This is a listing of cables transmitted during December 1978, with the exception of December 1 and 2, which appear here in the listing of cables from the second week. Most of the cables below originated either within the State Department or one of its embassies, although there are few from the FBI and the Secret Service.
Sunday, December 3 – Saturday, December 9, 1978
Sunday, December 10 – Saturday, December 16, 1978
Sunday, December 17 – Saturday, December 23, 1978
Tuesday, December 26 – Sunday, December 31, 1978
It should be noted that many of the texts for the cables below were provided by the Wikileaks site, which was discovered to be defunct in late 2022. This is especially true for cables for which there is no corresponding pdf, such as the cable from State to Georgetown on December 3, 1978 at 0031, or which were heavily redacted, such as the cable from State to Georgetown on December 8, 1978 at 2103. For more discussion of Wikileaks’ collapse, click here.
A key to the notations in the columns appears below the chart. A note on sources used in the compilation of this chart also appears below.
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781203 | 0031 | State | 304925 | FBI may have access to materials collected in Jonestown | Text | |
| 781203 | 0417 | FBI | Human Freedom Center says 30 survivors are dangerous | Text | ||
| 781203 | 0943 | State | 305345 | Dover identifies approx. 125 more bodies | Text | |
| 781203 | 0944 | State | 305347 | Travel allowance allocated to numerous survivors | Text | |
| 781203 | 1059 | State | 305365 | 32 survivors may leave Georgetown | Text | |
| 781203 | 1720 | Georgetown | 4077 8317 | More survivors released | Text | |
| 781203 | 1740 | Georgetown | [4078], 8318 | Pam Am refuses to allow PT survivors to board | Text | |
| 781203 | 1959 | State | 305662 | Calif. explores possibility of criminal charges against PT | Text | |
| 781203 | 2228 | State | 306441 | Dover identifies more bodies | Text |
Monday, December 4, 1978
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781204 | 0238 | State | 306446 | Delaware needs official statement from GOG to release bodies | Text | |
| 781204 | 1725 | Georgetown | 4091 8325 | GOG provides statement to Delaware | Text | |
| 781204 | 1800 | Georgetown | 4095 8328 | Listing of Temple survivors in Georgetown | Text | |
| 781204 | 1915 | USSS | 1125 | Assessing the threat of assassination against the President | Text | |
| 781204 | 1920 | Georgetown | 4096 8329 | Reservations confirmed for a few survivors | Text | |
| 781204 | 2112 | State | 306421 | Jackie Speier interviewed by New York Times | Text | |
| 781204 | 2206 | State | 306440 | Final SitRep 29: Survivors leaving Guyana | Text |
Tuesday, December 5, 1978
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781205 | 0153 | State | 306491 | Dover identifies more bodies | Text | |
| 781205 | 0714 | State | 306530 | Dover identifies more bodies | Text | |
| 781205 | 1221 | Georgetown | 4098 8337 | Father informed that his daughter is likely dead | Text | |
| 781205 | 1239 | Georgetown | 4106 8330 | Discovery of “death tape” | Text | |
| 781205 | 1321 | Georgetown | 4108 8332 | Preliminary hearing for Beikman | Text | |
| 781205 | 1328 | Georgetown | 4107 8331 | Embassy retains local counsel | Text | |
| 781205 | 1345 | Georgetown | 4109 8333 | Description of consular visit in November | Text | |
| 781205 | 1511 | State | 306739 | Sky marshals fly to Guyana to accompany survivors home | Text | |
| 781205 | 1619 | Bridgetown | 03556 6864 | Charles Touchette asks after son Michael | Text | |
| 781205 | 1619 | Bridgetown | 03557 6865 | Charles Touchette asks after son Michael | Text | |
| 781205 | 1620 | Georgetown | 4110 8336 | Embassy reports on content of JT guest book | Text | |
| 781205 | 1627 | State | 306764 | Sky marshals to accompany survivors home | Text | |
| 781205 | 1930 | Georgetown | 4111 8341 | Passport information on Amos family | Text | |
| 781205 | 1945 | Georgetown | 4113 8343 | Allowances given to survivors denied boarding on planes | Text | |
| 781205 | 1955 | Georgetown | 4112 8342 | Listing of survivors with plane reservations (all deleted) | Text | |
| 781205 | 2010 | Georgetown | 4114 8344 | Embassy writes account of Ryan visit | Text | |
| 781205 | 2110 | Georgetown | 4116 8346 | Embassy comments on Speier interview | Text | |
| 781205 | 2155 | State | 307012 | State asks Embassy for staffing report | Text | |
| 781205 | 2209 | State | 307034 | Appropriation made to cover survivor expenses | Text | |
| 781205 | 2209 | State | 307035 | State corrects financial amount in earlier cable | Text | |
| 781205 | 2231 | FBI | FBI reports on autopsy protocols | Text | ||
| 781205 | 2329 | State | 307131 | State suggests Bridgetown not consult with GOG in seizing Albatross | Text | |
| 781205 | 2340 | State | 307151 | Justice asks for access to PT bank account info in Trinidad | Text | |
| 781205 | 2340 | State | 307153 | Embassy requested to report on federal checks arriving in GT | Text | |
| 781205 | 2340 | State | 307154 | State asks for info on Larry Layton | Text |
Wednesday, December 6, 1978
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781206 | 0152 | State | 307923 | State wants to prevent release of death tape | Text | |
| 781206 | 0222 | State | 307336 | Correction to account of Jones’ contacts with GOG | Text | |
| 781206 | 0554 | State | 307703 | Dover adds more names to death list | Text | |
| 781206 | 1337 | Georgetown | 4118 [8346] | FBI stenographer travels to Georgetown | Text | |
| 781206 | 1338 | Georgetown | 4119 8347 | GOG still seeks helicopter parts | Text | |
| 781206 | 1339 | Georgetown | 4120 4348 | New York Times reports that CIA transmitted first word of Jonestown suicides | Text | |
| 781206 | 1600 | Georgetown | 4121 4349 | Embassy in custody of numerous checks from Jonestown | Text | |
| 781206 | 2131 | FBI | Report of autopsies sought by Justice and families | Text | ||
| 781206 | 2152 | State | 308228 | Routine casework to be delayed because of Guyana situation | Text | |
| 781206 | 2305 | State | 308353 | Woman believes survivor may be her granddaughter | Text |
Thursday, December 7, 1978
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781207 | 1200 | Georgetown | 4137 8357 | Ambassador to talk with FBI agents, address assassination concerns | Text | |
| 781207 | 1201 | Georgetown | 4138 8358 | Embassy seeks continued staffing assistance | Text | |
| 781207 | 1202 | Georgetown | 4139 8359 | Financial responsibility for evacuation of bodies | Text | |
| 781207 | 1204 | Georgetown | 4141 8361 | Embassy catalogues Temple financial assets in response to media queries | Text | |
| 781207 | 1550 | FBI | FBI assists in getting permissions for autopsies | Text | ||
| 781207 | 1700 | Georgetown | 4149 8368 | 17 survivors leave Guyana | Text | |
| 781207 | 1701 | Georgetown | 4150 8369 | New York Times to report on death tape | Text | |
| 781207 | 1702 | Georgetown | 4151 8370 | Guyana newspaper disputes reports of alliances between GOG and Jones | Text | |
| 781207 | 1703 | Georgetown | 4152 8371 | Layton to be permitted visits from family | Text | |
| 781207 | 1704 | Georgetown | 4153 8372 | Proposals on disposition of Temple property in Guyana | Text | |
| 781207 | 1815 | Port of Spain | 3518 3348 | Germany seeks info on possibility of citizens in Jonestown | Text | |
| 781207 | 1841 | Bridgetown | 3616 6908 | Albatross will remain in Barbados for several days | Text | |
| 781207 | 2037 | State | 308871 | State press briefing transcript for 12/5 | Text | |
| 781207 | 2210 | USSS | 1135 | Secret Service seeks to interview survivors | Text | |
| 781207 | 2231 | State | 308972 | Funded allocated for survivors to return to US | Text |
Friday, December 8, 1978
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781208 | 0244 | State | 309310 | Guyana ambassador meets with congressional leaders | Text | |
| 781208 | 1702 | State | 309871 | NY Times prints article on death tape | Text | |
| 781208 | 1714 | State | 309905 | US needs statement from GOG on death certificates to allow Delaware transport | Text | |
| 781208 | 1746 | Georgetown | 4169 8382 | Embassy makes correction on account of Ryan visit | Text | |
| 781208 | 1955 | Georgetown | 4170 8383 | Embassy interested in Times article on death tape, defends media relations | Text | |
| 781208 | 2005 | Georgetown | 4171 8384 | Dwyer offers recollections of May 10 visit to JT | Text | |
| 781208 | 2101 | Georgetown | 4173 8386 | Description of Embassy trips to JT | Text | |
| 781208 | 2103 | State | 310117 | Mother of Jonestown survivor seeks contact | Text | |
| 781208 | 2103 | State | 310118 | Two Jonestown survivors don’t want to leave Guyana | Text | |
| 781208 | 2159 | State | 310202 | State press briefing transcript for 12/6 | Text | |
| 781208 | 2250 | FBI | FBI seeks location of documents taken from Jonestown | Text |
Saturday, December 9, 1978
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781209 | 0005 | State | 310388 | State seeks pathologist to help Guyana doctor | Text | |
| 781209 | 0006 | State | 310389 | Embassy advised that death tape is part of ongoing investigation | Text | |
| 781209 | 0113 | FBI | Report on requests for autopsies | Text | ||
| 781209 | 0137 | State | 310473 | Dover releases more names of deceased | Text | |
| 781209 | 1322 | Georgetown | 4180 8388 | Three witnesses testify in Beikman hearing | Text | |
| 781209 | 1323 | Georgetown | 4181 8389 | Embassy provides itemized bill for autopsies of four slain at Kaituma | Text | |
| 781209 | 1331 | Georgetown | 4189 8392 | None of passports reveal German or Dutch victims | Text | |
| 781209 | 1405 | Georgetown | 4187 8397 | Listing of 23 federal checks for Temple members | Text | |
| 781209 | 1445 | Georgetown | 4196 8398 | Secret Service will interview several survivors | Text | |
| 781209 | 1622 | State | 310906 | Washington Post article reveals dissent on death tape | Text | |
| 781209 | 1747 | State | 311003 | NYT reports Guyana upset it belatedly learned about death tape | Text | |
| 781209 | 1835 | Georgetown | 4197 8399 | GOG issues statement on death certificates | Text | |
| 781209 | 1900 | State | 311088 | State press briefing transcript for 12/7 | Text | |
| 781209 | 2342 | State | 311419 | State requests original of letter from GOG on death certificates | Text |
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781210 | 1629 | State | 311999 | Wall Street Journal defends State’s actions | Text |
Monday, December 11, 1978
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781211 | 1030 | Georgetown | 4198 8400 | GOG has not made final decision on Secret Service interviews | Text | |
| 781211 | 1244 | State | 312201 | State asks for passports from Embassy | Text | |
| 781211 | 1250 | Georgetown | 4200 8402 | Embassy says it recovered 748 federal checks | Text | |
| 781211 | 1251 | Georgetown | 4201 8403 | Embassy reflects on handling of media | Text | |
| 781211 | 1451 | USSS | Secret Service wants to know when GOG will meet on interview request | Text | ||
| 781211 | 1735 | Georgetown | 4204 8405 | Two Jonestown survivors have not received assistance | Text | |
| 781211 | 1805 | Georgetown | 4210 8411 | Embassy offers correction tom earlier cable | Text | |
| 781211 | 1822 | Georgetown | 4212 | FBI offers more information on recovered firearms | Text | |
| 781211 | 2051 | Port of Spain | 3542 3362 | Court order needed to release Trinidad bank records | Text | |
| 781211 | 2101 | Georgetown | 4217 8413 | Charles Touchette informed of son’s safety | Text | |
| 781211 | 2119 | FBI | Mother of Richard Castillo signs consent form for autopsy | Dover State | Text | |
| 781211 | 2209 | State | 312396 | State press briefing transcript for 12/8 | Text |
Tuesday, December 12, 1978
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781212 | 1016 | Georgetown | 4218 8414 | Embassy seeks transcript of death tape | Text | |
| 781212 | 1021 | Georgetown | 4223 8419 | GOG asks Embassy to take responsibility for Temple assets | Text | |
| 781212 | 1220 | Georgetown | 4226 8421 | GOG to consider USSS request for interviews | Text | |
| 781212 | 1225 | Georgetown | 4227 | 11 cases of Jonestown material to be transported to FBI | Text | |
| 781212 | 1650 | Georgetown | 4228 8422 | Diary of Jim Jones allegedly in Panama | Text | |
| 781212 | 1720 | Georgetown | 4229 8423 | Consular officers ask for immunity in testifying before inquest | Text | |
| 781212 | 1750 | Georgetown | 4236 8429 | Jonestown described as Guyana’s “trip wire” in disputes with Venezuela | Text | |
| 781212 | 1753 | Georgetown | 4239 8432 | Press interviews Burnham on Jonestown | Text | |
| 781212 | 1905 | Georgetown | 4240 8433 | NYT reports injection marks on JT victims, which puzzles Embassy | Text | |
| 781212 | 2025 | Bridgetown | 3682 6950 | Albatross to leave Bridgetown on Dec 15 | Text | |
| 781212 | 2228 | State | 313179 | Survivors to receive funds to return to US | Text | |
| 781212 | 2244 | State | 313253 | NYT reporter seeks access to inquest in Matthews Ridge | Text | |
| 781212 | 2255 | State | 313267 | Dover lists 8 victims who exhibited signs of violence | Text | |
| 781212 | 2344 | State | 313461 | Consular officers receive immunity in testifying before inquest | Text |
Wednesday, December 13, 1978
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781213 | 1240 | Georgetown | 4242 8434 | Embassy reports on Beikman preliminary hearing | Text | |
| 781213 | 1614 | Georgetown | 4257 8443 | GOG does not need American pathologist | Text | |
| 781213 | 1615 | Georgetown | 4258 8444 | Preliminary inquiry into Layton delayed | Text | |
| 781213 | 1626 | FBI | FBI reports on autopsy protocols, progress | Text | ||
| 781213 | 1704 | State | 314199 | Embassy asked to investigate how Peoples Temple acquired drugs | Text |
Thursday, December 14, 1978
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781214 | 0155 | State | 314677 | Review of death tape almost complete | Text | |
| 781214 | 1230 | Georgetown | 4273 8455 | Dale Parks called as witness in Layton preliminary hearing | Text | |
| 781214 | 1243 | Georgetown | 4252 8457 | Helicopter to be delivered to Guyana | Text | |
| 781214 | 1245 | Georgetown | 4276 8458 | Several survivors request repatriation funds | Text | |
| 781214 | 1415 | Georgetown | 4281 8459 | Guyana coroner’s inquest begins | Text | |
| 781214 | 1555 | Panama | 9105 0199 | Ownership of Albatross investigated | Text | |
| 781214 | 1815 | Georgetown | 4282 8460 | GOG asks Secret Service to interview witness in US | Text | |
| 781214 | 1816 | Georgetown | 4283 8461 | GOG still sensitive about FBI in Guyana | Text | |
| 781214 | 1835 | Georgetown | 4284 8462 | GOG asked to take over expenses for housing survivors need for its own inquiries | Text | |
| 781214 | 1838 | State | 315208 | SCLC leaders to travel to Guyana | Text | |
| 781214 | 2051 | State | 315278 | State requests inventory of checks found in Jonestown | Text | |
| 781214 | 2305 | USICA | 39401 | Garry, Lane, and Buford reportedly in Switzerland | Text | |
| 781214 | 2340 | State | 315549 | Dover identifies more bodies | Text |
Friday, December 15, 1978
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781215 | 1120 | Georgetown | 4285 8466 | Reporters seek transportation to Matthews Ridge | Text | |
| 781215 | 1310 | Bern | 6149 7404 | Efforts to freeze Temple Swiss accounts | Text | |
| 781215 | 1500 | Bern | 6182 7410 | Probe into Temple funds in Switzerland | Text | |
| 781215 | 1547 | Geneva | 19276 7555 | No press inquiries on Swiss account | Text | |
| 781215 | 1700 | Bern | 6185 7411 | Efforts to freeze Temple Swiss accounts | Text | |
| 781215 | 1900 | Georgetown | 4315 8479 | FBI requests to remove Temple materials from Guyana | Text | |
| 781215 | 2301 | State | 316509 | Press wants to know Jones’ condition on last consular visit | Text |
Saturday, December 16, 1978
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781216 | 0144 | State | 316757 | State replies to Zablocki letter | Text | |
| 781216 | 1520 | Georgetown | 4316 8480 | Embassy describes Jonestown property, personal effects | Text |
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781217 | 2207 | Georgetown | 4317 8482 | Letters bequeathing Temple assets to USSR revealed at inquest | Text |
Monday, December 18, 1978
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781218 | 1130 | Georgetown | 4318 8483 | Two witnesses testify at Layton inquest | Text | |
| 781218 | 1515 | Georgetown | 4326 8488 | Text of Temple letters to USSR | Text | |
| 781218 | 1630 | Georgetown | 4327 8490 | Embassy corrects error in Zablocki letter | Text | |
| 781218 | 1717 | Georgetown | 4329 8491 | Harold Cordell testifies at Layton inquest | Text | |
| 781218 | 1915 | Georgetown | 4349 8493 | Stephan Jones confesses to murder in Beikman proceeding | Text | |
| 781218 | 2045 | State | 318332 | State corrects error in Zablocki letter | Text | |
| 781218 | 2155 | Panama | 9219 0260 | Temple banks accounts in Panama frozen | Text |
Tuesday, December 19, 1978
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781219 | 0116 | State | 318537 | DOD lists what material provided to Embassy | Text | |
| 781219 | 1745 | Georgetown | 4352 8497 | HEW denies agency wrote letter of commendation for Jones | Text | |
| 781219 | 1746 | Georgetown | 4353 8498 | Consular officer describes trip to Jonestown on Nov 7 | Text | |
| 781219 | 1747 | Georgetown | 4354 8496 | Stephan Jones charged with murder | Text | |
| 781219 | 1945 | Georgetown | 4356 8500 | Status of survivors in Guyana | Text | |
| 781219 | 2312 | State | 319334 | Embassy authorized to release materials to FBI | Text |
Wednesday, December 20, 1978
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781220 | 0004 | State | 319402 | USG declares interest in Temple assets in Guyana | Text | |
| 781220 | 0010 | State | 319415 | USG declares interest in Temple assets in Panama | Text | |
| 781220 | 1240 | Georgetown | 4394 | Report on money recovered in Jonestown | Text | |
| 781220 | 1250 | Georgetown | 4395 8517 | Pan Am to allow survivors to fly to US | Text | |
| 781220 | 1541 | State | 319834 | Sky marshals to accompany survivors | Text | |
| 781220 | 1545 | Bern | 6265 7430 | Report on Temple assets in Switzerland | Text | |
| 781220 | 1645 | Georgetown | 4398 8518 | New Temple accounts found in Guyana | Text | |
| 781220 | 1730 | Curacao | 0944 4162 | Curacao willing to investigate existence of Temple accounts | Text | |
| 781220 | 1855 | Georgetown | 4399 8519 | GOG balks at USG assertion of interest | Text | |
| 781220 | 1910 | State | 318332 | Repeat of previous cable 781218 2045 | Text | |
| 781220 | 2103 | Panama | 9285 0292 | US needs assistance in working with Panama banks | Text | |
| 781220 | 2105 | Panama | 9286 0293 | Bank in Panama balks at confirming existence of accounts | Text |
Thursday, December 21, 1978
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781221 | 0116 | State | 320278 | JCS to terminate helicopter support for Embassy | Text | |
| 781221 | 0551 | State | 320589 | State reports that GOG balks at USG assertion of interest | Text | |
| 781221 | 1217 | Georgetown | 4402 8522 | USG claim has become political in Guyana | Text | |
| 781221 | 1255 | Georgetown | 4403 8523 | Two survivors have not left Guyana | Text | |
| 781221 | 1258 | Georgetown | 4406 8526 | USSS will not be allowed to interview prisoners in Guyana | Text | |
| 781221 | 1445 | Bern | 7442 6288 | Switzerland says one bank reports no Temple account | Text | |
| 781221 | 1600 | Georgetown | 4407 8527 | Journalists apparently took documents from Jonestown | Text | |
| 781221 | 1830 | State | 321193 | Embassy asked to submit Guyana death certificates | Text | |
| 781221 | 1949 | State | 321258 | Report on Beikman [deleted] | Text | |
| 781221 | 1950 | State | 321268 | Press reports survivors trying to leave Guyana are unhappy | Text | |
| 781221 | 2234 | State | 321380 | Text duplicates previous cable | Text |
Friday, December 22, 1978
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781222 | 0028 | State | 321457 | State asks Embassy for assistance in locating phone number | Text | |
| 781222 | 1100 | Georgetown | 4408 8532 | Juanita Bogue testifies in Layton inquiry | Text | |
| 781222 | 1102 | Georgetown | 4414 8533 | USG, GOG discuss assistance needed to repair aircraft | Text | |
| 781222 | 1118 | Georgetown | 4426 8545 | Rumors circulate over money given to USSR | Text | |
| 781222 | 1120 | Georgetown | 4409 8528 | Embassy assistance to detained survivors | Text | |
| 781222 | 1727 | Georgetown | 4431 8549 | USG provides list of materials provided GOG | Text | |
| 781222 | 1728 | Georgetown | 4432 8550 | Guyana bank says it will need court order | Text | |
| 781222 | 1729 | Georgetown | 4433 8551 | Odell Rhodes testifies in Layton inquiry | Text | |
| 781222 | 1900 | Georgetown | 4434 8552 | GOG has not decided on request to remove materials from Guyana | Text | |
| 781222 | 2025 | Georgetown | 4435 8553 | Guyana inquest verdict | Text |
Saturday, December 23, 1978
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781223 | 2007 | Georgetown | 4420 8555 | Carters and Prokes released to return to US | Text | |
| 781223 | 2018 | State | 323801 | AFIP lists Jonestown deaths by violence | Text |
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781226 | 1200 | Georgetown | 4436 8556 | Neville Annibourne testifies in Layton inquiry | Text | |
| 781226 | 1204 | Georgetown | 4440 8560 | Notification that Lisa Layton died of natural causes before 11/18 | Text | |
| 781226 | 1205 | Georgetown | 4441 8561 | Money transferred in Larry Layton’s account | Text | |
| 781226 | 1211 | Georgetown | 4437 8557 | Review of survivors in Georgetown and departure plans | Text | |
| 781226 | 1212 | Georgetown | 4448 8564 | Report on Beikman [substance deleted] | Text | |
| 781226 | 1957 | State | 324210 | US wants to protect Temple assets in Guyana | Text | |
| 781226 | 2243 | State | 324418 | State asks about return of some survivors | Text |
Wednesday, December 27, 1978
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781227 | 1055 | Georgetown | 4452 8566 | SCLC leaders visit Guyana | Text | |
| 781227 | 1630 | Georgetown | 4458 8571 | Prokes has left Georgetown | Text | |
| 781227 | 1870 | Georgetown | 4459 | Guyana police report on arrest of Prokes, Carters | Text | |
| 781227 | 1817 | Georgetown | 4462 8573 | Balance in Larry Layton’s account | Text | |
| 781227 | 2010 | Port of Spain | 3697 3456 | Travel plans of two Touchette survivors | Text | |
| 781227 | 2232 | State | 325394 | Herbert Newell to return to US | Text | |
| 781227 | 2233 | State | 325396 | Sky marshals to accompany survivors on planes | Text |
Thursday, December 28, 1978
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781228 | 1012 | Georgetown | 4463 8574 | Embassy shipping Temple tapes, financial records to State | Text | |
| 781228 | 1350 | Georgetown | 4472 8577 | Seven survivors scheduled to depart Georgetown | Text | |
| 781228 | 1400 | Georgetown | 4473 8578 | Report on Beikman [substance deleted] | Text | |
| 781228 | 1507 | State | 325965 | Sky marshals to accompany survivors on planes | Text | |
| 781228 | 1845 | Georgetown | 4483 8588 | Several witnesses testify in Layton inquiry | Text |
Friday, December 29, 1978
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781229 | 1111 | Georgetown | 4485 8590 | GOG yet to reach decision on State request for Temple assets | Text | |
| 781229 | 1115 | Georgetown | 4492 8594 | Embassy wonders if any names on death list not previously known | Text | |
| 781229 | 1245 | Georgetown | 4496 8597 | Unnamed Temple member leaves Guyana | Text | |
| 781229 | 1642 | Georgetown | 4505 8602 | Guyana press protests US press story on GOG officials connection to Temple | Text | |
| 781229 | 1830 | Georgetown | 4514 8610 | 599 death certificates sent to US | Text | |
| 781229 | 2021 | Caracas | 5183 12160 | Venezuela dispute reports of Temple assets in Caracas, acted as buffer for Guyana | Text | |
| 781229 | 2230 | State | 327031 | US acts to repair damaged plane | Text |
Saturday, December 30, 1978
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781230 | 1050 | Georgetown | 4517 8613 | Several witnesses testify in Layton inquiry | Text |
Sunday, December 31, 1978
| Date | Time | Origin | ID | Content | Text | |
| 781231 | 2145 | Georgetown | 4524 8620 | GOG protests story in US media about cash going to USSR | Text |
The cables at the basis of this research come from a variety of sources.
• The bulk of them came from the State Department itself, in response to a Freedom of Information request for documents on Jonestown and Peoples Temple. The request was made by Rebecca Moore and Fielding McGehee, who eventually became the managers of this website. Of the 5700 pages that State released in 1981, fully 3000 were cables dating from 1974 until 1981, most of them from November and December of 1978 and early 1979.
• A smaller collection from the State Department came in response to another FOIA request, this one for what the agency had on the custody battle over John Victor Stoen, a battle waged by Timothy and Grace Stoen, primarily against Jim Jones.
• The second most productive official source was the FBI, which released many State Department cables collected during the FBI’s investigation of the Leo Ryan assassination (RYMUR).
• In 2014, the State Department released thousands of agency files as part of a general declassification review. Hundreds of those related to Peoples Temple. They didn’t become widely available to the public, however, until 2015 and 2016, when Wikileaks put them online. While the resulting record was neither official nor complete – there are scores of cables that the State Department continues to withhold and that Wikileaks didn’t access – the texts that Wikileaks posted are accurate.
It should be noted that many cables contain information which was deleted under an exemption in the Freedom of Information Act. The majority of those cables were eventually re-released with the exemptions lifted. The more-recently declassified passages appear in red type of the text version of the cables.
The most commonly-used exemptions by State are:
b(1) = information the release of which would jeopardize national security
b(6) = information the release of which would violate an individual’s privacy
This is a key to the meaning of the columns and the notations within them:
Columns 1 and 2 comprise the dates and times that the cables were sent. The dates are in the format of the last two digits of the year (74-79), the month (01-12) and the day. As an example, November 18, 1978 would be designated as 781118. The times are in Greenwich Mean Time, used internationally on all cables. They are included because – especially in the first few days after the tragedy – scores of cables were flashing back and forth between offices on a single day.
Columns 3 comprises the government agencies and embassies sending the cables. Abbreviations include:
State = State Department
Georgetown = U.S. Embassy in Georgetown, Guyana
POS = U.S. Embassy in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
CAR = U.S. Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela
PAN = U.S. Embassy in Panama City, Panama
Column 4 provides the cable identification number, unique to each document.
Column 5 presents a brief description of the cable’s contents. (The abbreviation “W/W” which appears on numerous cables means “Whereabouts and Welfare,” the State Department’s notation of the checks it makes on American citizens in foreign countries.)
Columns 6 and 7 provide links to the PDF and Text versions of the cables. The PDF indicates whether the cable came pursuant to the general FOIA request of State or to the second request for Stoen documents.