[Editor’s note: The text for this document was released in 2014 by the now-defunct Wikileaks website at https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/1979STATE279635_e.html.]
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STATE 279635
ORIGIN OCS-06
INFO OCT-00 ARA-11 ADS-00 L-03 TRSE-00 JUSE-00 /020 R
DRAFTED BY CA/OCS/CCS/ARA/JARINI/MRER
APPROVED BY CA/OCS/CCS/ARA/JARINI
ARA/CAR-RAMCCOY
L/CA-DRHENDERSON
——————053698 270534Z /11
P 261757Z OCT 79
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN PRIORITY
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE STATE 279635
E.O. 12065: N/A
TAGS: CPRS, CDES
SUBJECT: PEOPLES TEMPLE PROPERTY AND TREASURY CHECKS
REF: ELLICE-RINI TELCONS
1. DEPARTMENT HAS DE ERRED REPLY REGARDING DISPOSITION OF ENDORSED TREASURY CHECKS IN ORDER TO GIVE AMPLE CONSIDERATION TO THE LEGAL BASIS AND CONSEQUENCES OF SEVERAL OPTIONS AND THE RAMIFICATIONS THEREOF. TWO OF THE MAJOR VIEWS BEING CONSIDERED ARE: (A) ENDORSED CHECKS ARE PERSONAL PROPERTY TO BE INCLUDED AS PART OF DECEDENT’S PERSONAL EFFECTS TO BE DELIVERED TO THE EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, OF NEXT OF KIN; OR (B) CHECKS ENDORSED IN BLANK ARE CORPORATE PROPERTY AND AVAILABLE TO COURT APPOINTED RECEIVER FOR THE PEOPLES TEMPLE FOR APPROPRIATE HANDLING. DEPARTMENT IS ARRANGING MEETING WITH DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO DISCUSS RESOLUTION OF ABOVE MATTER.
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2. BASED ON EVIDENCE TO DATE DEPARTMENT OF VIEW THAT 117 CRATES OF EFFECTS PRESENTLY IN CUSTODY OF GOG CUSTOMS AUTHORITIES HAVE NOT OFFICIALLY ENTERED CONSULAR DISTRICT AND BASED ON REPORTED CONTENTS MAY WELL BE CORPORATE PROPERTY RATHER THAN PERSONAL EFFECTS (I.E. CONTAINERS OF UNDERWEAR, SOAP, TOOLS, ETC.). UNLESS FURTHER EXAMINATION OF CRATES BY GUYANESE CUSTOMS DISCLOSES CONTENTS ARE IDENTIFIABLE AS THE PERSONAL PROPERTY OF DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE PEOPLES TEMPLE (GEORGETOWN) COMMUNITY, THE COURT APPOINTED RECEIVER FOR PEOPLES TEMPLE (CALIFORNIA) COULD BE INFORMED ABOUT SUCH PROPERTY AND REQUESTED TO FURNISH WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS PURSUANT TO HIS AUTHORITY FOR THE DISPOSITION OF SUCH PROPERTY AT HIS EXPENSE. CONTRARY TO PERSONAL PROPERTY OR EFFECTS OVER WHICH CONSULAR OFFICERS HAVE STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY, CORPORATE PROPERTY IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CORPORATION, ITS SUCCESSORS, OR ASSIGNS.
3. THE EMBASSY IS REQUESTED TO COMMENT ON THE POINTS RAISED IN PARAGRAPH 2 ABOVE.
CHRISTOPHER [Deputy Secretary of State Warren Christopher]
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