United States Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Memorandum
Date: 3/9/79
To: Mr. Moore
From: J. O. Ingram
Subject: RYMUR
John Crimmins, US Department of State (632-0655) telephonically contacted Ingram on 3/8/79 stating they were continuing their inquiry regarding State Department’s handling of the Guyana affair. He furnished following:
John Blacken, U.S. State Department, Guyana, has advised Crimmins that he recalls submitting a telegram to the U.S. State Department around the last part of April 1977 requesting background on the Peoples Temple due to the fact several people had just departed the United States and taken up residence in Guyana at the Peoples Temple. Blacken recalls being informed either by phone or telegram of a negative response regarding Peoples Temple. He later recalls that he received a phone call stating that the “Bureau” had been asked to check records for Peoples Temple and that Peoples Temple was not under investigation by the FBI.
Crimmins advised the State Department cannot locate any telegrams or teletypes from Guyana or one being sent back to Guyana and asked if the FBI would check its records for a possible teletype from State Department in April or May requesting FBI check its records.
Crimmins was told that this could have been handled through Liaison and if the records were negative than they would have been advised orally. He was told we would check our records to see if we have a teletype requesting any information in 1977.
ACTION:
[Name deleted] should review previous indices check to determine if State Department ever asked us in writing regarding the Peoples Temple.