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               activities from sport, to youth, to business consulting.
               The Union has over 1000 members including some individual
               members from other welayets.

               Registering Small and Medium Businesses


               6. ~ Members told the DCM they first started the
               "practical" side of their work shortly after independence
               by assisting small and medium-sized businesses register
               with local authorities. According to the UOU President,
               during the '90's the Union assisted 187 enterprises in
               registering ranging from farmers unions to joint
               enterprises to a shoe factory. The UOU told the DCM all

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               this consulting was done pro bono. The Union made money
               over the years, however, by running for-fee computer,
               accounting and other "non-traditional" courses such as
               UFOiogy and massage.

               7. ~ UOU President Muradov told the DCM the Union
               had been successful in this effort because it had the
               respect of local authorities. According to Muradov,
               "everyone is interested in UFOs" and local authorities
               were eager to assist and also learn more about UFOs. The
               Union also regularly ran UFO-related seminars and talks,
               which were well attended.

               8. ~ In addition to commercial work, the UOU
               obtained experience in humanitarian goods distribution
               when it became a partner of the State Department funded
               CHAP humanitarian assistance program administered by
               Counterpart International. UOU facilitated humanitarian
               assistance to refugees from the civil war in Tajikistan
               and also with Afghan refugees. Muradov said the Union
               was eager to continue with such work, should the need
               arise.

               Assisting NGOs


               9. ~ Because of their established track record and
               their success in re-registering after the austere 2003
               NGO law was passed, USAID, through Counterpart
               International, is considering a $15,000 grant to assist
               the UOU with internal capacity building. The grant
               passed the local grants committee and has been forward to
               the regional committee for consideration. The UOU
               already has successfully registered an NGO and is working
               on the registration documents of four others.

               Next, an Independent Newsletter




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