific stars.

Rockefeller and UFO Files

Laurence Rockefeller is highlighted for his significant financial contribution to the Human Potential Foundation, which advocates for the release of government UFO documents. The foundation aims to pressure Congress to end the UFO cover-up. Rockefeller's involvement is partly motivated by the 1994 US Air Force and GAO report on the Roswell incident, which detailed the recovery of a crashed UFO and aliens.

UFO Incidents Worldwide

Several brief reports detail UFO sightings from various locations:

• Klamath Falls, Oregon, USA: Reports of mutilated cattle, with one incident involving a calf found dead and dismembered, its ear removed, and its skeleton intact.
• Bentwater, England: A detailed account of a military incident in December 1980 involving strange lights and a triangular object observed near the Bentwater airbase, later corroborated by a former soldier who claims to have seen UFOs land on the base and accessed a highly secure vault containing unusual artifacts.
• Dorset, UK: A witness recounts experiencing car malfunctions and seeing a blue light in a forest, which the following day revealed a crop circle.
• Manchester, UK: A British Airways pilot's sighting of a 'Silent Vulcan' craft.
• Australia (Cairns): Multiple reports of a large, 'battleship-grey' object observed in January 1996.
• Canada (Yellowknife): Approximately 50 people simultaneously witnessed a UFO with blue, green, and white lights.
• South Korea (Taegu): A disc-shaped UFO emitting red light was seen for an hour.
• Argentina: The President of Argentina reportedly believes in UFOs.

Other Features

• Rockefeller Increases Pressure: Laurence Rockefeller is actively pushing for the declassification of UFO information.
• Groom Lake Lawsuit: A federal judge refused to hear a lawsuit filed by workers from the secret Groom Lake base (Area 51), citing national security concerns.
• New Space Telescope: Plans are underway for a new space telescope capable of observing the universe up to 15 billion light-years away, with the aim of finding evidence of the Big Bang and searching for extraterrestrial radio signals.
• How to See UFOs: Tips are provided on how to potentially observe UFOs using Polaroid sunglasses to filter sunlight and look for reflective phenomena.
• Super-Energy Breakthrough: An announcement regarding a potential breakthrough in 'cold fusion' research and a device called the 'Patterson Power Cell' that reportedly generates over 100 times its own energy consumption.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of unexplained aerial phenomena, government secrecy, and the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence. The editorial stance, as articulated by Jörgen Westman, emphasizes a belief in observable evidence and critical investigation, while remaining open to the complexities of the UFO phenomenon. The publication aims to inform its readership about ongoing investigations, witness testimonies, and scientific inquiries into these subjects, bridging the gap between popular interest and more rigorous analysis.

This issue of UFO-Sveriges, dated December 1995, delves deeply into the enduring mystery of the Roswell incident, featuring an extensive interview with nuclear physicist Stanton T. Friedman. The magazine also covers other UFO sightings and related phenomena from around the world.

Roswell-Expert Stanton T. Friedman Answers UFO-West

This central article, authored by Jörgen Westman, presents an in-depth interview with Stanton T. Friedman, a prominent researcher of the Roswell incident. Friedman, a nuclear physicist with over 20 years of research experience, addresses various aspects of the 1947 New Mexico crash. The interview touches upon the conflicting testimonies of witnesses like Jesse Marcel Sr. and his son, Jesse Marcel Jr., and the role of military personnel such as Colonel William Blanchard and General Roger Ramey. It also explores the discovery of debris by rancher Mac Brazel and the subsequent military investigation, including the controversial press release initially stating a 'flying disc' was recovered, later retracted in favor of a weather balloon explanation.

Friedman discusses the challenges in verifying witness accounts, highlighting discrepancies and changes in testimonies over time. He also addresses the discovery of a second alleged crash site where alien bodies were supposedly found, a detail that differs between researchers like Kevin Randle and Friedman himself. The article mentions meteorologist Dr. Lincoln LaPaz's involvement in assessing the crash site and the potential involvement of secret government projects.

Key figures like Sheridan Cavitt and Gerald Anderson are discussed, with their testimonies and potential inconsistencies examined. Friedman expresses skepticism about Cavitt's revised account, suggesting it might be influenced by government directives. Anderson's testimony, obtained through hypnosis, is presented as a crucial piece of evidence for Friedman's research, detailing his childhood encounter with a crashed craft and its occupants.

The article also scrutinizes the claims of other researchers, particularly Kevin Randle and Don Schmitt, questioning their methodologies and the reliability of their sources. Friedman dismisses claims about a sixth nurse involved in the incident and criticizes Randle's work as speculative.

Other UFO Sightings and Incidents

The magazine includes several shorter reports on other UFO-related events:

• Manitoba, Canada: A UFO-UFO observation wave in Winnipeg and Lockport, Manitoba, in 1995, featuring a video of a shining, metallic object.
• Argentina: Three boys from Concordia claim to have been abducted by beings they identified as 'God' or 'Lalar' for a 'space safari,' an event that authorities have reportedly kept quiet.
• Australia: A spectacular image taken by Eric Thomason at Maslin Beach, South Australia, in March 1993, showing a dark gray object with a dome.
• Mexico: A UFO sighting in Mexico in 1995-96, with one report claiming 10 people saw an object simultaneously.
• Poland: A UFO filmed in Warsaw on New Year's Eve 1996, showing two bright spheres that hovered before accelerating away at high speed.

The Majestic 12 Documents and Project Mogul

The issue delves into the controversial Majestic 12 (MJ-12) documents, which purport to reveal a secret government committee tasked with investigating UFOs. Stanton T. Friedman believes these documents, or parts of them, are authentic, citing parallels with official government memos and the paper type used. He discusses the origins of the documents, allegedly leaked by Jamie Shandera and William Moore, and the skepticism surrounding them, with many UFOlogists dismissing them as a hoax.

An alternative explanation for the Roswell crash, Project Mogul, is also presented. This project involved high-altitude balloons designed to detect Soviet nuclear tests. The article questions whether debris found at the Roswell site could have belonged to a Project Mogul balloon, noting discrepancies in size estimates and official statements that shifted from a weather balloon to Project Mogul over time.

The Santili Film Controversy

A section is dedicated to the infamous Santili film, purportedly showing an alien autopsy. The article strongly debunks the film, presenting evidence that the 'alien' is likely a prop created by FX artist Steven Johnson, similar to those used in the Hollywood movie 'Roswell.' It highlights the film's inconsistencies, such as the telephone model and the supposed 'alien's' anatomy, and suggests the film might be related to Turner's Syndrome or the Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome.

UFO-Sweden's National Convention 1996

Information about the upcoming UFO-Sveriges National Convention in Ängelholm is provided, including the program, speakers, and admission fees.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a stance that encourages critical examination of UFO phenomena, while also presenting evidence and theories that support the existence of unexplained aerial phenomena and potential extraterrestrial contact. There is a clear focus on investigative journalism, with a particular emphasis on dissecting witness testimonies, official documents, and controversial evidence like the Santili film and the Majestic 12 papers. The editorial stance appears to favor a thorough, albeit sometimes skeptical, approach to UFOlogy, encouraging readers to form their own conclusions based on the presented information. The Roswell incident is treated as a central, ongoing mystery, with a dedication to uncovering the truth, even amidst conflicting accounts and alleged cover-ups. The magazine also highlights the commercialization of UFOlogy, questioning the motives of some researchers and organizations.

This issue of NÄRKONTAKT, dated March 1996 (Issue 2/1996), delves into several prominent UFO and extraterrestrial-related topics. The cover story focuses on the controversial Santili alien autopsy film, questioning its authenticity and exploring conflicting expert opinions. The magazine also features extensive coverage of Richard C. Hoagland's claims about evidence for ancient civilizations on Mars and the Moon, alongside a critical look at NASA's alleged information policies. Several UFO sighting reports from around the world are also included, along with discussions on advanced technology and the possibility of extraterrestrial contact.

The Santili Film Controversy

The issue dedicates significant space to dissecting the authenticity of Ray Santili's alleged alien autopsy film. Bob Shell, a private photography expert, is quoted as stating the film was manufactured either in 1927 or 1947, not 1967, based on Kodak's film processing changes in 1957. Shell points out that three frames provided by Santili appear to be from before 1957, but questions whether these frames are actually from the autopsy film. He also notes that Santili claims to have other frames showing the empty autopsy room, which have not been released. Clive Tobin, another film expert, suggests the film was copied using a Bell & Howell C-printer, a machine not available before 1960. Santili's own explanation for not releasing more frames is that they are too valuable. The article also touches upon the possibility that the film labels were returned to the original camera operator or Spielberg, and that only a copy was provided. The article mentions that FOX-TV allegedly paid Santili 1.5 million for broadcasting rights.

Betty Hill, known for her abduction experiences, states her belief that the film is genuine, asserting that "If you have met them, you know the film is real." However, the article notes that the cameraman, identified as 'SAC' in a Dutch magazine, claims the crash occurred in June 1947, and the recovery operation was named 'Operation Anvil'. This contradicts Santili's earlier claim that the cameraman died in August 1995. The article also discusses the initial identification of the cameraman by initials J.B. and the subsequent confusion caused by Santili's changing stories, including his claim that he found the film while searching for early Elvis Presley movies.

Richard C. Hoagland's Mars and Moon Evidence

Richard C. Hoagland is presented as a researcher who claims to have found evidence of ancient civilizations on Mars and the Moon. A press conference held in Washington D.C. on March 21st is detailed, where Hoagland presented his findings. He described objects seen in NASA photos as resembling a "Greek castle," cables, a glass clump, and a 2.4 km high "spire." NASA spokesperson Brian Welch dismisses these claims, stating that NASA has not investigated them and considers it a "waste of time." Hoagland's evidence includes images from Apollo 10, 12, and 14, which he believes show structures and "rectilinear arrangements" on the Moon, and a "glass dome" on Mars. He alleges that NASA has been concealing this information for decades. The article also mentions a NASA report from 1960, commissioned by the Brookings Institute, which warned about the potential societal impact of discovering extraterrestrial life and recommended preparing humanity for such a possibility. Hoagland suggests this report might be the basis for NASA's alleged cover-up.

UFO Sightings and Reports

The magazine includes several reports of UFO sightings from various locations:

• Kazakhstan: A Tajik pilot and his American colleagues reported observing a UFO performing extreme maneuvers at high altitude for 40 minutes.
• Taiwan: Several unidentified flying objects were seen hovering near Chiang Kai-Shek International Airport.
• England: Witnesses near Milton Keynes reported observing two large, silent, white orbs of light moving at high speed.
• Australia: Two rotating orange fireballs were seen near Townsville.
• USA: A UFO was reportedly observed by the crew of the Discovery STS-48 mission. Another report details a UFO sighting over the Nevada Test Site and Area 51.
• Space: An astronaut on NASA's STS-73 mission reportedly commented on an unidentified object.

Other Topics

• US Secret Weapons: The article speculates about a new, advanced reconnaissance plane called 'Aurora', possibly a secret Pentagon project.
• Alien Video: A report mentions a video clip allegedly filmed in Mexico showing an alien.
• Project Mogul: The article discusses the General Accounting Office's (GAO) investigation into the Roswell incident, focusing on the 'Project Mogul' explanation and the alleged skepticism of the GAO regarding UFOs.
• Area 51: Glenn Campbell, an Area 51 researcher, reports on a new witness, Jarod, who claims to have worked at the base and encountered extraterrestrial technology and beings.
• Cat Mutilations: Several surgically mutilated cats found near Kamloops, British Columbia, are reported, with similarities to livestock mutilations elsewhere.
• SETI: The article discusses the search for extraterrestrial intelligence and the lack of positive results from SETI projects, despite the discovery of new planetary systems.
• Interspace Aerodrome: A project in Pantanal, Brazil, aims to build the world's first landing strip for UFOs.
• Mars Meteorite: The discovery of the Allan Hills 84001 meteorite, believed to be the oldest Mars meteorite, is reported, with implications for the origin of life.
• Neil Armstrong's Quote: An explanation is offered for Neil Armstrong's mysterious quote "Good luck Mr. Gorsky" upon returning from the Moon.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of NÄRKONTAKT include skepticism towards official explanations for UFO phenomena, a focus on alleged government cover-ups and secrecy, and the presentation of alternative theories and evidence from independent researchers. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, encouraging readers to question established narratives and explore controversial topics related to UFOs and extraterrestrial life. The magazine actively promotes the idea that there is significant hidden information regarding UFOs and alien contact, often positioning itself as a source for uncovering these truths.

This issue of UFO Kollektivet, dated 1998, focuses heavily on the burgeoning role of the internet in UFO research and dissemination of information. The cover headline, 'Are you interested in the UFO phenomenon? Then the Internet is a pure goldmine!', sets the tone for a section dedicated to listing and briefly describing various international UFO organization websites.

Internet Resources for UFO Enthusiasts

The magazine provides a curated list of online resources, highlighting their content and accessibility. Key sites mentioned include:

• UFO-Sverige (Sweden): Praised as a crucial stop for Swedish UFO enthusiasts, expected to become a success.
• UFO-Norge (Norway): Acknowledges technical issues but is noted as a potentially reliable bookmark.
• UFO-Finland: Cites a statistic that 10% of Finns claim to have seen a UFO and notes that this site is run by a member, not the main organization. It requires knowledge of Finnish.
• BUFORA (UK): Described as a good site despite the organization's 'unreserved support' for the Santilli film. It features recurring columns by UFOlogen Jenny Randles.
• CISU (Italy): Recommended for research, with an English version available, and mentions Italy's own 'Area 51s' and mysteries.
• AUFORA (Canada): Hailed as Canada's best UFO site, featuring numerous cases and fascinating images.
• SAUCER SMEAR: A monthly publication available online, offering revelations from both skeptics and believers.
• ISCNI: A bi-weekly newsletter providing the latest UFOlogy news, considered a must-bookmark.

The author also includes a link to their own website: http://www.tripnet.se/home/west/ufocentr.htm.

Reviews: Books, Videos, and CDs

This section critically examines recent media related to the UFO phenomenon:

Video: COMMUNION

Based on Whitley Strieber's 1987 book, this film explores the theory that alien abductions are a real physical problem affecting 2% of the US population, a concept also discussed by John Mack. Despite featuring actors like Christopher Walken and Strieber as co-producer, the reviewer finds the film to be only slightly better than 'INTRUDERS.' The depiction of aliens is compared unfavorably to 'Star Wars,' and the film is criticized for lacking the book's blend of horror and fascination. The reviewer concludes that making a compelling fictional film about abductions is difficult, and 'Communion' fails to rise above soap opera quality.

Book: UFO CRASH UPDATE by Kevin Randle

The review expresses growing skepticism regarding the research of Kevin Randle and Don Schmitt. It notes that Randle, a prolific science fiction author, continues to assert the authenticity of Kaufmann's testimony, despite Kaufmann's own ambivalent stance. The review highlights Schmitt's alleged misrepresentation of his research and claims that he has not actively sought documents he purports to be hidden. The reviewer concludes with a personal note of skepticism.

Video: UFO FACTOR

This documentary is described as a poor production, relying heavily on recycled footage and old stills. The reviewer questions why new documentaries with fresh material are not produced, especially given alleged UFO filming worldwide. The recommendation is to avoid this film and opt for a more enjoyable activity.

Rays Photographs of UFOs in Australia

This section presents photographs taken by an individual named 'Ray' in Hawknest, New South Wales, Australia, during Easter 1994. Ray explains that the distortion in the images is likely due to the fixed lens of the borrowed camera. He also recounts a strange occurrence where the camera stopped functioning immediately after taking the three photos, though he considers it a coincidence. Ray expresses a desire to connect with MUFON or CUFOS for more information and assistance, stating he is not a UFO expert and is hesitant to release the photos to the media due to their tendency to 'do different things with people.'

Next Issue Preview

The magazine announces that the next issue, due in mid-May, will include articles on 'High Technology in Antiquity,' '50 Years of Secret UFO Experiments?', and 'Why Did Mars Die?'

Membership

Readers are encouraged to become members to receive 'NÄRKONTAKT' (Close Contact) in their mailbox.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly advocates for the internet as a vital tool for UFO research and community building, providing extensive lists of online resources. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical engagement, as evidenced by the skeptical reviews of the 'Communion' and 'UFO Factor' videos, and the questioning of Kevin Randle's research methodology. While presenting photographic evidence from Australia, the magazine also emphasizes the need for critical analysis and verification, encouraging readers to seek out established organizations like MUFON and CUFOS. The inclusion of a section on 'Why Did Mars Die?' in the next issue suggests a broader interest in unexplained phenomena beyond traditional UFO sightings.