Rencontres Ufologiques - 2013 12 08 - No 019

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Les Informations du jour des Rencontres Ufologiques" (The Daily Information of Ufological Meetings), dated December 8, 2013, is a private information note from the Rencontres Ufologiques, FFU, and Mufon France. It aims to share ufological news and activities with its readers, emphasizing the free diffusion of this information.

AREPS Belgium – Upcoming Meeting to Discuss UFOs

The AREPS of Brussels announces its next meeting on Saturday, December 7, 2013, at the restaurant 'l'Impératrice' in Tournai, Belgium, starting at 11:00 AM. Contact information for Areps in Brussels is provided. The article notes the delay in communication, highlighting the need for at least one month's advance notice for effective dissemination and web referencing.

Orange Spheres Over Hébécourt (27)

This section details a significant UFO sighting that occurred in Hébécourt, France. The witness, a man living in a house surrounded by trees, describes observing multiple bright orange, silent spherical objects. The first object appeared in the west, traversing the sky in a straight line at a regular, high speed, faster than airliners. The witness, initially surprised, stepped outside and observed a second, identical object. He then witnessed approximately two dozen more such objects flying in the same manner, though not equidistant, over a period of about an hour between 1:00 AM and 2:00 AM. The witness reported no psychological after-effects. The report was validated by the witness on December 2, 2013, and investigated by Gérard DEFORGE.

The Argentine Space Agency Faces UFO Hoaxes

This article discusses the Argentine Space Agency's upcoming launch of the Tronador II rocket, intended for agricultural, fishing, and hydrological purposes. The agency denounces the use of its launch image to promote UFO landing stories, calling them hoaxes. They express concern that these fabricated stories, spread through media, degrade the seriousness of the Tronador II program and the image of science. The article laments a return to the misinformation tactics of the 1950s, enabled by the internet.

Activities of AQU in Quebec

The monthly UFO Supper of the AQU (Association Québécoise d'Ufo) will not take place in December due to numerous unforeseen circumstances, including participation in the 'Esotericism Between Two Worlds' fair and holiday festivities. The suppers will resume in January 2014. The AQU also plans to share holiday wishes and information about the association later in the month.

Café Ufologico of Buenos Aires – November 2013 Meeting

This section reports on the November 2013 meeting of the Café Ufológico RIO54 in Buenos Aires. The meeting was attended by various UFO researchers and new members. A moment of silence was observed for Liliana Flotta de Grosso, an investigator specializing in abduction cases, who passed away on November 2. Attendees included Juan Faillá, Carlos Vales, Mario Lupo, Enrique Sepúlveda, Rubén Rombolá, and others. Eduardo Penedo, a 73-year-old retired telephone technician, was among the new attendees, having observed a UFO in the 1980s.

Roberto Biondi, an 88-year-old artist, shared his interest in UFOs, influenced by authors like Lobsang Rampa. Marcelo Flores, who also has a passion for trains, recounted that many train drivers have observed UFOs. Federico Meyer presented his 'UFO lamp' and shared intriguing stories, including an observation of a large light near Esquel, Patagonia, followed by smaller lights, and an experience in Uspallata where his wife saw objects he could not.

Enrique Sepúlveda Sariego, a Chilean investigator, journalist, and former FACH member, discussed the challenges of UFO research, particularly the use of digital cameras and infrared spectrum analysis. He presides over the Corporación para la Investigación Ovni de Chile (CIO). Sepúlveda recounted a disturbing anecdote from January 23, 1992, in Isla Negra, where a 2-meter light sphere was observed hovering low with dogs barking below, passing close to his car before disappearing.

Regarding the mythical Isla Friendship, Sepúlveda stated it was all conjecture, based on a failed satellite-controlled sea expedition.

Philip Mantle Article from Evening Post

This section features an article about Philip Mantle, a UFO researcher from Yorkshire. Mantle, the son of a coal miner, is described as pragmatic and deeply interested in the unknown since childhood. He co-founded a UFO society in Leeds in 1979. The article highlights his approach to UFO research, which involves serious questioning and investigation. Mantle comments on a recent UFO footage, suggesting it might be a model aircraft, and expresses frustration that despite more cameras, UFO images seem to be of lower quality. He references the Roswell incident of 1947 and the sighting by Kenneth Arnold, which led to the term 'flying saucer'. Mantle has co-authored books on UFOs, including 'Russia's Roswell Incident' and 'Without Consent: True Life Stories'. His latest venture is a 'faction' book titled 'Once Upon A Missing Time', based on abduction accounts, and a new digital UFO magazine, 'UFO Today'. He believes in recording UFO phenomena, even if not fully explainable, comparing it to other scientific advancements.

Encounter with UFOLOGY

This section defines 'UFO' (Unidentified Flying Object) and 'USO' (Unidentified Submerged Object). It states that there are approximately 70,000 reported UFO sightings annually worldwide. The Roswell incident in 1947 is highlighted as the most famous UFO case. Other notable events mentioned include the mass sightings in Belgium in November 1989, where F-16 jets were deployed, and the 'Battle of Los Angeles' in February 1942, involving radar detection of V-formation shapes. The section also touches upon reports of USOs and a Russian wreck-hunter's claim of finding an underwater object.

Whitley Strieber's Experiences

Whitley Strieber, an American writer, is mentioned for his claims of abduction in 1985, detailed in his book 'Communion'. The article notes that Strieber does not definitively attribute the abductions to aliens. The book was later adapted into a film starring Christopher Walken.

Contributions and Future Meetings

This part of the magazine thanks Philip Mantle for the article and provides a link to the source. It also encourages readers to participate in the Rencontres Ufologiques project by sharing ideas, information, and meeting details. Readers are invited to subscribe to the newsletter via email. Information about the MUFON France website is also provided.

Café Ufológico of Corrientes – 18th Meeting

The 18th meeting of the Café Ufológico of Corrientes took place on December 4, 2013, at the Librería Capitulo 1. Attendees included Franco E. Barraggia Cettour, Carlos Calmanash, Alex Correa, Sebastián Alberto Dalmasso, Roberto Enriques, Roberto Abel Infante, Pedro Miguel Luján, Pablo Omastott, Margarita Rotela, Dalila Daiana Ruiz Diaz, Stella Maris Ruiz Diaz, Francisco Villagrán, and Andrés Salvador. During the meeting, Stella Maris and Dalila Daiana Ruiz Diaz donated several publications to the OVNI Documentation Center's library. Francisco Villagrán recounted details of the 'Caso Meneses' from December 1981 and the case of Valeriano Galarza in General Paz, Corrientes, involving a UFO encounter. Carlos Calmanash mentioned having documents related to the region's UFO history. A proposal was made to form a commission to produce a collective printed work on UFO phenomena, with Sebastián Alberto Dalmasso and Franco E. Barraggia Cettour expressing interest in collaborating. The importance of preserving UFO testimonies was emphasized, citing an article by Ariel Ovando and upcoming publications by Pablo Omastott. Pedro Miguel Luján received a copy of Roberto Banchs' book, 'Guía Biográfica de la Ufología Argentina'. Luján also supported a petition to the President of Argentina for the declassification of official UFO files. The 19th meeting was scheduled for January 8, 2014.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, investigations, witness testimonies, and the challenges of UFO research. There is a strong emphasis on the need for serious, credible, and scientifically-grounded investigation, contrasting with sensationalism and hoaxes. The publication aims to disseminate information and encourage participation in ufological activities, while also combating misinformation and promoting a deeper understanding of the phenomenon. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness combined with a rigorous, evidence-based approach to ufology.