UFOLOGIE CONTACT

Magazine Overview

Title: UFOLOGIE CONTACT
Issue Date: November 1978
Issue Number: 16
Publisher: SPEFSE (Société Parisienne d'Etude des Phénomènes Spatiaux et Etranges)
Country of Publication: France
Language: French

This issue of UFOLOGIE CONTACT, a quarterly bulletin, serves as a communication platform for ufologists, particularly within the Paris-Ile-de-France region. It details the activities, research projects, and organizational structure of SPEFSE and its associated groups, aiming to foster collaboration and share information within the ufological community.

Subscription and Administration

The bulletin outlines two subscription formulas: UFOLOGIE-CONTACT (4 issues/year) and UFOLOGIE-CONTACT SPECIAL (3 issues/year), both priced at 15.00 F. Payment is to be made by bank check to the order of SPEPSE. Contact information for the editorial and administration team, including Raymond BONNAVENTURE, is provided.

SPEFSE Activities and Structure

SPEFSE, established in April 1978, is presented as an association dedicated to organizing ufological research efforts. It aims to connect researchers, prevent the repetition of errors, share resources, and inform the public about unexplained phenomena. The bulletin highlights the work of several internal groups:

Groupe Operationnel Public (G.O.P.)

This group is responsible for organizing public conferences and outreach activities, including contacting local organizations (M.J.C.), motivating the public through posters, and preparing for events.

DETECTUFO

This group focuses on the technical aspects of UFO detection. A meeting on May 20, 1978, discussed the current state of detection, the technical experiences and equipment developed by MM. MANTAUX and TOUGERON, and the definition of a modular and automatic detection station. DETECTUFO also manages a documentary fund and is seeking contributions.

Groupe FICHUFO

This group is responsible for the FIDUFO (Fichier Informatique de Documentation sur les UFO), a reference and documentation file for UFO phenomena. Following the departure of its former secretary, M. VAUZELLE, the FICHUTO group will now serve as the administrative and technical collaborator for FIDUFO.

Groupe Recherche Thematique

This group undertakes long-term studies, including a sociopsychological study of contact situations and the interaction between the environment and UFO phenomena, known as "projet MACONIA." This study seeks participation from ufological groups across France.

Groupe Documentation

This group is building a significant documentary fund and seeks assistance with collection, classification, and management. Lionel DEMEILLIERS is the contact person.

Research and Case Studies

The issue features reports on various research initiatives and discussions from meetings:

• Meeting of April 25, 1978: Discussed financial participation from members and the dissemination of a SPEFSE presentation communiqué.
• Meeting of June 6, 1978: Focused on planning public conferences and noted a low response rate (20%) to a material survey.
• Meeting of May 20, 1978 (DETECTUFO): Detailed the progress of detection research and the development of a detection station.
• Meeting of June 10, 1978 (FICHUFO): Redefined FIDUFO's objectives and reorganized its secretariat.
• Thematic Research Group: Discussed "projet MACONIA" and the "sociopsychological study of contact."
• Research by Dominique CAUDRON: Explored orthoteny and illusions, suggesting that some phenomena might be reducible to chance.
• Research by Frantz CREBELY: Offered reflections on the ufological milieu and the psychology of ufologists, emphasizing the need for rigor and the importance of inter-group connections.
• Research by Michel DIFOURY: Presented on the use of hypnosis in investigations, particularly hypermnesia and age regression, to assess witness credibility.
• Research by Michel FUCHET: Shared a database of 600 close encounter cases, made available to researchers.
• Research by Marc MARINELLO: Discussed the objectives of his group and the coordination of European ufological research efforts through CECRU.
• Research by Jean-Jacques JATLLAT: Explored the structural analogy between folklore and UFO phenomena, drawing parallels with myths and archetypes.
• Research by Thierry PINVIDIC: Presented on "ufological semantics" and the "sociopsychological study of contact" (projet MACONIA), a two-year study involving numerous regional ufological associations.
• Research by Rémi RENAIZ: Introduced a triangulation theory for UFO observations, suggesting a geometric distribution of sightings, though numerical estimations indicated it could be attributable to chance.
• Research by Gilbert CORNU: Examined the correlation between UFO sightings and religious apparitions, noting shared characteristics such as healings, luminous phenomena, and feelings of cold or isolation.
• Research by Pierre VIEROUDY: Proposed a parapsychological theory, advocating for a meta-logic and emphasizing the multidisciplinary nature of UFO research. He also drew parallels between UFO sightings and spirit séances, and suggested a correlation between unemployment and UFO observation frequency.
• Case Presentation (Jean GIRAUD & Robert CATINAT): Discussed a case in the Creuse region that was later revealed to be a hoax, highlighting the importance of available information for witnesses.
• Debate on Sociopsychological Theory: A lively discussion ensued regarding Michel MONERIE's sociopsychological theory of UFOs.

Montluçon Conference and Declaration

The issue reports on a conference in Montluçon (April 14-16, 1978) that brought together ufologists from across France. A final declaration was adopted, stating that:

1. A specific set of original phenomena exists.
2. UFOs are included within this set.
3. Other original phenomena may interfere with UFOs.
4. The phenomenon is ostentatious and elusive.
5. It requires second-degree analysis.
6. Interpreting the phenomenon without anthropocentrism is currently difficult, perhaps impossible.
7. The UFO phenomenon is perceived as intelligent.
8. The approach must be empirical.

Regional Cooperation Initiatives

• Nancy Meeting (May 27, 1978): A meeting was held in Nancy to create a regional cooperation committee for ufologists in the North-East of France, under the name "Comité Nord-Est des Groupes Ufologiques." The aim is to collaborate on UFO research, share information, and coordinate activities.
• CECRU Meeting (June 3-4, 1978): Participation in the third CECRU meeting in Imbours, Ardèche, which brought together French-speaking ufological groups.
• GEPAN Meeting (September 12, 1978): GEPAN (Groupe d'Etudes des Phénomènes Aérospatiaux Non-identifiés) invited ufological groups to a meeting at the Toulouse Space Center to discuss their work and proposals.

Library and Documentation Resources

The bulletin lists various documents, bulletins, and reviews available through the SPEPSE library, including:

• Documents: "Annuaire HERMES," "Codification de fichier ufologique," "Codification du fichier international Aide-Mémoire," "Codification du fichier International Traitement," "Codification Ufologique" (SEMOCPI), and "Codification du CUFOS" (Center for UFO Studies).
• Etudes: "Etude des effets psychologiques et physiologiques provoqués par les OVNI" (DETECTOR SIDIP).
• Rapports: SOBEPS investigation report model, SVEPS observation vigil report type, and CECRU investigation report.
• Symposium: Report from a MUFON symposium in 1977.
• Bulletins or Reviews: A comprehensive list of ufological publications from France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Luxembourg, including "APPROCHE," "AESV," "L'ARCUS," "ANTENNE 883," "Bulletin du GESAG," "BIZARRE ?," "Les Cahiers du Réalisme Fantastique," "CATASTROPHIST GEOLOGY," "Les CHRONIQUES de la CLEU," "COSMOS MAGAZINE," "Les EXTRATERRESTRES," "FACETTES," "GEPO INFORMATIONS," "HYPOTHESE OVNI," "L'INSOLITE," "DIMITES ?," "NOSTRA MAGAZINE," "OVNI," "Phénomène OVNI," "RECHERCHES UFOLOGIQUES," "la REVUE des SOUCOUPES VOLANTES," "UFOLOGIA," "UFO INFORMATIONS," and "VAUCLUSE UFOLOGIE."

Acknowledgements

The bulletin concludes with a section of acknowledgments, expressing gratitude to individuals and subscribers who contribute to the bulletin's realization and the well-being of the community.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue is the organization and advancement of ufological research and information sharing in France, with a particular focus on the Paris region. The editorial stance is one of collaboration, rigorous investigation, and open communication within the ufological community. There is a clear emphasis on developing structured research methodologies, sharing documentation, and fostering inter-group cooperation. The bulletin also touches upon the psychological aspects of UFO experiences and the challenges of interpreting the phenomenon objectively. The publication actively encourages reader participation and contributions, positioning itself as a vital link for enthusiasts and researchers in the field.

This document is a listing of the organization S.P.E.P.S.E., the Société Parisienne d'Etude des Phénomènes Spatiaux et Etrange. It is presented as a non-profit entity declared according to French law on July 1, 1901, and a decree from August 16, 1901.

Purpose and Objectives

The stated purpose of S.P.E.P.S.E. is to "Prove the reality and/or non-existence of strange manifestations, particularly UFOs, by researching their scientific, technical, social, psychological, and even spiritual causes and consequences."

Organizational Structure

The document details the organization's structure:

Headquarters (Siège Social)

• Name: SPEPSE
• Location: Domaine de Montval, 6 allée Sisley, 78160 MARLY-LE-ROI
• Telephone: 958.98.09 (after 8 PM)

Bureau (Executive Committee)

• Président (President): Michel MONNERIE
• Secrétaire (Secretary): Raymond BONNAVENTURE
• Trésorier (Treasurer): Pascal MONTREUIL

Responsables de Groupes de Travail (Heads of Working Groups)

• INVESTIGATION: MONNERIE, BONNAVENTURE, DEMEILLIERS, BRECHOT, RICHARD, BOUDIER, LACHERE.
• Section MARINUFO: G. RICHARD, 92, rue Victor Bach, 94320 THIAIS. Tel: 853.30.89.
• DETECTIFO: J.P. FRAMBOURG, 5 rue de la Haise, 78370 PLAISIR. Tel: 055.58.05.
• ASTRO UFO: Currently under instruction.
• FICHUFO: R. BONNAVENTURE, Domaine de Montval, 6 allée Sisley, 78160 MARLY-LE-ROI. Tel: 958.98.09.
• DOCUMENTATION: L. DEMEILLIERS, 3 rue de la Solidarité, 92120 MONTROUCE. Tel: 654.03.
• RECHERCHE THEMATIQUE (Thematic Research): P. MONTREUIL, 21 rue Elias Howe, 94100 St MAUR. Tel: 283.39.23.
• Projet MACONIA: T. PINVIDIC, 7, hameau Florida, 91800 BRUNOY. Tel: 046.80.89.
• OPERATIONNEL PUBLIC (Public Operations): Y. LACHERE, 28 allée de Persépolis, Bois Persan, 91400 ORSAY. Tel: 928.57.90.

Information Request

Any information requests should be submitted in writing, and must include a 1.40 French Franc stamp for the response.

Questionnaire

Pages 3 contains a questionnaire for individuals interested in detection activities. It asks for:

• Name, Surname, Address, Telephone (Private/Professional).
• Professional activity.
• Preferred area of detection interest: Research, Study, Realization, Measurement, or Other (to be specified).
• Available resources: Personnel, Professionals, Time.
• Experience in the field of detection.
• Remarks and suggestions concerning the problem of detection in general.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The document clearly outlines the organization's focus on UFOs and paranormal phenomena, emphasizing a scientific and investigative approach. The editorial stance is one of serious inquiry into unexplained events, aiming to establish factual evidence. The structure suggests a dedicated group of individuals collaborating on different aspects of this research.