UFO Notizie - No 63

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO NOTIZIE, number 63, dated September 2000, is a periodical published by the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU). It covers a wide range of activities and reports related to ufology in Italy.

Key News and Activities of CISU

Material Received In the first semester of 2000, CISU received a substantial amount of material, including investigation reports and clippings, adding 1,065 pages to their Central Archives. The magazine thanks numerous subscribers and friends for their contributions.

Board Meeting and Conference The CISU board met on April 30th in Arezzo. Key decisions included the co-option of Giuseppe Stilo to the board and the awarding of the 1999 Alberto Lazzaro Prize. The 15th national ufology conference, also held in Arezzo on April 29th, focused on 'Investigation of UFO Sightings'. The conference was attended by about twenty members and discussed data collection methods for testimonies.

General Assembly Following the conference, the annual general assembly of CISU members took place in Arezzo on April 30th. The assembly approved the budget and discussed minor issues related to the Center's publications. The co-option of Giuseppe Stilo to the board was ratified.

Alberto Lazzaro Prize The 1999 Alberto Lazzaro Prize was awarded. This prize, established in memory of a tragically deceased founding member, is given annually for the best article or text on ufology and the best investigation by CISU members (excluding ordinary members) from the previous year. Dario Paganini (Verona) won in the 'investigations' category for his detailed report on a photographic case of a nocturnal light. Stefania Genovese (Varese) won in the 'articles and texts' category for her university thesis on 'Ufological Mythopoiesis' from the University of Milan.

Thousandth Member Alessandra, an 18-year-old from the province of Brescia, became the thousandth registered member of CISU, receiving membership card number 964. This count includes 36 original members who left the National Ufological Center in 1985 to form CISU.

Ufotel Reaches 1000 Following the thousandth member milestone, the Ufotel service also surpassed 1000. Over its five and a half years of operation (since November 28, 1994), Ufotel has reported over a thousand news items via telephone and telematic channels.

New Website Since January, CISU's new website, www.cisu.org, has been operational. The new domain has increased CISU's visibility and provides additional space for documents and resources. The website, managed by Edoardo Russo, had already surpassed 50,000 visitors by July, with over 800 pages of content, including three years of UFOTEL service texts.

UFOITALIA Anniversary UFOITALIA, a prominent Italian UFO discussion mailing list, celebrated its fourth anniversary on September 9th. CISU members with internet access can subscribe for free.

Activities - Investigations The magazine highlights two significant investigation reports from the first half of the year. The first is a 146-page report from the Sardinian section detailing a 1948 third-type encounter case involving a friar, which involved extensive research and resulted in a multimedia CD-ROM. The second report, by Claudio Cavallini, describes a nocturnal light observed in 1997 near Pavia, with detailed documentation including interviews and photographic evidence.

"Angel Hair" Project Massimiliano Grandi has completed the database for the 'Angel Hair Project', which collects data on filament falls associated with UFO phenomena. This project includes a catalog of published international ufological literature.

Books and Publications

#### Book on the 1950 Wave
Giuseppe Stilo's book, 'Scrutate i cieli! La grande ondata dei dischi volanti e la globalizzazione del fenomeno UFO', was published by UPIAR. It examines the 1950 UFO wave in detail, noting over 300 sightings in Italy alone. The 412-page book is available for 42,000 lire (36,000 for CISU members).

#### Renato Vesco Archive
CISU has recovered and preserved the extensive archive and library of the late ufologist Renato Vesco. The collection, comprising over 500 boxes of clippings, technical journals, books, and manuscripts, was transferred to CISU after Vesco's death, preventing its potential destruction.

#### Bibliocat Update
Marcello Pupilli has completed the 1999 update to his 'Bibliocat', a catalog of Italian ufological bibliography since 1948. This 48-page supplement details 150 new titles published in Italy in 1999 and includes corrections and additions.

Local Outreach The magazine reports on various local outreach activities by CISU representatives across Italy, including conferences, interviews, and presentations in cities like Bari, Erba, Como, and Turin.

UFO Sightings Reports

The issue provides a detailed chronicle of UFO sightings reported in Italy from January to August 2000, categorized by month.

January Sightings Reports include a luminous object over Rome on New Year's Eve, a luminous sphere over Champoluc, a luminous source near Porto Torres, and a cigar-shaped object near Fiesole.

February Sightings Sightings include a bright light near Catania, a human-like figure over the sea near Siracusa, a fireball over Ballao, and pairs of lights near Cesano Boscone.

March Sightings Reports include a luminous object over Novellara, a cylindrical object over Naples, a cigar-shaped object near Fiesole, and a possible object falling into the sea near Torvaianica. A small flying object was observed near Nocera Inferiore. A luminous trail was seen across various Italian regions, possibly related to a meteor event. Three dark, metallic objects were observed near Tarquinia.

April Sightings Sightings include a luminous phenomenon over the Marche region, a strong light near Marsala, and a flap of two fixed white lights observed across several Italian regions, possibly related to the Space Shuttle and ISS.

May Sightings Reports include a photographic case of a diurnal object over Naples, a large luminous body with a trail observed across much of Italy, and a rhomboidal object filmed near Tarquinia. Two luminous white objects were observed in Sardinia.

Information Section

UFO in Parliament A brief exchange in the Chamber of Deputies on January 18th concerned UFOs. The Undersecretary of Defense stated that the Air Force collects UFO sighting reports for statistical purposes only and does not coordinate with allied countries on this matter. The deputy expressed dissatisfaction with this response.

New in Bookstores The issue lists new ufological books, including 'Incontri ravvicinati? - Realtà e miti dell'ufologia' edited by Massimiliano Teso, and 'Affermazione' magazine.

Television and Film

Radio-TV Listening Center A list of national television programs that discussed UFOs in the first semester of 2000 is provided, along with a list of ufology-themed films and TV series aired during the same period.

New Publications

Books Several new books are reviewed: Michael Wolf's 'UFO: Avvistamenti, rapimenti e incontri ravvicinati Fatti, bugie e dubbi', and 'La congiura dell'apocalisse' by Sidney Sheldon. A new magazine, 'Hera', focused on space archaeology and non-conventional topics, is also announced. The closure of 'Dossier alieni' and 'Ufo Network' is mentioned, with their content merging into a new, broader magazine called 'Stargate'. The relaunch of the fascicle series 'UFO Dossier X' is also noted.

Magazines 'Ufo Notiziario' has featured alleged documents from the Fascist era concerning UFOs. 'Scienza & Paranormale' dedicated its January-February 2000 issue to ufology, featuring articles by prominent figures and a rebuttal by Edoardo Russo to critical views.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO Notizie reflects the ongoing commitment of CISU to documenting and investigating UFO phenomena in Italy. The magazine consistently reports on member activities, research findings, and a wide array of sighting reports, while also engaging with public discourse on ufology through media appearances and publications. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and detailed reporting, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of ufological developments in Italy and beyond. There is a clear emphasis on scientific investigation and data collection, as evidenced by the detailed reports and the 'Angel Hair' project. The magazine also highlights the challenges and controversies within the field, such as the parliamentary discussion on UFOs and the critical perspectives presented in some publications.

Title: NOTIZIE UFO
Issue Date: September 2000
Volume: 2000
Issue Number: 11
Publisher: Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici

This issue of "Notizie UFO" provides a comprehensive overview of UFO-related news and events from late 1999 and early 2000, with a focus on Italian and international reports, media coverage, and cultural phenomena.

UFO Sightings and Media in Italy

The magazine begins by cataloging UFO-related television broadcasts and films aired in Italy during April 2000. These include episodes of "X-Files" ("Biogenesi," "La sesta estinzione"), the movie "Men In Black," "Casa Vianello" featuring "Caccia all'UFO," and "I Clown" episodes "L'invasione degli ultracorpi" and "Stregoneria." Beyond television, UFO imagery is noted in Moby's "Natural Blues" music video and in advertisements for FIAT's CiaoWeb portal. Lufthansa's charitable initiative, "Discoli volanti," which collected children's writings on flight, is also mentioned, as is Amnesty International's use of an alien image for a "Freedom" t-shirt campaign.

Obituaries

This issue marks the passing of two significant figures in the ufology community. Renzo Alessandri, a Turin-based painter and founder of an association for artists interested in the unusual, died on May 15th at age 73. He had a long association with Gianni Settimo, co-authoring humorous vignettes about flying saucers in the 1950s and contributing to magazines like "Cielo" and "Oltre il cielo." Alessandri was also the designer for the cover of "Clypeus," a UFO magazine.

Pier Carpi, a writer, screenwriter, and film director, passed away on June 26th at age 60. Carpi authored numerous books on narrative and non-fiction, wrote screenplays for "mysterious" comics like "Martin Mystere" and "Dylan Dog," and was involved in films such as "Cagliostro." He collaborated with "Clypeus" and other sector magazines, and authored a book on "merchants of the occult." Carpi was also a witness to a UFO sighting in Aiola di Montecchio in 1978.

International UFO News

China: Reports from late 1999 detail numerous sightings of strange celestial phenomena across China, with peasants in Pusalu reporting a golden object the size of a person. Chinese ufological centers collected 500 cases in 1999. A case of alien abduction in Pechino is mentioned, where an operator was allegedly taken from his home and transported over 250 km. A French book, "OVNI Nouveaux dossiers chinois (Enlevements et disparitions)," by Chinese ufologist Shi Bo, is also noted.

Taiwan: The Ministry of National Defense confirmed that on January 16th, ten unidentified objects were sighted over Taiwan.

Argentina: The crash of a fireball near Sachayoc, Santiago del Estero, on January 26th, is reported, with descriptions of an explosion and possible filming of the event.

Norway: A UFO research center is being established in Holtanen, Norway, to study the numerous sightings in the Hessdalen region. The center, expected to be operational by 2002, will be funded by the municipality and private investors, aiming to attract visitors.

France: The French ufological group SOS-OVNI obtained the declassification of a radar UFO case file from the Ministry of Defense concerning an August '98 sighting near Metz.

Great Britain: The UK Ministry of Defense released two UFO sighting reports from pilots following a request from ufologist Colin Ridyard. These reports detail a radar-visual sighting over the North Sea in February '99 and a near-collision with a strange aircraft in June '99.

• USA:
• FOIA and UFOs: Ufologists are primary users of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), with a significant number of declassification requests to agencies like the NSA, CIA, and FBI concerning UFOs. These agencies are making UFO documents available online.
• Mexico City Police Encounter: On February 14th, Mexican police officers reported observing a 10-meter diameter disc-shaped object with two multicolored lights hovering over a football field in Mexico City. The object reportedly moved away and then reappeared, with officers' watches stopping during the encounter.
• US vs. Canada Sightings: Data from the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) indicates a sharp decline in UFO sightings in the US in early 2000, while Canada saw a 30% increase in 1999.
• NIDS Data: The National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDS) released data on UFO sightings reported via their hotline, with 308 reports received. Common shapes included triangles (19%), discs (11%), and cylinders (10%).
• McMinnville Case Anniversary: The 50th anniversary of the McMinnville UFO case (May 11, 1950) is commemorated, with the photographs still considered among the best ufological images.
• Area 51 Photos: American media widely reported on the sale of satellite photos of the controversial Area 51 base, taken by a Russian satellite. The sale generated significant internet traffic and speculation.

Legal and Political Developments

US Politics and UFOs: Heather Anne Harder, a Democratic candidate in New Hampshire, expressed support for the UFO issue. Arizona Senator John McCain also made a pro-UFO statement in response to a question about the CAUS lawsuit.

Legal Battles: The CAUS (Citizens Against UFO Secrecy) group is pursuing legal action against US government entities to obtain UFO documentation. A case in Phoenix, Arizona, concerning alleged negligence in handling UFO sighting reports, is detailed.

European Parliament: The Union Europeenne de Chercheurs pour le droit de savoir (UEC) inquired about unidentified objects violating European airspace, receiving a written response from the European Parliament summarizing previous UFO-related interrogations.

Public Opinion and Research

Life Magazine Poll: A poll conducted for Life magazine revealed that 54% of Americans believe research into extraterrestrial life should continue, 43% believe UFOs exist, 49% suspect government cover-ups, and 30% believe aliens have landed.

New European Journal: The first issue of the "European Journal of UFO and Abduction Studies" was released, promoting a scientific approach to ufology.

Other Noteworthy Items

Iridium Satellites: The financial failure of the Iridium satellite phone service is mentioned, with speculation about the potential deorbiting of its satellites, which some believe caused celestial phenomena.

UFO Abduction Debate: A debate is ongoing online regarding the book "L'enigma delle abduction" by Kevin Randle, Russ Estes, and William Cone, which suggests a link between abduction experiences and sexual issues.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "Notizie UFO" are the persistent public and media interest in UFO phenomena, the ongoing efforts to obtain government transparency through legal means (like FOIA requests and lawsuits), and the cultural impact of UFOs in film, music, and advertising. The magazine maintains a stance of reporting on these events and research from a ufological perspective, often highlighting the scientific and investigative aspects while also acknowledging public fascination and skepticism. The editorial stance appears to be one of advocating for open access to information and continued scientific inquiry into the UFO phenomenon.