UFO Rivista di Informazione Ufologica - No 14

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO, Rivista di Informazione Ufologica, number 14, dated July 1994, is a semiannual publication by the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (C.I.S.U.). The cover headline, "Incontri in cielo tra aerei e UFO" (Encounters in the sky between aircraft and UFOs), sets the theme for this edition. The magazine features a blend of investigative articles, case studies, and editorials on ufological topics.

Editorial: The True Skepticism

The editorial, titled "Il vero scetticismo" (The True Skepticism) by Joël Mesnard, discusses the proper attitude towards ufology. Mesnard argues that true skepticism involves rigorous examination and suspension of judgment, rather than outright dismissal or a lack of interest. He criticizes the modern misinterpretation of skepticism as mere doubt or rejection without investigation. The editorial emphasizes the importance of taking witness testimonies seriously, gathering and comparing data, and attempting to understand the phenomenon without prejudice. It highlights the challenge of studying UFOs due to their elusive nature and the societal misunderstanding surrounding the topic. The core philosophy presented is "Considerare tutto e non credere a niente" (Consider everything and believe nothing), stressing the need for proof and diligent research.

UFO at a Crossroads

This section, likely an introduction to the issue's changes, notes a renewal in the magazine's format and content, aiming for greater relevance and reader engagement. It promises more current events, in-depth analysis of UFO phenomena reported in the media, and a dynamic approach with shorter articles alongside the usual in-depth pieces. A new feature includes a space for opinions from Italian and foreign ufologists, as well as reader questions, fostering dialogue within the ufological community.

Summary of Contents

The summary lists several key articles and topics covered in this issue:

1. Il vero scetticismo: Editorial by Joël Mesnard.
2. Attualità: News and current events, including mentions of Spielberg, Perez de Cuellar, abduction, Stalin, and Vietnam, with a quote from physicist Tullio Regge stating, "I don't say a priori that they don't exist."
3. Il nuovo testo di Regge: Discusses a revised proposal by Tullio Regge.
4. Avvistamenti UFO e aerei: An update on a new project by Marco Orlandi.
5. Umanoidi alla base militare di Istrana?: A retrospective investigation by Paolo Fiorino and Giancarlo D'Alessandro.
6. UFO: parlano i militari: A case from Puglia in 1978 investigated by Arcangelo Cassano.
7. Il fenomeno UFO e la comunità scientifica: Jacques Vallée's perspective on UFOs as a "forbidden science."
8. I casi siciliani del 1993: Investigations by Antonio Blanco and Antonio Rampulla.
9. Ancora luci misteriose nella provincia di Pavia: The 'usual lights' investigated by Claudio Cavallini.

Article: Spielberg and the Incredible Film of "Real" Extraterrestrials

This article discusses a tabloid report claiming Steven Spielberg was preparing a new film based on a supposed secret footage of four alien corpses and wreckage from a crashed flying saucer. The report, originating from the Daily Star, links this to the 1947 New Mexico incident. The article critically examines the source, noting the tabloid's unreliability and Spielberg's silence on the matter. It delves into the alleged origin of the footage, involving an Estonian baron named Nicholas Von Poppen, and recounts a story of Von Poppen photographing alien bodies and crashed spacecraft. The article concludes that this story is likely a fabrication, possibly a hoax orchestrated by ufologist Gray Barker, and dismisses the Daily Star's report as sensationalist.

Article: USA: The Linda Cortile Case Involves Perez de Cuellar

This piece investigates the controversial abduction case of Linda Cortile, which allegedly occurred in November 1989. Ufologist Budd Hopkins revealed the case, suggesting that former UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar might have been a witness or even involved. The article details Cortile's account, including her alleged abduction by humanoid beings and transport into a UFO. It also mentions corroborating testimonies from individuals claiming to be police officers and a third man, potentially Perez de Cuellar. However, the case is presented as highly controversial, with critics like George Hansen, Joseph Stefula, and Richard Butler questioning its authenticity and suggesting it might be a hoax. The article highlights the lack of independent verification and the debate surrounding Cortile's identity.

Article: Stalin Interested in UFOs?

This article reports on claims that Soviet leader Joseph Stalin was concerned about UFOs, believing they might be advanced American weapons. The information is attributed to scientist Valery Pavlovich Burdakov, who allegedly heard it from Sergey Pavlovich Korolyov, a key figure in the Soviet space program. Burdakov recounts Stalin's request for Korolyov to analyze foreign literature on flying saucers. The article also mentions another version of the story involving Stalin showing Korolyov Donald Menzel's book "Flying Saucers." The author notes the difficulty in verifying such claims from former Soviet sources and points out that similar reports have resurfaced over time.

Article: John Mack: The Psychiatrist Who Believes in "Abductions"

This article focuses on the work of Harvard psychiatrist John Mack, who, in his book "Abduction: Human Encounters with Aliens," supports the reality of alien abductions. Mack, a Pulitzer Prize winner, has interviewed numerous individuals who claim to have been abducted. He uses hypnosis and other therapeutic techniques to explore these experiences, suggesting they have profound spiritual and transformative dimensions. Mack posits that these abductions might represent a form of evolutionary correction or intervention by advanced beings concerned about humanity's impact on Earth. The article contrasts Mack's views with those of his colleagues and critics, including astronomer Carl Sagan and science fiction writer Rudy Rucker, who express skepticism and suggest alternative explanations such as sleep paralysis or psychological issues.

Article: 1965: Encounter with a UFO in the Skies over Hanoi?

This article investigates a report, initially published in a Russian émigré newspaper, about a supposed confrontation between Soviet anti-aircraft forces and a UFO over Hanoi in 1965. The report claims a large, disc-shaped object was targeted by Soviet missile batteries, but the missiles failed, and the UFO allegedly destroyed one of the missile stations with a beam of energy. The author, Anatolij Dokuciaev, a military journalist, debunks the story, tracing its origin to an "ex-Soviet officer" named Mark Steinberg. Dokuciaev points out factual inaccuracies regarding military equipment and troop deployment, and quotes retired Lieutenant General Boris Stolnikov, who served in Vietnam during that period, denying any such incident occurred. The article concludes that the story is unreliable and likely a fabrication.

Article: Roswell: A Parliamentary Inquiry, a Book, a Film

This piece provides an update on the Roswell incident, detailing three significant developments. First, it mentions a preliminary inquiry by the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) into U.S. Air Force documentation related to the 1947 incident, initiated at the request of New Mexico Congressman Steven Schiff. Second, it announces the release of a new book, "The Truth about the UFO Crash at Roswell," by Kevin Randle and Donald Schmitt, which presents new findings and witness testimonies. Third, it notes the upcoming release of a film about Roswell, directed by Jeremy Kagan, which focuses on the perspective of Major Jesse Marcel. The article emphasizes the ongoing efforts to uncover the truth behind the Roswell event.

Article: "Gli UFO? Non dico a priori che non esistono» (UFOs? I don't say a priori that they don't exist)

This is an interview with physicist Tullio Regge, a former member of the European Parliament and a physicist. Regge discusses his proposal for a European study center on UFOs, which faced criticism and was ultimately not voted on by the Parliament. He clarifies that his proposal was not to fund research into UFOs but to provide reliable information to the public and to counter the spread of pseudoscience. Regge expresses his belief that science is better suited to proving existence than non-existence and that while he doesn't dismiss UFOs outright, he requires rigorous evidence. He criticizes the sensationalism surrounding the topic and the tendency for myths to gain traction. Regge also discusses the role of organizations like the French SEPRA and expresses frustration with the political process and media coverage of his initiative.

Article: The New Text of Regge

This section presents excerpts from the revised proposal by Tullio Regge for the European Parliament. The revised text emphasizes that science is better at asserting facts than denying them, and that the UFO phenomenon has become a superstition. Regge argues that the European Parliament should avoid endorsing myths and instead ensure accurate information is provided to the public. He suggests that while science has its limits, phenomena like ball lightning remain unexplained. He cautions against attributing intelligence to UFOs simply because they interact with aircraft and criticizes the secrecy surrounding military information. The proposal ultimately recommends against establishing a new research center, suggesting that existing institutions could handle the sociological aspects of pseudoscience.

Article: Gli ufologi francesi dicono "NO" ad un SEPRA Europeo

This article expresses strong opposition to the idea of a European UFO research agency led by Jean-Jacques Velasco, the head of the French SEPRA. The author, Perry Petrakis, president of SOS-OVNI, argues that Velasco's dual role as an official and a believer in extraterrestrials hinders SEPRA's effectiveness. The article criticizes SEPRA for a lack of transparency, failure to share research findings, and for acting as a barrier to collaboration between authorities and private researchers. It suggests that if Velasco had been put in charge of a European agency, it would have negatively impacted collaborations in other countries, such as Belgium and Spain.

Article: UFOs and Aircraft

This article, by Marco Orlandi, discusses a new project called AIRCAT, which aims to catalog and analyze UFO sightings involving aircraft. The project categorizes sightings into four types: Type A (UFOs observed by ground witnesses interacting with aircraft), Type B (UFOs and aircraft observed simultaneously by ground witnesses), Type C (cases where aircraft experience anomalies possibly related to UFOs), and Type D (anomalous and folkloric cases). The article highlights the importance of international collaboration and the need to study the phenomenon globally. It also mentions the inclusion of the Ustica DC-9 crash as a case that remains unexplained and has been referred to as a "UFO" in official documents.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of skepticism in ufology, the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, the role of government and military in UFO research, and the analysis of specific historical and contemporary cases. The editorial stance, as articulated by Joël Mesnard and Tullio Regge, favors a rigorous, evidence-based approach that avoids both outright dismissal and uncritical acceptance of claims. There is a clear emphasis on the need for reliable information and a critical examination of the phenomenon, while acknowledging the limitations of current scientific understanding. The magazine also highlights the challenges of public perception and the potential for pseudoscience to overshadow genuine inquiry.

This issue of UFO magazine, dated July 1994, focuses on a variety of UFO and humanoid encounters, with a particular emphasis on Italian cases from the 1970s and 1990s. The cover story, "Umanoidi alla base militare di Istrana?", investigates an unusual close encounter of the third kind near the Istrana military base. Other articles detail sightings in Sicily during the summer of 1993, including luminous objects and potential landings, and a piece by scientist Jacques Vallée on the challenges of ufology.

Istrana Humanoid Encounter Revisited

The article "Umanoidi alla base militare di Istrana?" by Paolo Fiorino and Giancarlo D'Alessandro revisits the 1973 Istrana incident. Initially reported in the press as an encounter with two white-clad figures and a small spacecraft, the investigation uncovers a more detailed account from the primary witness, Marshal Mario B. He describes seeing two 'children-like' figures, about a meter tall, with disproportionately large heads and wearing silver-metallic suits, near a fountain. They moved with large, silent leaps. The witness was terrified and fled. Subsequent investigations by ufologists Luigi Brusadin and Antonio Chiumiento yielded slightly different versions, with Brusadin's account suggesting a radar detection of a UFO and Chiumiento's focusing on the two figures. The detailed counter-investigation by Fiorino and D'Alessandro, facilitated by D'Alessandro's prior knowledge of the witness, provides a reconstruction of the event, emphasizing the witness's fear and the lack of any UFO sighting, only the two 'beings'. The witness, Marshal Mario B., later retracted his initial report, claiming he saw 'stray dogs' under pressure from superiors to avoid trouble and potential career repercussions. He expressed regret for speaking about the incident and maintained that he saw no flying objects, only the two strange individuals. The article notes the military's imposition of secrecy and the witness's subsequent trauma and desire for privacy.

Sicilian UFO Cases of 1993

Antonio Blanco and Antonio Rampulla report on several UFO sightings in Sicily during the summer of 1993.

Messina: Luminous Objects

On the night of June 19-20, 1993, a group of seven people in Messina reported seeing strange luminous flying objects. Piero C., a 17-year-old, first noticed a circular, pinkish object with flashing yellow or blue lights. His mother, Giuseppina C., confirmed seeing three large, horizontal, yellow lights moving slowly and silently. Piero's friend, Massimiliano P., used a telescope to observe a narrow, elongated luminous object, described as a 'small neon tube,' stationary at low altitude. The witnesses attempted to contact authorities, including the airport and police, but received unhelpful responses. The phenomenon was later attributed to reflections from disco lights, a theory supported by the presence of traveling amusement rides in the area. The media sensationalized the event, with headlines about 'giant spaceships' and 'extraterrestrials,' despite scientific explanations suggesting laser effect reflectors.

Catania: The "Venusian" Film and San Giorgio UFO

On June 28, 1993, a merchant in Messina filmed a luminous object over the Strait of Messina. Investigations revealed the object to be the planet Venus, visible due to clear skies and amplified by the zoom of the witness's video camera. The film was initially presented as a UFO sighting but was later identified as Venus. Another case from Catania on July 7, 1993, involved reports of a round, luminous object emitting smoke in the San Giorgio district. Police investigated but found nothing. This was later explained as a silver balloon caught in bushes and agitated by the wind, possibly mistaken for an UFO.

Vizzini: Possible Landing

On July 7, 1993, a forest ranger near Vizzini reported seeing a luminous flash that expanded into a light blue, umbrella-shaped band of light. The phenomenon occurred five times, accompanied by temporary power outages in nearby towns. The ranger was initially hesitant to report the sighting due to fear of ridicule and job loss. Investigations found no physical traces, and the power outages were attributed to a possible voltage drop related to nearby high-tension power lines.

Jacques Vallée on Ufology

In an article titled "Il fenomeno UFO e la comunità scientifica," Jacques Vallée discusses the challenges and limitations of ufology. He argues that while a genuine UFO phenomenon exists, the field is hampered by the dominant extraterrestrial hypothesis and skepticism from the scientific community. Vallée calls for a more rigorous, scientific approach, emphasizing the importance of human perception, better data collection standards, and interdisciplinary research. He criticizes the sensationalism surrounding UFOs and the tendency to focus on speculative theories rather than empirical evidence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue highlights the recurring themes of witness testimony, media sensationalism, and the challenges of scientific investigation in ufology. The editorial stance appears to favor detailed, retrospective investigations that aim to demystify alleged sightings, often attributing them to misidentifications of conventional phenomena like lights or atmospheric effects. However, the magazine also acknowledges the persistent mystery surrounding some cases and the ongoing debate within the scientific community regarding the UFO phenomenon.

This document is a page from a magazine, likely focused on ufology and related topics, featuring an article titled "GLI UFO DI GIORGIO GIORGI". The page is predominantly visual, with a large title graphic and an illustration, accompanied by descriptive text.

Article: Gli UFO di Giorgio Giorgi The main content of the page is dedicated to Giorgio Giorgi, a painter and ufologist from Turin. The text describes him as an artist whose work frequently explores cosmic themes and notes his role as an illustrator for UFO magazine. Giorgi has produced a series of twelve postcards inspired by ufology. These postcards are presented as transcending purely ufological subjects to encompass a wider, more arcane, and symbolic scope, making the collection rich in interest and depth.

The article details the purchasing options for these postcards. They can be bought individually for £. 2,000, with a discounted price of £. 1,500 for members of C.I.S.U. (Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici). The entire collection of twelve postcards is available for £. 20,000, or £. 12,000 for C.I.S.U. members. These prices include shipping expenses.

Interested individuals can acquire the postcards by contacting the UPIAR Cooperative or directly through the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici.

Visuals The page features a prominent title graphic "GLI UFO DI GIORGIO GIORGI" in bold, stylized green lettering. Below this, there is a detailed illustration depicting a large green spiral with a central UFO-like object hovering over a landscape. The background consists of abstract, layered shapes in green and white.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The primary theme is the intersection of ufology and art, specifically through the work of Giorgio Giorgi. The editorial stance appears to be supportive of this artistic exploration of ufological and arcane subjects, promoting the sale of Giorgi's work and highlighting its depth and interest. The mention of C.I.S.U. suggests a connection to a ufological research organization.