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 Unidentified Individuals Speaking
FBI preliminary tape identification note: None
Date cues on tape: Fall 1978 (reference to brick-making factory)
People named:
Mr. Frasier (first name unknown), Guyanese man (speaks)
Bobby Frasier, son of Guyanese couple
Ernestine Frasier, wife of Guyanese man (speaks)
George Phillips, Guyanese from Port Kaituma
Vincent Hudson (from Burnham Agricultural Institute) (speaks)
Johnny Phillips (from Burnham Agricultural Institute) (speaks)
Maureen Terrell (from Burnham Agricultural Institute)
Larry Schacht (by reference)
Johnny Jones (speaks)
Russell Moton (speaks)
Bible verses cited: None
Summary:
(Note: This tape was transcribed by Vicki Perry. The editors gratefully acknowledge her invaluable assistance.)
This tape consists of two radio reports prepared in the broadcasting facilities at Jonestown for dissemination. From the very first words of each segment, it is evident that the target of the reports is at least a local or perhaps a national Guyanese audience, rather than a US audience, and both feature voices of local Guyanese residents.
In the first, the announcer tells the story of the Jonestown medical team completing a complicated surgical procedure to remove a large fruit seed lodged far up in the nose of a young Guyanese body. Not only is this story an illustration of Jonestown’s medical services for local residents, it also reveals the “extra dimensional faculty” of Jim Jones. More than two hours after the medical team began laboring without success, the Temple leader came into the room, and almost immediately, the seed was dislodged. Earlier, Jones had had a “feeling” that the vehicle bringing in the child would get stuck on the road, and dispatched a Temple truck to meet it. The segment also includes the testimony of the boy’s father – who, upon prompting, also praises Jonestown itself – and the Jonestown resident who had followed Jim Jones’ premonition and met the incoming vehicle.
The second segment begins as an acknowledgment to Guyana’s national government, and to the Northwest District where Jonestown in located, for allowing the American community to be part of the country’s development and growth. The people of Jonestown hope their own “spirit of joy and socialist cooperation” contributes to the nation’s progress.
The announcer then turns to an interview with three staff members of a local agricultural cooperative who – together with two Jonestown managers – discuss various ideas in how to produce cassava, what it can be used for, and what kind of yield and prices they can expect for it.
FBI Summary:
Date of transcription: 5/31/79
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 May 31, 1979, Special Agent (name deleted) reviewed the tape numbered 1B93-38. This tape was found to contain the following:
A recording which describes the readiness of the Jonestown Medical Staff.
Differences with FBI Summary:
The summary is accurate and meets the FBI’s purposes.
Tape originally posted March 2009