[Editor’s note: Insofar as is possible, the letters and notes of Peoples Temple’s contacts with Vibert Mingo, Minister of Home Affairs have been arranged below in chronological order.]
D-1-K-34
20th April, 1977
Honourable Vibert Mingo
Minister of Home Affairs
Brickdam, Stabroek
Georgetown
Dear Cde. Mingo:
We wish to keep you informed as to the movement of persons coming by charter. The reason for the delay in the charter flight is that the contract did not arrive today. Joe Lambert told us that it would have to arrive by today (20th April, 1977) in order to make it by Monday (25th April, 1977). We will inform you as to new arrangements. The delay will be only a few days. Thank you for your considerate attention.
Cooperatively yours,
Deborah Touchette
Secretary for Peoples Temple
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MINGO’S TELEPHONE CALL ON OCTOBER 19th
- Last week there was a meeting to talk about our organization.
- Certain things must take their course. No interference with the course of justice. (Jeremy). No one will interfere.
- Schools must assimilate.
- Quite a lot depends on what Carmichael advises.
- Dr. Reid asked Carmichael to come in to his office. Carmichael does not dislike you as someone mentioned. “He gave a good account of your work.”
- There was concern about the attempt at secrecy by putting up a gate.
- No need for any great concern.
- Generally, things will be done to assist you just like before.
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VISIT WITH MINISTER MINGO MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS
– the Minister has been out of the country for the 1st 3 weeks so he is not abreast of internal situations as well as some
– he is very direct in his answers
– in answer to our question about elements in the PNC going right (pro U.S.) rather than following a Socialist course he said “I am very concerned about the overall situation.”
– he is definitely along with Dr. Reid one of those who support the most left faction in the PNC.
– we told him about our concern for Jeremy. He said the problem was taken out of the area of a political descision. It was put into the area of the judiciary (to give some appearance of a sort of neutrality. I believe he implied that he thot it would have been better if it had been handled politically tho he did not precisely say that. We CL [Carolyn Layton] and Mary Ruth got the impression he was implying that the Foreign Minister had taken the strategy into the judicial arena. We don’t believe it is the foreign minister acting on his own, but that it is a reflection of the faction of the leadership which is trying to keep detent with the U.S.
– we mentioned what Mary Ruth’s boyfriend said about the “open door”, and this minister opposes such a policy personally because he feels people can pose as one thing and actually be another.
– but he made it clear to us that these are not areas of his jurisdiction and that he does not know how great the pressures of the U.S. are, or the State Department
– Certainly reading between the lines he probably does not personally like the detent policy with the US or is mistrustful of the US, but that faction of leadership may have to compromise with the more moderate faction.
– We told him about the harassment at customs. He seemed to be attentive and believe us, but again said this was not in his jurisdiction. He directly controls immigration and if they hassle us he can intercede. He said he had received no directive other than to receive as many of our people as want to come in. He said at least to his last contact that was still the case. He had heard of no change in policy.
– regarding the school he said this was in Hoyt’s jurisdiction and that they had mentioned long ago of the desire for us to integrate into the community. We gave him our outline on the school program we offer and mentioned a willingness to take in other children in the community, but did not offer in any way for our youngsters to go into Kaituma. Mentioned transportation problem, as I recall.
– I don’t think we clearly communicated our absolute posture on the school situation, because he mentioned that long ago they had talked of us assimilating into the community. I think he may have a bit different perspective if he reads our outline, or at least might see our concern about losing the school tho as he said he does not know what he could do.
– HE DID SAY HE WOULD TALK TO DR. REID AND TRY TO GET CURRENT INFORMATION ON ALL MATTERS AND THEN GET BACK TO US BY THE WEEK END.
– we mentioned the Exam. article and how their attorney had bragged that he was getting support from the govt. here, and etc. He own view was basically mentioned above that ideally it could have been a political decision, but he offered no more detailed information than this.
– it is obvious from his past comments that he doesn’t trust Williams tho he definitely wants that to be kept utterly confidential.
– mention was made of how Blackman came in saying he was from Home Affairs, not identifying himself as a Marshall. He clearly informed us that Blackman was not from Home Affairs and was rather from the court system.
– regarding the GDF plane with a person from a police capacity coming in – he said it was not unusual in a disagreement between two parties to send such a person to maintain the peace, tho they would not be taking a part in the proceedings. (the marshall of course does serve the papers but he was referring to someone else sent along.
– we didn
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MINGO: CONTACT 1/11
– Reid’s related to the judge (the judge told Mingo that), but Reid wouldn’t interfere with the judicial process [Handwritten addition: “We checked and understand this is not true”]
– wondered (after the 1st hearing): what [Guyana barrister Lionel] Luckhoo did on the matter
– said this is a roundabout English system in Guyana
– Minister [Fred] Wills has the authority to do something, Mingo doesn’t
– wondered why Lionel said we are going to lose, wondered why he didn’t get whatever submissions
– felt maybe Luckhoo wanted to get more money by the appeal (tho Luckhoo won’t take any money for the appeal)
– didn’t feel that our enemies going around to stores and saying that they have come to Guyana to get their son from Jonestown (the Olivers) would have tremendous impact on us
– Mingo thinks that the Judge is afraid to admit his mistake (in the earlier proceedure of the arrest order and faulty service)
– Mingo feels that since this has come to trial it is too late for a political solution (tho we mentioned that Wills had suggested this), but then we I tried to use this arguement to show him we needed action as I said that we pushed initially for a political solution and we were told to relax it would come out alright, now it is coming to the courts and we are told to relax but now we hear that it should have earlier been decided politically and I said that if we don’t do something sometime this will continue
– Mingo said he had no opportunity to talk to Dr. Reid or the Prime Minister and that he couldn’t at this time (because of the trial), but later he said he would talk to Reid and if the subject came up with the PM he would give an objective view (our side)
– he said preliminarily to the court decision, Hewes [Guyana barrister Clarence Hughes] wants Joyce to appear in court with the child, they will have arguements in the judges chambers not in the open
– the next stage would be court to decide if the child appear
– there is nothing wrong he thought with Grace’s affidavit when I told him that Wills had said that the first affidavit of Grace was heresay [hearsay] and thus the case should have been thrown out on a proceedural basis
– he didn’t disagree when I said Luckhoo had said the American officials were for us, but that had made me think that Luchoo had spoken to McCoy and why would he do that
– Mingo said he was confused, Lionel said one thing and the judge said another
– he said instructions have’t always been followed, the Stoens were to get one day when they came in and Immigration gave them 1 mo. but Mingo said he took away the month and reduced it to a day so that they have to register each day
– after today’s hearing he will see how it goes so that he can see if he should come to the radio or not
– he says he admits the govt, has its corruption
– he said the Minsiters except for Wills) cann’t interfere in legal matters
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MINGO 18/1/78
Went to talk to him about Tim Stoen being able to stay in Guyana
– said it was Comrade Wills advice that the stay was allowed
– said that if they hadn’t been allowed to stay, Guyana could have easily been accused by America that Guyana was favoring PT
– said Guyana Govt. can’t be paid off (when we talked about our concern that the Stoens will win unfairly)
– said it wasn’t prudent of the judge didn’t give a date for the decision
– Mingo doesn’t know what the legal outcome will be to this case
– he said that if the Stoens had been thrown out they might not have been ever able to return as they would have been declared illegal immigrants and the argument against that by the American Embassy was that they hadn’t done anything wrong
– he said again it was unfortunate that the case even came to court, it should have been settled politically
– when asked if he would use arms if the Stoens won (to pick up the child) he picked up the phone and called Barrister Gibson – and said they could use forces – they would marshal the forces of Supreme Ct.
(we talked about this being non-negotiable, and that it could not be accepted to turn a child over to fascists, and all the traumas he had gone thru and would he do such a thing with his child, and tears etc.)
– he said, well it wouldn’t be Guyana’s fault if Tim Stoen succeeded
– he said it’s our fault that Tim was able to infiltrate for 7 years/ he said we are good at getting info and why couldn’t we know (we got into a big dialogue about this, about all groups in US being infiltrated. Finally the only thing he would pay any attention to was we told him that all Americans start out capitalistic and anarchistic and the only way to make them socialistic is to work with people who have at first patterns that are bourgeoisie so how would you know who was potential and who wasn’t
– while we were there Tim Stoen called and said 3 people interfered with him at the airport, said he was there to see his wife off, and was hassled. He had called Dr. Reid and was referred to Mingo. Mingo referred him to where he could make a police report.
– we went back to the problem of the court case and said it was a very important issue because if the US fascist could pressure so much that a child be taken back into a fascist govt., it would mean problems ahead for Guyana.
– at some point in this discussion, Mingo said “it’s not my issue”
– he said the court is unbuyable. We said something must be wrong because on procedures alone the case would have been thrown out. He said that maybe your attorney just told you that because attorneys tend to tell you there is a good case just to get the money. We explained that wasn’t true as we had gone over it with others too and the procedures of service and initial evidence was faulty
– he attacked us for saying the whole Guyanese legal situation was corrupt, said we didn’t have enough faith in the legal situation and that we thought the judge was corrupt. We explained we were told this. He said, “you don’t have enough faith in our criminal justice system.”
– said that our organization must be weak if we can lose all these cases
– then we got into the thing about not turning over John and he said “You’d be revolting against Guyanese.” We talked about rather dieing that [that] to do that. When asked what he would do with his son he said “You have to remember I am a victim of the situation also.” (but then later said he might die rather than to turn over his son)
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Mingo 18/1/78 cont.
– he suggested that we might go to another country if the case didn’t come out our way. Tim asked if we could be forced back to the US and he said “possibly”
– when asked about setting up phone patches so JJ could talk to people about the case, he said we’d have to go to Narraine [Minister of Works Steve Naraine] or Telecoms
– said he’d talk to tax Min. [Frank] Hope tomorrow about customs
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Minister Mingo 19/1/78
– he called the Commissioner of Police who had given credence at first to the story of Tim Stoen, but this man didn’t understand the situation so Min. Mingo explained it to him
– he told this Commissioner that PT came into this country and were welcomed and we need to protect them, he said to the Commissioner that Tim Stoen is trying to discredit the movement of PT
– he told the Commissioner of Police not to prosecute the matter with Debbie T., Tim S, and Mike C.
– Min. Mingo said that Tim is using this attempt to malign you
– at first he said that from our utterances (about willing to die) that we take desperate steps to things, I explained about our feeling that we would not want a child to go to fascism and how he would feel in the same situation and he said he understood
– he said there will be no prosecution on this matter
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MINGO telephone call to him about Brindley Ben and his negative article in his paper the Working Peoples Vangard [Vanguard] 21/1/78
– when asked about this newspaper and Ben’s contacts. Mingo said the man doesn’t have many contacts and it is a very small group he’s in/ he mentioned Ben having a post at one time in the PPP
– Moses Bagwin (a lawyer) works with Ben and maybe he heard about the court case so perhaps that’s why they are writing about us
– when I mentioned Interpol and that I wondered if Ben was an agent, he said he probably is an Agent and he said that maybe Tim Stoen has talked to Ben
– I told him that I had heard from the American Embassy that someone connected with Ben had requested CIA funds to overthrow the govt. of Guyana. He seemed surprised and interested in that
– I told him we’d be willing to take the heat and put out some publicity about Ben , but he said he thought it would not be to our advantage to get more publicity. He said that was just his opinion. I mentioned the Olivers and Stoens going around to stores etc. and stores even asking us if we were the group that had the children that people were asking for. He felt that more publicity would just as attract more attention. (he always takes this conservative approach)
– he said again, “why don’t you relax. Don’t you ever get any rest. “ But he wasn’t angry and said it was OK to call him
– I mentioned about the Commissioner and he had me read the quotes about the commissioner. I said I didn’t think the Commissioner should have dignified such a man by talking to him (Ben) and shouldn’t have lent himself to be quoted that way. Mingo agreed, he said it wasn’t very discrete of the Commissioner
– I asked if he had contacted Minister Hope about customs and he said he hadn’t yet, he said he would do so Monday.
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MINGO 17/2/78 (after the problem of the Hoyte article)
– he spoke to Dr. Reid, there is no cause for alarm, Dr. Reid doesn’t appreciate how we feel about the article and about other things like the court case
– Mingo has difficulty understanding how strongly we feel about the article, he wouldn’t have thought we’d feel so strongly
– it’s not an attack on PT but on the newspaper that they should check more carefully what subjects are put in
– you have been brought up in a system, he said, where certain justice is meted out, but in our system, decisions are accepted by people and that’s the normal reaction is to expect justice from a judge
(we went into a big explanation of why we weren’t so sure how things would go because of the illegal arrest order, the improper service of JJ, etc. and even mentioned that Mingo have worried at one time about right wing in the govt.)
he then said well now I can understand better how you feel
– regarding [Fred] Wills first he said “I accept what I see in the news”
– when I asked if we still were being encouraged to settle in Guyana he said, “Well I have no instructions not to allow you to come.” I said well are you still to encourage us to come, he said, “That’s up to you.” I said that didn’t sound too encouraging and asked for more clarification but he said that’s all he could say, he said he hadn’t been given instructions to stop us from coming.
– when we argued about the Hoyte letter and how it would have a great impact being a Minister of Govt in his putting disapprobrium on us etc. he said, “Well I could see how that would have an impact.” (And Hoyte saying “if we exist at all” we said was a terrible slap)
– he said at first that he couldn’t get entangled with controversy with a colleague
– he then said his reluctance to be open with us because the Cabinet had taken a decision in regard to filming us and the Cabinet is a secret body, and though we didn’t quote Mingo by name we did mention the situation
– Mingo said he’s afraid to confide in us, he said that Min. Wills can always get a job as he has a profession but Mingo was a headmaster and the government controls the schools
– we said we could sympathize with his position/ I suggested maybe he could read the letters first before we send them
– he said that in regard to Wills – if it was a swing to the right, Wills, he thinks was responsible because Wills met Cyrus Vance
– We said we would be willing to go down with Guyana for real socialists like Burnham, Reid and Mingo. He said he thinks personally we have nothing to fear
– he said Hoyte is just not as helpful as he could be/ Hoyte is allowed to express his point of view and Hoyte like some are more arrogant
– he said he doesn’t think there has been a shift – there is a strong socialist resolve, it’s that the tactics have changed slightly, economics made that necessary
– Guyana has made attempts to get aid from the USSR, a team from the USSR has been here
– Mingo agreed that not every member of the PNC represents socialism
CONFIDENTIALLY: Mingo said that Wills has a weakness in character, he has taken part in some fishy dealings – he goes on tours and gets an advance by the govt and then doesn’t spend that and gets money from where he goes/ he’s also unreliable and doesn’t keep his appointments.
– Hoyte is arrogant and is a difficult man
– the Cabinet doesn’t show a dislike for PT
– the only problem for PT is not to appear to be like a separate group, Mingo said that as immigrants you have to toe the line
– he said that some people here were bothered by the fact that PT had opposition in the US (he thinks that the problem with Customs relates to that, someone has contacted Customs probably)
– people may be receiving adverse things about PT – as somebody be disseminating it
– people at the highest levels feel that we are a “humbug” group and that Reid shouldn’t have brought us here
– Hubert Williams is a press man, Hamaludin is good, Blackmon is negative in general though it might be good if he can see the project for himself
– Kirton (UPI) should be helpful
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MINGO CONT.
– Kirton’s son is good
– Courtney Gibson/ Mingo isn’t sure of him
– George Baird would be good, he’d want to write about PT
– some people think Hoyte is “mad” (crazy)
– no other Minister would say what Hoyte said (in the letter)
– Hoyte does work closely with Reid as he is a bright fellow and gives legal advice to the party
– Mingo said about his job that he is worried because there is a tremendous strain right now and people don’t always reason straight
– he is worried about talking to us because we might not interpret what he says right and then if it gets back to official person and they’d get Mingo’s head
– he doesn’t think it’s a swing to the right/ he feels it’s a “tactical position”
– I mentioned Grenada and how they had to go to the right because of economic conditions/ he said yes that’s true but the PM of Grenada had never espoused socialism and wouldn’t use the word so it’s a different situation
– he said there was a group in the North West of Americans and they were asked to leave and PT would be asked to leave if we weren’t wanted
– in regards to John’s situation he said just play it cool and see what happens
– Tim ask him about the drill on the Coast which was mentioned in the papers, Mingo said that is an attempt to keep the Army on its toes in case of an emergency, the opposition is quiet now but they may not be quiet later/ the PM asked for the drill
– he said we have friends in the highest places and enemies in high places
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MINGO
Wed. Feb 22, 1978
– we told him we let him read our letters before sending them as it was vital to us to keep communications open/ he said he didn’t have time to do that
– I suggested we just mail his letter first and then mail the others if it was okay and he agreed to that (BUT HOW WOULD WE HANDLE ALL THE NEWSLETTERS THAT ARE DIVERSIONS?)
– he said he was promising to come to Jonestown
– he said he’d be talking to Judge Bishop tonight and would see if he could get some sort of feeling from him about the case
– when we asked him if Hoyte could get our radio turned off (ham radio), he said he didn’t see how Hoyte could as Naraine is the one that controls the communications not Hoyte
– he offered to see us on Friday/ he was terribly busy as he was responsible for the whole Mashrimani celebration, the PM’s birthday, in the flag raising ceremony
– he said about Hoyte “I don’t think he can harm you”
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Mingo 27/2/78
– He said that in regards to Joan [Pursely] and Bobby’s [Stroud] application to solicit funds he said we should stress in our letter the medical services we provide for Guyanese people. He also said mark it with copy to him, so Barker knows he is getting one.
– He said that one of the requirements of getting the license is that you have to publish twice a year how much money you have made in that period, and also send a summary to Barker himself.
– Mingo said he would approve the letter even if Barker didn’t
– He said that people had mentioned we collect money, one of them specifically being Corbin (protégé of Reid’s) who saw us collecting in Linden. Also a local minister mentioned it.
– When we told him about Barker’s reactions to us and some of the things he said he told us he would have a talk with Barker and explain to him the official government position towards us. (The next time we saw Mingo 9/3/78 Barker came out of his office as we were waiting to go in. He was extremely nice, making a very pointed effort to say hello and smile, and even turned around as he was going out the door and came back and shook our hands and said hello again – a much different attitude than I have seen before, so I think that Mingo did talk to him.)
– He said that the general feeling among the ministers is that they appreciate very much a movement like ours that is doing so much to assist Guyana in terms of production and motivation.
– he said jokingly about Hoyte, who had his obvious prejudices.
– He said the PM [Prime Minister Forbes Burnham] has never expressed anything adverse against the PT, he said it was not true that the opposition asked for an investigation of PT.
– He said he would talk to Dr. Reid about the problems we were having (in regards to the hands-off press thing). He said that he knew of no such policy, and had heard nothing of the sort. (What bothered me about this is why he would offer to talk to Dr. Reid)
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MINGO 9/3/78 THURSDAY
CULTURAL CENTER PROGRAM
– he felt that it was awfully expensive
– he said that Hoyte might say something sinister about it/ should charge a nominal fee 50 cents 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 talk 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)
HOYTE
– he doesn’t have the temperament to be prime minister
– Jack is actually closer to the PM and [Hamilton] 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: STANDOFF IN THE PRESS
– he will speak to Shirley Fields-Ridley about seeing us and about whether or not there is a standoff 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/ he 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 that 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 though they had requested permission
– he said there was no problem and he had approved their coming
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Mingo (with Marcie etc) – this might have already been typed??
– Said he will see Bishop (we’ll ask him about this)
– said we should make a report to the court so that JJ could come into town on humanitarian reasons/ (couldn’t we just address that to the court about J’s health, requesting that he come in, not a diversion, and that would get across to the judge about J’s health)
he said that regarding marriage, Mingo’s ministry does the processing but it would have to have a letter from the Guyana Council of Churches
– Hamaludin: writes well and his views are respected/ very approachable
– Hoyte, says he wears off, he’s nasty
RE: GOVERNMENT POLICY OF IMMIGRATION:
– said Mingo himself, has never been told we’re not wanted/ the official line he said is that you are wanted
– he said the House of Israel, wants to come and many feel they should be allowed to come, some are here already/ [Hamilton] Green thinks they should come, feels you can learn from them
OUR BOAT
– he said that the only rumor was when it was said we were smuggling gold but the police checked it out and found it wasn’t true
– he said to ask [Lloyd] Barker about a letter stating we do check in/ Mingo said he heard nothing about these rumors
GDF: so that the Burnham Is Chief of State/ said he hadn’t heard anything about the fact we should pay for planes and that we were getting preferential treatment from GDF/ so if it’s the jealousy of the man t Matthews Ridge (Hope) and that’s why he is upset at this
RE OUR PROBLEMS
– not often people see a mixed race group of Americans
– it’s rare to see Americans sacrificing so much in this interior area
– we are friendly with the govt (at a high level) and people are jealous and envious
– it’s animosity that takes time to go away
[Ptolemy] Reid is very supportive of us, like a productive project
– the PM’s Confidential secretary reads his mail (our letters) and marks part of it for the PM to read (that’s the policy)
– Reid was Minister of Agriculture when we came into the country/ he gave sanction to us
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[Editor’s note: This document is a partial page of scratch paper which has been x-ed through.]
think that this has happened because people don’t like Carl and his group. But for the outside community, the service will have to be stopped. It would bring down racist smears and Oscar, as we are an enduring people. We’ve saved Oscar from many of these mercy flights by using private flights and our boat which just last week took a mother and baby in from the outskirts of our community – Guyanese mother – every time we take in people from outside of our community as well as our own – we would not even call for ourselves but it would cause a smear if we don’t. If we had to have a lot of them we’d be in real trouble. Fortunately, our medical staff is very competent and they have taken care of more medical emergencies for neighbors as well as our own than we could enumerate.
The flight would have certainly cost a life – she needed emergency attention for a special urological treatment. (Tell Mildred we are not blaming the people we are writing to – so if there is anything in her part of the letter she is to fix it)
We don’t want to reflect on the reports of Dr. Jeffries because people have given up their seats before – such as when a seat was given up for our doctor and an Indian woman/ we just want them to know that it will drastically limit our services. There is a terrible strain – when there is an accident in the area some are sure to come to us and if our medical staff couldn’t take care of it – which we have – it will be overwhelming on our conscience if we have to say we can’t call for one of the flights –
We’ve had many cases of severed tendons and lacerations and even concussions. We have treated snakebites effectively for Carl’s neighbors – people in the neighborhood – fortunately, teaching people how to work in the fields, forests and around waterholes – we have never had one snakebite to one of our own community residence [residents]
Our workers know about snakebite treatment – they’ve all been given classes and they know how to treat it. People brought them to us and we’ve treated them outside our community as well as our workers have gone outside of the community to treat it.
If it were tragic enough in some cases we could not take care of it if there were no emergency flights sent. We would do the best and treat them, but some equipment that we need is still in customs. Some type of specialized surgery our people would not want to do, as we don’t have the equipment. Some complicated feats they have undertaken and every time successfully so –
There are doctors on the [Medical] Net and stateside and all over – our doctor consults with regularly / they all speak very highly of our doctors confidence – At this point we’d like to brag on him/ every specialist that he has consulted with said his medical [illegible word] of treatment and diagnosis was proper. After he gives them extensive facts on each case/
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[Handwritten note]
Mon. March 20
Mingo
Instructions to:
We don’t want any more news stories coming out of Guyana. Two boys there last [illegible word]
We had no choice but to come into town. He did the musical coaching… A lot of people asking about him going to town. Are you afraid, hiding, or what? Of course not. Now we must go. When we were coming in & this show was first announced we were assured he won’t be arrested. We were told by several sources including US Embassy that he would be arrested. If this is a problem, the judge said he was resolving this in 2 wks, why not do it in 1 week or less. Why not get it resolved before he comes to town. We have no intention to embarrass because when the date was set we understood it would be settled.
We want to assure him that we will be discreet when we come in, but it would be better for everyone if it were settled before we come.
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[Handwritten note]
Mon. March 20
Mingo
At first it was difficult. He repeated what he said re: situation with Larry [Schacht] re: regulations.
Ann asked if his moods reflected Dr. Reid & we were in a standstill. He said he wasn’t irritated just busy. After all, I have other things to do other than look after your business. He said he would find out if Reid would see us but you don’t realize my difficulty. Last time he approached Reid re: Hoyte, Reid said he could not see us, and didn’t have the time, & didn’t understand while we were so upset.
He said that was his personal opinion too – re: we have nothing to worry about. He always [said] that there would be justice in the situation. He said it was his own opinion (not what Dr. Reid said). In terms of Larry – why he said “your” US – he said “you are still US citizens.” I was just meaning it officially (re: us being US citizens). Many people still do not accept us although there is acceptance on his level. Ann mentioned his promises to contact people and how he never did. Ann mentioned Mrs. Rodgers – he again said you don’t realize how
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[Handwritten note]
busy I am. She doesn’t see the necessity in seeing us. He did talk to her. (He didn’t like being a go-between.) He did mention that we don’t understand how busy he is. He said he would try to get in touch right now when Ann pushed him. She wasn’t home. He’ll call tomorrow. He acted incredulous about anyone paying off Bishop. He said it was difficult to talk to Reid about someone if he didn’t know who he was supposed to ask about. He repeated his stand earlier today. Ann said she hoped he would be more sensitive to babies dying. He said and visit his business to be involved to qualify someone. Ann asked why he would take such a conservative approach. He said even in Teekah’s area we would have to go by rules. When Ann told him our school was approved, he was surprised. He didn’t know.
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[Handwritten note]
Monday, March 20, 1978
Mingo conv.
need. People were [illegible word]. He said what did they do before you got there. They died unnecessarily. You have to go by rules – if you were your friend Rex – you’d have to go by rules.
We talked about present situation in Matthews Ridge & hospitals. He said he would have to be good if he is PNC
Asked if Clarke can do something about it. We’ve been running around. [Illegible word] says to relax, another says not to.
Say Larry will just take a dispensers license and not get into any mess
“Obviously your moods reflect others”
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MINGO: 28/3/78 re the conspiracy with [U.S. Sen. John] Stennis and a person who in the US informed us about the plot to use him to kidnap John and to go across the Venezuelan border etc.
– he listened at first/ when we said we were concerned because in the past he hasn’t always paid attention to what we say, he opened his eyes wide as if that got through to him???
– when we got to the part about the assassination possibility, he said “do you still insist on J’s coming in then”/ we said JJ had already made arrangements for and commitments, and did he know of any plot to assassinate him. He said No but he would see Dr. Reid about this. He lifted up the phone and I thought he was going to call Dr. Reid (the red phone) and he said something about an appt for us but it was with someone named H.S. Benn who felt the CID should handle it (Criminal Investigations), and then he called Mentor and said Mentor should see us/ he said we could go in anytime today. He said to the first man, “you think the CID should handle it?)
– I said I thought it had political implications he should know about before he arranged an appointment and we just wanted this to go to Reid and [Prime Minister Forbes] Burnham and him until we could get some advice/ he said he’d try to get it to Reid, but the law enforcement had to know about it/ we agreed they would have to know in time but Debbie stressed this strongly that we trusted him, Reid and the PM and didn’t know about others knowing until we got their advice. I mentioned that we had heard from Mingo himself that Mentor was independent of Mingo/ he agreed but said intelligence has to know
– he said he didn’t have much time to give us as he had Cabinet/ he first told us to come in at 8:30 but we came in then an secretary told us to come between 9-9:30 which we did and then he had us wait and only saw us for about 20 minutes
– he said to Mentor that he should meet with a delegation of us
– I told him that I felt if he didn’t feel it was important enough to hear us through on a matter that involved lives and possible chaos/ Debbie stressed the chaos aspect too, what would happen if JJ’s life was taken, and that it was so important that this kind of thing if we don’t get clarification, we get extremely upset
– I mentioned that they would have 1000 angry people on their hands if anything would happen to JJ, and it was JJ that keeps us in control right now and if he died, that would be it
– when he said he would contact Reid, Tim said he had said that before/ he said he would contact Reid but we don’t realize what a difficult situation he is in/ that he actually had called Reid last time I asked but Reid and said Mingo should handle it and when Mingo contacted Field-Ridley and urged (and he stressed urged) her to see us she said she would but she still hasn’t arranged a date yet so “there you are”, he said
– we said we needed some assurances for JJ coming in because we get contradictory answers
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MINGO: 28/3/78 pg 2
from the lawyer ([Lionel] Luckhoo) and him and another official, 2 saying there would be no problem for JJ and Mingo saying no problem with police but a private citizen (pro-Stoen) could activate it. He said where it came to judicial situations there can be no assurances given (he says this and I think Reid tells him to say this because [Fred] Wills told us that Reid was mad Wills was giving us assurances), and said again that the judiciary is independent, which Will said is absolutely not true
– Tim said to him that we are not naïve, that we know what the PM and Reid want done is done and they can see things are done
(I have to end this now, the boat is leaving, he said he’d see us tomorrow at 1:30 PM, he said he had to go/ seemed like he thought we were being alarmist again though he did feel the assassination problem should be reported to CID) – he gets a smile (nervous smile?) on his face when we tried to push for time or push for his serious attention)
(we didn’t get all in about Stennis because he cut us off and said we’d have to finish tomorrow)
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MINGO 4/4/78 (Marcie [Marceline Jones], Ava [Jones], Mike [Prokes], Sharon
– he said he expected us on Saturday (with JJ), we had called and canceled it for Saturday because there was too much preparation for the performance
– we said it was because of the arrest order, that JJ had become incognito and Marcie said JJ didn’t want to cause trouble by the PNC and upset the opposition
– he said they could just as well say that of JJ in Jonestown that JJ has an arrest order and isn’t arrested
– we said he didn’t feel without assurances that it was wise to take a chance
– we talked about the meeting with Field-Ridley and thanked him for arranging it and urging her to meet us (he said “you see I had to show you I was still working for you” or something like that
– he said the PM is interested in the Stoen case and mentioned something about it in Cabinet (not publicly) but to the Attorney General and the Minister of Justice and asked why isn’t it expedited
– Marcie told Mingo to tell Dr. Reid that JJ had come incognito because he didn’t want to embarrass the PNC
– re our program, we told him we were told it was the best program given at the cultural center and they wanted it repeated but we could charge for it/ he said “why don’t you have them cosponsor it”
[Following paragraph bracketed, with marginal note: “this parallels what Wills told us.”] – he spoke to Dr. Reid/ at the last executive committee meeting there was a discussion of PT, Mrs. [Viola] Burnham brought up the subject, said she had been asked to meet with us and she was confused as some people feel different ways about us/ there was a discussion of PT and Reid supported us, he said at the end of the discussion everyone was satisfied about us
– what he said she said was that there “was some amount of criticism about PT in this country”
– she wanted to know the official position about us/ I said to him “but if she canceled the appointment with J, I wonder if she thinks we are persona non grata, he said maybe so, but everyone was satisfied in the meeting and he thinks it was a mistake for her not to meet with us
[marginal note: “Green is being careful”] – Green stood up and said in this meeting that his chief medical officer Dr. Baird went up to Jonestown and was quite impressed, but Green mentioned the holding out on principle about Larry’s license (but at the performance he told me it was good that Dr. Chin had made arrangements with Larry to have to spend only 2 weeks in town and then get a license with a consultant assigned)
– he said (Mingo did) that they were afraid of giving him a license without him going by regulations for fear it would create a precedent and people would wonder why our group is allowed to get away with it
– he suggested Marcie write Viola personally and ask to meet with her
– he’ll see us again Thursday 1:30 as he couldn’t tell me any more detail right now/ he had to go to Cabinet (he wasn’t unfriendly) – said he would go into more detail about the cabinet and the negative things said against us Thursday.
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Mingo:
Good idea to give $ to charities.
Said that he would check to see of possibility JJ could come also. He could not understand how anyone could be confined.
Rumour of Reid & Mingo
Said that he had heard it also, but not to take it seriously. About his higher ups: “I know the official attitude it is one of wanting you & you are considered a beneficial organization. I have not gotten any sign or even inclination there is any feeling against you.”
Hoyte’s interest in PM [Prime Minister] place:
Said Hoyte does not have the temperament for the job. Nobody would want a man that doesn’t have civility. As far as he knew Bodgers and Hubert Jack were closer than Hoyte to PM. And in his opinion Hubert J was the closest.
Antilles Radio: Said that one should be careful of that place. They have been unfavorable to Guyana in the past.
We brought up dissidents: Said that he knew there were reactionaries against us, he could tell especially by the way customs treated us.
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Fri.
From: [Mike] Prokes
May 26 meeting with Mingo: Minco said [Lloyd] Barker said we were not under investigation following the incident in which our people were taken in and interrogated. He wanted to get further details so he put a call in to Skip Roberts. To show you how organized and effective the government is – our people (Debbie and Terri) met with Roberts before Mingo heard from him. This is Saturday morning and I’m still not sure that he has talked with Mingo yet. At any rate, Roberts confirmed that there was no investigation. He said to Debbie and Terri that our people would have been detained (in jail I presume) had he not intervened. When they told him about our people being taken in he said “Rightfully so,” because of their sleuthing around. He said we should tell him when we have a problem like this because Paula [Adams] always did. He was busy and said they could come back Tuesday to look at our file. Roberts also said Mingo was embarrassed over the situation with Kathy Hunter. I’m sure this was true because he even looked embarrassed when we met with him Friday morning. He said he presumed that his instructions to get her out would be followed through. I told him he should have followed through and he would not have a bigger headache as it turned out. He was in no position to be defensive. [Inserted handwritten line: “He fucked up & he knows it.”] He told us that he realized we had been let down. When we brought out everything she was doing and showed him pictures of Stoen’s demonstration and a letter I had begun to write to him about Debbie Blakey’s situation he said, “You’ve got a lot of forces against you. I now see why you are more nervous.” I told him that even though we didn’t expect the conspiracy to become so intensive, it could have been thwarted had quick action been taken in certain situations (e.g., TOS & Hunter). I said they would keep coming as long as they feel they can get any kind of cooperation. He apologized several times for the harassment of his police. He said he does not have a police mentality but he realizes that their methods are not the best. I asked him for the names of the police officer who said he didn’t understand why Hunter couldn’t go into the interior to the project. He hinted that it was Barker. Mingo said there are high officials who don’t understand the conspiracy and so they won’t take the appropriate actions, because they don’t see it as affecting Guyana. He also gave us the name of the guy in parliament that befriended Kathy. His name is Ratsom or Ransom [latter name underlined] and Mingo doesn’t like him (though he is PNC). Kathy did go to Parliament at this guy’s invitation according to Mingo. I told him that was another warning of ours that went unheeded. I said she wanted to get something she could use against Guyana. He nodded.
One thing I didn’t realize is that the ministers of government have no power to hire and fire anyone under them except their personal secretaries. Naturally this causes problems with follow-through when someone doesn’t agree with orders. Mingo said that is why a new constitution is needed.
He said Reid is still with us. But he said we could expect additional pressures as a result of being supportive of the PNC. The pressures would come as part of the effort against the referendum which is gaining strong support (e.g., most doctors and lawyers in the country are lining up to oppose the referendum). I told him we were ready for it but we just wanted to get the lay of the land and not get caught in a vacuum; we wanted to stand for principle and would be with him and Dr. Reid no matter what happened (this was said later in the day to him as per instructions).
He didn’t think we are a condition of the IMF loan and he reiterated that Burnham is opposed to it because he doesn’t want to devalue and he feels there are so many restrictions that it would be like a return to colonialism.
He also repeated that Bunny Mann used to feed Burnham inside information when Mann was with the PPP. Thus he enjoys a particular status because of the debt Burnham owes him. He doesn’t know if Mann has anything over Burnham.
He said that he noticed the determination that every one of our people has, whom he has met. He said this with admiration, remarking that it was as a result of JJ’s work and example.
[Handwritten addition: “(More to come)”]
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From: [Mike] Prokes
Fri. May 26
I asked Mingo about the possibility of a coup d’état and he said he didn’t see it because the PNC has strong control over the military. I said what about the military leader turning against Burnham and taking over – is there anyone who could do it? He said the most powerful military men like Price are loyal and supportive and the ones who are not that supportive do not last because Burnham removes them from their position. Mingo doesn’t see any force existing that has the organization or capability to take over.
[Handwritten addition: “Reid signed a card thanking us for the $200 donation to the party as his birthday gift from us. That was well spent money.”]
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Mingo
5/29/78
Debbie, Mike, Tim, Maria
The first thing he asked was if we had applied for a permit to be soliciting funds, because a person who was not a friend of ours had asked him about it. (He did not mention Hoyte’s name until later in the conversation). We told him about the mix-up of the permit being granted to Sharon Amos only since she had written the letter and that we were in the process of reapplying for an organizational permit. He said no problem, but that Hoyte had said if he had his way it would not be granted to us. We asked him why Hoyte is so unfriendly and he said he did not know. About the gun permits he said he did not know it hadn’t gone through yet and that he was meeting with Reid and the commissioner Tuesday and would ask about it. Without us saying anything first he said that the border was one place where they did want to have more arms and couldn’t understand it. He said he would also check on Tim’s permit. He made a note of it in his appointment book as a reminder. In regards to Kathy Hunter, he said she did not enter the country illegally, that she had stated she was a journalist. She was given a one-day permit and told that she would have to go to the Ministry of Home Affairs and then to the Ministry of Information and back again to Home Affairs if she wanted an extension. I wasn’t clear on it, but apparently she lied to them when she went in and never completed making her application. He said he could give a statement to that effect, but that he would have to check with his permanent secretary first as he is the one who would be handling it.
- He seemed impressed when we told him we had spent $50,000.00 on supplies for the medical clinic last week. He wanted to know if it was US dollars.
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From: [Mike] Prokes
29 May 1978 Monday
Tim Jones, Debbie T., Maria K., Prokes meeting with Mingo: He asked us if we were soliciting door-to-door because a minister who is not a friend of ours asked him how we got to do that. Mingo told him that we applied for it through proper channels. The minister said that if it was up to him, we wouldn’t be allowed to do it. Since Mingo didn’t say his name, I said, “So Minister Hoyte doesn’t want us doing that?” Mingo nodded, confirming it was Hoyte. We told Mingo of the expense of our free medical services and that 50 people a day came in for medical treatment. When Maria said we spent $50,000 last week her medical supplies, he said, “How much – $15,000?” She said, “No, I said $50,000.” He looked surprised and impressed. I’m sure he believed it. We asked him if he knew what was behind Hoyte’s dislike for us and he said he didn’t know – he just doesn’t like our organization. I said to Mingo with a wry smile, “Well, I’m sure you defend us to him, staunchly, right?” I don’t know if you understood me, but he was smiling.
Tim asked him about his (Tim’s) permit for a handgun. Mingo made a note of it after Tim explained the situation. I then raised the issue of getting more guns for use against possible mercenaries and the defense of Guyana. Mingo responded by saying, “Yes, we should like to arm those who live on our borders.” I asked him what we should do to pursue this and he said he would have to be the one to pursue it. He made a note about it on his calendar schedule. He didn’t seem bothered or edgy about the subject and we made conversation about it as casual as our discussion on other matters.
He had no feedback from Reid about us on any topic at this time.
With regard to giving us a signed statement about Kathy Hunter, he said his Permanent Secretary would have to be the one to do it since he was the one to deal with her. He took the statement I wrote out (as given by Sarah [Tropp]) and said it wasn’t accurate, because she didn’t really lie to get in the country. So I said but she did lie to stay in. He said yes and agreed that something along those lines might be okay. I said please get him (the PS) to sign something like that which is strong so we can use it to refute this woman who is certainly lying against you.
He said he would meet with Marceline on Thurs. or Fri. if she comes in.
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Sharon Amos
Minister Mingo (Tim C., Debbie T., Sharon) 17/7/78
– we told him what you had said that we shouldn’t have bothered him the day of the referendum that it could’ve waited though we are in a common crisis
– he said it’s all right, he’d forgotten all about it, he was very busy and when he said I provoked him he was just reacting to the pressure of the day
– he said that he had great faith in our fate in Guyana – (Lucy and Tim heard him say he has great faith in our faith in Guyana)
– he said when I told him all about J’s medical situation and that JJ didn’t want it mentioned again but my conscience wouldn’t let me leave it at that, he said in the interest of humanity something should be done about it and he would look into it/ he said again he’s embarrassed that it hasn’t been settled/ said it needs a decision
– he was supposed to see us today at 3:30 but couldn’t come out to talk to us until after 4 and then said he couldn’t see us today and could we come back Wednesday/ we told him we had come all the way down for this appointment and we needed to see him sooner, could he see us later in the afternoon so he saw us at 5:30/ Debbie told him the message of when he puts us off we feel he doesn’t relate to the conspiracy etc. – as he had canceled an appointment Saturday 15/7/78
– he didn’t say too much to this
– it was mentioned that Bunny Mann had told us that he had received a packet from Mingo saying that he didn’t want to be quoted/ Mingo said that wasn’t him, it was the Permanent Secretary that replied to Mann and that Mingo didn’t know what the PS had said – I said don’t you routinely check that and he said he should have but hadn’t in this case – he said that Kathy Hunter told the truth when she came in on the airplane and so was referred to his office but when she came to Home Affairs she lied saying she was just a visitor
– regarding IMF [International Monetary Fund] – he said it was a 1 year program Guyana had accepted – no devaluation (Carl Grenwich told us that since it’s a limited program there would probably be little money coming to Guyana)
– he doesn’t think Mingo doesn’t [think] that there is any pressure point that Guyana would react to in terms of kicking us out
– he said that there is so much we can learn from you/
– he said that we are a useful country model – he said that the problem Guyana had is that it didn’t have the infrastructure (this is commonly used and means a structure like bridges, roads etc. which allows for easier development, sewage) – he said that Cuba was even more developed in this way so the model of some countries isn’t so useful to Guyana
– regarding assistance he said China is the most help to Guyana without any strings/ they have set up a textile mill, a brick factory, a glass factory, a bicycle factory in New Amsterdam, a hospital in New Amsterdam –
– he said that the development of factories really is practical whereas some will set up a bridge which doesn’t develop directly industry and then they set it up so that Guyana has to buy the materials from the assisting country like England or US and it turns out very expensive for Guyana/also England and US supply the technicians and they have to be paid
– he said the Russians don’t offer Guyana anything and DPRK [North Korea] really doesn’t have too much assistance to give
– he said that the Vice Premier coming to Guyana from China shows Chinese difficulty and need for friends/ he said the visits of China are always productive for Guyana
MEDICAL LARRY SCHACHT
– he said it’s not a simple problem/ it’s created by the doctors in the Medical Board themselves, they put pressure on the administration/ this is the Guyana Medical Association
– even practitioners who were qualified weren’t able to practice under the
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colonialist system – even Dr. Baird couldn’t practice at first as he was trained in the US not Britain but that had to be broken down to let others practice
– he said sooner or later we’ll get result on this/ he hasn’t talked to Min. Green but will talk to him
– he hasn’t talked to Naraine about the radio licenses (Guyana call signs) – will talk to him
– regarding Tim Jones gun permit for the magnum – I had asked him to expedite that, but he said it has to come to him but he’ll check on it
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[Editor’s note: Typographical errors have been corrected throughout.]
Min. Mingo
w/ Sharon, Deb, Tim C.
Deborah Touchette
July 17, 1978
– Sharon mentioned that Jim was in need of medical care and that he had undergone an operation on his bowel without anesthesia.
– Minister Mingo cringed when she said that, you could tell that he had empathy for him
– Sharon put it in the perspective that he was warned that it would not be a good idea if he traveled into Georgetown until after the issue of John [Victor Stoen] was finished.
– Mingo nodded his head in agreement and asked why you had not received anesthesia?
– Sharon said you didn’t want to take away from the needs of the other people and since there was very little, you took none.
– She said the situation was one that could be corrected by medical care, but it would be a senseless death otherwise and the Peoples Temple, or the people there were quite dependent on your direction
– He said he would raise the point in the interest of humanity that may hurry up the decision
– Sharon had asked him to present this to Dr. Reid.
– I mentioned the issue of Bonnie Mann receiving a package stating that he (Mingo) had not given clearance to Peoples Temple to quote him, although the things that Kathy Hunter was saying were not true
– He said he didn’t send a package to him, but that his P.S. [Permanent Secretary] did, and he didn’t check to see what the P.S. wrote.
– I asked if there were any pressure points that he felt Guyana might force PT to leave because of the conspiracy?
– He said he didn’t feel this would happen, but he felt that since the referendum had passed and a new constitution was to be formed the policy involving PT would have to come up, he didn’t say this in a negative way (because he had mentioned earlier there were no laws to accommodate cooperatives)
– he said “there must be a confrontation between those that are positive and negative to make a decision on the PT
– Sharon asked him if the North Koreans were well-liked in Guyana, because she saw a lot of literature in all the offices in Georgetown.
– Min. Mingo said that was not necessarily true he said that the Koreans bombard you with literature.
– Sharon said you mean like the Peoples Temple?
– he said no, “the Peoples Temple bombard you with their presence”
– we all started laughing
– I pointed out how the press is contradictory and how Kathy Hunter says we would commit suicide over John, and then later says we would commit suicide if we were attacked by Venezuela
– Sharon said it doesn’t make any sense, why would we leave the US to come here and commit suicide, we could have done it there.
– he asked if we had invited the press. He said we should invite the local press and the international, and there should be a press conference
– I showed him my lie detector test, he studied it thoroughly for several minutes and handed it back
– I told him I had taken that test for two reasons, because I had handled monies, and because I saw Debbie Blakey with the money in her hands before she left.
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– somehow we got on China’s foreign policy and Sharon asked him what his opinion was on this, what was Guyana’s feeling about China? oh, yes, because of the delegation coming in.
– In so many words he said they had a great appreciation for China because they had provided funds and moneymaking projects with no strings attached, e.g., China gives us factories to build, they’ve built a brick factory and glass factory, bicycle factory and a hospital in New Amsterdam without strings attached.
– he said he thought they did this because they were looking our friends
– ref. to pressure to get rid of PT…
– Tim said they wouldn’t let you know if there were pressure points because you are pro Peoples Temple.
– Mingo said this is quite true. “I personally don’t see your organization being effected by pressure,” he said.
– We mentioned Larry situation, he didn’t feel doctors would let up on the pressure, he said that even Dr. Baird had trouble when they first came here, he said something to the effect that the doctors were prejudiced in this issue (not Larry’s alone) but of following the rules that they have established.
– Tim asked him for Daisy’s statement, he said he had not received it yet
– Tim asked him about the radio license, had he gotten any feedback from Narine
– He said he thought that was settled, but that he had heard nothing further on it
– Sharon mentioned that Bonnie Mann had talked against the government and what he said about not being able to express opinions.
– Mingo said that was not true, that the Prime Minister would listen to her opinions, opinions that were objective and he wanted concrete replacements or advice for what you tear down
– Sharon told him about the Medlocks and how Tim Stoen had offered to pay the money to lie on PT and that he once said he received twenty thousand dollars at one time.
– I told him that the state department was under pressure to cut off ties with Cuba, and Congress voted to cut off ties, but the State Department refused, and now [Pres. Jimmy] Carter was under a lot of pressure, and it wouldn’t be long before he would remember the Kennedys and the Martin Luther Kings, he would give way to pressure, we were already seeing the effects of that, he agreed that this was so
– he said he had not seen Reid or the PM and thought they would be busy for a while since it was just after the referendum.
– We had several follow-up things to do, so I suggested we make a list of all the things and check back with him.
– Sharon made him a list.
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[Marginal note: “March 22, 1978”]
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.
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Sharon Amos
Mingo 27/7/78 Sharon, Hue, Maria
– (by the way we were to talk to Mingo on the phone about needing some answers on devaluation and our status in the country, this was a few weeks ago but I don’t know if I wrote his answers)
– he said that he had already told us he would prewarn us about devaluation/he said he had tried to answer our questions and that the only assurance he could give is that we are still here/ our existence here is an assurance/ they wouldn’t make us permanent citizens if we weren’t wanted here and they wouldn’t have allowed us to establish Jonestown
– regarding the airplane he said he was doing an investigation (this was the day of the referendum July 10 by the way) and he said that they are doing the investigation/ later I tried to get a plane charted that day as we needed a plane to pick up Lisa (and Bonny was going to pay for it) –Grandsalt said he had been told he couldn’t fly without pre-arranging it first (and I wondered if that was because of the incident with the National Inquirer)
– this above was the time he told me he was trying to be very patient and not to prove him
– talked to him about the 12-year-old child/ he said that there is a special boat for people who need to leave the country and he said for us to call Dr. Baird at Ministry of Health
– showed him Tommy Beikman’s arm/ he looked extremely shocked. He said this is been too long like that when he heard it was 6 months and not healed/ I told him Dr. He said this is been too long like that when he heard it was 6 months and not healed/ I told him Dr.He said this is been too long like that when he heard it was 6 months and not healed/ I told him Dr. S He said this is been too long like that when he heard it was 6 months and not healed/ I told him Dr.eware was probably overwhelmed with all the cases he has since so many doctors had left the country and didn’t understand why Larry wasn’t licensed since doctors are so badly needed
– he said the care of the arm was obviously not so good
– he didn’t know of any other help we could get for the 12-year-old but said to talk to Dr. Baird
– told him we can’t afford GDF flights when we have to pay for them for mercy flights for Guyanese people we are helping/ he asked why we had to pay for them – why didn’t the Guyanese people just request them/ explained that Guyanese people come to our property for treatment and then if necessary we arrange the GDF flight/ often the people are too sick to do it/ he said he understands/ said he’ll look into it and call the Chief of Staff
– Maria told him that some students told us they were to attend our school in 6 weeks but we hadn’t been notified of this and we can’t accommodate these children right now. He said what age are they, when did this happen. He said the exams of secondary school were made public yesterday. The government may be deciding some children should go to your school. He said they should have notified you, and the Ministry of Education should communicate these things to you.
– He wondered if children who came to us telling us they were coming to our school brought a letter from the government when they came
– he said this may be one of the conditions of being an approved govt. school. He feels we should not be alarmed until someone comes to the project with a letter from the govt. He said one did come with a registration card. He said to just tell the Ministry we can’t accommodate them
PLYWOOD
– asked him about this/ told him what Adrian Thompson said about the problem of competing with Surinam international company
– he said it might not be worthwhile because of this
– we asked him about a plywood company in the past that had closed and he said he never heard of any
Light Detector Test/ showed Maria’s and Debbie Touchette about Debbie B (he had seen Debbie T’s before. He looked at Maria’s about her father quite carefully
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A-1 (3)
RADIO LICENSES – GUYANA CALL NUMBERS
– he talked to Minister Naraine and Minister Naraine thought it might be difficult for us to get a license here. But Minister Naraine is going to look into it further
JJ’s health – what can be done to resolve the case so he can travel
– he discussed it with Dr. [Ptolemy] Reid because of J’s health. Dr. Reid didn’t give a positive answer but said he would see what he can do
Aubry [Aubrey] Bishop
– I said I heard that Bishop had put up some opposition to cases relating to the referendum and even refused the Attorney General on some matter
– he said that Bishop had given a Sunday afternoon decision and took a long course on it but finally came to a decision which was pro-govt. Mingo said he thought Bishop did this to be objective
Larry’s License – doesn’t know about this/ we should talk to Minister [Hamilton] Green
Devaluation/ he said that there is still no plan to devaluate
– told him Charles Garry is sending him a statement saying that the National Enquirer reporters did admit that they flew over Guyanese airspace
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A-1 (4)
Sharon Amos
Parties of Immigration people 29/7/78 Sharon, Versie [Connesero], Hugh [Hue Fortson]
– the first party we went to we chatted briefly to the woman who gave the party
– I introduced myself to a woman who is on the City Counsel [Council] in Linden. She lives in the govt cooperative there Roxanne something it’s called. She was very friendly. She does the accounts for the City Council. Asked if we had ever visited. She said if we come she’ll arrange accommodations. Maybe Joan [Pursley] and whoever procures money could stay there when they come/ has heard our program and likes it/ her name was Waveny Tasher, 22 Rockstone housing project, Wismar. Her workplace is c/o Mayor & town Counsel, McKenzie Linden 042561, 042562
– the next party was given by an immigration inspector and he was very drunk was trying to dance real dirty with women rubbing his prick up against them in an obscene way. He danced with Versie first and she tried to keep away from him/ I danced with him and did a jitterbug so that every time he pushed it close to me, I swung out and turned around and then the rest of the evening I avoided his eyes so he wouldn’t ask me again. He remained on friendly terms but another official at the immigration told me he had been drinking all day
– the other official is in charge of the whole thing Thorn and he danced with me and was quite friendly. Officer Thorn
– Hue and Versie talked to several people – I had to go to the car to put away my purse
– talked to other inspectors/ I didn’t get their names/ generally people were friendly
Hugh and Versie talk to a Noel Leitch, 45 Norton St., Wortmanville, Georgetown 72182 Home, 63011 office/ he wants to come to Jonestown
– the man who gave the party was Inspector Waldron and another inspector was Tucker/ both were friendly
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D-1-K-25
[Message on top half of page illegible]
Minister Mingo –
A small token of our appreciation for the privilege of living in this great Socialist Republic. We are deeply indebted for all that Cde. leader, Dr. Reid, and you have done to give our children a hone in this free, independent, and proud country. You have our undying support.
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D-1-K-26
25 August 1978
Dear Cde. leader,
We are enclosing this check as a small token of our appreciation for the great privilege of living in Guyana. We will do all that we can to help you and the Peoples National Congress make Guyana, the model socialist republic you envision, and we are grateful that our children have a home in this proud, free and independent nation.
We too are going through a period of austerity, but we know that all must do whatever they can to assist, no matter what the cost may be. It is in this Spirit we offer this gift. We hope it will in a small way help further those programs you have set forth to better the lives.
[balance of note cut off]
Cooperatively yours
Tony Walker Asst, to Cde. Jim Jones
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