SUFOI Intern - 1999 05

Magazine Overview

Title: SUFOI INTERN
Issue Date: May 1999
Publisher: SUFOI
Country: Denmark
Language: Danish

This issue of SUFOI INTERN, a newsletter for SUFOI's representative body, provides updates on organizational activities, investigations, and financial status.

Key Articles and Reports

New Participant in the AC Rotation Scheme

Authored by Toke Haunstrup, this section announces the recruitment of Susanne Skovlund from Lynge as the new "AC-passer" for the alarm central. Susanne has been an active participant in the Copenhagen UFO Group meetings and has already completed her first shift, which included an immediate call from an observer. The AC group now consists of Susanne, Egon, Verner, and Asle.

Update on the Santilli Videos

Per Andersen reports on a significant shift in Philip Mantle's stance regarding the controversial Santilli obduction video. Mantle, who was previously a staunch supporter of Ray Santilli and the video's authenticity, has now publicly distanced himself from the case. This change follows revelations, also reported in the Danish press, that several Englishmen have come forward admitting to producing one of the videos involved in the case. The controversy centers around three sequences: (a) the obduction, (b) display of metal fragments, and (c) a scene in a tent with the president and an alien. Only sequence (c) has been admitted as fake by the Englishmen. There remains ambiguity about Santilli's involvement in the forgery; some witnesses claim a music company produced the tent sequence for him, while others suggest the company deliberately misled Santilli. Santilli himself reportedly had doubts about this sequence and did not include it in the public release.

Mantle's change of heart is attributed to the revelations, and he expresses a loss of confidence in the entire case, partly because Santilli had ample opportunity to provide proof of authenticity but failed to do so. Mantle appears to feel personally betrayed by someone he trusted.

SUFOI on P3

Toke Haunstrup recounts his interview on Danmarks Radio P3 on May 18, 1999. The interview, conducted a few weeks prior, addressed the question of why UFOs often resemble flying saucers. Haunstrup explained that this is largely a myth and discussed the origin of the term "flying saucer" from Kenneth Arnold's observation. He did not hear the broadcast himself but was told by acquaintances that the segment was very sober.

SUFOI Financial Status

Authored by Per Andersen, this report details SUFOI's financial situation at the end of the first quarter of the fiscal year. The organization is projected to end the year with a deficit. Projected income is 145,000 DKK, falling short of the 154,000 DKK budget, primarily due to lower-than-expected income from UFO-Nyt subscriptions (both Danish and Norwegian). Expenses are estimated at 150,000 DKK, resulting in an anticipated deficit of 5,000 DKK for the fiscal year, despite departmental expenses being slightly lower than budgeted.

Light Phenomenon Over Denmark

Clas Svahn reports on observations of a strong light phenomenon over the North Sea, made by the crews of four commercial aircraft (Debonair, Sabena, and SAS) on February 3, 1999. The event occurred near Jutland around 17:30 GMT. Two planes were northwest of Jutland, and two were near Helgoland Bight. The planes were flying west-to-east. The phenomenon lit up the area below the aircraft for ten seconds with a glowing light unlike aircraft landing lights. Three other aircraft reportedly observed the object moving at high speed or hovering. Air traffic control at Kastrup was informed but detected no other air traffic. Five minutes later, a radar blip was detected 120 kilometers from the aircraft. Atmospheric conditions were stable.

Saab Military Aircraft confirmed an employee was on the Debonair flight, but no additional witnesses were found. Despite attempts to contact SAS, Debonair, and CAA, the pilots could not be reached. It is noted that the BAe146 crew saw only a light, not a distinct "object," and the claim that the light "stopped" is not in the pilot's report. The Daily Mirror's description of the object being "as large as a battleship" is also not supported by the pilot's report or CAA.

Further investigation involved consulting Bertil Lindblad, a Swedish expert on bolides. He confirmed that bolides, which are bright meteors originating from the asteroid belt, leave radar traces due to air ionization. The delay in radar detection could be due to the weather radar's settings and direction. The radar observation was made from the aircraft's radar, not ground-based radar.

Air traffic controllers at Kastrup were surprised by the event. Pilot accounts of the object's trajectory varied, with some seeing it approach directly, others from above, and one seeing it move slightly upward. These details are uncertain.

UFO-Sverige's experience suggests about five bolide observations occur in Sweden annually. The latest reported incident was near Stockholm and northern Gotland on April 6, 1999. Based on the timing, appearance, and descriptions, the phenomenon observed over Denmark is likely a bright bolide. The investigation is ongoing.

Activities

Publication of Booklet Postponed

Due to various reasons, the publication of a booklet on known celestial phenomena has been delayed. However, this will not affect the grant from Tips- og Lottomidlerne, as the funds only need to be used by June 1, 2000. The booklet is now scheduled for release in August/September and will be distributed to public libraries. Approximately one-third of the text is written, and illustrations are being created by Henrik.

Personal News

Lars Henrik's New Address

Lars Henrik has a new address: Gartnervænget 26, 6950 Ringkøbing.

Email Addresses

A list of email addresses for various SUFOI members and contacts is provided.

Membership Statistics (April 1999)

SUFOI has 523 subscribers who purchase a total of 558 magazines.

Reported Sightings (January 1 - April 30, 1999)

A table details UFO/UAP observations reported during the first quarter of 1999. It includes dates, times, durations, locations (with postal codes and town names), number of observers, colors, identification status, and the reporting officer. Locations include Copenhagen, Svenstrup, Nordkisa (Norway), Brøndby, Ødsted (Vejle), Lyngby, Odense SØ, Vig, Brabrand, Assens, and Tåstrup.

• Status Codes:
• A = Alarm received
• B = Message received (from observer/rep-member or others)
• C = Forwarded to (followed by initials, e.g., C/PN)
• D = Observer contacted (phone, mail, personal visit)
• E = Questionnaires sent to observer
• F = Questionnaires received from observer
• G = Report compiled (incl. site investigation)
• H = Report sent to Report Center

Homepage: Email received via SUFOI's Homepage
AC/XX: Received via AC from AC-passer XX

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects SUFOI's ongoing commitment to investigating UFO and UAP phenomena, as evidenced by the detailed reporting of sightings and the analysis of controversial cases like the Santilli video. The organization also maintains transparency regarding its operational activities, including personnel changes, financial status, and membership statistics. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, as seen in the detailed examination of the Santilli video's authenticity and the likely identification of a light phenomenon as a natural event (bolide). The newsletter serves as a crucial communication channel for members and interested parties, disseminating information and fostering discussion within the UFO research community in Denmark and Sweden.