UFOs in the daily Press:

"Flying saucers in custory and their occupants invited... to a reception "

the mayor of Chaâteauneuf-du-Pape tells us, commenting (ironically) on his decree

CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE (From our special correspondent: André Becriaux). -- "We paid a visit, yesterday, Thursday, to Mr. Lucien Jeune, mayor of the charming city of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, famous since ever for its excellent wine and, moreover today, for the decree of his mayor who, humorously, prohibited that the saucers and the flying cigars land on the territory of the city. We have, in our previous issue, published the text of this at the very least weird decree.

It is in the room of the town hall reserved for the secretariat, that Mr. Lucien Jeune, mayor of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, wanted to receive us, though very busy answering to many Parisian or foreign colleagues on the phone.

- You are, from now on, a celebrity, we told him as an introduction.

- I am indeed, he answered. Since this morning, the telephone has not stopped ringing, and they are always journalists who ask me for details. Me, who likes to remain quiet in my corner, I am being served... I would never have believed that my decree could raise so much interest.

- Well that's because it is at the very least a weird one. But what was its aim?

- I hardly believe in flying saucers, and even less in Martians, he told uss. Then, his tone becoming ironic,

CONTINED ON PAGE 12 UNDER THE TITLE WE INVITE THE MARTIANS

"We invite the Martians to a reception"

he continued: "I took this decree in the greatest secrecy, my first deputy was unaware of its very existence, in order to reassure the many vintagers who work on the territory of my city."

It remain to be known, obviously, if the Martians, in case... could know about this decree.

"This decree, I, obviously, took it on the humorous mode, and I do hope that we will not have to apply it (this is lucky for Mr. Costantini, rural policeman, who, according to article 3 of the aformentioned decree, is in charge of putting the saucer or the flying cigar in custody...). A while ago, again, I tried to make it comprehensible to one of your English colleagues, but she did not understand the humorous tone. Though, an English woman, finally, so much worse... In the end, she asked me how many liters of wine I drink per day. Three, I answered her; at least this is publicity for our vintage".

The saucer in custody...
... Martians at the reception

- What would you do with the saucer and its passengers, if by chance, ignorant of your decree, one would land in one of the neighbouring vineyards?

- The rural policeman would immediately put the machine in custody. As for the Martians, we would invite them to drinking reception where would the red châteauneuf and the white châteauneuf would flow.

Telling us these words, Mr. Lucien Jeune had difficulties to keep his serious and to hidehis smile. However, we can be sure that he would do it like that, obviously, if however there would be saucers and Martiens.

Let us wish that the Martians be gourmets and able to appreciate the generous wine of this country. It is a means like another, to show them our dignity and our power by putting their machine in custody, to make friends with them.

In this connection, the owner of "La Mule du Pape" told us, also very ironically, that he was ready to compose a special menu for the Martians.

"If it wasn't dor this decree, he told us in addition, we could also have envisaged, with the assistance of all the producers, a quite as special landing strip..."

We then left Châteauneuf-du-Pape thinking that it was really a country where life is good, with or without Martiens, of course.

André BECRIAUX