[Editor’s note: This document was released both as a State Department cable as part of its 1981 FOIA release, and as Serial 1448 of the FBI’s RYMUR release.
[Several of the subjects whose names are deleted in this serial are known to the editor. Those notations have been indicated by red type. The text that was subsequently released by the State Department is indicated by blue type.]
UNCLASSIFIED FBB 918
[Listing of agencies receiving informational copies on pdf]
0 272010Z DEC 78
FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN
TO AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN PRIORITY
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3456
UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 03697
E.O. 12065: N/A
TAGS: CASC
SUBJ: TRAVEL OF MEMBERS OF PEOPLE’S TEMPLE
1. People’s Temple member [name deleted] [Charles Touchette] has returned to Trinidad from Barbados on board the “Albatross III”. [Charles Touchette] indicates he plans to continue [words deleted] until contrary instructions are received from PT attorneys in San Francisco. Present plans are to remain in Trinidad for 2-3 weeks as he claims the vessel requires dry dock repairs.
2. [Charles Touchette] further stated that he has been in telephone contact with his son [Michael Touchette] in Georgetown. [Michael Touchette] purportedly had been given permission by Guyanese authorities to travel to Trinidad to visit his father was reportedly stopped from boarding an Air France flight on December 26 because he allegedly did not have a visa for Trinidad and Tobago. As visas are not required for US citizens to enter Trinidad, [Charles Touchette] would appreciate any clarification Embassy might be able to provide as to whether his son has, in fact, been given permission to leave Guyana. [Michael Touchette] was reportedly going to travel with PT member [name deleted] would also been residing at Lamaha Gardens.
O’Mahony [Joseph O’Mahony, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy, Port of Spain]
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 PORT O 03697 272010Z