State Department UAP Cable 004, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, November 5, 2004
This cable, drafted at the U.S. Embassy in Ashgabat on November 12, 2004 and signed by Jacobson, describes the Union of UFOlogists (UOU) of Turkmenabat as one of the most reliable NGO partners for U.S.-funded civil society work in Turkmenistan. Though founded in 1992 to study extraterrestrial life, the organization evolved into a practical umbrella group of over 1,000 members offering business registration assistance, computer and accounting courses, and humanitarian aid distribution. Following a November 5, 2004 meeting, the cable notes the UOU was pursuing an $8,532 grant to help other NGOs register, plus USAID consideration of a $15,000 capacity-building grant and a proposed $30,000 grant for newsletter printing equipment. UOU President Ovezberdy Muradov stated Turkmen military and government authorities had consulted him about mysterious airspace occurrences but that there had been no confirmed UFO sightings in Turkmenistan. The author observes that 'everyone is interested in UFOs' has helped the group earn the respect of local authorities. The cable was released in full and posted as part of a U.S. Department of War UAP records release.
Description
An unclassified U.S. State Department diplomatic cable (04 ASHGABAT 1028) from the American Embassy in Ashgabat, reporting on a November 5, 2004 meeting between the Deputy Chief of Mission, the USAID Director, and the Union of UFOlogists (UOU) of Turkmenabat, Lebap Welayet. Despite its name, the NGO functions primarily as a practical civil-society partner assisting with business registration, humanitarian aid distribution, and NGO capacity building.
Claims
The Union of UFOlogists was the first NGO to register after Turkmenistan's independence in 1992 and the first to re-register under the 2003 NGO law.
90%The cable's author endorsed the group as 'Crazy? Like a fox; and worthy of USG attention and support.'
90%UOU President Muradov stated that Turkmen military and government authorities had consulted him about mysterious occurrences in Turkmen airspace, but there had been no confirmed UFO sightings in Turkmenistan.
85%The UOU became a reliable NGO partner for USAID and State Department programs, assisting with business registration, humanitarian distribution, and NGO capacity building.
85%UOU President Muradov said Turkmen military and government authorities had consulted him about mysterious occurrences in Turkmen airspace, but there had been no confirmed UFO sightings in Turkmenistan.
80%USAID, via Counterpart International, was considering a $15,000 capacity-building grant and had received a $30,000 grant proposal for newsletter printing equipment.
80%The UOU has over 1,000 members and at least nine member organizations spanning sport, youth, and business consulting.
70%Most members of the UOU assured the DCM they had limited or no interest in UFOs.
70%
Events
Nov 4, 2004
Meeting with Union of UFOlogists
DCM and USAID Director met with the Board and members of the Union of UFOlogists of Turkmenabat, Lebap Welayet.
Nov 11, 2004
Cable drafted and transmitted
Cable 04 ASHGABAT 1028 transmitted from Embassy Ashgabat to SECSTATE Washington.
Feb 24, 2026
Document released in full
Cable released in full, authorized by John Powers, Acting Director, US Department of State.
Nov 4, 2004
Meeting with Union of UFOlogists Board
DCM and USAID Director met with the Board and members of the Union of UFOlogists of Turkmenabat, Lebap Welayet.
Nov 11, 2004
Cable transmission
Cable 04 ASHGABAT 1028 sent from Embassy Ashgabat to Secretary of State and multiple agencies.
Feb 24, 2026
Declassification / Released in Full
Cable released in full by John Powers, Acting-Director, US Department of State.
Dates mentioned
Keywords
Entities
Organizations
Topics
Extracted text (OCR)
UNCLASSIFIED 51,-tj UNCLASSIFIED Sftt, MRN: Date/OTG: From: Action: E.O.: TAGS: Captions: Subject: 04 ASHGABAT 1028 Nov 12, 2004 / 1208512 NOV 04 AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC ROUTINE 12958 AORC, TSPA, PREL, PGOV, EAID, OSCI, TX SEMSl'fl'v'E 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 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC//DHO-2/REA/NMJIC-J2// RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUCAACC/USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FU/CCJ2/HSE/CCJ5// RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J5/RUE// BT UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 001028 SDISITl',16 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) ODW ITl'~E BUT UtWLAOOIFIED - PLEASE HANDLE ACCORDINGLY Summary 1. ~ Yes, UFOs. Somehow, over time, the Union of Released in Full John Powers, Acting-Director US Department of State 2/25/2026 UNCLASSIFIED 51,-tj Pagel of 5 UNCLASSIFIED 51,-tj 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 I Released in Fulll UNCLASSIFIED 51,-tj Page 2 of 5 UNCLASSIFIED 51,-tj 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 ASHGABAT 00001028 002 OF 002 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 IReleased in Fulll UNCLASSIFIED 51,-tj Page 3 of 5 UNCLASSIFIED 51,-tj 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 Info: RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE ROUTINE; RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA ROUTINE; RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS ROUTINE; RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC ROUTINE; RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC//DHO-2/REA/NMJIC-J2// ROUTINE; RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC ROUTINE; RUCAACC/USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FU/CCJ2/HSE/CCJ5// ROUTINE; RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC ROUTINE; RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//JS/RUE// ROUTINE; CIS COLLECTIVE ROUTINE XMT: ST PETERSBURG, AMCONSUL Dissemination Rule: Archive Copy I Released in Fulll UNCLASSIFIED 51,-tj Page 4 of 5 UNCLASSIFIED 51,-tj UNCLASSIFIED Sftt, Released in Full UNCLASSIFIED 51,-tj Page 5 of 5
Related files
Connected through the network
SF-2026-000069
Air Force intelligence reports relating to UFOs
SF-2026-000189