[Editor’s note: The text for this document was released in 2014 by the now-defunct Wikileaks website at https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/1979STATE140300_e.html. This URL may be available through the Wayback Machine.]
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PAGE 01
STATE 140300
ORIGIN PPT-01
INFO OCT-01 ARA-15 ADS-00 OCS-06 DRC-01 L-03 SS-15 SP-02 SY-05 INR-10 CA-01 H-02 /062 R
DRAFTED BY CA/PPT/C:WBWHARTON:ST
APPROVED BY CA/PPT/C:WBWHARTON
CA/PPT:RELAMB (BY PHONE)
CA/OCS:AGISE (BY PHONE)
O/FADRC/DR:FMACHAK (BY PHONE)
——————004302 012310Z /17
P 011741Z JUN 79
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN PRIORITY
UNCLAS STATE 140300
E.O. 12065:N/A
TAGS: AINF, CPAS
SUBJECT:PRIVACY ACT, FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT GUIDANCE
REF: GEORGETOWN 2384
1. THE DEPARTMENT BELIEVES THAT THE NINE-PAGE PAPER TO WHICH THE EMBASSY HAS REFERENCE IS A BRIEFING PAPER PREPARED WITH THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS FOR THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO ALTER OR SUPERSEDE EXISTING DEPARTMENTAL INSTRUCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION OR PRIVACY ACTS.
2. THE PAPER WAS DESIGNED TO ASSIST DEPARTMENTAL PARTICIPANTS AT RECENT CONSULAR CONFERENCES IN RESPONDING TO ANY INQUIRIES CONCERNING THE TWO STATUTES WHICH MIGHT BE GENERATED AS A RESULT OF THE CONCLUSIONS IN THE “CRIMMINS/ CARPENTER REPORT” — SPECIFICALLY: THAT THE TWO STATUTES
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WERE PERCEIVED AS IMPOSING CONSTRAINTS UPON THE DEPARTMENT AND EMBASSY GEORGETOWN IN DEALING EFFECTIVELY WITH THE PEOPLE’S TEMPLE COMMUNITY AT JONESTOWN; ESPECIALLY AS IT RELATED TO REPORTING FUNCTIONS.
3. WHILE THE BRIEFING PAPER WAS NOT INTENDED TO ALTER OR SUPERSEDE EXISTING DEPARTMENTAL INSTRUCTIONS, THE DEPARTMENT “CA” CURRENTLY IS USING THE PAPER AS A BASIS FOR DEVELOPING BETTER GUIDELINES FOR POSTS; PARTICULARLY, AS IT RELATES TO REPORTING ELEMENTS AND THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF CONSULAR FUNCTIONS.
CHRISTOPHER [Deputy Secretary of State Warren Christopher]
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