Ovni Presence - No 41 - Mars 1989

Magazine Overview

Title: Ovni-Présence
Issue: Trimestriel nº 41
Date: Mars 1989
Volume: Treizième année
Publisher: Association d'Etude sur les Soucoupes Volantes (AESV)
Country: Switzerland
Language: French
ISSN: 0223-0976
Price: 25FF/6FS

This issue of Ovni-Présence, a quarterly publication dedicated to the study of UFO phenomena, features a cover story with the headline "EXCLUSIF : PREMIER SONDAGE EN SUISSE" (Exclusive: First Survey in Switzerland). The cover art depicts a stylized mountainous landscape with a bright sun, and includes a small illustration of books related to the "BOUQUINERIE" (bookstore) section.

Edito: Sonderfall Schweiz et chaînon manquant

The editorial, signed Y.B., discusses the paradox of 270,000 UFO witnesses in Switzerland versus a low number of reported cases, a phenomenon previously termed 'Sonderfall Schweiz'. The Link/Ovni-Présence survey reveals that the proportion of witnesses in Switzerland is similar to other countries. The editorial posits that the 'missing link' is not the UFO or the witness, but the report itself. Factors contributing to this low reporting rate are suggested to include conformism, fear of association with the UFO theme, a lack of habit in contacting the press, and a general self-censorship. The editor suggests that an analysis of information transmission channels is needed and that the survey data might reveal surprising insights into public perception of UFOs.

Clips and Claps

• Apparitions mariales à Giubiasco ? This section details the reported apparitions of the Madonna by a 64-year-old Italian retiree, G.C., since August 9, 1986, in Lugano and Giubiasco, Switzerland. The visions occur on the 13th of each month at 1 PM near the chapel of Sainte-Marie-des-Anges. The process involves G.C. entering an ecstatic state, receiving a message from the Virgin Mary, and recording it. The Virgin is described as appearing like a young woman. The article notes that a lie detector test confirmed the trance, but not the visions. Photos of the alleged Madonna are described as blurry, with one showing a resemblance to a painting. The article mentions that a French mariologist, René Laurentin, found G.C. to be sincere.
• Le monde étrange de Jimmy Guieu: Force Noire au Fleuve Noir (The strange world of Jimmy Guieu: Black Force on the Black River) - This is a brief mention, likely a review or article title.
• Les années-Meier: Un Suisse au-dessus de tout soupçon (The Meier years: A Swiss above all suspicion) - This is a brief mention, likely a review or article title.
• La Recherche de l'Absolu, bis: Un Romand soucoupiste (The Search for the Absolute, bis: A Vaudois saucer-watcher) - This is a brief mention, likely a review or article title.
• Les dernières énigmes de l'Univers: Généraliste (The latest enigmas of the Universe: Generalist) - This is a brief mention, likely a review or article title.
• Gens de France: Les leçons du fait divers (People of France: Lessons from an odd event) - This is a brief mention, likely a review or article title.
• Le GEPAN s'éclipse sur la pointe des pieds (GEPAN withdraws on tiptoe) - This is a brief mention, likely a review or article title.
• Le choc entre les ufologies européenne et américaine (The clash between European and American ufologies) - This is a brief mention, likely a review or article title.
• Vrai Ufo? (Real UFO?) - This is a brief mention, likely a review or article title.
• OBS: Fireballs in Paris - On December 20, 1988, three fireballs were observed in the Parisian sky. The observation was reported on TF1 and France Inter. SEPRA (formerly GEPAN) announced that the phenomenon was due to the fallout and disintegration of satellite debris.
• LA GUERRE DES MONDES (I & II) - This section commemorates the 50th anniversary of Orson Welles' radio adaptation of H.G. Wells' "The War of the Worlds." It also notes the death of John Houseman, co-founder of the Mercury Theatre, which produced the radio play. The article mentions a similar panic event in Denmark on October 30, where a radio station was flooded with calls from listeners believing in an alien invasion, and a similar incident in Braga, Portugal.

EN COUVERTURE: Le sondage Link/Ovni-Présence : une grande première en Suisse

This extensive cover story, authored by Bruno Mancusi, details the methodology and initial findings of a survey on UFOs conducted in Switzerland in November 1988. The survey was commissioned by Ovni-Présence in collaboration with the Italian research group CISU, aiming to address the anomaly of Switzerland's lack of UFO surveys compared to countries like the US, France, and Italy.

Preparation: Five polling institutes were contacted, and after choosing the telephone interview method for its perceived advantages in handling sensitive topics and ease of control, the institute Link in Lucerne and Lausanne was selected. Link is the third-largest polling institute in Switzerland. The survey aimed to cover all linguistic regions: 750 people in German-speaking Switzerland (SA), 250 in French-speaking Switzerland (SR), and 150 in Italian-speaking Switzerland (SI), totaling 1150 people. The proportion of SA/SR reflects reality, but the SI sample was adjusted to 4% for global results.

The Questionnaire: The survey utilized three core questions from a DOXA/CISU poll, with additional input from various individuals. The questions covered:
1. Perceptions of UFOs (known but misinterpreted phenomena, hallucinations, natural phenomena, extraterrestrial craft, secret human craft).
2. Personal sightings of UFOs or flying saucers.
3. Belief in past visits by extraterrestrials.
4. Political orientation (left, center, right, ecologist).

Questions were translated into German and Italian by Link.

Context: The article notes a resurgence of ufological activity in Switzerland since 1986, with ufologists increasingly informing the media about observations.

The Results: Between November 4-17, 1988, 1117 people aged 15-74 were interviewed. Data collected included sex, age, professional status, education, household size, monthly income, and postal code. A representative sample of 1118 people was then extrapolated. The results showed that 95.9% of respondents had heard of UFOs, with only 4.1% claiming no prior knowledge. Italian Swiss were the most informed, followed by German Swiss, with French Swiss being the least informed. Similar patterns were observed in Italy. Age and education level also correlated with awareness.

Regarding explanations for UFOs, the survey found that 61.3% of Swiss respondents agreed that UFOs are known phenomena that are misinterpreted. This was closely followed by unexplained natural phenomena (59.9%), hallucinations/fabrications (52.2%), extraterrestrial craft (22.8%), and secret human craft (12.5%). The article presents a table detailing these percentages across linguistic regions and genders.

The survey in brief: Key takeaways include that only 4.1% of Swiss have never heard of UFOs, with French Swiss being the most ignorant (6.4%). The majority (61.3%) believe UFOs are misinterpretations. A significant portion (33.2%) believe extraterrestrials may have visited Earth in the past, with 7.6% convinced. Approximately 5.4% of respondents reported seeing something unusual, translating to about 270,000 witnesses in Switzerland, a figure comparable to other countries.

Question 2 Analysis: The article delves into why Switzerland might have fewer reported sightings, suggesting that Swiss people are more reluctant to report due to fear of ridicule or lack of known ufologists to contact. The increase in reported sightings since Swiss ufologists became more active in the media supports the latter hypothesis.

Question 3 Analysis: This question assessed the impact of Erich von Däniken's theories. 33.2% of Swiss admit that extraterrestrials might have visited the planet, and 7.6% are convinced. Men and French-speaking Swiss were more inclined to believe this than women and German-speaking Swiss.

Question 4: This question aimed to explore the link between UFO believers and political leanings, particularly ecology, as suggested by Renard. The results were to be presented in a future issue.

Remerciements: The article concludes with acknowledgments to those who participated in the questionnaire's development and financing, including Jean-François Mayer for securing funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation (FNSRS), and sociologists Jean-Bruno Renard and André Jeannin for analyzing the results.

IMPRESSIONS: Un monument à visiter : La Bibliographie Ufologique de George M. Eberhart

This section reviews "UFOs and the Extraterrestrial Contact Movement: A Bibliography" by George M. Eberhart. The author, a professional librarian, has compiled an exhaustive bibliography of 1298 pages in two volumes, listing 15,613 entries and including over 150 pages of indexes. The work is praised for its detailed classification, covering thematic chapters and country-specific entries. The scope is broad, including works by UFO proponents and skeptics, and topics such as ball lightning, UFOs in history, sociology of UFOs, children's books on UFOs, UFOs and monsters, contactees, Marian apparitions, archaeoastronomy, and UFOs in science fiction.

The introduction to each chapter is described as neutral. Eberhart, while acknowledging his 'moderate believer' stance, expresses skepticism towards phenomena like animal mutilations, mysterious disappearances, and ancient astronauts. The bibliography includes a wide variety of sources, from books and non-ufological articles to unpublished documents, sound recordings, films, and even UFO-themed stamps.

A notable aspect is the extensive coverage of non-English language sources, particularly French (41 periodicals cited), Swiss, and Belgian publications. Ovni-Présence itself is listed twice. The reviewer notes that while the bibliography is comprehensive, it is less exhaustive on topics further removed from ufology, such as archaeology or exobiology.

Two significant omissions are highlighted: the lack of mention of translations (except for those into English, where the original language is not always specified) and the limited coverage of Romanian, Turkish, and Malay books, despite Eberhart mentioning five Romanian books.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the exploration of UFO phenomena within Switzerland, particularly through the lens of a comprehensive survey. The magazine aims to demystify the subject by presenting data-driven insights and addressing the perceived 'Sonderfall Schweiz' (Swiss Special Case) of low reporting rates. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting findings from surveys and research while acknowledging different hypotheses and the complexities of the subject. There is a clear effort to provide a structured and analytical approach to ufology, as evidenced by the detailed review of Eberhart's bibliography and the in-depth analysis of the Swiss survey results. The magazine also touches upon related phenomena like Marian apparitions, suggesting a broad interest in anomalous events.

Title: Ovni-Présence
Issue: 41
Date: March 1989
Country: France

Book Reviews and Analysis

Le grand carnage by Michel Granger

This review by Jean Sider critiques Michel Granger's book on cattle mutilations, stating that while the author is talented and engaging, the work is a compilation of facts from various sources without original investigation or verification. Sider points out a lack of references and suggests Granger missed opportunities to interview specialists and witnesses. The book is described as a "gross work of a butcher" rather than a serious study.

Le monde étrange de Jimmy Guieu

Frédéric Dumerchat reviews Jimmy Guieu's latest work, noting its similarity to his previous theoretical books on ufology. The review highlights Guieu's persistent belief in extraterrestrials and UFOs, and his tendency to weave conspiracy theories into his narratives. Guieu's work is characterized by a focus on a global conspiracy against the West, involving governments, scientists, and various organizations, and his critique of 'so-called scientists' and rationalist groups. The review also touches upon Guieu's neo-esotericism, his views on democracy, and his adherence to the myth of the Merovingian dynasty and the 'treasure' of Rennes-le-Château.

Light years by Gary Kinder (Review by B.M.)

This review discusses Gary Kinder's book about Eduard 'Billy' Meier, noting its pro-Meier stance and detailed reporting. The book covers Meier's experiences and the investigations of the Genesis III team. The reviewer highlights the book's extensive details, some of which are considered trivial, and its lack of objectivity. The review also mentions other related books and publications concerning Meier and ufology.

On a voulu me faire taire by Mick Marty (Review by Yves Bosson)

Yves Bosson reviews Mick Marty's novel, which he describes as a story about a protagonist determined to reveal the truth about extraterrestrial visitors, even at great personal cost. Bosson notes that the book, while a first novel, touches on themes of cover-up and black-out in ufology. He finds the author's portrayal of the protagonist's sacrifices and determination to be a powerful, albeit fictional, representation of the mindset of some contactees.

Objets Volants Non Identifiables: Les dernières énigmes de l'univers by Daniel Mavrakis and Marie-Pierre Olivier (Review by Yves Bosson)

Yves Bosson reviews this book, which aims to summarize current knowledge about UFOs from an 'orthodox' ufological perspective. The book covers various aspects of the phenomenon, including historical data, physical effects, hypotheses, and psychological factors. Bosson notes the book's critical approach to the subject, but also points out its limitations, particularly its bias towards the extraterrestrial hypothesis and a tendency to accept information from ufologists while dismissing skeptical viewpoints. The review highlights the book's strengths in its synthesis of psychological and sociological aspects and its extensive bibliography.

Etude comparative OVI-OVNI (Italy 1977)

This section summarizes a study by J. Bourdon, M. Delaval, and F. Murtagh, published by UPIAR, which compares observations of unidentified flying objects (OVNI/UFO) with identified flying objects (OVI/IFO) in Italy during 1977. The study analyzed 217 cases, categorizing them by date, time, duration, and altitude. Key findings include a higher frequency of UFO sightings in the latter half of July and August, with a peak around the 30th anniversary of the K. Arnold sighting. Similarities were found in the timing and duration of OVI and OVNI observations, with both decreasing in frequency during adverse weather conditions. A significant difference was noted in altitude, with UFOs being more frequently observed at altitudes between 600 and 800 meters, often associated with hills and mountains, while OVIs were more associated with plains.

News and Updates

Un coup de fil, c'est si facile !

This short piece reports on a new service in Hakui, Japan, where a telephone number allows callers to hear the sound of a UFO, specifically the 'saucer of Semjase'. The service reportedly receives an average of 7,226 calls per day.

La Recherche de l'Absolu, bis

This section briefly mentions Honoré de Balzac's novel 'La Recherche de l'Absolu' in relation to Mick Marty's fictional work, highlighting the theme of obsessive pursuit of a singular goal.

Le GEPAN s'éclipse sur la pointe des pieds

This article announces the transformation of GEPAN (Groupe d'Etudes des Phénomènes Aérospatiaux Non-identifiés) into SEPRA (Service d'Expertise des Phénomènes de Rentrée Atmosphérique). The change is presented as an upgrade, with SEPRA focusing on orbital calculation and atmospheric phenomena, while GEPAN's archival and investigative functions are maintained. The article notes the official nature of this transition and the satisfaction of the supervising authorities.

Capri, c'est fini

A brief news item about a man in Florence who allegedly murdered his wife, accusing her of being an extraterrestrial spy from Andromeda.

La Guerre des Mondes (III)

This note reports that the original script used by Orson Welles for the radio broadcast of 'The War of the Worlds' was sold at Sotheby's for $143,000.

Congrès de Bruxelles : Le choc entre les ufologies européenne et américaine

This report details the First European Congress on Anomalous Aerial Phenomena held in Brussels. The congress brought together approximately fifty participants from eleven countries. A significant aspect was the critique of American ufology by European researchers, leading to discussions described as 'settling of scores'. The event was generally well-received by transatlantic colleagues, and the presence of Jacques Vallée was noted.

Phonique Connection

This brief item discusses the recording of Semjase's saucer sound, noting its similarity to a recording made by Professor A. Meessen, suggesting a potential link between Meier and shortwave transmissions.

BOUM!

A short report on a strange phenomenon in Champagne and Nivernais, France, involving a bright flash and a loud explosion, possibly caused by a meteorite.

Chrétien et les hommes verts

This piece discusses French astronaut Jean-Loup Chrétien's return and the media attention he received. It humorously recounts an anecdote about his childhood fear of 'little green men'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently features reviews and discussions of books and phenomena related to ufology, extraterrestrial contact, and conspiracy theories. There is a clear interest in exploring anomalous aerial phenomena and their implications. The editorial stance appears to be critical yet open-minded, with reviewers often providing detailed analyses of books, highlighting both their strengths and weaknesses. The magazine also covers news and events within the ufology community, including conferences and research updates. A recurring theme is the critique of mainstream skepticism and the exploration of alternative explanations for unexplained events. The magazine seems to favor a more in-depth, analytical approach to the subject matter, often contrasting different perspectives within the ufology field itself.

Title: Ovni-Présence
Issue: 41
Date: March 1989
Publisher: Observatoire des Parasciences
Country: France

This issue of Ovni-Présence, a French ufology magazine, covers a range of topics from specific case analyses to broader discussions on methodology and cultural phenomena related to UFOs.

Articles and Features

Faux ovnis sur Madrid (False UFOs over Madrid)

This article by Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos investigates a widely reported UFO sighting in Madrid on April 24, 1988. The event involved luminous objects described as a pinkish cloud with two immobile white points and three other points rotating rapidly. The phenomenon was observed for about thirty minutes. The article reveals that the cause was a 'Espana por Africa' charity concert held at the 'Rockódromo' in Casa de Campo, Madrid. The concert featured four 1000-watt projectors that created luminous circles and beams in the sky. The author notes that while witness testimonies were objectively described, the lack of organized ufological information in Madrid prevented an immediate logical explanation, leading many to believe they had witnessed UFOs.

La revanche des Martiens (The Martians' Revenge)

This piece revisits the 50th anniversary of Orson Welles' 'War of the Worlds' broadcast. It presents a fictionalized account where Martians land on Earth and, instead of invading, sign a mutual recognition treaty. They claim to be from an advanced galactic species and express outrage at the negative portrayal of extraterrestrials in Earth's science fiction and media. To prove their point, they use a robot to collect a vast archive of science fiction materials, leading to legal battles against authors and producers. The article humorously suggests that this led to a galactic settlement where Martians now occupy the moon.

Méthode d'identification et de filtrage (Identification and Filtering Method)

This technical article discusses a methodology for classifying UFO and IFO (Identified Flying Object) cases. The study analyzed heterogeneous data sources, from brief press releases to detailed investigations. It highlights the difficulty in identifying cases and proposes a filtering method to separate 'good' cases from 'bad' ones. The classification is based on the concept of 'human bias' rather than subjective credibility or strangeness. Seven classes of identification are defined, ranging from 'cases not identified due to lack of information' to 'cases not identified with significant human bias (contactees)'. The 'metaclass OVI' includes classes 1-4 (identified), and 'metaclass OVNI' includes classes 5-6 (unidentified). The analysis shows that for 'OVNI' cases, variables like object number, shape, dimension, color, luminosity, light effects, trajectory, and speed were determinant. The article emphasizes that identification is often based on multiple variables and that the methodology, while aiming for objectivity, still involves some subjectivity. It concludes that the filtering level is not entirely independent of the filterer's objectivity, stressing the need for precise filtering criteria.

Conclusions

This section summarizes the findings of the identification and filtering study, noting similarities and differences between UFOs and OVIS. It suggests that from a reductionist viewpoint, many cases can be explained by known phenomena, but acknowledges the difficulty in definitively classifying all observations. The article points out that only 10-15 cases out of the studied sample seemed truly noteworthy after filtering. It concludes that it is premature to definitively support either a reductionist or non-reductionist hypothesis, and further studies are needed.

Clips & Claps (News Briefs)

This section contains several short news items:

• BOULE A FACETIES: A 'disco ball' fell from a truck near Combles, France, and was initially mistaken for a falling object, causing some alarm.
• RAËL MOUVEMENTÉ: A humorous anecdote about a Raëlian conference where an individual, claiming to be an extraterrestrial, was humorously reprimanded by other 'masters'.
• AGENDA: Announcements for upcoming ufology events, including the 'Rencontres de Lyon' and the 'Sciences et Illusions' festival.
• NECRO: An obituary for Michel Carrouges, a theorist of surrealism and a pioneer of ufology, who passed away in June 1988.
• MURMURES: A hint about potential high-profile attendees at the upcoming 'Rencontres Européennes de Lyon'.
• METEO CELESTE: Reports of unusual luminous phenomena, described as fireballs with green trails, observed over Provence and the French Riviera in August, possibly linked to the Perseids meteor shower.
• EN DIRECT!: Announcement of a new monthly publication, 'En Direct!', from AESV, aimed at its members.
• BRETAGNE, PUISSANCE 3: A review of two publications from the CUB (Comité Ufologique Breton): 'Le Bulletin du CUB' and 'Catalogue général des témoignages pour le Finistère'.
• RR4 AL SUGO: A review of the Italian ufology magazine 'UFO', focusing on its June 1988 issue dedicated to alien abductions.
• L'EXPRESS DE PALERME: Information about a press clipping service specializing in UFOs and other unusual phenomena.
• LDLN: News about the change in leadership for the publication 'Lumières Dans La Nuit' (LDLN), with Joël Mesnard taking over from Raymond Veillith.
• CIEL, LES P'TITS GRIS!: A reference to a television program discussing 'little grey' aliens and a pact between the US Federal State and these extraterrestrials.
• A DIFFUSER: A notice about Michel Moutet's works being exclusively distributed through a new channel.
• OVNI: LE GRAND CIRQUE: An explanation for numerous luminous, circular phenomena observed in the summer, attributed to the Italian Circus using lasers and anti-aircraft projectors.
• TELL QUEL ET LES OVNIS: A review of a Swiss television documentary about the Swiss army's involvement in UFO investigations.

Rendons à Brochard... (Returning to Brochard...)

This section features correspondence related to the 'Cufos-France' organization and its connection to Dr. J. Allen Hynek and the Center for UFO Studies. Perry Petrakis presents letters from both 1979 and 1976. The 1979 letter discusses rumors about Cufos-France being created to gather information from French private groups without Hynek's direct involvement. The 1976 letter from J. Allen Hynek to Jean-Louis Brochard clarifies that Cufos has no personal representatives in any country and that Brochard's offer to send case lists is welcome, with cases to be entered into the UFOCAT computer catalogue. Hynek also offers assistance with future requests for Cufos-France and suggests providing introduction letters on Center letterhead.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores a wide range of ufological topics, from detailed case analyses and methodological discussions to news briefs and cultural commentary. There's a clear emphasis on critical analysis, as seen in the 'False UFOs over Madrid' debunking and the detailed classification methodology. The magazine also touches upon the cultural impact of UFO phenomena, as evidenced by the 'War of the Worlds' anniversary piece. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging research and the sharing of information while maintaining a critical perspective on unsubstantiated claims. The 'Clips & Claps' section serves as a digest of current events and publications within the ufology community.