Phenomena - No 03 - 1991 05

Magazine Overview

Title: Phénomèna
Issue: Bimestriel N° 3
Date: Mai-Juin 1991
Publisher: SOS OVNI
Price: 25 F
ISSN: 1157-4704
Country: France
Language: French

This issue of Phénomèna, a non-profit publication by SOS OVNI dedicated to the study of UFO phenomena without dogma or sensationalism, covers a period of renewed interest in UFOs, particularly in Belgium and concerning the Roswell incident. The cover highlights key topics: the ongoing Belgian UFO wave, questions surrounding the Roswell crash debris, and a reported abduction in Colombia.

La reprise ? (The Resumption?)

The editorial, 'La reprise?', notes that the past two months have seen a resurgence in UFO theories, influenced by European encounters and new publications. The casuistry is also active, with reports of a farmer abducted in Colombia and a significant increase in sightings in Belgium, where some witnesses even filmed the phenomena. The issue features a 'mini-dossier' on the Roswell crash, promising new revelations and further complicating the mystery.

Contents Summary

Articles and Features:

• Une vague qui n'en finit pas (A wave that doesn't end) by Renaud Marhic: This article details the resurgence of the Belgian UFO wave, which was thought to be over. It mentions the UFO filmed by Marcel Alfarano and two other films received. The article discusses the ongoing presence of flying triangles and questions whether a rational explanation is being missed or if the key lies beyond Belgium. It highlights that Lucien Clerebaut of SOBEPS reported 1700 sightings collected by 45 investigators and 80 collaborators since November 1989. The wave, particularly active since March 10, 1991, described low-altitude, short-distance phenomena, initially concentrated in the Meuse valley (Namur, Liège, Huy) and later extending to Hainaut. Clerebaut declared they were at the 'maximum of the wave' in April 1991. SOBEPS has increased collaboration with public authorities, including a meeting with three generals of the Belgian Air Force, and requested equipment like light amplifiers and infrared goggles. The organization is also supported by university professors and is engaging with European parliamentarians and the gendarmerie. NATO radar recordings from Glons and Zemmerzake for March 12 were transmitted to SOBEPS, along with two amateur videos for analysis by the Royal Military School. The article questions if Belgium is treating UFOs as a state affair, noting the persistent strangeness of the testimonies.

• Two Landing Cases Presented by EURUFON: On April 9 in Brussels, EURUFON presented two landing cases with ground traces: one on May 4, 1990, in Stockay, and another on December 12, 1989, in Jupille.

• Witness Testimony from Froyennes: A detailed account from a 62-year-old retired railway worker from Froyennes, who wishes to remain anonymous. On March 29, 1991, at 4:25 AM, he was awakened by a faint humming sound. Investigating, he observed a large, dark object at low altitude. He described the sound as similar to a vacuum cleaner. The object, initially immobile, moved slowly to the north-northeast at about 20 km/h. He estimated its size to be 91 meters by 23 meters. The object disappeared after about two minutes. He noted the absence of lights, unlike other reported UFOs, and that the night was clear with a full moon. He contacted SOBEPS the next morning. His neighbor also reported hearing the noise and noticing unusual agitation in her dogs.

• Roswell, 3 Juillet 1947... Que s'est-il vraiment passé ? (Roswell, July 3, 1947... What really happened?) by Perry Petrakis: This article revisits the Roswell incident, focusing on developments over the past decade. It mentions Stanton Friedman's early research in the 1970s, where he heard accounts of a crashed saucer and humanoid bodies near Roswell in July 1947, with the story being quickly suppressed. Friedman and William Moore decided to investigate. Their collaboration, along with Charles Berlitz (who wrote the introduction), led to the book 'The Roswell Incident'. The article recounts the initial press release by Walter Haut on July 8, 1947, announcing the recovery of a flying saucer. It details how farmer Bill Brazel found debris, alerted the Sheriff, and how Major Jesse A. Marcel of the 509th Bomb Group was involved in the recovery. The debris was examined at the Roswell Army Air Field and then sent to higher authorities. The article highlights the controversy and the pressure from military officials, including General McMullen, to suppress information and promote the 'weather balloon' explanation. It questions the secrecy if it was merely a meteorological device and why General Ramey posed with debris that was identified as a weather balloon. The article also touches upon the emergence of the 'Majestic 12' document in 1984, which allegedly details a secret operation prepared for President-Elect Dwight D. Eisenhower concerning UFO crashes and recovered alien bodies.

• Questions about Roswell: The article poses several critical questions: Why the secrecy if it was a weather balloon? Why wasn't it identified as such initially? Why did General Ramey pose with what was claimed to be a weather balloon? Why did Ramey give contradictory statements? What is the exact nature of the debris and its connection to the MJ12 documents?

• DuBose's Confirmation and Media Deception: Thomas Jefferson DuBose, a close collaborator of General Ramey, confirmed that the press was deliberately misled about the nature of the debris. However, he stated that the debris shown in the photos taken by J. Bond Johnson were indeed the actual debris found near Roswell, not exchanged for 'real' debris. He also mentioned receiving orders from General McMullen to forget the entire affair.

• Summary of Certainties: The article concludes that something did indeed crash near Roswell in July 1947. The press coverage at the time was extensive. The existence of Walter Haut's press release and photos taken by J. Bond Johnson are confirmed. The article acknowledges the complexity of the case, stating that a detailed chronology would require hundreds of pages, but aims to present a faithful snapshot of the situation, prioritizing facts over hypotheses.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a serious, investigative approach to UFO phenomena, aiming to study the subject objectively and without sensationalism. The editorial stance emphasizes rigorous investigation, the collection of witness testimonies, and the analysis of evidence, including photographic and video documentation. There is a clear focus on debunking misinformation and seeking factual clarity, as seen in the detailed examination of the Belgian UFO wave and the Roswell incident. The magazine highlights the challenges posed by government secrecy and the need for continued research to unravel these complex mysteries. The recurring theme is the persistent nature of UFO sightings and the enduring questions they raise about our understanding of reality and potential extraterrestrial presence. The publication also serves as a platform for reporting on the activities of UFO research organizations like SOBEPS and EURUFON.

Title: Phénomèna
Issue: Mai-Juin
Date: Not explicitly stated, but implied by the issue identifier.
Publisher: Not stated.
Country: France
Language: French

This issue of Phénomèna, titled "Morceaux choisis" (Selected Pieces), focuses heavily on the controversial Roswell incident and the alleged Majestic 12 documents. It features a report on the European UFO Encounters in Lyon, where ufologist William (Bill) Moore presented his findings. The magazine also includes a "Revue de presse" section, highlighting UFO-related articles from various international publications, and a "Bloc-notes" section with news and updates from the UFO community.

Key Articles and Discussions

Cadavres exquis !

The cover story delves into the Roswell crash and the persistent question of whether alien bodies were recovered. Journalist Renaud Marhic reports on the Lyon conference where Bill Moore discussed his research. Moore, a professional ufologist, presented an exposé that some found succinct, likely due to the upcoming publication of his book. The debate was attended by notable figures like Jacques Vallée, who expressed skepticism regarding the MJ12 documents but acknowledged the possibility of a secret military aircraft crash. Vallée emphasized that the crucial question remained: were there bodies, and what did they look like?

Moore explained that witness testimonies, particularly from the Brazel family, were consistent regarding the recovery of debris, though a distinction was made between the farmer's son and daughter's accounts. He also detailed investigations into potential explanations, including secret military projects and atmospheric balloons. The FBI's inquiry into whether the US Air Force had a project that could explain the phenomenon, and the negative response, is also mentioned. The issue highlights the involvement of Mr. Cavitt, director of counter-espionage, in the recovery operations, suggesting a high level of secrecy.

Bill Moore's Research and the Majestic 12 Documents

Moore elaborated on his examination of various hypotheses, including experimental aircraft programs in New Mexico. His research involved extensive documentation searches and studying atmospheric balloons and probes launched in 1947. He noted that only one balloon crashed near Roswell that summer, and modified V2 rockets were recovered elsewhere. A key point of contention is the existence of alien bodies, which few witnesses have mentioned, and those who have are hesitant to speak. The involvement of counter-espionage in the recovery operations is deemed significant.

Moore also addressed the role of Dr. La Paz, a meteorite specialist from New Mexico University, who was reportedly contracted by the Air Force in 1947 for "meteorite" research, suggesting a possible connection to the crash. The delay in military response, with four days passing between the crash and the first military involvement, is noted. The FBI's monitoring of communications between New Mexico and Los Angeles due to military experiments is also discussed.

Jacques Vallée's Perspective

Jacques Vallée, while generally skeptical of UFOs and the MJ12 documents, suggested that in the absence of alien bodies, the Roswell incident could be explained by a crash of a secret military aircraft or experimental technology. He highlighted the importance of the question about the bodies and their appearance.

International Sightings and Reports

The magazine includes reports from various locations:

• France: On March 13, 1991, multiple aircraft observed colored lights near Limoges and Brest, later identified as high-altitude laser experiments.
• Colombia: On April 2, 1991, Luis Roberto Rodriguez claimed to have been abducted by extraterrestrials and taken aboard a UFO, describing three metallic-colored beings.
• South-West France: On April 21, 1991, four people observed a luminous "round" phenomenon near Barcelona.
• West of France: On May 17, 1991, a phenomenon filmed with a telephoto lens appeared to be a rectangular object, later identified as a large balloon used for Martian atmosphere studies.

Review of Publications and Events

Revue de presse covers UFO-related articles from various sources:

• U.R.S.S.: "Ufo Réalité" (No. 1, Oct 1990) is noted for its general aspect and content, including an homage to René Fouéré and a radar observation case.
• Great Britain: "Quest International" is mentioned, though its publication date is often missing. The latest issue (Vol. 10, No. 2) features articles on the Kecksburg crash, the Gulf Breeze incident, and a new crash in New Mexico.
• France: The media coverage of Steven Spielberg's "E.T." is highlighted, with Canal Plus extensively promoting the film and related events, including sending messages into space.
• Germany: "CENAP Report" (No. 182, April 1991) is described as well-informed but sometimes overly skeptical. It includes an article on November 5th.
• France: "Le Figaro Magazine" (April 13, 1991) published an article by Pierre Fliecx on the Belgian UFO wave, discussing large, stationary objects observed at low altitudes.
• Other Publications: The "Mais aussi" section lists various UFO journals and reports, including "Cenap Report" (Nos. 179, 1.91, 180), "OMNI" (March 1991) on photo manipulation, "Quatrième Dimension" (USSR), "Mufon Ufo Journal" (USA), "Journal of Meteorology" (UK), "Ufo Contact" (Denmark), "Inforespace" (Belgium), and "Notiziario UFO" (Italy).

Bloc-notes provides updates on upcoming events and publications:

• Upcoming UFO conferences in the USA and UK are listed.
• The second book by Wendelle Stevens, "Message from the Pleiades 2," is available.
• The creation of the ASFA (Association d'Etudes des Phénomènes Aériens) in Romania is announced.
• The magazine "Ovni-Présence" is featured in a Swiss directory.
• Jean Sider's second book is expected in June.
• Canal Plus celebrated "E.T." with special programming.
• Kitty Kelley's biography of Nancy Reagan reveals Reagan's belief in UFOs.
• The Belgian UFO Study Society is releasing a book on the Belgian UFO wave.
• Terence Meaden's book "Circles from the Sky" on crop circles is mentioned, along with other crop circle-related publications.
• Martine Castello's book on the UMMO affair is forthcoming.

SOS OVNI provides contact information for their services, including a minitel number, emergency line, annual encounters, and their bimonthly magazine "Phénomèna."

"N'hésitez plus ! Il est paru ! Ovni-présence - n° 45" announces the latest issue of "Ovni-Présence," featuring a dossier on the Belgian UFO wave, an interview with Colonel Wilfried De Brouwer, and a tribute to Captain Edward Ruppelt.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a serious and analytical approach to the UFO phenomenon, distinguishing itself from sensationalist reporting. While acknowledging the importance of witness testimonies, it emphasizes the need for rigorous investigation, documentation, and critical analysis. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness combined with a healthy dose of skepticism, aiming to clarify the debate surrounding UFOs and establish sound methodologies for their study. The "Vous dites?" section allows readers to voice their opinions, further engaging the community in the ongoing discussion. The magazine seems to value detailed research and the presentation of factual information, as evidenced by its reviews of publications and its coverage of conferences and expert opinions.