Veronica - No 03

Magazine Overview

This document is the third bulletin from the "GROUPE VERONICA" (Veronica Group), an organization based in Nimes, France, focused on the verification and study of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). The bulletin, dated December 7, 1974, serves to inform its members and sympathizers about the group's activities, organizational structure, and stance on UFO-related events.

Key Activities and Communications

The bulletin highlights several key activities and communications:

Conference Participation and Critique

• Invitation to "FEMININ-INTER" Club: The group's president was invited to organize a conference-debate on UFOs on November 14, 1974.
• Attendance at SFCF Conference: On November 29, 1974, the Vice-President, Marc GONZALES, and Daniel GUICHARD attended a conference in Nimes organized by the SFCF (Syndicat des Femmes Chefs de Famille) of Montpellier. Initially believing SFCF to be a fellow UFO research group, they provided comprehensive documentation on VERONICA's work. However, they discovered SFCF's true nature and criticized the conference speaker, Mme DEWILDE, for reading from a book and for the poor quality of the presentation, which was cut short due to audience disruption.
• Stance on SFCF Conference: VERONICA explicitly distances itself from the SFCF conference, stating in a letter from Charles GOUIRAN, President of GROUPE VERONICA, to the President of SFCP, that they "stigmatize such contempt for the public" and deplore that such events compromise serious UFO research.

Organizational Structure and Membership

• Statutes: The bulletin includes the statutes of GROUPE VERONICA, outlining its purpose (verification and study of UFO reports), its social seat in Nimes, its composition (honorary, active, and corresponding members), admission procedures, reasons for losing membership (resignation, death, disappearance, or expulsion), and resources (dues, subsidies).
• Internal Regulations: It mentions the establishment of internal regulations by the Administrative Council, approved by the General Assembly, to detail points not covered by the statutes.
• Administrative Council and General Assembly: The statutes detail the composition and functioning of the Administrative Council (President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer) and the procedures for Ordinary and Extraordinary General Assemblies, including elections and decision-making processes.
• Membership Drive: A letter dated October 22, 1974, addresses "Cher Adherent" (Dear Member) and announces that after an initial information period, members have decided to structure the group into working groups. It includes an "ORGANISATION ET ACTION" form for members to indicate their preferred study sections.
• Study Sections: The "ORGANISATION ET ACTION" form outlines various sections, including Secretariat (liaison with other research groups), Treasury, Document Reproduction, Archives (local and international), UFO Detection (photo, electromagnetic, radar, visual observation, propulsion), Investigators (witness interviews, field preparation), Cosmic Anthropology (occupant morphology, effects of UFOs, communication, parapsychology), and Local and School Sections (Montpellier, Aigues-Vives, Ales, Combas, Gallargues-le-Montueux).

Ongoing Investigations and Reports

• Witness Testimonies: VERONICA has collected approximately forty testimonies in ten months, including one with two color photos sent to Claude POHER for examination.
• Specific Cases: The group is investigating a landing in FABREGUES, a potential landing in the GARD region near SERNHAC (February 1974), and a landing with humanoid manifestations near Nimes dating back to 1952.
• Argentine Case: An investigation is underway concerning a case in ARGENTINA, following an article in LDLN. The group awaits a response from their correspondent in Argentina.
• Audio Recording: A magnetic tape, described as "époustouflante" (stunning), was received and translated by José Antonio LORENTE. The tape, reportedly difficult to hear, contains information from Mr. COCCIOLI, who mixes Italian and Spanish.

Publications and Resources

• Previous Bulletins: The bulletin references "Bulletin N° 1," which contained a list of published reviews and books on UFOs.
• Recommended Reading: Members are encouraged to update the list of publications with titles such as "URI GELLER" by Andrija PUHARICH, "LES CHRONIQUES DES MONDES PARALLELES" by Guy TARADE, and "LA NOUVELLE VAGUE DES SOUCOUPES VOLANTES" by Jean-Claude BOURRET.
• Observation Form: A "FICHE SOMMAIRE D'OBSERVATION" (Summary Observation Form) is included for witnesses to detail their sightings. This form covers observation details, witness information, atmospheric conditions, object descriptions, movements, trajectory, colors, sound, mechanical/electrical/electromagnetic effects, olfactory and caloric effects, and effects on humans and animals. It also requests personal remarks and suggests attaching photos, films, or sketches.
• Reference Material: The observation form notes that its establishment took into account information from specialized booklets, particularly "LA GUIDE DE L'ENQUETEUR" by "LUMIERES DANS LA NUIT."

Meetings and Membership

• Plenary Meetings: Regular plenary meetings are scheduled for the third Thursday of every other month at the Centre Culturel Pablo NERUDA in Nimes (February 20, April 17, June 19, September 18, November 20).
• Group Study Meetings: Meetings for specific study groups will be organized at the initiative of group leaders.
• Annual General Assembly: The date for the 1975 General Assembly and a potential public conference to raise funds will be set later.
• New Year's Wishes: VERONICA extends its best wishes for the new year to its members and sympathizers, hoping for a fruitful year of investigations and testimonies.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this bulletin are the serious and methodical investigation of UFO phenomena, the importance of accurate reporting and documentation, and the organization's commitment to scientific inquiry. The editorial stance is one of diligence and critical assessment, as evidenced by their strong disapproval of the SFCF conference, which they viewed as exploitative and detrimental to the credibility of genuine UFO research. The group emphasizes a structured approach to investigation, encouraging member participation in specialized study sections and the meticulous recording of observations. They aim to build a comprehensive database of UFO reports and to contribute to a deeper understanding of the phenomenon.