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Welcome to the latest round up of news and views on UFOs, alien abductions, crop circles, ghosts, the paranormal, the unexplained, the weird and the wonderful.
More MoD UFO Files Released
The latest batch of MoD UFO files was released on 17th August at the National Archives. There are 14 files, covering the period 1981 - 1996 and collectively there are around 4000 pages of documents. I welcome the release of these real-life X-Files. This is a real blast from the past for me as I led the investigations into many of these cases that have now been released. Most sightings had conventional explanations but some were a complete mystery. There are cases where UFOs flew over RAF bases and instances where jets were scrambled to try and intercept a UFO being tracked on radar. There were also some near-misses with commercial aircraft. Whatever you think about UFOs, these sorts of cases show that there are serious defence, national security and air safety issues involved. The files also contain reports of crop circles and alien abductions.
MoD File Release Media Coverage
The release of these latest MoD files generated massive media coverage in the UK and all around the world. Because I worked on these files I was asked to do numerous TV, radio and newspaper interviews, including the main ITV 1 news bulletin (subsequently picked up by CNN and many of the other major US networks), GMTV, Sky News, Larry King Live, Campbell Brown and BBC World Service, as well as being asked to write a feature article for The Sun. I think I did about 20 radio interviews in the course of the day - mainly BBC regional stations. Not quite my personal record (28, as I recall), but close!
I Know What I Saw
Film maker James Fox has already produced one of the best-regarded UFO documentaries ever made. The critically acclaimed Out of the Blue was, for many years, regarded as pretty much the best of the bunch by the big names in ufology. Here for once, they argued, was a film maker who genuinely understood the subject and had a passion for it. For some time now, James has been working on a follow-up documentary. The provisional title was Beyond The Blue, but this has been ditched and replaced by I Know What I Saw - a phrase used by numerous UFO witnesses. A large part of the new film ties in with the press conference held at the National Press Club in Washington DC in November 2007, which James organised in conjunction with investigative journalist Leslie Kean, at the Coalition for Freedom of Information. The idea was to bring together people with verifiable backgrounds in government, the military and the aviation community, who have either seen a UFO or conducted official investigations into the phenomenon. Consequently, the film is full of politicians, retired generals, pilots, air traffic controllers, military radar operators, police officers and government officials. The programme is expected to premiere on the History Channel (US) on 5th October. Expect some mainstream media coverage in the run-up to the broadcast date. Go to iknowwhatisawthemovie.com/trailer.html for more details and a chance to watch the trailer.
UFO Info Weekend
Most UFO conferences are a labour of love, organised by those who are passionate about the subject. The UFO Info Weekend, scheduled to be held near the Kennedy Space Center on 12th - 15th November, is a very different affair. This commercially organised venture is being put together by a business with a proven track record of putting on conventions on subjects such as sci-fi, comics, video gaming and horror. They hope to have over 1500 attendees and have organised the event (being held at a beachside Florida hotel) to coincide with a space shuttle launch. I'll be speaking, along with many big names from the world of ufology. Check out www.ufoinfoweekend.com for further details of what promises to be a great conference.
Dr David Kelly
I sometimes commentate in the media on defence and intelligence related issues and was recently asked to take part in a TV debate on the sensitive issue of the tragic death of UK weapons expert Dr David Kelly. His death became inextricably linked with the controversy over the so-called dodgy dossier and the decision to go to war in Iraq. Despite the various conspiracy theories, my view is that this was suicide. This was the position I took, along with Marc Sigsworth, producer of the BBC 2 Conspiracy Files programme on Dr Kelly's death. Debating against us were Norman Baker MP and Frances Swaine of Leigh, Day & Co solicitors. The debate took place on 30th July on Press TV's political discussion show The Forum, which was moderated by Derek Conway MP. Check out www.presstv.com to watch the debate. Ed's Note:
Nick Pope has written four books. Open Skies, Closed Minds is an overview of the UFO phenomenon with the emphasis on his official Ministry of Defence research and investigation. The Uninvited is an overview of the alien abduction mystery. Operation Thunder Child and Operation Lightning Strike are science fiction novels about alien invasion, incorporating UFO and abduction data. All four titles are available from most good bookshops and all the usual Internet book sites.
Nick Pope has a website, which can be accessed at www.nickpope.net |
