Q659 Summary

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: Identified Individuals Speaking

FBI preliminary tape identification note: One ConcerTape C-120/ Side 1 blank, only first few minutes of side 2 recorded/ 1 3×5 card attached, violent revolution and compromise

Date cues on tape: None

People named:

Bible verses cited: None

Summary:

Fifteen members of Peoples Temple take turns reading a short, prepared statement in which they identify themselves, describe themselves as “a violent revolutionary,” and vow to overthrow the government. Most of the readings are either in a monotone or a halting, uncertain voice, indicating the occasion was the first time they had seen the statement. A couple of members apparently view the statement as a joke, since they try, not always successfully, to smother their laughter. Only a couple of readings seem genuine and heartfelt.

FBI Summary:

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 March 6, 1979, Special Agent (name deleted) reviewed the tape numbered 1B47 #104. This tape was found to contain the following:

The following individuals made verbal statements of revolutionary commitments to overthrow the country, such as “I am a violent revolutionary and would like to overthrow the government. I have arms and planes and would like to do it now.” The following names are phonetic:

This tape was reviewed, and nothing was contained thereon which was considered to be of evidentiary nature or beneficial to the investigation of Congressman RYAN.

Differences with FBI Summary: None

Tape originally posted April 2002