Repas Ufologiques - 2010.02

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Les Informations Mensuelles du Réseau des Repas Ufologiques" for February 2010 serves as a newsletter detailing the activities and events of the French UFO research network. It covers meetings, witness testimonies, and discussions related to UFO phenomena across various locations in France and even a report from Morocco.

Meetings and Events

The newsletter extensively reports on various "Repas Ufologiques" (Ufological Dinners/Meetings) held across France. Christian Comtesse, the coordinator of the national network, details his participation in meetings in Toulouse and Montpellier in January 2010. In Toulouse, he met with Yvan BLANC, head of GEIPAN, who shared new information about the organization. The Montpellier meeting was described as "familial" and focused on the new strategy of the Repas Ufologiques. Comtesse also met with the organizers of the Toulon and Nice meetings, highlighting their motivation.

• Upcoming events are announced for various cities:
• Paris La Défense: On March 2, 2010, Christian Comtesse presented on the topic "Are there UFOs before Kenneth Arnold?"
• Strasbourg: On February 4, 2010, Philippe Marlin spoke at the Repas Ufologiques de Strasbourg. Marlin, founder of "L'œil du Sphinx," is known for his research on Rennes Le Château.
• Champagnolle (Franche Comté): The next meeting was scheduled for February 5, 2010.
• Amiens: A new Repas Ufologique was launched in Amiens on February 1, 2010, initiated by Alain Godula.
• Grenoble: The 2nd anniversary of the Repas Ufologiques Grenoble was celebrated on February 4, 2010.
• Marseille: On February 20, 2010, Michel Forest was scheduled to present a slideshow about the Plateau d'Albion incident.
• Rennes: The Repas Ufologique was rescheduled to February 23, 2010, inviting participants to share their knowledge and expertise on UFOs and related paranormal topics.

Witness Testimonies and Sightings

• The newsletter includes several accounts of UFO sightings:
• Morocco: A witness from Marrakech reported seeing a large, yellow-orange, disk-shaped object moving parallel to a mountain ridge in Oukaimeden in August 2009. The object was described as being about 10 meters long and emitted a jet of light.
• France (Alps region): Testimonies from the Salève and Voirons areas describe sightings of "enormous orange balls," "spheres of light," and "black disc-shaped objects" observed in the early 1990s and 1993. Bruno Delorme, president of Arpe, shares his personal experiences, including seeing an "oval object" in 1995 and a "spaceship transforming into a ball of light" in 1996.
• France (Catalonia): On January 12, 2010, multiple witnesses reported seeing strange luminous phenomena in the sky over the Roussillon region. A bus driver named Johan Sedo and several passengers described seeing "round objects of cream-white color moving together in a circle" and other "orange balls" that disappeared rapidly. A woman named Marinette Lambour from Canet reported seeing blinking balls of light over the sea every evening.
• France (Dausse): Josiane D. reported seeing "strange filaments" in the night sky, describing them as "bizarre" and distinct from laser beams.
• Newfoundland, Canada: The radio station VOCM reported sightings of an object resembling a rocket or missile in the sky on the evening of Monday, January 18, 2010, in the Bonavista Bay and Fortune Bay areas. Photos were taken, and residents alerted Canadian authorities.
• France (Charente Maritime): On January 1, 2010, witnesses on the Île d'Oléron observed a "flying wing" or "oval" shaped object described as silent and luminous.

Research and Information

• The newsletter also touches upon research efforts and resources:
• GEIPAN: Yvan BLANC provided new information about GEIPAN, an official French body investigating unidentified aerospace phenomena.
• "Mystères des Ovnis" Forum: Benjamin Dupuis's forum is highlighted as a significant resource with a large database of messages and information on UFOs.
• CIT UFO-Science: The newsletter offers a free diffraction grating for studying UFO phenomena, requiring recipients to send a self-addressed stamped envelope.
• Arpe: This association, led by Bruno Delorme, is dedicated to tracking and documenting aerospace phenomena in the French Alps region.

Editorial Stance and Network Information

The "Repas Ufologiques" network emphasizes its nature as a voluntary, friendship-based network that aims to provide a safe space for discussion without financial gain. The newsletter is published monthly as a private computer file, and information can be reproduced unless otherwise stated. Contact details for submissions and subscriptions are provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the organization and expansion of the "Repas Ufologiques" network across France, the sharing of witness testimonies of UFO sightings, and the promotion of ufological research. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry and a desire to bring credible information about UFO phenomena to a wider audience, encouraging participation and discussion within the community. There's a clear emphasis on providing a platform for those interested in the subject, fostering a sense of community, and encouraging serious investigation while distinguishing it from sensationalism or fraudulent claims.

Title: Les Repas Ufologiques
Issue Date: January 13, 2010
Publisher: Les Repas Ufologiques
Country: France
Language: French

Main Cover Story: UFO Case in La Cotinière Resolved?

The issue's main focus is a UFO sighting reported near La Cotinière, France, on January 13, 2010. The article, titled "DOSSIER RÉSOLU ? L'OVNI DE ' LA COTINIERE'", details the investigation by the local gendarmerie, led by Lieutenant Bourdajeau. The initial reports came from multiple witnesses, including Jean Louis Fesseau, a 60-year-old former fisherman with experience observing the sky. The seriousness of the testimonies and the unusual nature of the object led the case to be reported to GEIPAN, the French organization that studies unidentified aerial phenomena.

Preliminary press reports were deemed insufficient, necessitating on-site investigation. Local UFO research associations were invited to participate and seek additional witnesses. Coincidentally, a group of youths were setting off fireworks near La Cotinière around the same time.

The article presents the official explanation: the UFO was a one-meter-diameter paper lantern released by a Dutch resident living in Saint-Georges. The gendarmerie reportedly identified the source after receiving numerous testimonies and issuing public appeals. The explanation suggests that these "Thai lanterns" are frequently misinterpreted. The individual who released the lantern allegedly contacted the gendarmerie themselves. The article notes that such lanterns, which contain a candle and pose a fire risk, are easily available in local shops.

However, the article raises doubts about the completeness and thoroughness of the investigation. It questions whether a complete, published investigation was conducted to prove the misinterpretation. The primary witness, who knows the Dutch resident and lives near him, reportedly concluded that the object he saw could not be a balloon, citing several parameters that "don't seem to fit." The witness provided a drawing of the object, described as a large yellow light with a luminous red band on top, appearing very close. The observation lasted about 30 seconds from his car before he parked and approached the beach. The red band then grew, covering most of the object, leaving only a yellow band at the bottom. The object then moved west, shrinking and disappearing over the horizon in about 10 seconds, with no audible sound. Two other individuals, and a couple from Bordeaux, also reportedly witnessed the phenomenon.

The article questions if this was a case of "disinformation" or a "hastily done investigation." It points out that the witness was not asked to reconstruct the observation under similar conditions, which is considered essential for such investigations. The published information regarding the object's distance and characteristics does not fully support the paper lantern identification, suggesting these parameters need verification.

Ultimately, the article concludes that based on available information, there is insufficient proof to definitively resolve the case and asks for any additional information.

MUFON News: James Carrion Steps Down

James Carrion is resigning from his position as International Director of MUFON, effective March 1, 2010. He will continue his involvement with MUFON by taking charge of internal affairs. Clifford Clift will succeed Carrion as the international director. This information was published on various American and European English-language forums following a message from the individuals involved.

Upcoming Event: Dr. Geneviève Béduneau at Repas Ufologiques de Paris

The issue announces an exceptional evening at "Repas Ufologiques de Paris" on Tuesday, March 2, 2010, featuring Dr. Geneviève Béduneau, who holds a Doctorate in Orthodox Theology and has spent seven years at the École Pratique des Hautes Études. Béduneau describes herself as an independent researcher, unbound by institutional constraints, allowing her to tackle subjects that science has not yet fully embraced, advocating against censorship in publications.

Her presentation will focus on UFOs, a topic of significant interest to governments and scientific bodies like CNES. The event aims to provide a deep reflection on the validity of ufological interpretations of past accounts and folklore. Béduneau's approach, informed by her historical perspective, is expected to offer interesting interpretations supported by specific historical UFO cases.

Béduneau was part of "Le Collège Invisible" in the 1960s, a group of scientists who explored UFO phenomena. She also contributed to the book "L'Apocalypse molle," which synthesizes some of the ideas of Aimé Michel, a pioneer in ufology.

The event will take place at 6:30 PM at the Cafeteria Casino, located on the 2nd level of the Centre Commercial des Quatre Temps in La Défense. Participation is free of charge, with attendees only paying for their own consumption. The event typically attracts over a hundred people monthly.

About Repas Ufologiques

Repas Ufologiques is described as a serious, science-oriented private association that has existed for over 20 years. Its objective is to provide a meeting place for individuals interested in UFO phenomena and the unusual. The association is noted as being the largest of its kind in Europe, with events held in major French cities and attracting international ufology personalities.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The publication consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, investigative journalism, and the critical analysis of official explanations versus witness testimonies. There is a clear stance against censorship and a promotion of independent research. The editorial stance appears to favor a thorough, evidence-based approach to ufology, questioning hasty conclusions and encouraging further investigation and public participation in sharing information. The publication also highlights upcoming events and news within the ufological community, such as changes in leadership at MUFON and lectures by notable researchers like Geneviève Béduneau.