Rencontres Ufologiques - 2013 07 27

Magazine Overview

This issue of 'Les Informations du jour des Rencontres Ufologiques' from September 1994 focuses on significant developments within the ufology community in France and internationally. The publication aims to provide sensible, well-founded information, filtering out international media sensationalism and unverified reports.

Jean Luc Lemaire Appointed National Director of Investigations for MUFON France

The lead story announces the appointment of Jean Luc Lemaire as the National Director of Investigations for MUFON France. Lemaire is lauded for his pedagogical skills, professional background as a trainer, and decades of experience as a field investigator of Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena (PAN). His appointment is seen as a crucial step in establishing a structured investigation service within MUFON France.

• The new service aims to:
• Establish, recruit, and supervise a nationwide network of investigators.
• Serve as a reference point for investigators facing difficulties and provide pedagogical support.
• Offer online training courses for investigators to conduct thorough interviews and investigations.
• Organize practical, in-person training sessions.
• Manage and assign incoming UFO sighting reports to the investigator network for timely final reports.
• Facilitate internal communication with MUFON France directors and coordinate investigations with cooperating organizations.
• Contribute to the development of methodologies and procedures for investigations.
• Act as a consultant for the 'Licorne 2' project.
• Propose articles for publication based on site manager information objectives.

This position was proposed by Jacques Patenet, the director of MUFON France, and accepted by Lemaire. The publication expresses confidence in Lemaire's ability to structure and operationalize this important service through his determination, professionalism, and charisma.

Jean-Luc Lemaire is characterized as a dedicated field investigator whose questioning of protocols is continuous. He holds a strong conviction that some discovered exoplanets are inhabited by more evolved beings capable of interstellar travel.

Lemaire's professional background includes extensive experience as a trainer in emergency care and professional development, focusing on accident prevention and management. His pedagogical expertise, honed over thirty years of teaching, led him to create a UFO investigation training campus. He was drawn to MUFON-France due to its recruitment criteria and methodologies aligning with his vision.

The Gué d'Hossus Case: Was the UFO a Butterfly Hunter?

This section delves into a case from March 5-6, 1994, in Gué d'Hossus, near the Belgian border, involving a strange light observed by two witnesses. The incident, which occurred 19 years prior to the article's publication date (July 26, 2013), generated considerable attention and remains officially unexplained.

The witnesses, who were in the area at night, reported a sudden, extremely powerful, silent light source. One witness, who wished to remain anonymous, described it as "more powerful than stadium spotlights" and noted it had no accompanying sound. The light was described as having a beam 8 meters high and 150 meters wide. The initial reports varied on the witnesses' activity that night, with some mentioning frog hunting, while others suggested a deer count for a hunting society.

Jean-Jacques Vélasco, a retired ufologist and former director of Sepra at the French national space agency CNES, investigated the case. He confirmed the witnesses' sincerity and collected samples. Vélasco determined that the trace on the ground was not caused by the light beam but by a variety of sedge. However, he could not identify the origin of the light beam itself, classifying it as an Unidentified Aerospace Phenomenon (PAN) rather than a UFO. He suggested that a scientific reconstitution under similar conditions would be necessary for further understanding, stating that anything else would be speculation.

One hypothesis considered was that the light was from a projector used by an amateur butterfly hunter, a practice reportedly occurring in the protected sector. The witness, however, paid little attention to this explanation and remained convinced that the true nature of the event would never be known.

François Louange's Success in the USA

François Louange, a specialist in photo analysis and creator of the IPACO system for analyzing UFO observation photos and videos, gained significant recognition at an international MUFON symposium in Las Vegas, USA. He was interviewed by Openminds TV and his interview was placed on par with those of James Mac Donald, the former MUFON director, and Jan Harzan, the current director. Louange was highlighted as one of the few speakers featured in the program, marking a total success for him and representing France for the first time at the MUFON International congress.

Other News and Contributors

The issue also mentions Bernard Hugues of OVNI Marseille and his research published in September 1994. It announces the opening of "AIN OVNI" in September, organizing UFO encounters in the Ain department under Didier Charnay's direction, including observation nights and "OVNI à Table" (UFO at Table) dinners.

Philip Mantle, a British ufologist, writer, editor, and director of an information bureau on PAN, is introduced as a new contributor to the "Les Rencontres Ufologiques" website. Mantle's extensive career in ufology, including his roles with BUFORA and MUFON UK, is detailed. He has been interested in UFOs since 1979 and has been involved in various aspects of ufological research and organization.

Project Licorne and MUFON France Initiatives

The publication highlights "Project Licorne," which aims to train investigators, develop investigation methodologies, and create a global UFO case database. It also mentions the launch of "Project LICORNE 2," new websites, blogs, and a Facebook group for "Les Rencontres Ufologiques." The article encourages individuals to join MUFON France and take on responsibilities within this international organization.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a serious and evidence-based approach to ufology, aiming to provide credible information and debunk sensationalism. There is a strong emphasis on structured investigation, training, and the scientific study of UFOs and PAN. The editorial stance supports the idea of extraterrestrial visitation and encourages active participation in the ufological community.