059 案卷 UAP 编号 12

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 MRN: 04 ASHGABAT 1028
 Date/DTG: Nov 12, 2004 / 1208512 NOV 04
 From: AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT
 Action: RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC ROUTINE
 E.O.: 12958
 TAGS: AORC, TSPA, PREL, PGOV, EAID, OSCI, TX
 Captions: srnSITl'o'E
 Subject: TURKMENISTAN, CIVIL SOCIETY AND UFOS

 R 1208512 NOV 04
 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT
 TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5085
 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1267
 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0905
 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
 RUEAI IA/CIA WASHDC
 RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC//DHO-2/REA/NMJIC-J2//
 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
 RUCAACC/USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCJ2/HSE/CCJ5//
 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
 RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J5/RUE//
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 DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN (RUBIN)

 E.O. 12958: N/A
 TAGS: AORC, TSPA, PREL, PGOV, EAID, OSCI, TX
 SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN, CIVIL SOCIETY AND UFOS

 REF: A) Ashgabat 989 (NOTAL)
 B) Ashgabat 406 (NOTAL)
 C) Ashgabat 291 (NOTAL)
 D) Ashgabat 234 (NOTAL)

 ODdOITl~ E OUT UtdGLAOOIFIED - PLEASE HANDLE ACCORDINGLY

 Summary

 1. ~ Yes, UFOs. Somehow, over time, the Union of

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 John Powers, Act ing-Director
 US Department of State
 2/25/2026

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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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 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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 10. ~ USAID was presented with a grant proposal by
 the UOU for a $30k grant for printing equipment for the
 UOU to establish its own newsletter. Though printing of
 independent media is illegal in Turkmenistan, the UOU
 assured DCM it already had advance approval from local
 authorities because a license was needed for anything
 over 1000 copies and the UOU only planned to publish 999
 copies. UOU members said the content of the newsletter
 would be nonpolitical and only would describe the
 activities of the Union. If members wanted to make
 additional copies, the UOU told DCM, "that is up to
 them." Eventually subscribers would be charged for the
 newsletter, which would then become self-sustaining,
 according to the UOU plan. USAID has requested that the
 UOU submit a stronger, more cost-effective proposal.

 11. ~ The UOU also is considering opening chapters
 in other welayets because "our services are in so much
 demand."

 Comment

 12. ~ Crazy? Like a fox; and worthy of USG
 attention and support. End Comment.

 13. (U) Minimize considered.

 JACOBSON
 BT
 #1028

 NNNN

 Signature: JACOBSON

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