June, 2007

TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN -- Despite that JDA in Uzbekistan was ordered to close October 2006, we are just now seeing the process come to an end. JDA attempted to fight the closure and substantial tax penalty through the Uzbek court system. The charges against JDA were baseless, yet the court ruled against JDA and it is our understanding that the judge was told how to decide from higher authority, regardless of the merits of the case. Now, nine months later we expect everything will be finalized at the beginning of July.

It has been a difficult time and gradually we have said goodbye to many long-time faithful staff, sold vehicles and equipment and emptied offices. Most of our staff have not been able to find new jobs and many have immigrated and have addresses in places like Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Italy. All of us are grieving over the distance between friends and colleagues and the end of a common goal we shared to bring development to Uzbekistan under the name of Joint Development Associates International and the countless thousands of people and communities that were touched through the lives and work of our staff.

With the shutdown, all of our Uzbek programs have been discontinued. Our experience and expertise have not gone to waste and are being used to develop and expand similar programs in Afghanistan.

We leave behind us friends and co-workers who will continue to serve using their strengths, skills and talents bringing hope to others. Some of them, still in Uzbekistan, will persevere and persist in a climate of oppression and control that undermines fundamental freedoms. The economic situation and business climate in Uzbekistan is no better than it was at independence in 1991. Appearances are only a veneer and corruption is gaining a foothold in just about every sector.