[Zope] Adding users in External method

Ok, guys, you stumped me. Why are all the functions for adding Users to UserFolders mangled? Do I really have to create a REQUEST object to add users using an Extension class? I've got the code creating a directory, a UserFolder in it, but how do I add the user? If I need to create the REQUEST and pass it to manage_users and let it toss it around internally, then could someone please show me how to compose a REQUEST from within an External Method? Thanks again, Howard Shaw