Summary prepared by Fielding M. McGehee III. If you use this material, please credit The Jonestown Institute. Thank you.
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FBI Catalogue Jones Speaking
FBI preliminary tape identification note: Labeled in part “10/27/78 News”
Date cues on tape: Date specified as October 27, 1978
People named:
Adolf Hitler, German Fuhrer
Andrei Gromyko, Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union
Carlos Mota Pinto, Portugal prime minister
Mario Soares, former Portugal prime minister
Alfredo Nobre da Costa, former Portugal prime minister
Mohammad Mosaddegh, deposed Iranian Prime Minister [by reference]
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Iranian cleric [by reference]
Joshua Nkomo, leader of Patriotic Front of Zimbabwe
Kenneth Kaunda, president of Zambia
Menachem Begin, Israeli Prime Minister
Moshe Dayan, Israeli Foreign Minister
Jean Népote, former head of INTERPOL
Mike Prokes (speaks)
Bible verses cited: None
Summary:
(This tape was transcribed by Adrian Whicker. The editors gratefully acknowledge his invaluable assistance.)
Jim Jones reads the news for October 27, 1978.
As differentiated from most of the news tapes from 1978 – especially in Jonestown’s final months – this 20-minute newscast contains little of the fiery rhetoric or even much editorializing against the United States and her allies, or praise for the Soviet Union and Eastern European nations. The news coverage itself, including an emphasis on liberation movements and socialist governments, shows that Jones is using the same news services as in other broadcasts from this period.
Among the topics covered in the tape:
- Soviet minister Andrei Gromyko visits France;
- Portugal tries to establish new government;
- Rome rocked by seven bomb attacks;
- Britain may send arms to Zambia;
- A murder sentence of a white rancher in South Africa reduced;
- World Council of Churches grants money to rebel groups in Africa;
- Mandate of deterrent forces in Lebanon extended six months;
- Egyptian minister accused to accepting bribes;
- Unrest continues in Iran;
- Typhoon hits Philippines;
- Canadian postal strike ends;
- Dollar falls to postwar low;
- INTERPOL will have a new head.
FBI Summary:
Date of transcription: 6/13/79
In connection with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s investigation into the assassination of U.S. Congressman LEO J. RYAN at Port Kaituma, Guyana, South America, on November 18, 1978, a tape recording was obtained. This tape recording was located in Jonestown, Guyana, South America, and was turned over to U.S. Officials in Guyana and subsequently transported to the United States.
On June 1, 1979, Special Agent (name deleted) reviewed the tape numbered 1B93-62. This tape was found to contain the following:
News and commentary, October 27, 1978, by JIM JONES. News items included such topics as:
- Interpol
- Rhodesia
- U.S. Economy
In addition, there were also inaudible voices.
Differences with FBI Summary:
The summary is accurate and meets the FBI’s purposes.
Tape originally posted January 2022.