Ovni Presence - No 40 - Aout 1988

Magazine Overview

Title: Ovni-Présence
Issue: No. 40, August 1988 (Twelfth Year)
Publisher: Association d'Etude sur les Soucoupes Volantes (AESV)
Country: France
Language: French
ISSN: 0223-0976

This issue of Ovni-Présence, a French ufology magazine, prominently features a cover story titled "LYON 88: NOUVELLES RENCONTRES CRASH OU INTOX LA CONTROVERSE," alongside an illustration of a military figure and a desert scene with meteors. The magazine delves deeply into the controversial Majestic-12 (MJ-12) document, examining its purported origins, contents, and the ongoing debate about its authenticity.

Cover Story: Majestic-12 and the UFO Cover-up

The main focus of this issue is the "Majestic Twelve" (MJ-12) document, which allegedly details a secret US government group formed to investigate UFO incidents, particularly the Roswell crash. The article "Super-magouille ou scoop du siècle ?" by Jean Sider traces the history of the MJ-12 document, starting with its discovery by Jaime Shandera in 1984. The document, dated November 18, 1952, is presented as a preliminary summary for President-elect Dwight D. Eisenhower, purportedly written by Admiral Roscoe H. Hillenkoetter.

The Document's Contents and Alleged Members

The document details the creation of MJ-12 on September 24, 1947, by President Harry S. Truman's initiative, with recommendations from Dr. Vannevar Bush and Secretary of Defense James Forrestal. This was reportedly in response to the discovery of a crashed UFO and alien occupants near Roswell, New Mexico, on July 7, 1947. The document lists twelve high-ranking individuals as members of MJ-12, including military leaders and scientists. It also mentions the discovery of alien bodies, described as "Extraterrestrial Biological Entities" (EBES), and notes that attempts to decipher alien writing and understand the propulsion system were unsuccessful.

Analysis and Controversy

William Moore, who played a key role in disseminating the document, is discussed, along with his alleged errors, such as blacking out parts of the document himself. The article scrutinizes the document's characteristics, noting the pica typeface and Underwood/Remington typewriter, suggesting it was typed by someone using two fingers. Historical context is provided, aligning the document's date with Eisenhower's election period and noting that the listed members were alive at the time.

Critiques and Rebuttals

Several critics are examined. Philip J. Klass dismisses the MJ-12 document as a "clumsy counterfeit" without providing specific reasons, which the author finds to be bad faith. Barry Greenwood, another critic, is presented as a formidable opponent who has previously revealed classified UFO documents. Greenwood, in his publication "Just Cause," calls the MJ-12 a "FIASCO" and attempts to debunk it by focusing on "peripheral documents." However, the author of the article argues that Greenwood's arguments are weak and possibly motivated by jealousy.

Supporting Evidence and Counterarguments

Despite the criticisms, the article highlights that no one has definitively proven the MJ-12 document to be a fake, nor has anyone provided concrete proof of the existence of such a top-secret group. The author points out that Greenwood himself was the first to reveal information about MJ-12 in December 1985, predating Moore's public disclosure. The article also mentions the "Cutler Memo" as a piece that Greenwood successfully demonstrated to be a fabrication, suggesting that while some elements might be manipulated, it doesn't invalidate the core MJ-12 document.

Other Articles and Sections

"La fin du monde n'a pas eu lieu" by B.M. discusses a peculiar incident in Dozwil, Switzerland, involving a sect leader named Paul Kuhn who predicted the end of the world and the abduction of women and children by flying saucers. The event led to a confrontation between sect members and the local population.

"Bruit de Nort: l'onde de choc" by Renaud Marhic presents a different perspective on a phenomenon.

"Spectre des fréquences et arguments fantômes" by Bernard Teston explores the topic of frequencies and phantom arguments.

"Clips and claps" features short news items, including a report on Jean-Claude Ladrat's adventure in a homemade flying saucer from Bordeaux to Dakar, and the "Un Renard Celeste" case from Italy where an object allegedly made two chickens disappear.

"La galaxie CUN explose" by Bruno Mancusi discusses an event referred to as an "Italian divorce."

"L'homme de la manche(tte)" by Bertrand Méheust questions the nature of certain phenomena.

"Des ovnis ? Non des jouets" by Werner Walter offers a playful take on UFOs.

"Readers' Corner" presents letters from readers.

Contact Information: The magazine provides contact details for subscriptions, administration, and a SOS-OVNI hotline and Minitel service.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the UFO phenomenon with a critical yet open-minded approach. There is a strong emphasis on investigating alleged government cover-ups and secret projects like MJ-12. The editorial stance appears to favor the possibility of genuine UFO phenomena and extraterrestrial intelligence, while also scrutinizing claims and debunking hoaxes or misinterpretations. The publication aims to inform its readers about ongoing research, witness testimonies, and the controversies within the ufology community, particularly concerning the authenticity of key documents and the motivations of researchers and critics alike. The magazine also touches upon related topics such as cults and paranormal experiences.

This issue of Ovni-présence, number 40, dated August 1988, focuses on the "Lyon: mélodie en sous-sol" event, which took place from April 2-4, 1988. The magazine features an article by Thierry Rocher detailing his experience and observations from the meetings, which were held in a basement setting. The issue also includes a significant section dedicated to the controversial Nort-sur-Erdre case, presenting various analyses and counter-analyses of a recorded sound.

Lyon Meetings: Key Presentations

Jean Sider and the MJ-12 Dossier

Jean Sider, described as a French specialist on the MJ-12 dossier, was a key speaker. He presented information about what the USAF knew in 1947 regarding UFOs. The article notes that Sider brought colleagues, suggesting a concerted effort to present his findings. The authenticity of the MJ-12 document was discussed, with an assertion that a major American specialist had officially authenticated it.

Giorgio Pattera on the Press and Ufology

Giorgio Pattera, who has a foot in both the CUN and CISU organizations, discussed the role of the press in ufological research. His presentation, described as easily digestible, focused on a small town in Italy (Parma) and included a series of colorful and unexplained phenomenon slides.

Other Speakers and Topics

Claude Maugé presided over the meetings. The event also featured Denys Breysse, who presented on the difficulty of discerning significant patterns from a large number of UFO cases. Air traffic controller D. Deyres discussed French radar situations and debunked some ufological myths. The issue also mentions presentations by Edoardo Russo on the Italian ufological situation and Renaud Marhic on the Nort-sur-Erdre case.

The Nort-sur-Erdre Case: A Scientific Debate

Initial Investigation and Conclusions

The case of Nort-sur-Erdre, involving a child's observation and recording of a 'UFO' and its associated 'noise', was initially investigated by the Groupe d'Etude des Phénomènes Spatiaux Inexpliqués (G.E.P.S.I.). Their report, published in a 100-page document, concluded that the case could not be used for studies of unidentified aerial phenomena (P.A.N.I.) due to the dubious nature of the testimony and the identification of the recording as a simple shortwave signal, possibly from a Soviet radar or a 'caviar mill' sound.

Professor A. Meessen's Analysis

Professor A. Meessen of the University of Louvain published an article in the revue Inforespace challenging the G.E.P.S.I. conclusions. He argued that the 'noise' presented 'surprising characteristics' and defended the credibility of the witness. Meessen's analysis was criticized for its methodology, including alleged misinterpretations and a lack of thorough investigation into the case and previous inquiries.

Counter-Analyses by Renaud Marhic and Bernard Teston

Renaud Marhic and Bernard Teston provided counter-analyses. Marhic criticized Meessen's approach, highlighting inconsistencies and what he perceived as a pre-determined conclusion that the Nort-sur-Erdre recording was indeed from a UFO. Teston, from the laboratory of acoustics at CNRS, reviewed Meessen's article and presented a detailed spectral analysis of the recorded sound. Teston's analysis suggested that the signal had a repetitive, periodic nature, with characteristics that could be explained by natural phenomena or standard equipment, rather than an unknown aerial phenomenon. He pointed out discrepancies in Meessen's spectral analysis and argued that the 'non-linear' characteristic Meessen highlighted could be a natural occurrence.

Other UFO Sightings and Reports

Clips & Claps Section

This section provides brief reports on various UFO sightings and related phenomena:

• Glasnöst: A British Airways Jumbo-Jet crew reported a green-glowing object moving rapidly towards their aircraft over Kazakhstan in April 1987.
• Perestroika: Polish press agency PAP reported numerous UFO sightings by military personnel in June 1987, including a military pilot's observation over Mielec and televised footage of luminous points.
• Stationnement Réglementé: Multiple witnesses in the Cher region reported seeing a light descend from the sky, hover over Vouzeron for about 15 minutes, then make a sharp turn and disappear at high speed on August 18, 1987. Similar sightings were reported near Gracay on August 15.
• Fort de Cayenne: An ovular, red object with a halo was observed flying between 1500m and 2500m over Cayenne on September 15, 1987. The phenomenon was also observed in Montoury, preceded by a power outage.
• Des Ovnis Entrent en Seine: On September 18, a retired man in Valenton (Val-de-Marne) observed a luminous phenomenon moving horizontally over the Seine, which then emitted a flash and split into two parts.
• Vals... de Gros Sel: In a bizarre incident on September 22, a hunter mistook a hot air balloon and its occupants for a UFO and fired at them.
• Météorite (1): On February 2, three aircraft pilots reported a red-orange ball in the sky near Mende, which was later concluded to be a meteorite.
• Météorite (2): A report from December 19, 1987, mentioned an automobilist seeing a fireball, later identified as a flare rocket.
• Par Hélie!: A witness in Valette-du-Var reported seeing a white, orange, then blue ball near the sun on December 15, 1987, which was identified as a parhelion.
• Le Météore du 23 Septembre 1986 Aussi Observé en Suisse: This section details a sighting of a bright green ball of light observed in Switzerland on September 23, 1986, which was also reported in other European countries. The phenomenon was described as moving rapidly and horizontally, followed by a whitish trail.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, the challenges of analyzing evidence (particularly sound recordings), and the critical examination of different interpretations and methodologies within ufology. The magazine appears to favor rigorous scientific analysis and critical thinking, as evidenced by the detailed critiques of Professor Meessen's work and the presentation of multiple perspectives on the Nort-sur-Erdre case. There is a clear emphasis on distinguishing between potential UFOs and mundane explanations, while also acknowledging the complexity and ongoing nature of the UFO question. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry, encouraging detailed investigation and debate, but with a strong inclination towards evidence-based conclusions and a skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims.

This issue of Ovni-présence, number 40, dated August 1988, is primarily focused on the internal dynamics and conflicts within the Italian ufology scene, as well as exploring the misidentification of common objects as UFOs. The magazine features articles, letters, and reports that shed light on these topics.

La galaxie CUN explose

The lead article, "La galaxie CUN explose" by Bruno Mancusi, details the significant schism within the Italian ufological community. It begins by referencing the founding of the Comitato Nazionale Indipendente per lo studio dei Fenomeni Aerei Anomali (CNI-FAA) in 1973 by researchers who left the Centro Ufologico Nazionale (CUN), finding it too 'public-oriented'. This group, led by Renzo Cabassi and Francesco Izzo, was responsible for the magazines UFO Phenomena and UPIAR Research in Progress.

The article then moves to more recent events, describing new dissensions within the CUN that surfaced in 1984. Elements within the 'base', including Edoardo Russo and Gian Paolo Grassino, accused the CUN leadership (Mario Cingolani, Corrado Malanga, Gianfranco Neri, and Roberto Pinotti) of neglecting research in favor of political and media engagement. This led to a new split and the foundation of the CISU (Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici) in Turin in December 1985, headed by Antonio Chiumiento. The CISU is presented as having a more active research and publication focus, with a larger membership than the CUN.

The text highlights the absurd situation where both groups are producing similar publications and research without collaboration, leading to a significant waste of energy. A key point of contention is the archives, which the 'dissidents' took with them, infuriating the CUN leadership. The situation is described as blocked, with communication limited to registered letters.

The article also briefly mentions the stability of the Sezione Ufologica Fiorentina (SUF), which has been active for 27 years, and the emergence of the 'ultra-cultist' Milanese group Le Pleiadi-Arcadia (LPA), founded in 1980, which attempted to recruit members through a circular in 1985. LPA's publication, 'Sky Sentinel', claims affiliation with European Civil Protection and WWF-Italy.

Despite these internal conflicts, the article notes that Italy uniquely possesses three national ufological groups (CISU, CUN, SUF), which, despite varying quality, allow for comprehensive investigation and centralization of observations across the country.

Elements: Des ovnis ? Non des jouets !

This section by Werner Walter addresses the phenomenon of misidentified UFO sightings, particularly in Germany. Out of 193 reported UFO cases studied in Germany between 1976 and 1986, 60 were attributed to toys. The CENAP (Central Network for the Study of Extraordinary Celestial Phenomena) classified these as unidentified due to a lack of knowledge about these toys.

Two types of toys are detailed:
1. A hot air balloon, approximately 1.5m in diameter and 1.8m in height, made of colored silk paper, powered by a dry fuel resembling cotton. It has a flight duration of about 20 minutes and is described by witnesses with terms like 'orange luminescent object', 'bell or pyramid', 'red-yellow light', 'pulsation', and 'fireball'.
2. The 'Solar UFO' or 'solar zeppelin', a black plastic bag measuring 3m long and 30-40cm in diameter, which inflates using solar rays and flies as long as it is illuminated. CENAP received 14 reports for this type of object.

The article explains that the hot air balloon can operate day or night, while the solar zeppelin functions only during the day in good weather. The descriptions provided by witnesses, especially for the night flights of the hot air balloon with its internal flame, can easily lead to misidentification as a UFO. The toys are sold in Germany for 45 DM (approx. 135 FF) for the balloon and 8-10 DM (approx. 24-35 FF) for the solar zeppelin.

Readers' Corner

This section contains several letters from readers:

• Famille X (Parents de Laurent, Nort-sur-Erdre) writes to express their disappointment with the magazine's handling of their case. They feel their testimony was used for publicity and that the magazine made hasty conclusions, potentially discouraging future witnesses. They defend their decision to go public, stating they would not have done so if the magazine hadn't initiated contact, and emphasize the thoroughness of their own five-month investigation.

• Thierry Rocher (Paris) praises Ovni-présence as the best French ufology magazine, appreciating its balance between public information and specialized content. He also raises a point about Edoardo Russo's comments on the Lyon congress, stating that Russo's perception of French ufology does not reflect the reality. Rocher suggests three camps in French ufology: pro-extraterrestrial hypothesis, pro-psychosociological hypothesis, and a neutral group.

• Jean-Louis Peyraut (Troyes) analyzes the Rendlesham Forest incident and the 'Circle' phenomenon. He dismisses the idea of RPVs (Remotely Piloted Vehicles) for the Circles, suggesting the possibility of a celestial origin or, more likely, a sophisticated hoax. He also touches upon the 'Irangate' scandal, implying a connection to military operations.

• P.P. provides an erratum for a previous article by Bruno Mancusi, correcting geographical locations mentioned.

Clips & Claps

This section features brief news items:

• LA FIN DU TRIANGLE ?: Reports on Mel Fisher's potential discovery of the wreckage of one of the five TBM Avengers that disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle in December 1945.

• A VOS CALEPINS: Lists four new French ufology groups with their addresses.

• BREF!: Mentions upcoming books on UFOs and religion, and the 'Rayonnement' and 'Les Extraterrestres' by Michel Jean-theau and Jean-Bruno Renard respectively.

• AU REVOIR RONALD: Announces the death of Ronald Juille, a founder of GEPO and co-founder of the Ile-de-France UFO Groupments.

• SAINT COSMOS: Clarifies a previous report about a UFO sighting in Martinique, identifying it as debris from Cosmos 1873.

• POUR TOUT DIRE: Teases a future special dossier on RPVs (flying objects) in the next issue.

• NOUVEAU SONDAGE EN BELGIQUE: Presents results from a Belgian poll indicating that a majority believe in extraterrestrial life and past visits to Earth.

• Erratum OP 39: Corrects an error in a previous mention of the review 'Emois', clarifying the content related to Nicolas Bouvier and Oleaus Magnus.

• A VOS DICOS: Notes that the international organization for the standardization of terminologies is interested in ufological neologisms.

• QUEL FESTIVAL: Announces the 4th International Ufology Congress in Rio de Janeiro.

• SPECTRES: Mentions the publication of a 600-page catalog of phantom aircraft from 1912-1913.

• QUI CEIME LE VENT...: Critiques the CEIME group for their aggressive stance and the launch of a hotline.

Les Ovnis sur Minitel

This page promotes a Minitel service related to 'OVNI Présence', offering information, announcements, messaging, and case files. Users are instructed to dial 36.15 and then LTO.

Contact Information

Provides contact details for the Observatoire des Parasciences, including a postal address, email, and website links for 'Ovni-Présence' and 'Anomalies'. It also includes an important note about copyright and authorized online publication.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the internal divisions and rivalries within ufological organizations, particularly in Italy, and the common phenomenon of misidentifying mundane objects as UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical analysis, aiming to provide objective reporting on these complex issues, while also acknowledging the ongoing research and debates within the field. The magazine also demonstrates a commitment to informing its readers about new developments, publications, and even the potential for hoaxes and misidentifications. The inclusion of reader letters suggests an engagement with its audience and a willingness to address their concerns and perspectives.