D-3-E
File folder with photo of Vibert Mingo
Government Ministers
Claude Vibert Mingo
Minister of State for Home Affairs
Born Dec. 15, 1926
At Beterverwagting, East Coast, Dem.
– —-
D-3-E-22
Report on meeting with Vibert Mingo, Jan. 10, 1975
Conversation with Minister Vibert Mingo, Minister of Home Affairs on Jan. 10, 1975 with Paula Adams and Debbie Touchette:
- Catholics haven’t in past allowed Protestant denominations to use their churches.
- Government does not have any question or concern as to our group’s loyalty or security.
- We should not have the thing go back and forth; prolong the controversy so as to keep public attention focused on us. I said we would have no further dialogue and would proceed to litigation.
- Wants literature about our program: objectives, what we stand for,. We said that we would send him the information that he requested.
- He feels this is an attack on government: they allowed us to come in. He said that they were satisfied with our bona fides (not the word he used). He said that groups were needed like ours that combined the spiritual and the goals of FCH.
- Don’t bring others into the country without passports.
- He asked how many Guyanese we had brought into the agriculture program.
- It was Dr. Reid who okeyed us to come in and who has supported us (this was as per a conversation that PA had with Min. Mingo before the entourage came at Christmas, 1974.).
Jean Brown
This is also a write-up that I was doing that had already been relayed to the Office back in January.
PA
—–
D-3-E-14
Memo on contact with Vibert Mingo, November 9, 1976
November 9th, 1976
Vibrent [Vibert] Mingo
MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS:
REASON: Made distinction between Shalom group and P.T. and denounced rumor started by crazy Joe Farriss” that we grew marijuana.
REMARKS: He said all our files were clean, and they never thought we had marijuana growing. We took cake to his home. Oct. 24th.
PHONE: 63310.
—–
D-3-E-13a
Report of meeting with Vibert Mingo, March 17, 1977
TO: JIM JONES
FROM: TIM STOEN, D. TOUCHETTE, PAULA ADAMS
RE: REPORT OF MEETING WITH HONOURABLE VIBERT MINGO, MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS
DATE: MARCH 17, 1977
TIM STOEN REPORT (After discussion with Debbie and Paula)
On Wednesday, 16 March, Cde. Mingo and an associate met with Debbie, Paula, Mike [Prokes] and me at our request. The meeting was sought by us to determine whether the government could expedite the immigration processing of our people. Before we discussed that point Cde. Mingo mentioned a number of ”complaints” that had come to his attention; in so doing he appeared friendly but with the usual aloofness of a police officer, he pointed out that he personally was impressed with our project but that we should know that “not everyone accepts your organisation in Guyana.” What follows are the salient points:
- As an example of a person who fell into the aforesaid category, he mentioned Hubert Williams, whom we had a number of years ago accused of “harassing” us.
- Mingo said, “Many persons are very much impressed with what you are doing. I myself am impressed that you are doing a good job.”
- Mingo indicated that a concern had been raised that people could end up “infiltrating your organization so as to get into Guyana.” Paula assured him that this could not happen because everyone is carefully screened and that in the past everyone who has come down has been a member of P.T. for at least three years before coming to Guyana. Deb said they had to live cooperatively, were encouraged to turn over their assets to worthy programs, and give their non-working hours to the work of the church, and other related things. Tim thought Mingo seemed pleased about this. Paula and Deb thought he didn’t look moved one way or the other.
- Paula got in most of the usual p.r. points, such as the Religion in American Life awards, the State Senate commendation, the harassment for speaking up for Guyana “telling the truth about Guyana”, etc.
- Mingo went on, “It’s not I personally who have any doubts, but some are afraid, so we may have to tighten up monitoring, we may have to do some of that.” We said we would welcome that because we had absolutely nothing to hide and would want any fears regarding same put to rest.
- We asked if any incidents had been reported about us, but Mingo said no (this must be
—–
D-3-E-13b
Page 2
read in conjunction with the complaint about “smuggling”, infra.)
- Mingo said that “What might perhaps cause some fear and doubts, unfortunately, is another group (Shalom) who came to the North West District at the same time, and did not do so well.”
- We told Mingo that 800 persons would be coming, “as Dr. Reid had approved and encouraged/” We said that they would be coming in groups of 45 or 90 at a time. Mingo and his assistant requested that we submit a list of the names of all persons coming at least two weeks in advance.” We indicated we often did not know until the last minute, because of work schedules, etc., but that we would try to comply with this request, Mingo also asked that we give some additional “background” material on each person, in addition to the basic information required on the official forms, he said such would be “helpful” but did not press it. (P.A. note: Mingo was not aware that we were filling out any form at all, other than submitting the names, so the forms will be sufficient unless they ask for more)
- Mingo said, “There is another aspect of your activities I did hear a complaint about– a question of education. We understand you have your own school system.” lie said that a complaint he heard is that “you are unwilling to integrate into our school system.” We assured him we intended to do so, but that the secondary school was not yet finished and meanwhile we had a fully-trained teacher helping out. We said we wanted our teachers to become integrated into the Guyana teaching system as well as our students and that the reason our children were not attending the school system was because of the lack of transportation. He asked how many children we had and Paula said that there were 22 under the age of 18. Tim’s Recommendation: That we IMMEDIATELY send a few of our more reliable students to the Port Kaituma school so that we can truthfully say that we are already integrated into the school system partially, and that when the secondary school is completed, we will be integrated completely.
- Mingo then said, “There is another area, too; I heard this as a complaint, that you have a trawler. It was reported once that there was a possibility some smuggling could have been done, possibly involving gold.” We assured him that there was absolutely no basis to that complaint, that they were welcome to come look and would find no gold or silver, and that the incident referred to had happened many months ago, when our trawler failed, inadvertently, to stop at Korawhanna where we are to check with the police, because we did not know at that time we were supposed to; and that upon learning the law, we at all times since have stopped. Paula told him that Eric Clarke had asked her about the trawler not stopping at Morawhanna and that there was some question about smuggling several months ago and that upon finding out that we were required to stop we have done so on every occasion. Mingo seemed satisfied with the explanation.
—–
D-3-E-13c
Page 3
- We then asked Mingo what he would suggest we do to show the Guyanese government and people that we came with good intentions. He made the following suggestions:
(a) . “Try to integrate as much as you can into the Guyanese society,”
(b) . “Another thing which would dispel doubts and fear; have a program to get people into your project to show what is going on.” He suggested we invite Ministers, government officials, and ordinary people.” He indicated he did not expect us to pay the transportation of such people into the Interior. We told him this was a very good idea, and that we would implement it. Tim’s Recommendation: that we set one or two days every month as a Jonestown Open House, advertising in the newspaper and radio that everyone who cares to may come visit. We could keep the disruption to a minimum because of the limited spaces on airlines going in, and it would be a good way to displace paranoia by showing openness.
- Mingo mentioned that Minister Carrington (Minister of Labour} had visited and was impressed and that “he saw pictures of him there”. There was a picture in the Citizen newspaper of Carrington along with Joyce [Touchette], Jan [Wilsey], and a few otter persons.
- In response to our inquiry as to the possibility of the Immigration Dept. processing our people in the North West District so as to avoid the housing problems of staying in Georgetown, Mingo did not think that would work and seemed reasonably convinced about it, even after we mentioned that we would pay the extra costs incurred.
- We asked whether the new drop-gate boat we were buying would go directly to Morawhanna and bypass Georgetown. Mingo said no, the boat would probably have to come to Georgetown to be registered here and mentioned a few other things it would have to do in Georgetown. (P.A. note: the boat does not have to be registered in G/tn so I think he just wants it to come into a more organized port.)
- Mingo asked the question, “What kind of relationship to the Ministry of Agriculture do you have?” He said that he had called the Ministry of Agriculture to enquire about us and they didn’t know much about what we are doing. We mentioned that Minister [Gavin] Kennard had visited only a few weeks ago and seemed impressed. We mentioned that many of our concerns were now being treated by the Ministry of Economic Development which had formerly been treated by the Ministry of Agriculture, which resulted in less contact with the Ministry of Agriculture than before.
- During the conversation, Mingo said something puzzling; when indicating that some people and groups had doubts or questions about us, he said ” including people in high places.” He did not elaborate, but he did not make a point to press this.
—–
D-3-E-13d
Page 4
- Mingo said, that when people asked, him about Peoples Temple, his response was: “Peoples Temple is an inspiration to the people around and is of tremendous value to Guyana. Their enthusiasm…is a benefit to the farming community in that particular area.”
TIM’S OVERALL IMPRESSION: Mingo is a direct person who worked himself up through the ranks without the benefit of extensive formal education, he was willing to go into the aforesaid natters to help us, not harrass us, and that he is not particularly worried about us at this time. He will probably become more worried as we increase our numbers substantially. Although he was gracious to us, I felt distinctly out of place as a light-complected person, particularly when he mentioned people who did not accept us because we were Americans. We should act on the suggestions of Mingo and let him know when we have done so. I am also convinced we need, not now but as soon as the folks start pouring in, A BLACK MALE as our lead representative. Right now the government sees an undue proportion of white faces, which probably creates questions as to how much we in P.T. have shed the American syndrome. Once they see our leadership here in Guyana, particularly our spokespeople, as Black, they will accept us much more as legitimately dissatisfied with American oppression. Size is important, so someone like [Jim] McElvane would be helpful. It’s very good that both Mike and I are small in this respect, (P.A. note: I agree that it is essential to have the lead spokesperson as Black, but I don’t think that anything will be that effective until we have Black Guyanese in our p.r. group. There are two Black American groups that we are succeeding that left bad impressions with the government. One was the Shalom group and two, was the House of Israel leader.)
- Final note: We invited Mingo a round-trip to visit us in the U.S. to see first-hand at our expense, our operations. He seemed pleased, if reserved, by the invitation. We also invited him to the Project at our expense.
COMMENTS FROM DEBBIE’S NOTES THAT WERE NOT IN TIM’S:
- Mingo said, “You are not totally accepted here. People have suspicion of American based organisations.” “Even Ministers of Government have suspicion. I am satisfied you are doing a good job.” “Our system of monitoring is not quite the best. I am concerned, not me personally with your credibility, but there is some concern with your screening of members.” “What could cause fears or doubts is, unfortunately the other group of Americans, ‘Shalom’.” Mingo spoke with a special branch of the government (did not state who) and they felt Home Affairs should so special monitoring of people coming. He said he would do his best to expedite large groups coming.
- Debbie’s conclusion: Minister Mingo was very candid with us, but did not appear hostile toward us.
—–
D-3-E-13e
Page 5
- Paula’s conclusions: I have nothing to add to the comments listed (which haven’t already been added). Mingo did stress that we were an inspiration to the “people around us”. This indicates to me the people in Fort Kaituma, Arakaka, and Matthews Ridge. If that is how he sees it, then I think we should immediately start an extensive public relations campaign in the area. Our p.r. is lousy and everyone that is down here has noticed the occasional hostility from the Port Kaituma area.
[Balance of paragraph stuck out: “Being Patricia Cartmell has not yet been put in a permanent responsibility, it would be nice if she could do some p.r. two days of the week. I think Darrell [Darell] Devers would be very good in that area to accompany her. It would be necessary to assign her before she becomes indispensable in the building program. Someone must do it, if not her. It is a very weak point in our relations in Guyana.”]
—–
D-3-E-17a – 17b
[Editor’s note: This is an early draft of the memo at D-3-E-13a – 13e above.]
—–
D-3-E-12
Q & A Session with Vibert Mingo, April 1, 1977
April 1, 1977
MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS:CDE. MENTORE
CDS. CADETTE, MORTUMA [Mortimer Codette]
REP. MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
PHONE: 72599
JIM, PAULA [Adams], JIM JR. DEB T. [Touchette]
Question: How large is our membership?
JIM: two or thousand are coming and membership of twenty thousand.
Question: What is the name of our newspaper?
JIM: Peoples Forum.
Question: Circulation?
JIM: two million, two monthly, 600,000 in Bay Area, had extensive article on Guyana. Building burnt down, dynimite in our build[ing].
MINGO: Suggest Jim shift to another part of the states.
JIM: It involved in activity in news, Cubans Air, Black press is the only other revelation in the Caribbean (taken from the Peoples Forum).
Mingo: Thanked us for our efforts (Thanked Jim).
JIM: It’s our duty, if facism rises, it’s our duty.
MINTORE: Then we hope you’ll get the list?
Jim: Explained about aircraft, and fact it’s chartered.
CADETTE: The three hundred and eighty people comming, do they write the Forum?
JIM: Some do, some don’t.
SOMEONE ENTERED FROM FORIEGN AFFAIRS…
MENTOR: So the list will get that? You don’t have to cancel the Charters…
JIM: O.K.
MENTORE: Just get the list.
CADETTE: Wants to know number of Men, Women, Children and ages
JIM: Started to speak of skilled people.
CADETTE: Regardless of skills or…
MENTORE: Had you have been in their place (The imperialist), you’d have done the same thing (talking of arresting Soc. leaders)
MINGO: You’ll have to shift work, go underground
JIM: Told of bring files to Guyana, and the risk
MINGO: said he helps us alot.
JIM: Agreed, we had said that he was most helpful. Jim said he is up front (Mingo) and he could test us anyway he wished
—–
D-3-E-2
Sharon Amos memo on meeting with Vibert Mingo, March 1978
[Editor’s note: This memo also appears at https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/?page_id=124046.]
Sharon Amos
[Vibert] Mingo
(March 1978)
(this is an older contact I just didn’t get typed up)
[Desmond] HOYTE
-why is the press so tight with him?
-Mingo said he used to write for the New Nation paper (Hoyte did)
-Hoyte likes to write, since he is the Minister of Econ. Devt. he is involved in projects and plans for the govt and that’s why he is written up a lot
[Shirley] Field-Ridley
-he hadn’t talked to her yet, will talk to her today
Re RUSSIA and CUBA coming to visit us (we were to tell him of the USSR good article and that they want to come but don’t know how to arrange it)
-he said they would know how to arrange it, it doesn’t have to be a minister who arranges it so it’s them that are hesitating
Re Peter Fernanz
-Mingo said he is a devoted Catholic and he and his family would do a lot for the cause of Catholicism
JJ COMING TO TOWN
-he said he had done nothing yet 6o [so] check on it
-he called the Commissioner of Police and Barber will check on it
BOAT: is there any problems of buying a boat in US dollars owned by a Guyanese citizen, registered in US or Trinidad (wants twice as much Guyanese money as US)
-Mingo said this was a racket (on the part of the Guyanese person) and we couldn’t do it
MEDICAL LICENSE FOR LARRY [Schacht]
-he got irritated and said we have to realize that we have to conform to certain regulations or we will be in trouble. Said “in your country” there are regulations (US)
-we argued the humanitarian reasons and children dying inKaituma and he said We’re not seeing eye to eye about this
-I told him I was shocked by this since we were not concerned only about us but Guyanese who need medical care
-he said Larry could continue to practice without a license
-I mentioned the people that had needed care but died in the hospital under [Guyana Finance Minister Frank] Hope, he said Hope had to be OK if he was sent there
-I objected to this and said we had seen case after case where Hope had neglected the case or did things he had no knowledge of how to do effectively/ he said that maybe Hope had been there too long and needed more graining [training]
-he said Hope used to be supervised by a nurse practitioner but there aren’t enough of them now/ I said if you can be flexible enough to let Hope practice without adequate supervision why can’t Larry who is far more qualified be allowed to have a license/ he mumbled something about that being a different thing
—–
D-3-E-3b
Memo on meeting with Vibert Mingo, March 9, 1978
MINGO 9/3/78 THURSDAY
CULTURAL CENTER PROGRAM
– he felt that it was awfully expensive
– he said that Hoyt [Desmond Hoyte] might say something sinister about it / should charge a nominal fee 50c or $1
– re JJ coming in/ he would have to check on it/ he doesn’t fully understand the reason for JJ being confined
– re his having talked to Dr. Reid/ he hasn’t talked to Dr. Reid yet and hasn’t met with Bishop/he would have had to meet and then just secondarily bring up the subject (rather than initiate the subject)
– he doesn’t have the temperament to be prime Minister
– [Hubert] Jack is actually closer to the PM and Green too, but Jack is the closest
– Hoyte just sits closer to the PM because he was elected and Jack and Green were appointed/ an elected official has the advantage in this way
– there are 53 seats in the House, each party has a certain number of seats/ the PNC have 37 members
– the PM can appoint less than 6 ministers
– Teekah was elected
RE PM PRICE OF Belize
– he has a packed program /Jack is acting Minister of Foreign Affairs while Price is in town (we asked if Price would be able to come to Jonestown since he visited in SF)
RE STAND-OFF IN THE PRESS
– he will speak to Shirley Fields-Ridley about seeing us and about whether or not there is a stand-off as he sits next to her in Parliament
RE JUDGE BOLLERS
– we mentioned that he was enthusiastic about our project after he saw the slides and told Dick McCoy that/ we said he even brought up the subject of the Stoen case but the people that talked to him said they didn’t want to pursue the matter since they knew it related to court matters/
– Mingo said that as long as the Judge was the one that brought up the subject we should (or could have) pursued it
RADIO ANTILLES
– he said they are Pro-Imperialist, run by the West Germans, not progressive/ be very cautious
RE PPP
– we said that we had heard that there was a rumor they would attack us but we didn’t think they would as Carlton Goodlett is a good friend of ours
CUBA AND RUSSIA
– we asked why they might not be coming tho they had requested permission
– he said there was not problem and he had approved their coming
—–
D-3-e-8
Report of visit to Vibert Mingo, March 22, 1978
[Editor’s note: This memo also appears at A-1 (7) on page https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/?page_id=129788.]
[Marginal note: “March 22, 1978; Deborah Touchette”]
2) MINISTER MINGO: Visited by Sharon A., Tim C. Deborah T.
In reference to the arrest order, Mingo said he would try to get this fixed. He called on the red phone to Commissioner [Lloyd] Barker. The commissioner said he would check it out. Told us we would have to check back. Ref. to [Desmond] Hoyte: He said Hoye writes for the Nation, (used to write for the New Nation). He said he projects plans for government, economic development. Sharon asked what the problem was of the USSR coming to visit our project? Mingo said “if they are slow to come it would be on their part, there’s no problem with them going.” In ref. to the purchase of the boat: He said there is a racket, we cannot pay him in American currency. Once the business is in Guyana you have to get permission at the Bank of Guyana, even though the transaction will take place outside of Guyana. Trying to do this is illegal. Sharon mentioned Dr. Fernandes’ visit to J/town. He said Dr. Fernandes is a devout Catholic. The father is a devout… they would do a lot for the cause of Catholicism. Mingo said he may come next month. He said he would call Shirley Fields today for us. Tim could call him back.
—–
D-3-e-10a
Meeting with Vibert Mingo, April 1978
APRIL 1978
DEBORAH TOUCHETTE
MINISTER MINGO
APPT. W/ SHARON AMOS
MIKE PROKES
DEBORAH TOUCHETTE
– We told him Bunnie Mann was conning to S.F., to meet our people and asked if he could be a part of this new situation with Katsiris [Steven Katsaris]?
– Mingo said Bonnie is capable of anything, but he didn’t understand why he should interfere like that.
– We asked him about the situation of Barker setting off an explosive to the gentils of a man to get him to talk?
– Mingo said there was an incident in the 60’s with the PPP, the people were diciplined, Barker may have been involved in another incident, I don’t know.
– We told him what Barker had said about comming up to investigate us, we were tired of investigations, could be do something about this?
– Mingo said he would talk to him about it.
– I asked if Barker could go up anyway, even if Mingo talked to him.
– He said it was possible. Admitted he didn’t have that much controll over his dept.
– He told of Bonnie’s history, how he was once [illegible initials] and left by night to Canada when the heat was on and later came back.
– He said the PM is aware of hie extravagance. There’s some things I don’t know about or understand myself, he said. He didn’t understand why Bonnie was still in a key position,
– We asked if there was anything Bonnie could do to hurt us?
– He said the most he could do would be to blackmail us. He said it was Worrel [Claude Worrell] who brought you here.
– said Worrle had far more respect. To try to discredit you, he has to do alot, the most he could do is blackmail by using his position.
– He said [Hubert] Jack is close to the P.M.
– Reid talks about leaving soon, (retiring), he’s in his senior years,
– It’s a question of his personal choice. He is loosing alot of weight, has a sugar problem
– He said he didn’t feel there would be a turn to the right at this stage.
– In respects to Peoples Tmeple, one of the reasons the P.M. has gone is to get assistance.
– He said one thing that troubles me is when there’s alot of problems people tend to turn one way or the other quickly for solutions to problems.
– He said that Bonnie Mann and the P.M. are very close. If Bonnie has anything on the P.M., well he doesn’t know, but then again that’s something he doesn’t understand.
– He said the P.M., is concerned about National Unity seriously…
– what looked like an emerging amalgamation between the two persons split in 1955 to an Indian and Black situation.
– What Burnham realizes is that doesn’t mean very much, people should have a ideological conviction that the people must come together.
– He said the Cubans have been pushing national unity because the Russians are pushing it. But the P.M. didn’t intend to take can in hand and beg (ref. to asking for funds)
– He didn’t think there would be a coalition, said this would start the problem all over again. What we need to do is build Soc. from the roots he said.
—–
D-3-e-10b
– (ref. to customs), said he had not talked to Dr. Reid yet, but he would get onto that.
– (ref. to new constitution), said with the new referendum, a two/thirds majority in the house takes the vote
– he thought they would base it on soc. lines. He didn’t have details, said there was a little delay in drafting the new constitution.
– He said the house will disolve the 26th of July, if there’s a referendum, there won’t be any elections.
– At this time every time you want to make a change, you have to pass a referandum, and the people vote on it
– They want it so a 2/3 majority of the house will pass a dicission. That would rule out the peoples vote in the future.
—He said in confidence Dr. Reid wanted to make it possible for us to participate in the voting. (he let us know it wasn’t really legal though)
– Sharon agreed we would like to do that
– Mike mentioned the type of movies they have, they are pro-U.S.
– Mingo said that was Shirley’s dept.
—–
D-3-e-11a – 11b
Meeting with Vibert Mingo and other ministers, April 1978
[Editor’s note: This memo also appears as B-2-i-11 – i-12 on page https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/?page_id=124120. The only difference is this version deletes the two names after Minister Mingo.]
NOTES TAKEN FROM APPTS WITH
THE FOLLOWING:
MIN. MINGO
MIN WILLS
MIN JACK
MINGO: Visited by, Sharon, Deb, Mike…
– people wanted to know what their attutide should be toward P.T.
– we have a public relations campagin like never before seen in Guyana, (in terms of intensity
– Question raised by Mrs Burnham…Mingo said he wasn’t critizing, but since we have contacted the people, they want to know.
– Dr. [Ptolemy] Reid explained we were brought to Guyana by Worrell and welcomed, said all the rumors were checked out and were unfounded…..
a) People not able to get into your project, fences,
Dr. Reid said if you go to the U.S. you’ll find that all people have gates.
b) Planes landed on the project
Mingo explained we came through immigration
c) We have a heavy P.R camphine [campaign], we go to many Ministers, we approched Mrs. Burnham, she wanted to know what her reaction should be.
ans. by Parliment, we are welcome in Guyana. (Govt. Position is)
– Dr Reid said when he was Min of Agriculture, he was introduced to the P.T.
Mingo said he felt that the P.R. was stepped up because of the case (Stones [Stoens]), Because we werent sure of our future in Guyana,
– Mingo said to us only, if you go to other people like you do to me..meetings, letters, then people become afraid.
– what matters is what the present administration feels about you, youre officially accepted.
– Mingo agreed that not having peramaters could be the weekness of the whole thing.
– He wasn’t telling us to slow down on P.R.
– Mike Prokes asked about Ron Van Dyke, had he seen Min Mingo about us?
– Mingo said he had not, he was a liar if he said so.
– Mingo s aid he was supprised Jim had not come.
– Sharon said he came but in Cognito, because wedapproched Mingo for a final word and he couldn’t give assurances, only about the police, not a private citizen
– In Confidence said, Mrs Burnham was advised not to meet with Jim, not to burdon herseIf with this…so the burdon would fall on Mingo.
– Sharon, are we considered persona non grada?
– Mingo, no, not necessarly.
– Prokes mentioned Oliver situation..
– Mingo, write a formal complaint about this to Min. Mingo and send a copy to the commissioner of Police
– Marraige situation, has not come back from Registers office yet
– License to solicte funds, Commissioners office [s]aid he thought we had gotton that already
– Stoens situation, Mingo said he didn’t know about John not being allowed out of the country, this was the first he had herd of it…this is how the U.S. embassy works. It could be a lie or they could have got on to this. Mingo had not seen the Judge at all
– Customs, Mingo asked about the situation now, Mingo said some people are not willing to bend back to give help, Min Hope [Frank Hope, Guyana Minister of Finance] is kind of difficult. let me speak with him, he called Min Hope while we waited
– Mingo told him we had some outstanding matters with finances, we had something to bring in. agricultural equip., med,..he said somebody has these things c[l]ose to you, look at it, please expidite it.
—–
– Mingo said “I would defend your camphain, I advise P.T, to contact as many people as possible to see our project.
– Mingo – where did we get our agricultural background, Mike told of agronomist & amerindians, and local help.
– he said (Mingo) Min. Green said the Cheif Medical officer was impressed with our facilities.
– Sharon told Mingo we invited Cde. Racheed (works at parliment build, senior officer), Mingo, has he been?
– Mingo said he was glad Shirly Feild-Ridley had seen us, we had nothing to worry about
– Mingo – I’m almost certin the people who matter except you.
– Mingo – said they would be doing polls soon (said this in confidence) and we could help by helping in the election. They will meet on Mon to decide if the constitution should be changed for Guyana.
– Mingo said people anti-Govt, would be anti-peoples temple, (regarding Ron Van Dyke) we did not mention who was doing the questioning, and neg. to the govt.
– Mingo asked that we talk in a discret way, not over the phone, and don’t mention names even when in his office, he warned sharon that if she talked while he or someone was on the phone, that person would be able to here. Mingo said he would act accourdingly.
– He said it was raised by Dr.Reid that there has been rumors of P.T. and he did this to give explanition, that there has been rumors people are holding against people against their will, and this has been unfounded.
I SENT THIS ON THE PLANE IN A HURRY, SO I WILL FINISH IT LATER.
—–
D-3-E-20
Sharon Amos phone call with Vibert Mingo, April 8, 1988
MINGO
Telephone call by Sharon Amos 8/4/78
– told him about the info about some investigating [illegible abbreviation]/ Sandiford
– he said that Sandiford is at a conference, Guyana Assembly of YOuth
– Minister of State [Robert] Corbin is responsible for youth and is with Sandiford
– The conference ends this week
(Wills said that actually Corbin (and perhaps Sandiford too??) are going out to muster overseas votes for PNC – In Canada)
– I asked Mingo if he had talked to Reid/ he told Reid that he had met with a delegation of us and some of our fears but he said Reid said there was no need of fears
– Reid said we were welcome and there was nothing against our organization
– Mingo said that the PM checked on us long ago and he checked on us thru a special branch and we passed the test
– Mingo wonders if this is not part of the whole conspiracy and that this Oliver thing is part of that
– he feels that he can’t do much about checking on Sandiford until he returns
—–
D-3-E-4
Meeting with Vibert Mingo, April 12, 1978
[Editor’s note: Page one of this memo is missing]
MINGO 12/4/78 cont.
Hope [Frank Hope, Guyana Minister of Finance] might not stick it out in Guyana with all the problems we have there, as he said that Hope doesn’t have the guts
RE JONESTOWN
– Mingo said one of our problems might be that people are jealous/ I asked why and he said that perhaps we are doing what they would like to do
—–
D-3-E-5a
Meeting with Vibert Mingo, April 23, 1978
Sharon Amos
MINGO 23/4/78 (Sharon, Mike [Prokes], Debbie [Touchette]
– said that regarding Dale, you can contact the Public Service Ministry as they are the ministry that helps establish posts and at the present time there is no category for his license
JUDGE BISHOP
– he must give the decision in time, but he is not bound by any particular tine
MERCENARIES:
– Guyana won’t allow them but they could come across from Venezuela, or could be based in Brazil
– if they know about it they could prevent it (know from where they’d come)
– he said it would cause serious security problems if mercenaries come, for relations with Brazil or Surinam
—regarding a possible right wing coup/ he said he didn’t think the country would turn right in a hurry (that’s probably true Guyanese so disorganized it would “just now” turn right??), he said whether they get Russian aid or not they won’t turn right in a hurry and that the official line would still be left, he thinks
– he said if the PPP wins, they have right wing elements in their ranks too (rich class of people)
– he said that the country has a strong capitalistic element in general, for a time people were frequently sent for their training and education to US and to England and that is a problem
– he said Shirley Field Ridley used to be considered a socialist but she had a British education and that may be her problem
(I said that I didn’t understand with the problem, which he mentioned of strong left leadership why the PM had fired Wills) – he had said there is a problem finding talent to replace certain ministers tho he feels that there needs to be a cleansing out of certain elements. I said with such a problem why would Wills have been fired because at least he had socialist sentiments and his life style wasn’t capitalistic. He agreed that Wills took leftist stands and his life-life style was not bourgeoisie. He said it could be pressure from a high level or a dispute or argument on an high level. I said you’d think considering the problem that maybe one of the more capitalistic ministers would have been fired and that that whatever disagreement, it would have been tolerated
– he didn’t disagree on this (it’s the first time he even gave the slightest hint of agreement that Wills’ firing could have been political and could represent a bad sign for the left but he seemed to think it was more a disagreement with the PM than a decision to go right wing)
– he said our firearm licenses were approved and we could call Dep. Hanes at the Eve Leary police headquarters for more details regarding the paper
– he said to call the man in charge of the marriage license about it [handwritten: “Register General”]
– regarding the fact we want to be prewrned of any devaluation, he said that he knows the PM is against devaluation
– he said the PM is against socialising and that Mingo doesn’t a socialize or go to cocktail parties because a lot of info is disclosed/ he said that for instance “some of his colleages” attend these social events like with the US Embassy and he said that they are all intelligence men (US Embassy) and some of his colleages disclose info/ this was in response to our message to him that we didn’t
– We told him about Cde. David, the guy that calls Debbie Touchette/he said that maybe this guy is just interested in Debbie/ he said that a man kind of important told Mingo he came to our house and we have attractive women/ said [last line cut off]
—–
D-3-e-9a
Meeting with Vibert Mingo, April 24, 1978
APRIL 24, 1978
DEBORAH TOUCHETTE
MINISTER MINGO
APPT. W/ SHARON AMOS
MIKE PROKES
DEBORAH TOUCHETTE
– We told him aobut the situation involving the Georgetown, hospital.
– and the condition we found Glady’s baby in
– He said he would bring the matter to the attention of Minister [Hamilton] Green
– He said lacense [licenses] had been approved for firearms, he had signed the paper two weeks ago
– said they were processing the marraige lecense
– told us to check Police headquarters, deputy Hains, Eye Leary
– (ref. to Barkers attutide when we met about Bruce’s [Bruce Oliver] situation)
– Barker said he was just repeating somethings that are said about the project; it wasn’t a threat…
– Mingo said they are trying to invistigate this …merceneries,
—Sharon told him about the young man Aronlad Schultz who had approched me on the street and mentioned how [overtyped words] coincidence with the P.M.’s guards
– Mingo said he thought it was personal interest.
– Sharon pointed out how one of them even ignore me when he comes over, is only agressive on the phone.
– Mingo said this wasn’t unusual, it was a Guyanese trait.
– Mentioned that a high govt. official had come to our home on open house and had later commented that Peoples Temple had nice looking women
– said HSP is the special branch, Mentor, but they were not doing an official investigation on us.
—He said [overtyped words] the YSM was invistigating us., he didn’t know if it was a part of this or not
– Mingo said the govt. wouldn’t take IMF under the conditions they are asking, they sould [could or should] get it through bonds or more savings from people which would support the balance of payments
– Sharon asked how that would work when people are loosing faith, would they be willing to put their money in savings?
—he acknoledged that to be a problem by expression and a nod of the head, he said most of it would have to be made in bonds
– I asked why Dick McCoy would have so much information, he (Sick) said he got his information from high officials in govt.
– Mlngo said people drink and talk, that’s why he doesn’t attend socials people go and talk, particularly when the U.S. holds parties, people go and talk trying to be in the know, said he would never go to a U.S. reception, each person is an agent, and information gatherer.
– I mentioned that Jagan was talked about by McCoy on a first name basis, and members of the PPP ect.
– Mingo said dealing with Jagan is easier then dealing with Burnham, Jagan is working toward a national front govt.
– He said Green was very reactionary and an opportunist,
– (ref. to Dale’s license) he told Mike to contact the Public Service ministry.
– We asked, if he had herd anything about the Stoen issue?
– He said the judge can’t
—–
D-3-e-9a [9b]
-2-
– He said the Judge can’t [overtyped words], he must sign the decission, but that he wasn’t bound by time.
– said Dr. Reid didn’t know the issue had been strung out so long,
– Sharon asked about his opinion.
– said Dr. Reid didn’t express any feelings about Stoen’s case.
– Mike asked what would happen if the mercernieries came?
– He said mercernieries, they would not allow them in Guyana, they could be based in Venezula and come accross to your area there.
– He said he hadn’t thought of that aspect until that very moment.
– There must be some viligence [vigilence], he said. It could have international ramifications, or if they stationed in Brazil, they would have no trouble comming right in Guyana.
– Sharon asked if there was a possibility of the countrv going right?
– The P.M. has determined to establish socialism. If the PM wins they would go left, he said.
– They would have to control certain right elements, there has always been a strong right element.
– (ref. to Shirley Field-Ridley) At one time she was very socialist, but after she went to school in Britain, she had changed.
– (as explanition for why so many are pro-American) He said the police are trained in the U.S., explained how people go outside to get their education.
– Mingo said he personally did not like being in front. He was not a graduate, he has a deploma in education. He said we must purge and look at things closely to turn to socialism
– Sharon mentioned that she didn’t understand why someone like Wills with all the capibilities he has, why fee was removed?
– Mingo said it was a personal matter between Wills and the P.M. It wasn’t discussed in Cabnet, but more on a private level
—–
D-3-e-7a
Meeting with Vibert Mingo, May 1, 1978
May
Deborah Touchette
Minister Mingo
Appt. w/ Terri J. [Jones], Debbie B. [Blakey], Deborah T.
– We told Minister Mingo about the Mirror wanting to do a story on P.T. and asked his opinion? said we wouldn’t make any movie without his approval.
– He said he would need the names of the people in order to get clearance and he would have to check, with Shirly’s [Shirley Field-Ridley] dept. ( Min. of Information), before he could give us the go ahead or anything like this
– We asked if anthing was being done in regards to the merceneries?
– He said, Yes, there was an investigation going on now about that.
– We asked if he had herd anything on the Stoen issue?
– He said he had herd nothing.
– Sharon came in from having radio contact with a message in ref. to Stoen, and the situation with the merceneries and aerial photography and that agencies connection with the CIA.
– Mingo was concerned that they might try to use the Venezuelan border to get to us.
– He admitted they could not really gurantee protection on the borders
– he said he herd we played at the Pegusas [Pegasus Hotel]and that we were the highlight of the parade on May day.
– He said this was good, as more people are getting to know is we are becoming more accepted,
– said even Shirly Field-Ridley, he thought she was comming around getting more positive to us
– He also felt we were slowing down some, getting used to the Guyana pace, and this too would help our image.
– I felt today he just confirmed what we already know, and that doesn’t leave us anywhere.
– Minister Mingo said he wanted three things from us.
- Who the Reporters were?
- Copy of the Russian Article? He wanted Tass to deliver it,
- an opinion from the Min. of Information.
– befor he could give us an opinion
– He said Minister [Hamilton] Green felt positive towards us,
– He was working on us getting free med. equip
– Mingo mentioned that one of the conditions of Russia going up was if they gave him the article to read before it was printed
– He said that Min. Green had spokne to Barid and Chin and they felt something could be worked out between/with Dr. Schact [Larry Schacht]
– (ref. to merceneries, he said they could only get in if they operated againt the govt. of Guyana, and this would threaten the sovereignty of Guyana
– The Guyana Defense Force would be involved,
– He mentioned that we had one of the best banners in the parade.
– He said Dr. /Minister Green is working on our center becoming a recognized hosp.
– He said Dr. Reid is the strongest advocate of Peoples Temple.
– He said we are being seen in every national event and it will pay
—–
D-3-e-7b
May Day
off eventually.
– We mentioned Lynetta Dolphin, the director of Culture was very impressed with our banner.
– Mingo would like to know how many people come in a month
– How many people who have left:
– Relitives who have visited Jonestown?
– said we should get people to write reports, like Dr Dacosta,
– said he is a friend of the Minister and it would be good if he wrote a letter to the Ministry of health
—–
D-3-E-6a
Meeting with Vibert Mingo, May 4, 1978
[Editor’s note: This memo also appears as D-2-k-3 on page https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/?page_id=133449.]
Mingo (meeting 4/5/78) Debbie [Touchette], Sharon [Amos], Debbie B [Blakey], Terri [Jones]
– told him about the message of Eureka Aereal photography Research Associates etc and how that’s why we need the guns etc
– he said he has already okeyed the guns
– the said that in regard to the mercenaries/ I showed him that article mentioning mercenaries and gave it to him that they are attacking the sovereignty of Guyana
– he said they’d probably operate through Venezuela and that’s a threat to the sovereignty of Guyana
– then in regard to [Tim] Stoen he said “what has he so much against you?”
– I told him about the transvestitism and said that must be being held above him or else it’s money as he hasn’t worked for a long time and is having trouble getting a job YET he stayed in the best hotel here etc.
RE MEDICAL
– asked him if he had talked to anyone about that situation with Gladys and the baby/ he said Minister [Hamilton] Green had talked to him and seemed concerned about it/ said he’s the one that could do something on this for you
– he said that they had thought of a way to get our medical supplies in duty free and that is to have our hospital become a “recognized hospital” /we asked him if this is a long process and he said no
RE MAYDAY PARADE
– he said they Mayday Parade was a “stroke of genius”
– he said that we are “getting to understand the spirit and feeling of the Guyanese people”
– said people are more favorable to us/ wouldn’t give names but said that even Shirley Field Ridley is coming around
– he said your presence at every event shows you identify with any national event
– Lenetta Dophin (she’s one of the heads of Culture, was at our show and liked it) – said she felt we had the best banners (most catchy banners) in the show
– he said “more people are interested in PT” (wouldn’t specify who, I asked if people were calling Ministry’s or what and he said no, not an official level)
RE DR REID:
– I asked if he understands the conspiracy now and our problems with this/ he said “Dr Reid doesread your courespondence and he does understand” (or actually he said “I think he understands now”
– he said “Dr Reid is your strongest advocate”
RE MIREV:
– said it would help them to know how many people come in to Guyana in a month
– how many people have left?
– how many relatives have come to visit (Debbie T. mentioned the relatives coming in to visit and said that we just had one come Mrs. Davis) – I showed Mrs. Davis’ letter (tho he didn’t read it carefully, he glanced at it) and mentioned about the Moores [John and Barbara Moore]
– we talked about [Dr. José M.] Da Costa visiting and what he said about dental hygiene/Mingo said he knew about the doctor coming in and we talked about that
– he said it would help if Da Costa wrote the Ministry of Health about what he found to be the good care in Jonestown and the doctor from the Marco Net, if he wrote too that would help
—–
D-3-E-5b
Debbie said that Cde. David acts like he wants to see her on the phone but when he comes over he doesn’t act that interested, more like he wants to ask questions, Mingo said “that’s how men are”
Re Jagan getting closer to Dick McCoy etc
– he said they probably find Jagan easier to talk to / (he’s more intellectual) [handwritten note: “said Jagan just returned from a trip to the U.S.”]
Re Jagan’s likelihood of getting in a position of govt/ he said Dr. Reid made a speech, it was in the paper, and said they would not have a combined leadership on the top (they PNC have maintained that they would be willing to unite the grassroots but they don’t want the unity of leadership at the top/ as they don’t want shared power with Jagan but they claim Jagan doesn’t really sincerely stand for a unity govt.)
(regarding Colin Westmoreland who told us he was the political officer of GDF/we asked Mingo what he thought of this man saying he wanted to ask us a few questions about our organization, and he didn’t understand why we were religious and socialist at the same time. We said Colin said it was a personal interest not his job tho he said his job is to be in contact with various groups/ he said that this man’s job is information / his job is not to question people.
GRANADA [Greneda]
– re a possible change we heard about in Granada
– he laughed incredulously, said that Gary [Eric Gairy] is very reactionary and is an opportunist
– he called Mentor on the phone, said it was an emergency, wanted info on the PPP rally Sunday (PNC seems veryworried about this)
MINGO’S INVESTIGATION
– he said that HSP (Mentor’s Unit) is still investigating / no report yet/ HSP ss Head Special Branch (police) and we said it might be they that are investigating us/ he said nothing except that there is no “Official investigation of us”
– he doesn’t think Guyana will get much from Russia
– I said well how can they possibly manage without some help, he said they’d just have to try to sell domestic savings bonds to raise the money
Mingo
– as in regards to the problem of the PM finding talented people, I said I sure wish people like you would be around as we’d feel more comfortable if people like you, more of them were around
– he said that he “prefers to be in the background – in the backroom/ he preferred to be a teacher/ also he did not graduate from University tho he has his education training, but he feels that in public office, if he were to be moved up (senior Minister) people are very aware of your diplomas etc. -^J
– We told them about Gladys and the baby and the Georgetown Hospital/ he didn’t deny it, I said that it was a shame a fuss was being made about Larry [Schacht] when Guyana needed good medical care so much/ he said he’d look into it.
[Type cut off at beginning on line] the country went right, he and his family could come and stay [Type cut off at beginning on line] he said “I might do that”