Stendek - Vol 02 No 06 - September 1971

Magazine Overview

Title: STENDEK
Issue: No. 6
Volume: Año II
Date: September 1971
Publisher: Centro de Estudios Interplanetarios (CEI), Barcelona
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Editorial Stance and Content

This issue of STENDEK, a publication of the Centro de Estudios Interplanetarios (CEI) of Barcelona, delves into UFO (OVNI) observations, with a prominent focus on reports from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. The editorial, penned by Manuel Manén, highlights the growing seriousness with which the French Gendarmerie Nationale is treating UFO phenomena, commissioning a manual for investigators. This initiative is contrasted with the dismissive stance of some official bodies, such as the Condon Commission. The editorial praises the efforts of private investigators and centers like CEI.

The magazine features a detailed compilation of Iberian UFO observations from February to June 1971. Several specific incidents are recounted:

• February 3, 1971, Vilabella, Tarragona: A high-altitude object dropped white smoke resembling a parachute and then disappeared at extreme speed, leaving a zig-zag line. Witnesses described it as static at approximately 4,000 meters.
• March 2, 1971, Barcelona: A reddish UFO was observed over the city. The Meteorological Service and Fabra Observatory suggested it might be a radiosonde, though the article notes this explanation was not widely accepted by witnesses.
• April 25, 1971, La Palma del Condado, Huelva: A bright, orange, ball-shaped object with a fluorescent tail moved at high speed without noise. It performed a maneuver, leaving a fluorescent trail that formed 'superhighways' in the sky.
• April 27, 1971, Villafranco del Guadalquivir, Sevilla: Multiple people observed a rare, reddish object, described as an 'open cape,' which slowly disappeared over fifteen minutes. Witnesses expressed curiosity but no fear.
• April 27, 1971, Sevilla: A circular, intensely red object was seen, leaving a repeating triangular trail.
• May 1971, Algarve coast, Portugal: Lights were observed, sometimes appearing as reddish spheres or in the shape of an eight.

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the observations of February 23, 1971, across Southern France and Northern Spain. The author, likely the director or a senior member, attempts to synthesize numerous, often contradictory, reports of a luminous cloud and a distinct object. The article critically examines the proposed trajectory (West to East) and its implications for widespread observation. It also explores the possibility that some sightings might be related to the launch of the French experimental rocket 'Tibère' as part of the 'Electre' operation. The article meticulously analyzes the rocket's specifications and safety protocols, questioning how its trajectory could align with the reported UFO sightings. It also references a similar incident in France in July 1967, where UFO sightings coincided with the reentry of the Soviet satellite 'Cosmos 169.' The investigation into the February 23rd events remains open, pending further technical information from ONERA.

The issue also includes a list of books on the UFO topic published in the Iberian Peninsula and details the composition of the CEI's directive council for the 1970-1971 biennium.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the serious investigation of UFO phenomena, encouraging the collection of evidence and the critical analysis of reports. It highlights the importance of independent research and contrasts it with official skepticism. The CEI positions itself as a center for disseminating information and fostering discussion on extraterrestrial and interplanetary matters, while clearly stating that the opinions expressed in signed articles are the authors' own and not necessarily those of the CEI.

This issue of STENDEK, dated June 5, 1967, features a prominent article titled "LA CARTA DEL DR. MCDONALD A U THANT" (The Letter from Dr. McDonald to U Thant). The magazine is published in Spanish and appears to be from Spain, with a focus on UFO phenomena.

Dr. McDonald's Letter to U Thant

The editorial section introduces a letter from Dr. James McDonald, dated June 5, 1967, sent to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, U Thant. The letter, previously excerpted in issue No. 05 of STENDEK, is published in full. Dr. McDonald expresses his gratitude for the opportunity to meet with the UN's Special Committee on Space Affairs on June 7th. He attaches a declaration summarizing his reasons for urging the UN to take immediate action on the UFO problem. McDonald believes the issue is of significant international scope and that a serious UN effort to gather information and encourage scientific attention would help overcome the 'ridicule' that currently hinders the publication of UFO observations. He suggests that the objects might constitute a form of extraterrestrial probes and emphasizes the urgent need for a thorough and attentive examination of these matters by the United Nations.

UFO Sightings and Cases in Spain

The magazine then presents a list of UFO observations from Spain, intended to provide context for a complex case. These include:

• Pollença (Mallorca): On February 23rd, between 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM, a large luminous disk or ball was observed moving south-southwest. Searches in the area yielded no concrete findings. Witnesses reported the object remained motionless for a time.
• Maó (Menorca): An unknown object crossed the sky at high altitude and enormous speed, leaving a luminous trail.
• Maó (Menorca): In late February, around 7:00 PM, a bright nucleus leaving a white, triangle-shaped trail was observed. A photograph was reportedly taken, suggesting a rotating, rounded disk.
• Menorca: A few days before the previous observation, a young man saw an object falling, initially mistaking it for a falling airplane. The object passed very close to an airplane, leaving a white smoke trail and a reddish glow before ascending rapidly. The airplane landed safely.
• Guils (Girona): On February 23rd, between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM, an object with a slow, uniform, rectilinear movement upwards along a mountain slope was observed. It emitted a large glow from numerous points, compared to household light bulbs. The object, estimated to be 30 meters long, left a spectacular trail and moved in silence. Another observation in Guils involved two male witnesses.
• Berga (Barcelona): On February 23rd, at 8:30 PM, a witness observed a large, shiny, bluish-silver button-shaped object. A bright, bluish cone of light projected from its upper part, appearing to support or slow its descent. The object moved so slowly it seemed stationary. The observation lasted five minutes, concluding as the object descended behind mountains. The light resembled a fluorescent light but was more intense. The witness noted the descent was exceptionally slow and solemn.

Analysis of the Almaceda Case

An article by Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos and Julio Massé, titled "PRECISIONES EN TORNO AL CASO DE ALMACEDA" (Clarifications Regarding the Almaceda Case), revisits the alleged landing in Serra da Gardunha. Following a previous article debunking the "mixtification" of Serra da Gardunha by Francisco Antonio Freire, this analysis investigates the geographical significance of the case in relation to the theoretical BAVIC alignment. The authors calculated the coordinates for Almaceda (Portugal) and Lisbon and determined their distances from the BAVIC path. They concluded that BAVIC does not pass through Almaceda or Lisbon, as it would require an unacceptably wide corridor. The investigation found the Almaceda observation to be a fraud, accepted by the author himself. The deviations found do not support the case, leading to the conclusion that it should be considered invalid for future studies and filed as an explained case.

Classification of Extraterrestrial Occupants

The issue includes a detailed classification of alleged extraterrestrial beings, based on observations, presented by Jader U. Pereira:

• Type 4: Characterized by wrinkled or rough skin. This type is further divided into variants:
• T4.V1 (1 case): Normal height, short blonde hair, expressionless face, fine nose, slit-like mouth, gray-green clothing, flat cap. Attitude: observation. No weapons or dialogue attempts.
• T4.V2 (4 cases): Small stature (0.90-1.20m), normal head, no hair, fleshy face, round eyes, slit-like mouth, large ears, wrinkled skin (white-yellowish). Gray or green clothing, sometimes a "beret." Attitude: observation, sometimes friendly or hostile, with attempted abduction. No weapons observed.
• T4.V3 (5 cases): Large head relative to body. Eyes, nose, mouth normal. Prominent chin, sometimes a beard. Black or reddish skin. Long arms, short legs. Clothing in two pieces (greenish, gray, or blue), sometimes a cap. Attitude: flight. No weapons or dialogue attempts.
• Type 5: Characterized by an abnormally large head. Variants include:
• T5.V1 (4 cases): Normal eyes, large head, pointed chin, marked cheekbones, normal nose and mouth (sometimes a slit-like mouth). White, smooth skin. Gray-green clothing. Attitude: friendly or flight. One case involved an "arma" causing paralysis. No dialogue attempts.
• T5.V2 (7 cases): Large, round eyes, pointed nose, normal skin (sometimes dark or reddish). One-piece clothing, sometimes with a chest band or helmet. Attitude: friendly or hostile, with attempted abduction and paralysis. Dialogue in Spanish occurred in two cases.
• Type 6: Occupants covered in hair. Height 0.90-1.20m. Eyes described as "large." One case reported clothing resembling a cassock; others may have been naked. Attitude: generally flight, but some friendly and hostile cases reported. Some carried a tube-like "arma" emitting a blinding flash. Spoke in an unknown language in two instances.
• Type 7: Occupants wearing breathing masks, leaving part of the face exposed. Variable height (small to 2.00m). Described face: bushy eyebrows, round, widely spaced eyes, green skin, robust body. Four-fingered hands, feet with wrinkled heels. Clothing covered the body except for the face. Gas mask covered mouth and nose. Attitude: hostile or friendly. One carried a tube-like "arma." Dialogue in Portuguese and English occurred.
• Type 8: Small stature, wearing a spacesuit. Variants include:
• T8.V1 (14 cases): Height 0.90-1.20m. Large helmet reported in two cases. Skin visible through helmet: dark, white, or mixed. Clothing: opaque or transparent spacesuit, transparent helmet in some cases.
• T8.V2 (10 cases): Height 1.30-1.60m. Skin visible through helmet: wrinkled, yellowish. Normal body, but some feet lacked heels, and one thumb was positioned near the wrist. Clothing in one piece.

Sources

The issue lists sources including correspondence from CEI members, press news from various Spanish and foreign newspapers, and information from other centers and private researchers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes are UFO sightings, alleged extraterrestrial encounters, and the scientific investigation of these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry, advocating for a more scientific and less ridiculed approach to UFO studies, as exemplified by Dr. McDonald's letter and the detailed case analyses. The magazine actively seeks information from its readers regarding possible UFO observations.

This issue of STENDEK (Extra, July 1971, issue 25) focuses on a comprehensive study of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic over a seven-year period, from 1957 to 1970. Authored by Engineer Sebastián Robiou Lamarche, the article compiles and analyzes numerous cases, presenting them chronologically and drawing conclusions based on the available data. The magazine's cover features the main title in Spanish, "SIETE AÑOS DE OBJETOS VOLADORES NO IDENTIFICADOS EN PUERTO RICO Y REPUBLICA DOMINICANA," along with a subtitle and the author's name, and a small illustration of a flying object.

UFO Types and Characteristics

The article details various types of UFO occupants and their observed characteristics. These are categorized into several types:

• Type 9: Occupants wear a spacesuit, are of medium to slightly above medium height (1.80-2m), and have a helmet that can be transparent. Faces are described as elongated with sunken eyes, Caucasian-looking, or with pale skin. Some wore white helmets, while others had transparent ones. Their attitude is generally friendly, though one case involved aggression. They did not carry weapons, but in three instances, they communicated in an unknown language.
• Type 10: Observed in 4 occasions, these occupants wear space suits and have large, round eyes. Their height ranges from 2 to 2.50m. Heads are large and round, mostly bald. Skin color was red in two cases and white in another. They were described as robust, with longer legs than normal. Some wore one-piece suits, others metallic or rubber-like suits. One had a metallic 'mochila' on its back. Their attitude is generally friendly, with one case of aggression where the witness was 'aspirated' into the object. They did not carry weapons, but communicated in an unknown language in three instances.
• Type 11: Observed in 4 cases, these occupants wear a spacesuit and have only one eye. Their height ranges from 2 to 2.50m. Heads are normal and bald, though one case mentioned long hair, possibly a female. They appear to lack noses and ears. Some had abnormal 'fangs' in their mouths, and one had red skin. Their suits were transparent, with metallic or dark undergarments. A small luminous accessory was reported on the helmet in three cases. Their attitude was friendly, even when attacked by witnesses, resulting in paralysis.
• Type 12: Observed in 5 occasions, these are tall occupants (2.40-3m) wearing spacesuits. Their bodies are proportionate. They always wear spacesuits, which can be metallic, transparent, luminous, or bright. Their attitude is generally friendly and approachable. They did not use weapons, and one case involved dialogue.

Case Studies: Puerto Rico (1964-1970)

The article presents a chronological list of UFO incidents in Puerto Rico:

• March 14, 1964: San Juan - Dozens saw a 'radiant' object flying east to west at an estimated 20,000 feet.
• December 23, 1966: Condado, San Juan - A young resident claims to have photographed a UFO.
• January 18, 1967: Mayaguez - Luminous objects seen for several nights, one approaching sea level and illuminating an industrial school.
• April 6, 1967: Tortuguero - A 60-foot metallic grey object pursued a training aircraft, then made a 90-degree turn and disappeared.
• August 11, 1968: Yauco - Two police officers saw a bright, moon-shaped object that illuminated the surroundings before ascending and moving south.
• August 18, 1968: Borinquen (Ramey Air Force Base) - Sixteen witnesses saw a UFO at 2:30 am, described as bright and moon-shaped, which ascended and moved south.
• December 31, 1968: Vega Baja - Two witnesses saw a humanoid with bright eyes and short stature next to a UFO described as the size of a European car, which emitted a reddish glow and a slight noise.
• April 29, 1969: South coast of Puerto Rico - Hundreds saw a triangular object at an altitude of 80,000 feet, filmed by the Air National Guard.
• November 14, 1970: Bahía de Aguadilla - Witnesses reported an object on fire falling into the sea, leading to a search for a downed aircraft.
• July 22, 1970: San Juan - A family observed a small telescope-like object with a red center and a blue halo for 15 minutes.
• November 14, 1970: Bahía de Aguadilla - An object on fire was reported falling into the sea.
• November 28, 1970: Mayaguez - Three witnesses saw an object in flames and smoke moving east to west, appearing to crash into a building before ascending and disappearing.

Case Studies: Dominican Republic (1957-1970)

The article also details numerous sightings in the Dominican Republic:

• November 3, 1957: Ciudad Trujillo and Barahona - An Unidentified Object was sighted.
• April 10, 1968: Guayacanes - Two witnesses saw a metallic ovaloid object flying low over the sea, which stopped, produced a hum, and ascended vertically, leaving a spiral trail.
• May 13, 1968: Cumayasa - Three witnesses on a boat saw an object that affected the boat's electro-mechanical system. The object, about 75 meters in diameter, had lights all around and a protuberance underneath. It changed color from yellow to brilliant white and ascended with spiral movements.
• July 18, 1968: Constanza - Three luminous objects joined and disappeared. One object ascended from near a mountain, illuminating it, and changed color from red to white while leaving a spiral trail.
• August 10, 1968: Santo Domingo, Miches, Constanza - Multiple sightings of a bright, moon-like object with a halo and a spiral trail, observed within a 75-minute span, suggesting it was the same object.
• August 12, 1968: Santo Domingo - A luminous object, described as brilliant white and oval-shaped with a green and violet tail, crossed the sky at high speed.
• August 13, 1968: Constanza - An OVNI left a red smoke trail and illuminated a mountain.
• August 14, 1968: Villa González - A strange object was seen moving north, leaving a vapor trail and a small yellow-orange trail.
• August 15, 1968: Constanza - An object with a bluish spiral illuminated a mountain, its central brightness obscuring its form. Other objects were seen in the area until August 16.
• August 29, 1968: Dominican capital - Residents reported an object similar to one seen in Puerto Rico on December 31, 1968.
• June 29, 1970: Santo Domingo - A luminous circular object was seen moving rapidly.
• June 30, 1970: Multiple witnesses saw a UFO with two red balls and three smaller ones, moving in a south-east to north-west direction.
• February 23, 1969: Guayacanes - A family observed a strange phenomenon for 45 minutes. The UFO appeared high in the west, illuminated the environment like a full moon, then descended to 800 meters, emitting eight luminous rays and a naranja-colored franja. It turned orange to reddish and disappeared towards the southwest.
• April 5, 1969: Puerto Plata - Six people saw a "metallic grey" UFO that moved towards the east and then vanished. It emitted a "fluorescent" light from panels divided by vertical lines.
• August 21, 1969: Throughout the Republic - Hundreds observed a solitary, white, luminous cloud that expanded and then disappeared. This phenomenon was initially thought to be a weather experiment but later reconsidered.
• September 10, 1969: Santo Domingo - Two young people observed a round object emitting multicolored flashes for 13 minutes.
• October 16, 1969: La Romana - A very luminous object was seen flying at high altitude from north to south.
• January 8, 1970: Santo Domingo - An object with three yellow lights forming a triangle, plus green and red lights, was seen and produced a sound similar to a jet plane.
• January 17-18, 1970: La Romana - An object with green light was observed with a rapid trajectory from west to east.

Conclusions and Analysis

Engineer Lamarche concludes that while a statistical analysis of UFO shapes, colors, and behaviors is not feasible due to the limited number of cases, several patterns emerge:

1. Timing: Most sightings occur at night, primarily between 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm, though significant cases also occur at dawn and during the day.
2. Landings: Only one landing case is reported, within the 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm timeframe during the 1968 wave.
3. Sound: Most cases report no sound, though a slight hum was noted in some instances due to proximity.
4. Shapes: Common shapes include elliptical/ovaloid, meteor/comet, round, cigar, and lights.
5. Colors: Colors do not follow a fixed pattern, but commonalities exist.
6. 1957 Wave: The global UFO wave of 1957 had manifestations in Ciudad Trujillo and Barahona.
7. 1968 Wave: This wave was significantly represented in the Dominican Republic, with numerous cases.

Lamarche also notes that many witnesses are of recognized social standing and are not suffering from hallucinations, emphasizing the reality of the phenomenon. He highlights the "trilogy of 1968" where a similar object was seen in Santo Domingo, Miches, and Constanza within a 75-minute period on August 10, 1968. The article also discusses the possibility of "cloud-cigars" and mentions specific cases that bear resemblance to well-known international incidents, such as the Betty and Barney Hill case.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed cataloging of UFO sightings, the description of various types of extraterrestrial beings, and the analysis of patterns and characteristics observed in these phenomena. The editorial stance, as expressed by Sebastián Robiou Lamarche, is that the reality of UFOs is undeniable, and their causes and motivations, while separate topics, have significant implications for our understanding of the universe. The magazine emphasizes the importance of witness testimonies and the need for further investigation into these unexplained events.

Notable Case: Julio Suárez Marzal's Sighting

An additional article features the account of Julio Suárez Marzal, a painter and art professor, who reported seeing a UFO on May 24, 1971, in Mendoza, Argentina. He described the object as silent, gray-pearl with a slightly bluish, matte color, moving slowly from east to west at an altitude of 1,000 meters. He observed it balancing and rotating, with a small, bright point of reference. The object then descended rapidly, appearing to zoom in on a specific point, with rapid corrections in its movement. Marzal felt the presence of an intelligent entity directing the object's movements.

This special extra issue of 'STEN DEK', titled 'Observaciones en el Mundo', published in July 1971, presents a compilation of UFO sightings and related information from around the globe. The cover prominently features the 'Estudio de 100 Aterrizajes de OVNIS en la Península Ibérica' by Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos and Dr. Jacques Vallée, alongside a list of other prestigious UFO information magazines.

UFO Sightings and Encounters

The issue details several distinct UFO encounters:

Argentina

An article transcribed from the newspaper 'Mendoza' and expanded upon by a clipping from 'La Nación' (Buenos Aires, June 14, 1971) describes a sighting by a witness in Mendoza. The witness observed an object described as 'almond-shaped with a visor in front'. Initially, the object moved with short retrocessions, then ascended rapidly and moved horizontally from East to West, before changing direction at a right angle and moving rapidly South, becoming obscured by a darkening veil with a rosy tint. The witness also noted that when the object was close, it exhibited rapid, jerky movements, but at other times it hovered or was static. The witness was particularly struck by the object's incredible agility and speed, describing its movement as 'inconceivable, outside of any law of gravity'. A key point of criticism mentioned is the lack of information regarding a doctor who accompanied the witness and the details of what the object looked like through binoculars.

Venezuela

Reported by 'El Mundo', a Spanish doctor, Guillermo Argüelles de la Motta, recounted an experience on July 7th near San Juan de los Morros. He observed two men dressed in black with red ties who descended from a vermillion Mustang and boarded a 'flying saucer'. The object was described as circular, bell-shaped at the bottom with a tower on top, approximately 30 meters in diameter. It changed color rapidly from orange to blue to white, rotated 180 degrees while hovering, and then deployed a small, paraboloid ladder for the men to board. The craft then ascended rapidly towards the sky.

Colombia

On August 23rd, Jaime García Nieto of Bogotá reported seeing an intense circular glow that turned out to be a circular object flying at incredible speed. The object, described as a ball of fire with intense orange color and some red flashes, remained static for several minutes, changed size, and reappeared. The sighting was also witnessed by his brother, Antonio García Nieto. Several other family members and a student also observed the phenomenon. The report is sourced from 'El Tiempo' of Bogotá.

Brazil

Brazilian civil pilot Vicente Lopes Bueno claimed that a UFO accompanied him for 20 minutes during a flight from Belo Horizonte to Uberaba on August 9th. The object was described as having the characteristics of a 'flying saucer'. This report is sourced from 'ABC' of Andalusia.

Ceilan (Sri Lanka)

A report mentions that peasants near Colombo claimed to have seen a UFO with a diameter of about 8 meters, equipped with retractable wings. It was described as larger than the full moon, with fluorescent light. The object hovered motionless at an altitude of about 70 meters before rapidly flying southwest and disappearing.

Chile

On August 17th, two officials from the Institute of Higher Commerce and a radio technician observed a strange, orange object that turned violet. It was seen about 50 meters away, 20 kilometers south of Punta Arenas. The object rotated 180 degrees and ascended violently, emitting a strange haze. The object was described as approximately one meter in diameter.

France (19th Century Case)

An extensive account, sourced from J. M. Curicque's 1874 book 'Voces Proféticas o Signos, Apariciones y Predicciones Modernas', details a phenomenon observed on August 31, 1871, in the Valley of Orne. Witnesses described a massive, serpent-like object in the sky, appearing to be dark gray or black, with a thick, prolonged head and a long tail that agitated powerfully. The object seemed to emit smoke and a hissing sound. Its body was described as being between two white clouds, and its interior seemed to writhe. One witness estimated its size to be comparable to the distance between the church of Saint Martin de Metz and the Episcopal Palace, approximately 200 meters. The object reportedly divided into two parts for several minutes before rejoining. The phenomenon concluded with a whirlwind that dispersed straw and stubble.

Other Content

The issue also includes a section reviewing other UFO magazines such as 'Data-Net' (USA), 'Lumières Dans La Nuit' (France), and 'Flying Saucer Review' (England). It highlights the 'Estudio de 100 casos de aterrizajes ibéricos' and mentions an extensive account of the 'Yuste (Cáceres)' case, along with critical considerations of Dr. Vallée's UFO classification. It is noted that the first four issues of 'STEN-DEK' are sold out.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting of diverse UFO sightings across different continents and time periods, detailed descriptions of aerial objects, and the collection of witness testimonies. The editorial stance appears to be one of information dissemination, presenting various cases and studies without necessarily endorsing specific explanations, encouraging readers to draw their own conclusions. The inclusion of historical cases, like the 1871 serpent sighting, suggests an interest in the long-term study of anomalous aerial phenomena.