Repas Ufologiques - 2009.03

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Informations Mensuelles des Repas Ufologiques" from March 2009 focuses on various UFO-related events and discussions across France. It announces the opening of new "Repas Ufologiques" (Ufological Dinners) in Vichy and the potential for a similar initiative in Orléans. The magazine also details upcoming meetings in Paris, Grenoble, Colmar, Marseille, and Montpellier, featuring notable speakers and topics.

Repas Ufologiques in Vichy

A new "Repas Ufologique" is launching in Vichy, aiming to be a meeting point for those interested in UFOs and the unusual. The first meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 6, 2009, at the Cafétéria Casino in Vichy/Cussey. Participation is free, with attendees only paying for their own consumption. These gatherings are described as convivial spaces for exchanging information and discussing UFO sightings and related phenomena without fear of ridicule.

Gildas Bourdais and the Roswell Incident

Parisian Ufological Dinners on March 3, 2009, feature Gildas Bourdais presenting his new book, "Le crash de Roswell. Enquête inédite." This updated edition of his 2004 book incorporates new testimonies and details, aiming to shed further light on the Roswell incident. Bourdais has also scheduled appearances at Ufological Dinners in Toulouse (March 11) and Grenoble (April 2).

Paola Harris in Paris

Journalist Paola Harris is announced to speak at the Parisian Ufological Dinners on August 4, 2009. Her participation is made possible by an American sponsor, offering an opportunity for ufologists to meet and dialogue with her.

Upcoming Events and Speakers

• Several other Ufological Dinners are scheduled:
• Colmar: Tuesday, March 3, 2009, with Michel Padrine discussing his book "OVNI INVESTIGATION" and future meeting plans.
• Marseille: Saturday, March 7, 2009, featuring Georges DONNADIEU, an engineer who will discuss magnetic currents and UFOs in relation to nuclear power.
• Jura: Friday, March 6, 2009, in Lons le Saunier, organized by Raymond Taffin, with Luc CHASTAN discussing events from March 30-31, 1993, and UFOs on Reunion Island. The "BASE OVNI FRANCE" website, a comprehensive database of UFO observations, will also be highlighted.
• Montpellier: Friday, March 20, 2009, focusing on past UFOs and the association VERONICA, with an intervention by Thierry Gaulin.
• Lyon: Monday, March 23, 2009, a meeting on "The Mystery of the Dogons," presented by Jérémie Filet, exploring the Dogon cosmology and the star Sirius B.

Statistical Analysis of UFO Data by Yves Lignon

Yves Lignon, a mathematics professor, presents an interesting statistical analysis of two GEIPAN numerical tables concerning UFO observations (PAN - Phénomènes Aérospatiaux Non Identifiés).

Analysis of Observations by Year (1963-2008)

The analysis of observations by year from 1963 to 2007 (excluding years with insufficient data or those still in progress) reveals that the fluctuations in the number of observations are unlikely to be due to chance. Statistical tests indicate that chance cannot explain the variations observed between years, nor the difference between the average number of observations from 1981-2007 and the higher numbers in 1979-1980.

Analysis of Observations by French Regions

An analysis of UFO observations by French region, adjusted for population density, suggests that the differences in observation rates between geographical zones are not attributable to chance. The study excluded certain regions (Outre Mer, Ile de France) due to their unique characteristics.

Conclusions

The statistical analysis concludes that chance is not a reasonable explanation for the observed patterns in UFO sightings, either annually or regionally. The findings suggest that there are underlying factors influencing these variations, and further research is needed to identify them. The analysis also highlights the importance of rigorous methodology in ufological research.

Controversy: IPN and GEIPAN Relations

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a dispute between private ufologists and the GEIPAN (French Group for the Study and Information on Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena), part of the CNES (National Centre for Space Studies).

The IPN Program

The GEIPAN established the "Intervenants de Premier Niveau" (IPN) program, inviting private ufologists to assist in investigating UFO cases. These individuals were expected to work without remuneration and adhere to strict confidentiality agreements, not speaking to the media about their work or the GEIPAN's activities.

Dismissal of IPNs

Several IPNs report being abruptly dismissed from the program without explanation. They argue that their contributions were significant and that their confidentiality agreements were not violated, especially in cases where they spoke about their personal research or investigations conducted independently of the GEIPAN.

Accusations of Silencing

Ufologists express concern that this policy is an attempt to "gag" them and prevent them from sharing information with the public. They point out that many former GEIPAN officials, after leaving their positions, have affirmed the reality of the UFO phenomenon, contrasting with the GEIPAN's official stance of non-committal.

Specific Cases

• Laurent Duval: Dismissed for allegedly discussing a personal investigation in the press, which he claims was not a GEIPAN-commissioned mission.
• Serje Perronnet: Dismissed for mentioning his desire to find witnesses for a specific UFO event in the press.

The article suggests that the GEIPAN's actions are driven by a desire to control information and limit the public's access to UFO data, despite promises of openness.

Other Articles

• UFOs in Mauritius: A report on a photograph taken in Mauritius showing a potential UAP, with speculation about the lack of resources and infrastructure in Mauritius to investigate such phenomena, possibly due to the presence of a large US military base on Diego Garcia.
• "L'OBJET DU SCANDALE PARLE DES OVNI" TV Program: A critique of a television program that, despite its title, featured guests with little expertise in ufology, leading to superficial discussions and the misinterpretation of sightings (e.g., an astrophysicist suggesting a meteor explanation for a sighting described by Nelson Montfort).
• Mysterious Lights in Brienne-le-Château: An article from "L'EST ÉCLAIR" newspaper detailing witness accounts of unusual lights in the sky near Brienne-le-Château, with a possible explanation of Venus being suggested, though further investigation is deemed necessary.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently advocates for transparency and open discussion regarding the UFO phenomenon. It criticizes official organizations like the GEIPAN for perceived secrecy and for not fully engaging with or respecting the contributions of private ufologists. The publication champions the idea that UFOs are a serious subject worthy of scientific investigation and public awareness, often highlighting the disconnect between official stances and the experiences of witnesses and independent researchers. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of ufologists having the freedom to investigate, share information, and contribute to a better understanding of the phenomenon.

This document is a page from a French magazine, issue number 11, published in an unspecified year. It contains an article that critically analyzes a television program about UFOs.

Article: Critique of a UFO Television Program

The article begins by discussing Patrick Carmouse, described as an 'amuseur de service' (service entertainer), who reportedly revived a story about a fictitious landing site secured with the help of the gendarmerie. He claimed that people reported seeing anomalies on the night preceding this event, which the author dismisses as easily explainable. Carmouse also boasted about inviting Raël to his shows.

The author questions how the UFO subject can be treated seriously when an incompetent guest, who claims to have brought the leader of a 'sect' that ufologists combat onto his show, is featured. This, the author argues, creates a negative image for the UFO phenomenon and is not representative of the serious study of UFOs undertaken by thousands in France.

The article further criticizes Carmouse for calling Jimmy Guieu an 'illuminé' (a deluded person) for his stories about 'little grey' aliens, despite Guieu having been a guest on several of Carmouse's own shows. The author points out that numerous segments of this broadcast demonstrate the lack of seriousness in its preparation.

The general atmosphere created by the staging of numerous green plastic extraterrestrials did not benefit the show. The author contends that with such imagery, the general public is unlikely to consider the UFO topic seriously. Demonstrations using remote-controlled inflatable balloons are also dismissed as irrelevant to the UFO dossier, serving only as amusement for the public, who are allegedly deceived into believing that UFO observations can be explained by such devices.

These explanations, the author suggests, conveniently ignore or are unaware of the precise characteristics of many first-rate UFO observations. Similarly, photos of lenticular clouds presented on screen are deemed unbelievable as explanations for UFOs, implying the public would be misled into accepting them.

Consequently, the author concludes that the show is fanciful and gives the impression of shoddy preparation and a tendency to suggest that UFOs and those who study them are not serious.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The recurring theme is the criticism of media sensationalism and the lack of serious, credible investigation into the UFO phenomenon. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of serious ufological research and critical of media portrayals that trivialize or misrepresent the subject. The article advocates for a more rigorous and evidence-based approach to understanding UFOs, distinguishing it from entertainment or sensationalist programming.