UFO Newsletter (Richard Nolane) - No 17 - 29 novembre 1997

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO Newsletter
Issue: 17
Date: November 29, 1997
Publisher: Not specified (Address in France)
Country: France
Language: French

Main Articles

Chilean Air Force Creates Official UFO Investigation Commission

The lead article reports that the Chilean Air Force (FACH) has officially created a UFO investigation committee called CIFAE (Comite de Investigaciones de Fenomenos Anomalos del Espacio). This committee will be under the direct orders of the FACH General Command and will include members from the FACH and the Chilean ufological group AION. The article notes that civilian investigators from AION will have access to all military files, reports, photos, and films, and that the entire Chilean military has been instructed to send any UFO-related findings to CIFAE. Furthermore, the future Chilean satellite BETA, to be launched next year, will monitor UFO activity over national territory. The author expresses hope that CIFAE will survive potential 'inconvenient discoveries' and suggests that, in matters of UFOs, foreign countries may be more reliable than the USA.

Legal Dispute Surrounding Colonel Corso's Book

The 'NEWS-NEWS-NEWS' section details a legal battle initiated by producer Neil Russell against Colonel Corso and his son, Philip J. Corso Jr. Russell, who acquired the rights to Colonel Corso's story in 1992, claims that Philip J. Corso Jr. attempted to renegotiate the rights for his father's story and physically assaulted Russell and a publicist from Simon & Schuster. Neil Russell also accuses the Colonel of trying to negotiate separate film rights behind his back. As a consequence, Simon & Schuster has canceled negotiations for any future books by Colonel Corso. The article also mentions a claim by Webb Hubbell that President Clinton inquired about the JFK assassination and UFOs, suggesting that even the President may not be fully informed about sensitive UFO-related subjects by military and intelligence agencies.

John J. Ford Declared Mentally Irresponsible

John J. Ford, who was accused of plotting to assassinate political figures believed to be involved in a UFO crash cover-up near New York, has been declared mentally irresponsible by a judge and ordered to undergo psychiatric treatment for at least a year. The article suggests Ford is a conspiracy theorist whose claims, along with those of Preston Nichols and Peter Moon regarding the Montauk Project, contribute to the spread of 'delirious theses' on UFOs.

NASA to Re-photograph 'Face on Mars'

Under public pressure, NASA has decided to have the Mars Global Surveyor probe take new photographs of the 'Face on Mars' region in Cydonia. While the probe's camera head is fixed, the probe will need to pass directly over the site for a clear shot. The project manager notes that current evidence does not indicate it's anything more than a natural landform, but the mission may prioritize photographic exploration of the site.

Military Archives Mishandling

A controversy has arisen between the US Navy and the National Archives regarding the destruction of 4,200 notebooks and 600 boxes of technical correspondence and memorandums from the Naval Research Laboratory, concerning significant technical discoveries of the 20th century.

Mexico Video Controversy Continues

The authenticity of a UFO video from Mexico remains debated. Dr. Bruce Maccabee suggests that a witness claims the UFO 'disappeared' suddenly, explaining its absence from later shots. However, Maccabee also notes that optical analysis indicates the UFO moved closer and then further away from the camera, making the video's authenticity questionable. Bob Shell reports that the company Harlequin has released a software called Panoptica, capable of generating realistic video footage from still images, which could be used to create fake UFO videos.

'The Little Corner of Debunkers'

This section critiques ufologists who have become skeptics, like Belgian Marc Hallet, accusing them of promoting pseudoscientific theories and being closed-minded. It also mentions the publication 'Problèmes Politiques et Sociaux' which features a debate on the paranormal, including a section on 'Visitors from Other Worlds.'

Marshal of the Air Force and 'The Extraterrestrial'

An anecdote from the memoirs of Air Marshal Sir Peter Horsley recounts an encounter in 1954 with an entity named 'Janus' who claimed to be from another planet. Janus spoke of interstellar travel and the concept of a 'cosmic battery' representing God. Horsley never revealed this to Prince Philip and never saw Janus again.

'UFO Culture' in All Its Forms

'SAUCER ATTACK!' by Eric & Leif Nesheim is reviewed. This book is a large-format paperback showcasing 120 pages of 1950s and 1960s UFO pop culture, including book covers, magazines, movie posters, comic books, toys, and model kits. It is described as a colorful and kitschy delight, available for $16.95 plus shipping.

Chinese Ufology (As Seen by The Wall Street Journal)

The Wall Street Journal published an article by Kathy Chen on ufology in China. The article highlights that UFOs are a serious national subject in China, with the Chinese UFO Research Association receiving government funding and including members from academia and even the Communist Party. Professor Sun, a leader in this group, aims to use UFO technology for China's energy and industrial needs. The article notes that by classifying UFO research as 'science,' they avoid prohibitions on superstition. It also mentions official skeptics like Ji Fusheng, who believes UFO research will not yield concrete results.

Mr. Sun's Rise in Chinese Ufology

Mr. Sun became China's leading UFO expert, participating in government-sponsored conferences. He helped transform a university science fiction club into a national organization with 5,000 members. His early actions included vetting members and establishing international contacts. He boasts that 80% of their current members are university graduates.

Gao Ge: The Aspiring UFO Builder

Gao Ge, a 52-year-old scientist from the Beijing Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, holds Chinese and American patents for aerospace technology. Inspired by an orange UFO sighting in Miami in 1990, Gao is attempting to build his own UFO, envisioning an ellipsoid craft with small wings capable of vertical takeoff and sub-sonic flight.

Mysterious Aircraft Pursued by Fighter Jet in Eure-et-Loir, France

Ufologist Franck Marie reports witnessing a tube-shaped object with afterburner flying horizontally at high speed over Sainville, France, on October 27, 1997. He initially mistook it for a missile. Shortly after, an F-16 fighter jet was observed on a similar trajectory. Marie believes the object traveled about 2 kilometers in 5 seconds, estimating its speed at 1400 km/h. He notes that the object and the jet flew over a busy highway, suggesting other witnesses may exist. The article also mentions the proximity of the Châteaudun air base.

Service de Presse: Sentinel News

The latest issue of SENTINEL NEWS is reviewed, featuring articles on the Varginha case in Brazil, a mysterious disappearance in China, Colonel Corso, and UFO sightings in France and worldwide. The review notes a reservation about the extensive coverage of conspiracy theories, such as Grey alien plots and the AIDS fabrication.

FOO-FIGHTER Magazine Announcement

An announcement for the upcoming 'FOO-FIGHTER' magazine, scheduled for early January 1998, is included. Its content will cover topics such as the 'phantom aircraft' wave in Sweden, an interview with K. Arnold, a 'miraculous healing' by 'aliens' in Finland, a literary hoax about a 19th-century contact, and other historical UFO cases.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers official government investigations into UFOs, legal disputes related to UFO literature, and personal sightings. There's a recurring theme of skepticism towards certain conspiracy theories and a focus on the scientific or technological aspects of UFO phenomena, as seen in the Chinese ufology section. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on UFO-related news and research from various international sources, with a critical eye towards sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims, while also acknowledging the potential for significant discoveries and the need for open investigation.