SUFOI Intern - 1997 10

Magazine Overview

SUFOI INTERN, September 1997 issue. This internal newsletter from Skandinavisk UFO Information (SUFOI) serves as a communication channel for its representative body, distributed around the 15th of each month. The issue is edited by Per Andersen, with contributions from Torben Birkeholm and others.

SUFOI HEADLINES !

The headlines for this issue include a report of a "Lystfisker fik pletter for øjnene" (Fisherman got spots before his eyes), a successful "Jubilæumsfesten gav overskud" (Anniversary party yielded a surplus), "Italiensk tv tropper op ved SUFOI-kongressen" (Italian TV crews at SUFOI congress), and "Casper Christensen besøger SUFOI-Aalborg" (Casper Christensen visits SUFOI-Aalborg).

SKRIV DIG DET BAG ØRET ! (FAT PENNEN)

This section provides deadlines for upcoming publications: "Næste Intern" (Next Intern) is due November 10th, and "UFO-Nyt nummer 1" (UFO-News issue 1) is due January 2nd.

OBSERVATIONER

NORDJYSKE OBSERVATIONER - Af Torben Birkeholm

This section details a specific observation from August 8th. A fisherman at Lindenborg Å in Himmerland witnessed a strong, bluish light around midnight that seemed to come from above and the east. The light pulsed like a lighthouse for about 2 seconds. As he looked up, the light vanished, but he then saw a bright spot, resembling a large star, move rapidly upwards and disappear within approximately 8 seconds.

AKTIVITETER

JUBILÆUMSFESTEN STOR SUCCES - Af Per Andersen

The SUFOI anniversary party, held on October 4th in Vanløse, was a sold-out success with 40 attendees. The event featured a buffet, live music, an auction, and a speech by Peter. The party generated a surplus of approximately 1,000 DKK, including 1,675 DKK from the auction.

KONGRESSEN - Af Per Andersen

Preparations for the November 1st congress were proceeding smoothly. International speakers were confirmed, and the first press release was issued on October 4th. An exhibition was being prepared with 20 planned panels and three display cases. Maurizio Verga from Italy was confirmed to attend with a TV crew for an Italian UFO program, planning interviews with figures like Ole Henningsen, Richard Haines, and Jenny Randles.

SUFOI-AALBORG - Af Torben Birkeholm

The Aalborg group met on September 9th, having canceled their August meeting. They hosted Casper Christensen, a young man interested in UFO phenomena who had previously received SUFOI's help with school projects. Christensen presented a video, booklet, and presentation based on his research, which included interviews with people on the street about UFOs. He received top marks for his project.

SUFOI-KØBENHAVN - Af Per Andersen

The Copenhagen group postponed their activities until after November 1st due to the busy schedule with the anniversary party and the upcoming congress.

FOREDRAG - Af Torben Birkeholm

Torben Birkeholm (TB) gave a presentation on 'UFOs up close' to the "Danske Sælgere" association in Aalborg on September 11th, with 22 attendees showing great interest. On September 18th, TB spoke at the Ole Rømer Observatory in Århus about SUFOI, filling in for Per Andersen. The audience showed significant interest, and many received report forms for their own observations.

UNGDOMSBLAD - Af Torben Birkeholm

A journalist from the youth magazine "CHILI" contacted the emergency center regarding the 1995 Vejle car stop case. Following up, the journalist spoke with TB to gather more information. The conversation covered the case and UFOs in general, including a question about interviewing the witness, which TB declined due to the witness's work.

UD OG SE - Af Per Andersen

An article previously mentioned in "Ud & Se" was confirmed to be published, with a photographer arranged for a potential November issue.

IDG WORLD UPDATE - Af Per Andersen

IDG World Update, the personnel magazine for IDG, featured a profile of the "crazy ufologist from Denmark." The article is attached.

EMAIL ADRESSER

A list of representative email addresses is provided, with a request to send updates to Per Andersen (PA).

NYE ÆRESMEDLEMMER AF SUFOI

Finn W. Kalvik was appointed an honorary member following his resignation from the representative body. Per Borgaard was also appointed an honorary member for his significant contributions to serious Danish UFO work since the early 1960s.

ÆNDRINGER I REPRÆSENTANTSKABET

Changes in the representative body as of the October 5th meeting include the resignation of Finn W. Kalvik. Michael Storm was elected to the representative body with the archives as his area of responsibility. Casper Kay Lech was also elected, with the tape archive as his responsibility. Both new members come from the Copenhagen group.

DEBAT

SKAL RAPPORTOPTAGERKURSET FORNYES? - Af Per Andersen

Per Andersen discusses the SUFOI report-taker course, developed in 1981, which has remained largely unchanged for nearly 20 years. He suggests it needs a significant overhaul and renewal. Andersen explores two priorities: training report-takers to document common observations (like planes and spotlights) or to focus on rarer, more unusual UFO cases. He questions whether the current course spends too much time on less relevant aspects, like compass exercises, while acknowledging the importance of absolute measurements and angles. Andersen agrees with Toke that the course's ambition level might be too high for a weekend format, suggesting that practical experience and ongoing support after the course are crucial for improving report documentation and analysis. He emphasizes that expecting report-takers to independently conduct investigations and complete documentation after a two-day course is unrealistic.

Internationale UFO-eksperter besøger København

This press release announces that Denmark will host leading international UFO experts for SUFOI's 40th-anniversary conference in Lyngby Storcenter on November 1st. Topics will include Men in Black (MIB), crop circles, professional pilot sightings, and myth formation. Speakers include Jenny Randles (UK) on MIB, Dr. Richard F. Haines (USA) on pilot reports, Clas Svahn (Sweden) who will share Gösta Carlsson's account of a landed spaceship, and John Spencer (England) on UFO myth formation. Ph.D. Mikael Rothstein from the University of Copenhagen will discuss UFO phenomena. The conference will also review recent Danish UFO observations and videos, as well as this year's crop circles. Per Andersen, chairman of SUFOI, anticipates lively debate between UFO proponents and skeptics.

Flyvende tallerkner i den nye åndelighed

A Christian working group called "Ikon" is organizing a lecture on UFOs on September 25th. Journalist Per Borgaard will discuss the major lines of ufology and the significance of flying saucers in the context of new spirituality in Denmark.

Ufo nær passagerfly

An investigation has been launched by US authorities following an incident near New York where a Swiss passenger plane (Boeing 747) narrowly missed an unidentified object on August 9th. The object passed the plane at high speed, about 50 meters away. The incident is considered "extremely serious" and has fueled theories about the TWA flight crash in July, with some suggesting the object could have been a missile. The object was described by pilots as "elongated, white and without wings" and also "round." No mention of a missile was made by the pilots during interrogations.

Kan sekter kvalitetskontrolleres?

This article by Nils Gunder Hansen discusses the term 'sect' and the common negative connotations associated with it. Religionshistorian Mikael Rothstein advocates for a tolerant approach to sects, considering them only blameworthy if they break societal laws, emphasizing freedom of religion and self-determination. He argues that religions and sects are not fundamentally different, with established religions like Christianity having originated as sects. The article questions whether religious science, being descriptive and value-free, can offer a 'quality control' for sects. It suggests that the ability for self-criticism, self-reflection, and internal debate could be quality parameters for measuring sects, while acknowledging this might conflict with the definition of religious freedom if it involves 'sticking one's head in a glass bell.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO phenomena, including recent sightings, ongoing research, and upcoming conferences. There's a strong emphasis on the investigative and analytical approach of SUFOI, as exemplified by Per Andersen's work and the discussion on improving reporting procedures. The magazine also touches upon the intersection of UFOs with spirituality and the psychological aspects of witness accounts. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging debate and a critical examination of UFO claims, while distinguishing between unexplained phenomena and speculative theories.