Serial 1363

0 192310Z DEC 78
FM SAN FRANCISCO (89-250) (P) (SQD 1)
TO DIRECTOR (89-4286) (PRIORITY)
DETROIT (89-247) (PRIORITY)
BT
UNCLAS EFTO
RYMUR, 00: SAN FRANCISCO.

Re San Francisco teletype to Bureau, dated December 14, 1978. Detroit teletype to Bureau, dated December 18, 1978.

The Bureau is requested to forward the following information to Legat Caracas:

Numerous attempts to contact [name deleted], negative December 14, 1978. [name deleted] contacted afternoon December 14, 1978, and stated he had contacted [name deleted], a citizen of Guyana, November 25, 1978, via hand [ham] radio. [Line deleted]

During conversation between [name deleted] and [name deleted], [name deleted] became aware that [name deleted] was a reporter [half line deleted]

PAGE TWO SF 89-250 UNCLAS EFTO

[name deleted] stated he had some information of a “delicate nature” concerning the Jonestown incident and stated it would be worth [name deleted] effort to travel to Guyana and discuss the specifics. [name deleted] indicated he did not wish to discuss the specifics over the air. [name deleted] furnished his telephone number to [name deleted].

On November 26, 1978, [name deleted] contacted [name deleted] via telephone, and [name deleted] repeated the same conversation they had had the day prior, avoided specifics. [name deleted] added that he felt the authorities in Guyana were monitoring the airways and telephone equipment, therefore, any discussions between [name deleted] and himself would be intercepted. [name deleted] implied that the Guyanese government may not want the complete truth of the Jonestown incident to be known.

[name deleted] stated that Guyana had six (6) hand radio operators prior to the Jonestown incident, all of which are familiar to [name deleted]. [name deleted] stated there were two (2) ham operators in Jonestown, one being Albert Touchette, who is now deceased. [name deleted] also told [name deleted] that there was another individual by the name of [name deleted] in Guyana. [name deleted] indicated to [name deleted]

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that he [name deleted] traveled frequently to the United States and perhaps they could meet in the States to discuss, in detail, the information known to [name deleted].

[name deleted] displayed a cooperative attitude towards interviewing agents at Detroit, but expressed concern about Guyanese officials identifying [name deleted] and contacting him regarding his knowledge of the incident.

On December 18, 1978, [name deleted] advised he had sought approval of his employer, [name deleted] to travel to Guyana to interview [name deleted] for the purpose of developing a new story. [name deleted] would not authorize after weighing the probable news value of [name deleted] information.

[name deleted] was advised that the FBI would not become involved in his efforts to gain information known to [name deleted]. [name deleted] indicated a desire to obtain the information and stated he would gladly furnish any information obtained in the FBI. Again, [name deleted] was advised that the FBI would not conduct any investigation involving [name deleted], other than that conducted through prescribed governmental channels.

San Francisco would be interested in any transmissions

PAGE FOUR SF 89-250 UNCLAS EFTO

from Jonestown from November 1, 1978 on, and in particular the period November 17-19, 1978.

Bureau is requested to advise Legat, Caracas to determine through normal channels, information in possession of [name deleted], noting that [name deleted] indicates he is in a sensitive position in Guyana.

Armed and dangerous – suicidal tendencies.

BT