UFO Newsletter (Richard Nolane) - No 16 - 05 novembre 1997

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO Newsletter
Issue: 16
Date: November 5, 1997
Editor: RICHARD D. NOLANE

This issue of UFO Newsletter, the 16th publication, dated November 5, 1997, aims to keep its readers informed about the evolving information concerning UFO phenomena. The editorial highlights the increasing pace of publication, promising readers a closer look at UFO-related developments, previously more accessible only to those frequenting the internet.

Editorial: Keeping Military Secrets for Decades is Possible!

The lead article discusses the concept of maintaining military secrecy, using the example of "B2-Namous," a secret French military base established in Algeria in 1962. This base was reportedly used for testing chemical weapons and defense mechanisms against them. Citing Pierre Messmer and LE NOUVEL OBSERVATEUR, the article states that the base was included in a secret clause of the Evian Accords and remained operational until 1978. The author emphasizes that the base's existence, with regular air links and military units, and its location in a foreign country (a 2,500 km² testing center), were kept secret for 35 years. Despite the Ministry of Foreign Affairs suggesting some data might be found in recent international documents, the article concludes that governments can effectively hide significant secrets if they are determined to do so.

Roswell: A Witness and a Debris "Subtilized"?

This section details an account presented by Dennis Balthaser, a representative of the International UFO Museum and Research Center in Roswell. In May 1997, the museum received a call from a man, referred to as "the son," whose father was dying and claimed to have been involved in the Roswell incident and possessed a debris fragment. The fragment is described as a small piece of metal, the size of a coin, resembling chewing gum packaging, which could regain its shape after being crumpled. The witness also claimed his father was part of the security detail for the rear access of the Roswell base hospital and saw a child-sized, deformed being escorted inside, with the ambulance originating from a desert air crash site. The witness had sworn to secrecy. Balthaser traveled to Oklahoma to meet the witness's son, but the meeting was fraught with suspicion. The son's profession as a lawyer was unverified, and his contact address led to a trailer park. Later, Balthaser was contacted by individuals identifying as "Christi" and "Ed," claiming to be OSI agents from Texas, reporting directly to the Air Force in Langley, Virginia. They asserted that the government was aware of UFOs, that Roswell was real (with four aliens recovered, one alive), and that Majestic 12 was still active. They also mentioned that the metal fragment was in their possession and undergoing examination. The son later communicated with Balthaser, stating that his family was cooperating with a federal agency and advising Balthaser not to publicize the information. The son's whereabouts became unknown by September.

The FOO-FIGHTER: A New Publication

This brief section announces "Le FOO-FIGHTER," described as the first French publication on the history of UFOs since antiquity up to 1947. It is available via subscription for 100FF for 5 issues, payable to Olivier Raynaud.

The Mexico Film Now Arouses Suspicion Among Researchers

This article critically examines the authenticity of a video film of a UFO reportedly filmed in Mexico City. Two recent interventions are discussed. Liz Edwards, a video image specialist, suggests the film could have been created using 3D animation software like 3D Max Studio, citing the texture of the image, the anonymous origin of the film, and a resemblance to alleged UFOs from Billy Meier. She outlines a hypothetical fabrication process involving filming a landscape, digitally inserting the UFO, animating its movement, and then re-filming the screen to create a seemingly authentic video. Graham William Birdsall, editor-in-chief of UFO MAGAZINE (UK), also expresses skepticism. He notes the UFO's too-regular rotation, the cameraman's apparent anticipation of the UFO's movement, and the lack of pursuit after the object disappeared. Additionally, a Mexican investigator reportedly discovered that the cameraman worked in a facility with sophisticated computer equipment. Mark Cashman, however, points out that the cameraman's frequent movement during filming would make a frame-by-frame digital insertion complex. Michael Hesemann reports that control tower personnel at Mexico City airport detected no suspicious radar echoes at the time the film was supposedly shot.

UFOs Under the Scrutiny of Science

This section reports on a meeting organized by the Society for Scientific Exploration (SSE), an international organization of scientists dedicated to the rigorous study of "anomalous phenomena." A scientific jury of nine scientists convened from September 29 to October 3, 1997, near New York, to assess whether UFOs warranted large-scale scientific study. The jury examined evidence presented by eight investigators, including verbal testimonies, photographs, video recordings, spectroscopic data, radar reports, automobile and aircraft malfunctions, material specimens, and radiation-induced injuries. The co-presidents, Von Eshleman (Stanford University) and Thomas Holzer (High Altitude Observatory), stated their goal was to gather information and determine if further study could lead to significant progress in understanding the "UFO problem," defined by Peter Sturrock (Stanford University) as understanding the cause or causes of UFO sightings. The jury members included scientists from France, Germany, Norway, and the United States, with Jean-Jacques Velasco representing the French CNES (National Centre for Space Studies). Velasco presented evidence of ground and vegetation damage associated with a strange object seen landing and departing from a farm in Trans-en-Provence, France. The article lists the jury members and other investigators whose cases were studied. It also mentions that Jared Anderson believes the SSE might reopen the Condon Report under new scientific direction.

Rendons a Cesar...

This short piece corrects a previous citation regarding hieroglyphs depicting "helicopters" in the Temple of Seti I in Abydos, Egypt. The author clarifies that the initial source for images was incorrectly attributed to Dr. Ruth Hover of MUFON (USA) and that the first publication of these photos appeared in the French ufology magazine TAU CETI (issue 35, July 1995), discovered by Gérard Martre. The article commends TAU CETI and Gérard Martre for their work.

Sir Eric Gairy

This is a brief obituary for Sir Eric Gairy, former Prime Minister of Grenada, who passed away at age 75. He was passionate about UFOs and, in the 1970s, attempted to have the phenomenon studied seriously under the auspices of the United Nations. A meeting was organized on July 14, 1978, between UN Secretary Kurt Waldheim and renowned ufologists. Despite efforts, no other country supported Grenada, and the initiative stalled. Gairy, who was described as a dictator, was overthrown in 1979 and never regained power after returning to his country. Grenada had issued a series of stamps featuring UFOs during his tenure.

George King

This section reports the death of George King, founder of The Aetherius Society, on July 12, 1997, in Santa Barbara, California. King claimed to have been in contact with extraterrestrial beings since 1954. His last book, "Contacts with the Gods from Space," was published in 1996. The Aetherius Society, a non-profit organization with global reach, is expected to continue.

Press Service

This section provides updates on ufological publications. It mentions two new issues of "LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT" (numbers 344 and 345), highlighting an article by Joël Mesnard on UFO-related aggressions in Brazil and other topics. It also notes the availability of a previous issue of "SCIENCE FRONTIERES" (November 1997) featuring an interview with Jacques Vallée, described as an intelligent and honest ufologist facing criticism for his unconventional research directions. Subscription details for both publications are provided.

Briefs - Briefs - Briefs

• Saudi Press Report: The Saudi press reported an observation in October 1996 over Khartoum, Sudan, of a bright, hovering object moving east to west at about 10 meters altitude. The object was described as round with "windows" emitting red light, and white light from its base. The Arabic term for UFOs is "Tabaq Tahera," meaning "flying saucers."
• Sud Radio: The program "Le Secret du Mystère" on SUD RADIO regularly discusses UFOs, hosted by Louis Benhedi and Yves Lignon, with the author contributing on cryptozoology.
• William Moore: William Moore, co-author of the first book on MJ12, has stated that the extraterrestrial hypothesis is no longer the sole explanation for the Roswell affair.
• Festival in Toulon: The author will be signing books, including "Les Soucoupes Volantes," at a festival in Toulon on November 14-15-16.

Heatwave at MUFON?

This article discusses a potential crisis within MUFON, the international UFO research organization, noting a decline in membership renewals since 1996. The MUFON UFO JOURNAL's subscriptions are also reportedly decreasing, possibly due to its policy of not selling the journal directly outside of association membership and a perceived shift away from pure ufology towards more skeptical viewpoints, particularly regarding Roswell. The July 1997 issue, featuring an article by Kent Jeffrey questioning the Roswell crash and a critique of Colonel Corso's book by Karl Pflock, is cited as a catalyst for controversy. MUFON director Walt Andrus is mentioned as having reacted to this, with blame seemingly falling on Dennis Stacy, the current editor-in-chief, who has decided to resign after the November issue. The author criticizes readers who only accept information aligning with their pre-existing beliefs and boycott publications that deviate from them. While acknowledging the need to publish articles like Jeffrey's to expose flawed reasoning, the author suggests a more balanced approach, such as a summary in the journal and the full text in a separate booklet, to avoid perceived censorship.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the tension between secrecy and transparency, particularly in military and governmental contexts concerning UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging scientific investigation while acknowledging the potential for misinformation and mystification. There's a clear emphasis on reporting new evidence, witness testimonies, and ongoing research, even when such information is controversial or raises doubts. The publication also serves as a platform for promoting ufological literature and discussing the state of the field, including the challenges faced by organizations like MUFON and the importance of critical analysis. The recurring theme is the persistent mystery of UFOs and the ongoing efforts to understand them, whether through scientific study, witness accounts, or the examination of alleged physical evidence. The magazine also highlights the international scope of UFO research and reporting.