0 051340Z JAN 79
FM BERN (89-6) (P)
TO DIRECTOR (89-4286) ROUTINE 013-05
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UNCLAS EFTO
RYMUR, 00: SAN FRANCISCO
ReBerCab, dated December 29, 1978.
Legat has received copy of letter from Gerard F. Charig, U.S. Department of Justice, Representative at the U.S. Consulate General, Munich, to Dr. Schreiber, District Prosecutor’s Office, Zürich. The letter contains the promised written assurances upon which the Swiss based their order blocking People’s Temple accounts. Pertinent sections follow:
“The Department of Justice in Washington, DC, is in the process of preparing a formal request which will be transmitted to the Federal Ministry of Police and Justice in Bern prior to January 31, 1979.… United States Attorney William Hunter is conducting a grand jury investigation in California of the People’s Temple.… This investigation concerns the crimes of murder and offenses affecting the property.”
PAGE TWO BER 89-6 UNCLAS E F T O
As previously reported, because Mr. Charig did not inform the Embassy, Bern, of his actions in advance, he has antagonized and offended the ambassador; his actions also offended Swiss Federal authorities because he dealt directly with canonal officials, and Legat still questions whether that U.S. Department of Justice will fulfill the commitment which Charig made.
Because of the sensitive nature of this case, and because of the personal interest of the U.S. ambassador in Bern, it is imperative that Legat be advised expeditiously whether investigation in San Francisco is being expanded and whether formal request pursuant to the US-Swiss treaty on mutual assistance in criminal matters will be submitted.
Lead: San Francisco sutel response to Bern.
Administrative: Bureau requested to retransmit to San Francisco.
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