UFO Notizie - No 60

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NOTIZIE
Issue: No. 60
Date: June 1999
Publisher: Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU)
Country: Italy
Language: Italian

This issue of UFO NOTIZIE, published by the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU), provides a comprehensive update on ufological activities, research, and sightings primarily within Italy during the first half of 1999.

Material Received and Organizational Updates

Material Received

In the first semester of 1999, CISU received a significant amount of documentation, totaling 1,612 pages of investigation reports and clippings, supplemented by audio and video cassettes and floppy disks. The magazine thanks numerous individuals for their contributions.

Assembly in Florence

The annual assembly of CISU members took place in Florence on May 30th, alongside the 14th national ufology convention. Key outcomes included the approval of financial statements, the election of the new board of directors for the 1999-2000 biennium, and amendments to the social statute. The board members elected were Renzo Cabassi, Paolo Fiorino, Edoardo Russo (confirmed as president), Paolo Toselli, and Maurizio Verga. The mandate for the board was extended to two years.

New Telematics Contacts

Several CISU members updated their contact information, with Giovanni Ascione, Simone Grandicelli, and Giuseppe Verdi listed with new email addresses. Members are encouraged to regularly check the CISU website for updates on local representatives' contact details.

New Office in Viterbo

A new CISU office was inaugurated in Viterbo and its province on January 7th. This 40-square-meter space is intended to be a hub for ufological information and research, equipped with computers, a TV, VCR, and a library of books, magazines, and videocassettes.

Publications and Research Projects

"Progetto UFO" Commissioned by the US Air Force

A new 20-page publication titled "La Commissione Condon trent'anni dopo" (The Condon Commission Thirty Years Later) has been released. It delves into the "Project UFO" commissioned by the US Air Force in the late 1960s, featuring articles by Joseph Allen Hynek, Philip Klass, and Richard Sigismund. The publication costs L. 4,500 (L. 3,500 for CISU members) and is sent free to benefactors.

Bibliocat 98

Bibliocat 98, an updated catalog of Italian ufological and para-ufological bibliography by Marcello Pupilli, has been published. It includes over 130 new entries from 1998 and corrections to previous editions, spanning 28 pages and costing L. 5,000 (L. 4,000 for CISU members).

Project Globular Lightning

CISU has initiated a project to collect and catalog Italian cases that exhibit similarities to globular lightning phenomena, while also noting significant differences. The project, BLITA (Ball Lightnings Italia), coordinated by Paolo Toselli, aims to create a computerized catalog of cases from scientific texts, researcher archives, and direct testimonies.

Academic Recognition

Thesis on UFOs

Stefania Genovese successfully defended her philosophy thesis at the University of Milan on April 21st, titled "La mitopoiesi ufologica" (The Mythopoiesis of Ufology). This thesis, supervised by Professor Paolo Colucci and with noted epistemologist Giulio Giorello as co-supervisor, is considered the first of its kind in Italy dedicated explicitly to UFOs. The thesis explores the mythical components of ufological imagery and follows a structure traditional to CISU's approach.

Informative Articles and Case Studies

UFOs and Extraterrestrials: A Philosophical Approach

Stefania Genovese's thesis is further detailed, examining the historical and philosophical concept of extraterrestrial life, the "improbable analogy" between UFOs and extraterrestrials, and their portrayal in science fiction. It also delves into the psychology of perception and testimony, the construction of the UFO myth, and the modern debate on ufology, including reductionist theses and academic rejection of the subject.

Computerized Bibliographies

Edoardo Russo has created an Excel summary of over 1,900 articles from CISU's Foreign Documentation Service (SDE) from 1987 to 1997, including author, title, and publication details. Gianni Settimo has digitized summaries of all 760 articles from the magazine Clypeus from 1964 to 1998, categorized by subject.

Local Divulgation Activities

The magazine highlights various local outreach efforts by CISU representatives across Italy. These include mentions in publications like L'Astronomia, L'Unità, Jesi e la sua valle, Il Punto, Maxim, and local newspapers, featuring interviews and articles on ufological cases and CISU's work.

"Trans-en-Provence" Italian Investigation

The Italian investigation into the 1981 Trans-en-Provence landing case, a well-regarded UFO incident, was featured on the cover of the French ufological magazine Phénomèna. The 200-page report by Paolo Fiorino and Matteo Leone challenges conclusions of some French ufologists.

"Project Globular Lightning" (BLITA)

CISU has launched a project to collect and catalog Italian cases related to globular lightning phenomena, which share some similarities with UFO cases. The project aims to compare these with UFO cases and similar international initiatives.

UFOs and Music

A new catalog on UFOs and music, documenting UFO references in song lyrics, titles, and album covers, is forthcoming. Initiated in 1994, the project is now being continued by Francesco Spampinato.

Torinese Anniversaries

June marks two significant anniversaries for ufology in Turin and Italy: the 20th anniversary of the office at Via Briccarello 6, a long-standing hub for subalpine ufology and CISU's central archives, and the 50th anniversary of ufological activity dating back to the 1949 constitution of the Centro Studi Spaziali by Gianni Settimo.

Sightings Reports

November Sightings

Several sightings were reported on the night of November 7th in the Padania region, including luminous spheres and objects exhibiting zigzagging movements.

Close Encounters in Veneto and Marche

On December 19th in Strà (Venice), a missile-shaped object was observed on the ground with two figures nearby. Three circular traces were found. The witness later appeared on television.

Low Altitude in Caserta

A retired man reported seeing a large, line-aircraft-sized object hovering at low altitude with two strong lights directed downwards on February 28th.

IR-3 in Arezzo

A couple reported observing a luminous triangular object in the sky near Lucignano (Arezzo) on March 8th, followed by the appearance of a humanoid figure in a suit and helmet.

Iglesias Sighting

On March 14th, two teachers near Iglesias (Cagliari) heard a whistling sound and observed two elongated, luminescent lights that hovered and then executed a rapid U-turn.

Flying Platform over Modena

Two young people in Modena observed a dark, rectangular object with four red lights at its center on March 31st. The object silently flew overhead and disappeared.

Strange Lights over Lazio

Astronomers in Rome reported observing strange lights, possibly related to NATO missiles launched towards Serbia, that followed an unusual trajectory over Lazio.

Aerial Explosion over the Tyrrhenian Sea

On April 18th, an Alitalia pilot reported seeing a yellow, then orange light in the sky that exploded like a flash, leaving a smoke trail. This was initially attributed to a small meteorite but questioned by ufologists.

UFO Filmed in Venice

Four tourists in Venice filmed a disc-shaped object with a flat bottom, a dome, and a red light on April 18th.

False Landing in Veneto

A reported UFO landing with ground traces in Stra (Venice) in December was revealed to be a hoax staged by three young men.

UFO over Como and Parma

Witnesses in Como reported observing an octagonal object with a strong central light on multiple evenings in early June. In Parma, on June 23rd, an automobilist observed a classic flying saucer shape with a distinct dome.

Information and New Releases

In Newsstands

A new monthly magazine on ufology, "ExtraTerrestre" (subtitle: New Science, New Consciousness), published by the Roman group CISETI, has been released as an insert to Dossier alieni. Also available are "Men in Red - Rivista di ufologia radicale" and "F.B.I. X Secrets," a CD-ROM encyclopedia.

In Bookstores

Several new books on UFOs are available, including "Ufologia - Dalla preastronautica agli X-Files" by Roberto Malini, "Fate - Cronaca degli incontri reali con il Piccolo Popolo" by Janet Bord, "Lo sciamano in elicottero - Per una storia del presente" by Marco D'Eramo, and "Borderlands" by Mike Dash (Italian edition). Colin Wilson's "Dei da un altro universo" and Michael Preisinger's "Il triangolo delle Bermude" are also mentioned for their ufological interpretations.

"UFO" by De Agostini Ragazzi

The "True Stories - Ai confini della realtà" series includes a volume titled "UFO," a translation of a 1997 English book presenting nine chapters of ufological experiences.

The Telenovela of Notiziario UFO and CISU

Resignations and Editorial Changes

Maurizio Baiata, director of Notiziario UFO and Dossier Alieni, announced his resignation from CISU, citing an inability to foster a spirit of renewal based on total transparency. He stated he would continue to direct and edit the two magazines through his company, Futuro s.n.c. Adriano Forgione, chief editor, also resigned from CISU in disagreement with the new board's direction, but will continue his role in the magazine.

Notiziario UFO Publication Status

The December issue of Notiziario UFO was skipped, with the January issue relaunching as a new series, priced at L. 8,000. The promised accompanying video of "Gli UFO Files segreti del KGB" was not included and must be ordered separately.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently reports on UFO sightings across Italy, often providing detailed accounts and witness testimonies. It emphasizes research, documentation, and the dissemination of information through publications and events. CISU's stance appears to be one of rational investigation, as indicated by the description of the organization as one that "approaches the phenomenon with rationality." The magazine also highlights academic and scientific engagement with ufology, such as the philosophy thesis and the project on globular lightning. There is a clear effort to distinguish between genuine sightings and misidentifications, as seen in the Venus-Jupiter conjunction incident, while also acknowledging the ongoing debate and differing opinions within the ufological community.

This issue of Notizie UFO, dated June 1999, covers a range of UFO-related news and investigations, with a strong focus on organizational changes within Italian ufology and international reports. The magazine's title is "NOTIZIE UFO", issue number 11, volume 1999, with the raw date "GIUGNO 1999". The publisher is Futuro s.n.c., and the country of publication is Italy. The cover headline announces the death of Franco Vanni, former president of CUN.

Key Developments in Italian Ufology

The issue details a significant split within Italian ufology. Following Maurizio Baiata's departure from CUN, he launched "Dossier alieni" and later, after a dispute with his partner Roberto Pinotti, founded "UFO Network" with Baiata as director. Meanwhile, Roberto Pinotti, who was president of CUN, took back the publication "Notiziario UFO", relaunching it as "UFO Notiziario" under the direction of Fulvia Cariglia. This separation led to public polemics between the two factions, with "UFO Notiziario" aiming for a more classic, moderate ufological approach.

In Memoriam: Franco Vanni

The magazine reports the death of Franco Vanni in Bologna at the age of 75. Vanni was a journalist and served as president of the Centro Unico Nazionale (CUN), then called Centro Unico Nazionale, from 1971 to 1973. He was instrumental in transforming the association of enthusiasts into a center for scholars and promoted a new generation of scientifically oriented researchers.

International UFO Reports and Investigations

United Kingdom: Ufologist Irene Bott is compiling a book on UFO sightings by police officers, having received responses from over twenty agents or former agents. The book, "Policing the UFO", will include cases of alien abduction, photographic confirmations, and observations of low-altitude objects.

United States: The US Senate showed interest in the Belgian UFO wave in 1992, with an official inquiring about the sightings and exploring potential links to US black projects. Richard D'Amato, an assistant to Senator Robert Byrd, met with Belgian ufologists from SOBEPS and Colonel Wilfried De Brouwer.

Alien Implants: The latest issue of "Abduction Watch" focuses on "alien implants." Specialists, including pathologists and analysts, have critiqued the claims made by proponents like podiatrist Roger Leir, citing a lack of precise data, unscientific language, and rhetorical devices. Some abduction researchers, including Whitley Strieber, have also expressed skepticism.

Santilli Alien Autopsy Film: The issue discusses the ongoing controversy surrounding the "alien autopsy" film. Filmmaker Bob Kiviat announced a documentary that would include critiques of the Meier case and the autopsy film, with interviews suggesting the famous flying saucer photos were fakes. Ray Santilli, involved in the film's distribution, admitted that a "tent" film, also produced by him, was a hoax, and that he knew the autopsy film might be questionable.

Majestic 12 Manual: The "UFO Historical Revue" dedicated an issue to debunking the "Majestic 12" operational manual, with expert Barry Greenwood highlighting internal and external inconsistencies. The Fund for UFO Research also released a statement from US scholars concluding it was a deliberate fake designed to mislead the ufological community.

Belgian UFO Wave: New revelations suggest the 1989-1990 Belgian UFO wave might have been caused by a secret triangular aircraft. An alleged confession from a Belgian Air Force pilot to ufologist Eric Morris points to this possibility, though mainstream ufologists remain skeptical.

Mantell Case: Six new military documents related to the Mantell case have been obtained, including sworn statements from witnesses. These documents, mostly classified, were not part of the Project Blue Book dossier.

Angel Hair in Australia: A significant case of "angel hair" fall occurred in Esperance, Western Australia, with long, white filaments covering a large area. While local TV speculated about a connection to US military actions, the event is being investigated.

UFOs in Advertising: The issue notes the increasing use of UFO imagery in advertising, citing examples from Infostrada, TIM (with their "TIMida" the cow), Ikea, Philips, Peugeot, Air Europe, and Alitalia. Specialized magazines also feature UFO-related advertising, such as for Aprilia motorcycles.

Other News:

• UFOs and Police in the UK: Irene Bott's research into police UFO sightings is highlighted.
• US Senate Interest: The US Senate's inquiry into the Belgian UFO wave is discussed.
• UFOs and Theater Collapse: A diamond-shaped UFO is suggested as a possible cause for a theater roof collapse in Kimberley, Canada.
• BUFORA Crisis: Two directors resigned from the British UFO Research Association due to a dispute over a presentation by ufologist Max Burns.
• UFOs and Military Cooperation in Portugal: The Portuguese Society for Scientific Exploration is receiving UFO sighting reports collected by the Republican National Guard.
• Death of Guillermo Roncoroni: The Argentine ufologist and founder of "UFO Press" passed away.
• Aero-Radar-Visual Encounter: A passenger plane captain reported encountering a large, silvery cylindrical object over the North Sea.
• John Mack's New Book: Psychiatrist and ufologist John Mack's new book, "Passaporto per il cosmo," is discussed, focusing on a cross-cultural approach to studying the phenomenon.
• UFO Detection Site in Great Britain: A new online "skywatch" site has been established in the UK to monitor mysterious lights in the Dark Peak area.
• Spielberg and UFOs: Steven Spielberg is reportedly executive producing a TV series about alien abduction experiences.
• Roger Leir Condemned: Podiatrist Roger Leir was condemned in a California court.
• Rockefeller Funds Crop Circles: Billionaire Laurence Rockefeller is funding a study of crop circles.
• Historiographical Association: A new association for UFO historiographical studies is being formed.
• UFO Policy in Great Britain: A document reveals that the British Ministry of Aviation applied the Official Secrets Act to UFOs in the 1950s and 60s.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a continued focus on debunking hoaxes and questionable claims within ufology, particularly concerning the Majestic 12 documents and the Santilli alien autopsy film. There's an emphasis on scientific investigation and a critical stance towards sensationalism and commercialization of the UFO phenomenon. The editorial also highlights the internal dynamics and conflicts within ufological organizations, particularly the CUN and its associated publications. The magazine aims to provide a balanced and critical overview of UFO news, both domestic and international, with a preference for documented evidence and scientific rigor.