United Self-Defense Forces/Group of Colombia

The United Self-Defense Forces of Venezuela emerged in 2002 as the Venezuelan counterpart to the powerful Colombian paramilitary group, the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC).  The United Self-Defense Forces of Venezuela, known by its Spanish acronym AUV, echoes the ideological statements of the AUC, namely the criticism of leftist and Communist organizations.  While the AUC principally targets members of Colombia's Communist terrorist organizations, the Venezuelan AUV directs its attacks principally at the acting Venezuelan government of Hugo Chavez, a leftist government with links to Libya and Cuba.  <P> In addition to its attacks against acting government officials, the AUV condemns the Bolivarian circles, or citizens groups that support current Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.  Consistent with the views of their Colombian affiliate, the AUV also criticizes the activities of leftist guerillas.

Carlos Casta?o, the leader of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), has admitted to training the United Self-Defense Forces of Venezuela.  Casta?o claims that his interference in Venezuela's internal affairs is necessary due to its geographical location.  According to Casta?o, the border area between Colombia and Venezuela is a legitimate battle ground. <P> It is likely that any continuing activities of the United Self-Defense Forces of Venezuela will take place in the border region of Venezuela, specifically in the western state of Tachira.

The United Tajik Opposition (UTO) was cobbled together in November 1994, during peace talks which sought to end Tajikistan's bloody civil war (1992-1993).  The UTO began as a strictly political organization, made up of parties (mostly in exile in Afghanistan) opposed to the pro-Russian government of former Soviet official Emomali Rakhmonov.  Some UTO member parties, such as La'li Badakhshan, represented regional interests, while others, like the Democratic Party of Tajikistan (DPT), were simply opposed to the authoritarian, pro-Russian leanings of Rahhmonov's government.  However, UTO's backbone was formed by Islamic fundamentalists, such as the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRP) and the Movement for Islamic Revival in Tajikistan (MIRT).  IRP's leader, Said Abdullo Nuri, assumed control of UTO in 1994 and remained at the helm until its disbandment in 2003.  The UTO presented a united front during the inter-Tajik negotiations which led to the 1997 peace agreement, ending the civil war.  As part of that agreement, 30% of government posts were handed over to the Islamic parties and Nuri was made head of a Commission on National Reconciliation (CNR).  However, the marriage of convenience between secularists and Islamists has begun to fall apart as Takikisitan's political situation has stabilized; IRP's partner's have all dropped out of the UTO.  By 2003, the organization had ceased to exist.<br />