Rencontres Ufologiques - 2013 08 25 - No 001

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Les Informations du jour des Rencontres Ufologiques" (dated August 25, 2013) focuses heavily on the Argentine Air Force's official investigation into UFOs, titled "LES MYSTÈRES DE LA COMMISSION OFFICIELLE SUR LES OVNIS." The publication, originating from France, also touches upon international ufological news and events.

The Argentine Air Force UFO Commission: An In-Depth Look

The main article, translated from Spanish and authored by Perito Mario Lupo and Professor Ruben Morale, details the establishment and progress of the "Comisión de Estudios de Fenómenos Aeroespaciales" (CEFAE) by the Argentine Air Force. Created a year prior to the article's publication, the CEFAE received 102 denunciations of strange phenomena. While 79 were dismissed as optical illusions, misinterpretations, or fraud, 23 cases are undergoing further investigation. The commission, comprising engineers and meteorologists, aims to gather scientific data. However, ufologists, including Lasis Burgos and Adrián Nicala, express skepticism, criticizing the government's lack of transparency and willingness to declassify archives, contrasting it with the efforts of independent researchers.

Comodoro Guillermo Oscar Aloi, the commission's chief, emphasizes a technical approach and warns against generating false expectations. Captain Mariano Mohaupt, a commission member, highlights the involvement of 21 specialized professionals and the possibility of consulting other state organisms. The article also notes that neighboring countries like Chile and Uruguay have had official UFO investigation commissions since 1979 and 1997, respectively, with their members actively participating in conferences.

Government Commission in the Face of Opposition

Further analysis delves into the media coverage, particularly by the opposition newspaper "Clarin," which was the primary source for information about the commission. An article from April 17th, titled "The Air Force confirms UFO cases in the Argentine sky," featured interviews with Captain Mariano Mohaupt, ufologist Silvia Pérez Simondini, and astronomer Roberto O. Venero. The article also notes the use of unofficial logos in illustrations, mimicking those of "official UFO archives."

Despite the initial announcement and the officialization of the CEFAE on May 5, 2011, by Brigadier General Normando Constantino, information flow has been limited. A link with a brief description and contact email was found on the Air Force website, but the "information en vol" section has published no further communications regarding UFOs or the commission.

Between Ufologists, Aviators, and Silences

A RIO54 meeting on April 26, 2013, saw Captain Mariano Mohaupt explain his preference for the term "aerospace phenomena" over "UFOs." The discussion covered investigation protocols, declassification of official information, and interdisciplinary studies. Mohaupt indicated that the commission would include civilian investigators.

The official ceremony for the CEFAE's presentation on May 26, 2013, was notably covered first by "Clarin." The article mistakenly referred to it as an "investigation commission" rather than a "studies commission," leading to the temporary use of the acronym CIFA. The article highlighted that the commission's focus would be on public relations rather than direct aviator involvement, and that Captain Tealdi, who was initially prominent, was no longer mentioned in relation to the commission.

The composition of the commission, as revealed by a photograph, included several civilian ufologists, leading to questions about their selection criteria and the secrecy surrounding their names. The article questions whether these civilians were chosen because their beliefs align with potential Air Force admissions about UFO phenomena.

A Necessary Change

The article critiques the method of selecting civilian members, describing it as discretionary and lacking transparency. It questions whether the civilians are volunteers or paid, and the duration of their contracts, as no budget information has been released. Despite initial promises of a budget and the commission's creation, no scientific studies, investigations, or publications have emerged, making it impossible to evaluate the CEFAE's scientific work.

The authors express hope for profound changes to realize the potential of this official commission, which initially generated great public expectation. They note that the optimistic outlook from early 2011 has waned, and despite being asked to be patient for seven months, they continue to wait for tangible results.

Diverse Phenomena That Witnesses Have Never Observed

This section briefly discusses three current affairs that are polluting the UFO dossier and attracting media attention. The first is a video of an object filmed at the Taj Mahal, posted on YouTube by UfoPrimeTube, which has garnered significant views. The second involves a video published by NASA showing a strange, gold-orange object near the International Space Station (ISS). While initially intriguing, NASA identified it as a detached antenna cover from the Russian module Zvezda.

Area 51 and Roswell

The article touches upon the long-standing mystery of Area 51, which was never officially recognized by the US government. It mentions the declassification of a report of over 400 pages, requested by historian Jeffrey Richelson, which details the base's use for testing spy planes like the U-2. The report indicates that these tests led to a significant increase in UFO reports, though it does not cite specific cases. The article criticizes the media's tendency to conflate this information with the Roswell incident, fueling conspiracy theories.

Ufological Meetings and Events

The issue highlights several ufological gatherings:

• MUFON Belgique Wallonnie - REUB ASBL: A monthly meeting and a nocturnal vigil were scheduled for September 7, 2013, in Tihange, Belgium, featuring discussions on Belgian ufology and observations.
• Café Ufológico RIO54 (Buenos Aires): The article mentions ongoing meetings of this group, with the next one scheduled for September 5, 2013. It details participants and topics discussed, including various sightings, abduction theories, and the psychological work of Carl Jung.
• Interviews: Argentinian researchers Francisco Villagran, Paul Omastott, and Andres Salvador were interviewed on Canal 13MAX on August 21, 2013, as part of the program "Secreto de Sumario."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The publication consistently emphasizes the need for scientific investigation into UFO phenomena while expressing frustration with government secrecy and lack of transparency. There's a clear leaning towards supporting independent ufological research and promoting open discussion through events like the RIO54 meetings. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, advocating for the declassification of information and a more open approach to the UFO subject. The magazine also serves as a platform for disseminating information about ufological events and research from various international groups.