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               UFOiogists of Turkmenabat has established a reputation as
               a reliable NGO partner for a variety of activities from
               assisting with small and medium businesses, to
               distributing humanitarian assistance, to assisting NGOs
               with registering under the 2003 NGO law. The UFOiogists
               have developed a good rapport with local authorities,
               they say, and are able to accomplish their tasks because
               "everyone is interested in UFOs." The UFOiogists next
               initiative is to publish an independent newsletter, the
               first in independent Turkmenistan.

               2. ~ In the appearances-are-deceiving world of
               Turkmenistan, it almost seems fitting that one of the
               USG's most reliable implementers is equally committed to
               looking for life on another planet. End Summary.

               UFOs in Turkmenabat


               3. ~ On November 5, DCM and USAID Director met with
               the Board and interested members of the Union of
               UfOlogists (UOU) of Turkmenabat, Lebap Welayet
               (province). The Union of UFOiogists is working on an
               $8,532 grant to assist other local NGOs navigate the NGO
               registration process of the new NGO law (reftels). The
               UOU was the first NGO to register after independence in
               1992 and was the first independent NGO to reregister
               successfully under the new 2003 NGO law.

               4. ~ Though the Union first was established to
               pursue the study of life on other planets, over time its
               activities became more "practical," Board members told
               the DCM. Members of the Union have attended
               international UFO fora and published on the subject, but
               most members assured the DCM, they had limited or no
               interest in the subject at all. UOU President Ovezberdy
               Muradov said the Turkmen military and government
               authorities had consulted him about mysterious
               occurrences in Turkmen airspace, but he said there had
               been no confirmed sightings of UFOs in Turkmenistan.

               Peace on Earth


               5. ~ Instead, the Union has attracted a local brain
               trust of lawyers, scientists, computer experts,
               accountants, teachers and others who had joined together
               to "do good things." Pointing to their mission statement
               in English, Russian and Turkmen hanging on the wall of
               their office, members assured the DCM that any assistance
               they provided would fit their mission. According to
               their statement, the UFOiogists "help spread the ideas
               about the struggle for peace and human coexistence on
               Earth and in the Universe." Because of their diverse
               activities, the UOU has become an umbrella organization
               with at least nine member organizations running




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