The State Department Cables – 1979

This is a listing of cables transmitted during 1979. 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.

January 1979
February 1979
March 1979
April 1979
May 1979
June 1979
July 1979
August 1979
September 1979
October 1979
November 1979
December 1979

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 January 3, 1979 at 2051, or which were heavily redacted, such as the cable from State to Georgetown on January 26, 1979 at 0118. 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.

January

Date Time Origin ID Content PDF Text
790102 1449 Georgetown 0005 8623 Temple survivors depart Guyana PDF Text
790102 2245 Secret Service 0001 Assassination Threat Against President PDF Text
790102 2258 State 00358 Ambassador to discuss Temple assets with GOG   Text
790103 1236 Georgetown 0018 8630 Final death certificates not ready yet PDF Text
790103 1545 Georgetown 0019 8631 Larry Layton bound over for trial PDF Text
790103 2051 State 01102 Notification of updated list of dead   Text
790103 2111 Panama 0052 0446 Temple bank accounts in Panama   Text
790103 2149 State 01222 Embassy reports on arrest of Stephan Jones PDF Text
790103 2253 State 01310 FBI Interviews With Temple Members Still In Guyana PDF Text
790104 1101 Georgetown 0030 8641 Media Coverage Of Temple Delivery Of Cash To Soviets PDF Stoen Text
790104 1900 Kingston 0095 5107 Travel of Odell Rhodes   Text
790104 2209 State 02354 Temple Funds In Panama Bank Accounts PDF Text
790104 2228 State 02465 Question on visiting Larry Layton in prison PDF Text
790105 2111 Panama 0136 0487 Temple Funds In Panama   Text
790105 2217 State 03542 Questions on Laurence Mann investigation of Temple PDF Text
790106 0301 State 03871 Dover seeks Mootoo opinion on Jonestown dead PDF Text
790106 1245 Georgetown 0059 8658 GOG response to USG request for protecting Temple assets   Text
790108 1715 Georgetown 0060 8659 GOG follows up on previous note   Text
790108 1837 Georgetown 0063 8664 Travel of Michael Touchette   Text
790108 1855 Georgetown 0069 8660 Temple Bank Accounts In Guyana   Text
790109 0950 Bern 0147 7516 Swiss order blocking access to Temple account may expire PDF Text
790109 1016 Georgetown 0065 8666 FBI Interviews With Temple Members Still In Guyana   Text
790109 1017 Georgetown 0066 8667 Georgetown prison policies on contacts with prisoners PDF Text
790110 1027 Georgetown 0103 8683 Guyanese Death Certificate On Denise Johnson PDF Text
790110 1220 Port of Spain 0090 3519 Travel of Michael Touchette PDF Text
790110 1700 Georgetown 0120 8685 Travel of Temple survivors PDF Text
790110 1701 Georgetown 0121 8686 Repatriation of Temple survivors PDF Text
790110 1758 Georgetown 0122 8690 Guyanese Death Certificate On Viola Kelley PDF Text
790110 1759 Georgetown 0126 8691 Erroneous Death Report on Michael Angelo Simon PDF Text
790110 1945 Bridgetown 097 7124 Travel of Temple survivors PDF Text
790110 2207 State 07379 Travel Of Sky Marshals PDF Text
790110 2302 State 07515 Granddaughter being detained in Guyana as a witness PDF Text
790111 1202 Georgetown 0136 8694 Police report in Amos murder PDF Text
790111 1719 State 08245 Question on visits to prisoners in Guyana PDF Text
790111 2340 State 08551 Justice asks Switzerland to block Temple accounts   Text
790112 0123 State 08685 Death Certificate On Sharon Johnson PDF Text
790112 1122 Georgetown 0149 8700 Guyanese Death Certificate, on Mauri Kay Janaro PDF Text
790112 1123 Georgetown 0150 8701 Guyanese Death Certificate on Pearl Land PDF Text
790112 1136 Georgetown 0162 8707 Verdict In Coroner’s Inquest to be sent to DC PDF Text
790112 1844 Georgetown 0179 8717 Disposition Of Temple Property In Guyana   Text
790113 0928 State 09984 State seeks to establish guidelines for report   Text
790115 1149 Georgetown 0192 8719 U.S. Goals And Objectives In Guyana   Text
790115 1540 Bern 0256 7560 Peoples Temple Funds In Switzerland PDF Text
790115 1638 Georgetown 0198 8724 Death Certificate On Monique Bacon PDF Text
790115 1642 Georgetown 0200 8725 Embassy tries to identify missing child in Guyana PDF Text
790115 1925 Georgetown 0203 8726 Three Temple survivors return to US PDF Text
790115 2133 Port of Spain 0161 3547 Travels of Touchettes, Karl Barnett PDF Text
790115 1307 Georgetown 0207 8727 Death Certificate On Love M. Joy PDF Text
790116 1910 Port of Spain 0185 3556 Travels of Touchettes, Phil Blakey PDF Text
790116 2049 State 012047 Copying Of Tape Recordings From Jonestown PDF Text
790116 2135 State 012084 Removal Of Material Taken By Consular Officers From Jonestown PDF Text
790117 1413 Georgetown 0220 8732 Death Certificate for Shirley Robinson PDF Text
790117 1416 Georgetown 0223 8735 Embassy works on guidelines for visiting Layton PDF Text
790117 1424 Georgetown 0231 8742 Death Certificate corrections PDF Text
790117 1705 Georgetown 0232 8743 GOG Announces Establishment Of Commission Of Inquiry PDF Text
790117 2200 State 012983 Layton family sets up account for Larry in Georgetown jail PDF Text
790118 1047 Georgetown 0235 8746 Amos inquiry postponed PDF Text
790118 1350 Georgetown 0253 8747 Death Certificate for Nawab Lawrence PDF Text
790118 1514 State 013745 Death Certificates for Marie Janaro, Pearl Land, Marcia Simon   Text
790118 1755 Georgetown 0267 8750 Possible Return Of Albatross III To Georgetown   Text
790118 1757 Georgetown 0269 8752 Notes Of Evidence Taken During Coroner’s Inquest PDF Text
790118 1843 Georgetown 0233 8744 Status of PT members in jail PDF Text
790118 2122 State 014147 Disposition Of Peoples Temple Property In Guyana   Text
790119 1104 Georgetown 0272 8754 Death Certificate corrections PDF Text
790119 1410 Georgetown 0280 8756 Cases of documents shipped from Georgetown to New York PDF Text
790119 1505 Georgetown 0287 8762 Jonestown survivor experiences financial difficulties PDF Text
790119 1818 State 014978 Future expenses incurred on JT to be forwarded to State PDF Text
790119 1902 Georgetown 0282 Death Certificates PDF Text
790119 1922 Georgetown 0294 8766 Disposition of mail sent to PT in Guyana PDF Text
790119 1925 Georgetown 0297 8769 Embassy reports on Burnham’s views on JT   Text
790119 2245 State 015306 Death Certificates PDF Text
790119 2250 State 015351 Notes Of Evidence Taken During Coroner’s Inquest PDF Text
790119 2340 State 015478 Inventory Of Peoples Temple Property In Guyana   Text
790120 1730 State 016428 Protection Of U.S. Interests on PT Assets: Curacao   Text
790120 1730 State 016429 Protection Of U.S. Interests on PT Assets: Port of Spain   Text
790120 1731 State 016430 Protection Of U.S. Interests on PT Assets: Grenada   Text
790120 1731 State 016431 Protection Of U.S. Interests on PT Assets: Venezuela   Text
790120 1732 State 016431 Protection Of U.S. Interests on PT Assets: Nassau   Text
790120 2151 State 016709 Reimbursement for expenses incurred by House aide PDF Text
790121 0223 State 016991 Protection Of U.S. Interests on PT Assets: Great Britain   Text
790122 1305 Georgetown 0306 8774 Preliminary inquiry into Amos murders PDF Text
790122 1308 Georgetown 0309 8777 Report on prison visit to Charles Beikman PDF Text
790122 1309 Georgetown 0310 8778 Report on prison visit to Larry Layton PDF Text
790122 1310 Georgetown 0311 8779 Report on prison visit to Stephan Jones PDF Text
790122 2108 Port of Spain 0269 3583 PT Assets In Trinidad And Tobago   Text
790123 0840 Bern 0386 7604 Snafu on request for PT Funds In Switzerland Text
790123 1202 Georgetown 0318 8782 Death Certificate correction on Alvin Simon PDF Text
790123 1217 Georgetown 0324 8788 Processing of Death Certificates PDF Text
790123 1222 Georgetown 0329 8792 Disposition Of Temple Property In Guyana PDF Text
790123 1223 Georgetown 0330 8793 Funeral Parlor Expenses for Kaituma Victims PDF Text
790123 1617 Georgetown 0338 8800 Preliminary inquiry into Amos murders PDF Text
790123 1617 Georgetown 0339 8801 Notes Of Evidence Taken During Coroner’s Inquest PDF Text
790123 1623 State 018272 State asks for accounting of CODEL costs PDF Text
790123 1902 Bridgetown 0274 7230 Protection Of U.S. Interests on PT Assets: Grenada   Text
790124 1119 Georgetown 0350 8810 Death Certificate corrections PDF Text
790124 1410 Nassau 0210 2203 Protection Of U.S. Interests on PT Assets: Nassau   Text
790125 1052 Georgetown 0375 8818 Trial date set for Layton PDF Text
790125 1356 Georgetown 0380 8821 Embassy provides accounting of CODEL costs PDF Text
790125 1401 Georgetown 0385D 8825 Correction to previous cable PDF Text
790125 1850 Georgetown 0373 8816 Preliminary inquiry into Amos murders PDF Text
790125 1930 Georgetown 0389 8829 Paula Adams to travel to US PDF Text
790125 1955 Georgetown 0390 8830 GOG official to Attend SCLC Meeting On Temple PDF Text
790125 2010 Georgetown 0391 8831 GOG Approves Loan Of Evidentiary Material From Jonestown Tragedy PDF Text
790125 2104 State 020188 Crimmins To Visit Guyana In Study Of USG Relationship With Temple PDF Text
790126 0118 State 020612 Stephan Jones may have homicide charges dropped PDF Text
790126 1546 Georgetown 0409 8836 No newspaper accounts of Temple basketball team in G-town for tournament PDF Text
790126 1547 Georgetown 0410 8837 Jonestown tapes shipped to New York PDF Text
790126 1548 Georgetown 0411 8837 Paula Adams still in Guyana PDF Text
790126 2004 Port of Spain 0342 3619 Albatross III expected to depart, headed for Georgetown PDF Text
790127 1317 Georgetown 0434 8848 Death Certificate corrections PDF Text
790127 1318 Georgetown 0435 8949 Stephan Jones charges still pending PDF Text
790127 2221 State 023077 Protection Of U.S. Interests on PT Assets: Port of Spain   Text
790129 1636 Georgetown 0447 8854 GOG official to Attend SCLC Meeting On Temple PDF Text
790129 1745 Georgetown 0449 8855 GOG shake-up includes fallout from Jonestown Text
790129 1746 Georgetown 0450 8856 Preliminary inquiry into Amos murders PDF Text
790130 1157 Port of Spain 0367 3634 PT Assets In Trinidad And Tobago   Text
790130 1836 Georgetown 0476 8870 Guyana Inquest materials to be transported to DC PDF Text
790131 0542 State 025711 State to reimburse funeral expenses for Kaituma victims PDF Text

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February

Date Time Origin ID Content PDF Text
790201 1255 Georgetown 0496 8884 Preliminary inquiry into Amos murders PDF Text
790201 1256 Georgetown 0497 8885 Preliminary inquiry into Amos murders PDF Text
790205 1303 Georgetown 0549 8094 Preliminary inquiry into Amos murders PDF Text
790206 1342 Georgetown 0561 8908 List of presumed dead sent from Dover to Embassy PDF Text
790206 1346 Georgetown 0565 8912 Consular officer visits Stephan Jones in prison PDF Text
790206 1652 State 031525 Status of query into Peoples Temple Funds In Switzerland   Text
790206 1855 Georgetown 0576 8920 Summary of preliminary inquiry into Amos murders PDF Text
790206 1858 Georgetown 0577 8921 Beikman bound over for trial in Amos murders PDF Text
790206 2114 State 031827 Query into repatriation funds for JT survivors PDF Text
790207 0558 State 032545 Query into possible Jonestown victim   Text
790207 1217 Georgetown 0585 8926 Request for administrative assistance within US embassy PDF Text
790207 1740 Georgetown 0589 8928 Travel arrangements for US official to meet with Embassy PDF Text
790207 2328 State 032676 State seeks single listing for Guyanese Death Certificates PDF Text
790208 0013 State 032688 House Committee staff wish to interview Guyanese PDF Text
790208 1900 Georgetown 0609 8939 House Committee staff wish to interview Guyanese PDF Text
790209 1258 Georgetown 0617 8943 Consular officer visits Chuck Beikman in prison PDF Text
790209 1259 Georgetown 0618 8944 Charges against Stephan Jones dropped PDF Text
790209 1302 Georgetown 0621 8947 Mootoo to attend seminar in US PDF Text
790209 1303 Georgetown 0622 8948 Travel arrangements for Embassy official PDF Text
790209 1831 State 034474 State Dept reflects on goals in Guyana and Jonestown   Text
790209 1842 State 034486 Travel arrangements for Embassy official PDF Text
790210 1412 Georgetown 0634 8954 GOG Files Legal Charges For Recovery Of Damages from PT PDF Text
790212 1100 Georgetown 0636 8955 Information For Ambassador Crimmins PDF Text
790212 1103 Georgetown 0638 8956 Layton trial postponed one week PDF Text
790212 1106 Georgetown 0641 8959 Embassy has no records on alleged Jonestown victim PDF Text
790212 1608 Georgetown 0652 8968 Listing of Temple survivors who owe repatriation debt PDF Text
790212 2010 State 036840 Legal Action Filed By GOG Against Peoples Temple   Text
790212 2216 State 037167 Additional Guyanese death certificates PDF Text
790213 1345 Caracas 1331 5739 Protection Of U.S. Interests on PT Assets: Venezuela   Text
790213 1839 Georgetown 0690 8982 Burnham discusses PT during informal press conference PDF Text
790213 1940 Georgetown 0692 8984 Stephan Jones seeks to return to US PDF Text
790214 0320 State 038083 State forwards more questions from House committee PDF Text
790214 0332 State 038092 Dr. Layton responds to son’s questions from Georgetown jail PDF Text
790214 1100 Georgetown 0697 8989 Embassy suggests US drop Jonestown as policy issues   Text
790214 1725 Georgetown 0699 8990 Embassy response to GOG Claims For Recovery Of Damages   Text
790215 0745 State 038962 Dr. Layton forwards money to son in Georgetown jail PDF Text
790216 0128 State 039612 Relative of alleged JT victim seeks death certificate   Text
790216 0620 State 040100 More Temple members to return to US PDF Text
790216 1311 Georgetown 0729 9007 GOG needs files for additional time PDF Text
790216 1937 Georgetown 0744 9018 Stephan Jones travel plans PDF Text
790216 2000 Georgetown 0745 9019 Answers to committee’s questions PDF Text
790214 2306 Panama 1224 1128 Peoples Temple Funds In Panama   Text
790219 1520 Georgetown 0756 9026 Layton trial begins PDF Text
790220 1142 Georgetown 0760 9027 Death certificate for Ronnie Dennis PDF Text
790220 1143 Georgetown 0761 9028 Death certificate for Henry Logan PDF Text
790221 1130 Georgetown 0777 9033 Consular visit to Layton in prison PDF Text
790221 1131 Georgetown 0778 9034 Consular visit to Beikman in prison PDF Text
790221 1715 Georgetown 0824 9043 FBI and Secret Service seeks whereabouts of Lee Ingram PDF Text
790221 2320 State 043608 Dept forwards cable to FBI and Secret Service PDF Text
790221 2320 State 043610 Guyanese death certificates PDF Text
790222 1735 Georgetown 0816 9048 Embassy memo on extra work created by JT   Text
790223 0547 State 044562 Travel Of Sky Marshals PDF Text
790223 1856 State 044796 U.S. Final Policy Statement towards Guyana   Text
790223 2155 Kingston 1400 5898 Kingston reports on Lee Ingram’s travel to US   Text
790226 1847 Georgetown 0854 9063 Embassy clains press of business of PT matters   Text
790226 1848 Georgetown 0855 9064 Guyanese death certificates PDF Text
790226 2337 State 046957 Guyanese death certificates PDF Text
790227 1602 Georgetown 0872 9073 Disposition Of Shipping Crates Consigned To Peoples Temple PDF Text
790227 1756 London 4060 5030 Protection Of U.S. Interests: Peoples Temple Assets In UK PDF Text

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March

Date Time Origin ID Content PDF Text
790301 1600 Georgetown 0909 9088 Report on Layton trial PDF Text
790301 1730 Georgetown 0916 9090 Embassy Requested To Obtain Various Records for US Justice Dept PDF Text
790301 1917 London 04278 5155 Protection Of U.S. Interests: Peoples Temple Assets In UK PDF Text
790301 1923 Nassau 481 2377 Protection Of U.S. Interests: Temple Assets In Nassau   Text
790301 1925 Georgetown 0918 9092 Report on Layton trial PDF Text
790302 0138 State 050207 HFAC Investigation Of Ryan Assassination PDF Text
790302 1252 Georgetown 0923 9093 Resignation of GOG official linked to Jonestown   Text
790302 1822 State 050727 Address of Temple survivor who owes on repatriation   Text
790302 1825 Georgetown 0939 9099 HFAC Investigation Of Ryan Assassination   Text
790302 2211 State 051073 Guyanese death certificates PDF Text
790303 0042 State 051483 HFAC Investigation Of Ryan Assassination   Text
790303 1450 Georgetown 0942 9101 HFAC Investigation Of Ryan Assassination PDF Text
790305 2216 State 054227 Disposition Of Shipping Crates Consigned To Peoples Temple PDF Text
790306 1313 Georgetown 0973 9119 Jonestown Social Security Cheques PDF Text
790306 1400 Georgetown 0983 9120 US Pledges Cooperation In Resolving Jonestown Problems   Text
790306 1939 Georgetown 0993 9129 McKay urges judge in Layton trial to recuse self PDF Text
790307 1335 Georgetown 1008 9132 HFAC Staff to travel to Guyana PDF Text
790307 1612 Georgetown 1017 9137 Temple Members With Control Of Temple Assets PDF Text
790307 1755 Georgetown 1028 9139 Report on Layton trial PDF Text
790308 1110 Georgetown 1036 9141 Missing page from Guyana Inquest   Text
790308 1710 Georgetown 1041 9144 Embassy staff requests attorney during HFAC visit PDF Text
790309 2146 State 058518 Temple Assets; Litigation; Evidentiary Requests   Text
790312 1800 Georgetown 1108 9162 Zablocki asks Burnham for OK to interview GOG PDF Text
790313 1621 Georgetown 1116 9168 Funeral expenses for Kaituma victims PDF Text
790314 1240 Georgetown 1148 9177 GOG replies to Zablocki letter PDF Text
790314 1706 State 062734 Travel arrangements for HFAC staff PDF Text
790314 2256 State 063145 HFAC staff raises questions about security PDF Text
790315 1108 Georgetown 1135 9185 Temple Assets in Litigation; Evidentiary Requests   Text
790315 1420 Georgetown 1158 9187 Embassy discusses HFAC staff concerns   Text
790316 0137 State 064189 HFAC chairman replies to GOG PDF Text
790316 1100 Georgetown 1170 9194 Travel arrangements for HFAC staff PDF Text
790316 1800 Georgetown 1193 9203 Embassy delivers Zablocki letter PDF Text
790319 1632 Georgetown 1213 9214 Death tape to be sold commercially   Text
790322 1730 Curacao 0253 4309 Protection Of U.S. Interests on PT Assets: Curacao   Text
790323 1324 Georgetown 1286 9250 Embassy responds to SSA request for entry dates for Jonestown residents PDF Text
790323 1831 Georgetown 1298 9256 San Francisco Grand Jury Requests DCM Testimony PDF Text
790324 2357 State 073947 State advises Embassy on FOIA/Privacy Act Requests PDF Text
790325 0728 State 074517 Litigation In Guyana; Jonestown Tapes   Text
790326 1112 Georgetown 1304 9259 Discussion of commercial venture in Guyana references PT   Text
790326 1730 Georgetown 1322 9272 Mootoo discusses “misunderstandings” PDF Text
790327 0235 State 075861 Funeral expenses for Gregory Robinson   Text
790327 1206 Georgetown 1330 9272 Expenses for HFAC staff   Text
790327 1207 Georgetown 1331 9275 HFAC staff reports on interviews   Text
790327 1628 Georgetown 1344 9280 Guyana police report on Temple members travel, pre-11/18   Text
790328 0214 State 076818 Funeral expenses for Gregory Robinson PDF Text
790329 1650 Georgetown 1402 9304 GOG replies to second Zablocki letter PDF Text
790329 1905 Georgetown 1404 9306 Janet Jagan seeks US reporter working on JT story   Text
790330 1732 State 079221 Emergency Relief Committee Plan For Disposal Of Bodies   Text
790330 2330 State 079996 Guyanese death certificates PDF Text
790330 2341 State 080014 State seeks Mootoo’s toxicology reports   Text

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April

Date Time Origin ID Content PDF Text
790402 1116 Georgetown 1433 9322 Dwyer reschedules Grand Jury testimony PDF Text
790402 1658 State 081786 Dwyer Grand Jury testimony reschedule PDF Text
790403 1815 Georgetown 1471 9344 Guyana Commission To Investigate Jonestown Tragedy PDF Text
790405 1555 Georgetown 1539 9363 Embassy addresses Secret Service and FBI request for Guyana presence PDF Text
790405 1847 Georgetown 1544 9367 Funeral expenses for Gregory Robinson   Text
790405 1855 Georgetown 1552 9372 Consular visit to Layton in prison PDF Text
790406 1906 Georgetown 1585 9387 US Treasury Checks Of Jonestown Decedents PDF Text
790408 2121 State 88361 Disposition Of Remains Of Jonestown Guyana Victims   Text
790409 1355 Georgetown 1600 9397 Personal Effects Of Jonestown Decedents PDF Text
790409 2056 State 88624 NBC will pick up expenses for its Kaituma victims PDF Text
790412 1101 Georgetown 1696 9440 US decided not to sue Peoples Temple in Guyana PDF Text
790413 0004 State 91863 State asks Embassy to retain US Treasury checks PDF Text
790416 2054 State 95709 FBI to travel to Guyana PDF  Text
790417 1730 Georgetown 1740 9460 Consular visit to Layton in prison PDF Text
790417 1731 Georgetown 1741 9461 Consular visit to Beikman in prison PDF Text
790418 1712 Georgetown 1755 9465 U.S. Treasury checks for JT survivors   Text
790419 1716 Georgetown 1768 9470 FBI given permission to come to Guyana PDF Text
790420 0327 State 99381 Layton attorney in US asks for assistance PDF Text
790420 0552 State 99506 US Adheres To Understandings With GOG Relating To Jonestown   Text
790420 1235 Bridgetown 1486 8070 Deceased American citizen in Virgin Islands had contact with Jones   Text
790420 2157 State 100212 Embassy rents warehouse for Effects Of Jonestown Decedents   Text
790421 1528 State 101322 Refusal of witnesses to return to Guyana threatens Layton trial PDF Text
790423 1017 Georgetown 1828 9502 Embassy still seeks Mootoo reports   Text
790423 2014 Panama 2970 2092 Ripple effects of US requests for Temple money from Panama   Text
790424 0136 State 102782 Guyana death certificates   Text
790427 1304 Georgetown 1903 9541 Embassy discusses Jonestown as “trip wire” for Burnham   Text
790427 1816 Georgetown 1915 9548 Embassy officer reveals tapes made on November 18 PDF   Text
790430 1107 Georgetown 1924 9550 Embassy provides additional entry dates to SSA PDF Text

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May

Date Time Origin ID Content PDF Text
790502 2030 Panama 3192 2240 Embassy seeks retention of counsel for PT matters   Text
790503 2301 State 112438 Washington Star Article On Crimmins/Carpenter Report   Text
790504 1445 State 113321 New York Times Article On Crimmins/Carpenter Report   Text
790504 1453 State 113323 Washington Post Article On Crimmins/Carpenter Report   Text
790504 1607 Georgetown 1988 9581 Embassy upset over release of Crimmins/Carpenter Report PDF Text
790504 1620 State 113380 State Responds To Crimmins/Carpenter Report PDF Text
790504 2241 State 113907 State Responds To Ambassador’s Complaint about Report PDF Text
790505 0021 State 113954 Excerpts of Crimmins/Carpenter Report   Text
790505 1157 Georgetown 2011 9593 Consular visit to Beikman in prison PDF Text
790505 1350 Georgetown 2018 9598 Temple members signed forms for GOG upon entry Text
790507 1731 Georgetown 2023 9600 Progress On Layton Trial   Text
790509 1710 State 117395 Rebecca Moore to visit Guyana PDF Text
790512 1259 Georgetown 2095 9627 More comments On Crimmins/Carpenter Report PDF Text
790513 1451 State 122160 5192 FBI requests for evidence in Guyana includes “Death Tape”   Text
790514 1202 Georgetown 2098 9629 Funeral Expenses Of Ryan Party PDF Text
790515 1243 Georgetown 2126 9643 Rebecca Moore visit to Guyana PDF Text
790515 1645 Georgetown 2136 9649 Alleged US-Guyana prisoner exchange may include Layton   Text
790515 2013 State 123670 House committee report on Jonestown   Text
790518 1814 Georgetown 2214 9683 Privacy Act Affect Handling Of Reporting On American Citizens PDF Text
790518 1825 Georgetown 2222 9684 Update on Beikman and Layton trials PDF Text
790522 1024 Georgetown 2254 9696 Request For DCM Appearance Before Grand Jury PDF Text
790522 2032 State 130528 Jack Anderson column on Jonestown   Text
790523 1650 Georgetown 2292 9718 Guyana Mortuary Expenses For Assassinated NBC TV Newsmen PDF Text
790524 1830 Georgetown 2329 9727 Guyana Mortuary Expenses For Assassinated NBC TV Newsmen PDF Text
790525 1205 State 133706 Allegations Of GOG Intention To Extradite Guyanese From US   Text
790525 2249 State 134293 Crimmins/Carpenter Report On Peoples Temple PDF Text
790526 0138 State 134540 Recovered U.S. Treasury Checks PDF Text
790529 1206 Georgetown 2361 9743 Crimmins/Carpenter Report PDF Text
790529 1410 Georgetown 2362 9744 Paula Adams Reported In U.S.   PDF Text
790530 1717 Georgetown 2384 9744 Privacy Act, FOIA Guidance in requests for Temple info   Text
790531 1757 Georgetown 2411 9768 FBI requests Death Tape be made available   Text
790531 1859 Georgetown 2418 9774 Consular visit to Beikman in prison PDF Text

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June

Date Time Origin ID Content PDF Text
790601 1741 State 140300 Privacy Act, FOIA Guidance in requests for Temple info   Text
790605 1621 Georgetown 2485 9817 Privacy Act, FOIA Guidance in requests for Temple info   Text
790606 1840 Georgetown 2498 9823 Local Press Commentary On Congressional Report On Jonestown PDF Text
790607 1858 State 146374 Press coverage of Crimmins/Carpenter Report PDF Text
790607 1901 State 146388 Press Report On Rebuttal of Crimmins/Carpenter Report   Text
790607 2050 State 146628 Guyanese Immigration Records and FOIA PDF Text
790608 2214 State 147424 Death Certificate on Dana Berry PDF Text
790610 0521 State 149393 Ryan Funeral Expenses PDF Text
790613 1155 Georgetown 2622 9874 Guyanese Immigration Records not considered public records PDF Text
790613 1910 Georgetown 2663 9885 Larry Layton’s release said to be imminent PDF Text
790614 1648 Georgetown 2681 9889 Consular visit to Beikman in prison PDF Text
790614 1649 Georgetown 2682 9890 Consular visit to Layton in prison PDF Text
790614 2312 State 153251 Info on Willie Lee Graham/ Willie Bowie PDF Text
790615 1330 Georgetown 2693 9896 Government Official Replies To Criticism Of GOG Re Jonestown PDF Text
790615 1928 Georgetown 2715 9901 Ryan Funeral Expenses PDF Text
790615 1929 Georgetown 2717 9902 Embassy claims need for assistance due to JT demands   Text
790615 2037 State 154216 Embassy to allow events run their course in Layton trial in Guyana PDF   Text
790622 1711 Georgetown 2816 9938 Report on Beikman trial PDF Text
790629 0448 State 167626 Money placed in account for Larry Layton   Text

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July

Date Time Origin ID Content PDF Text
790706 1216 Georgetown 2982 0012 Consular visit to Layton in prison PDF Text
790706 1217 Georgetown 2983 0013 Consular visit to Beikman in prison PDF Text
790710 1417 Georgetown 3027 0044 Personal Effects Of Jonestown Decedents PDF Text
790711 1612 Georgetown 3062 0062 Death Certificates for Kaituma victims PDF Text
790718 1232 Georgetown 3180 0106 Dwyer testifies before grand jury; PT litigation   Text
790718 1754 Georgetown 3187 0113 DOD Purchases Of Gas During Jonestown Operations PDF Text
790718 1756 Georgetown 3188 0114 DOD Purchases Of Gas During Jonestown Operations PDF Text
790718 1935 State 185625 Probe into Possible Victim In Jonestown PDF Text
790718 2217 State 185986 Checks and Personal Effects of Jonestown Decedents PDF Text
790720 1325 Georgetown 3214 0126 Receiver in Calif. to work with GOG PDF Text
790723 1611 Georgetown 3226 0134 Consular visit to Beikman in prison PDF Text
790723 1613 Georgetown 3227 0135 Consular visit to Layton in prison PDF Text
790724 1504 State 191978 Privacy Act, FOIA Guidance in requests for Temple info   Text
790724 1924 Georgetown 3273 0157 Underground paper charges Jones paid bribes to GOG   Text
790726 1632 Georgetown 3303 0175 Personal Effects Of Jonestown Decedents PDF Text

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August

Date Time Origin ID Content PDF Text
790803 1458 Bern 4379 9006 Peoples Temple Funds In Switzerland   Text
790803 1750 Georgetown 3459 0242 Litigation over PT assets PDF Text
790807 1817 Georgetown 3494 0258 Jonestown Material, Social Security Checks at Warehouse PDF Text
790807 1820 Georgetown 3497 0261 Temple records destroyed in Ministry’s fire   Text
790810 1237 Georgetown 3557 0299 Consular visit to Layton in prison PDF Text
790810 1238 Georgetown 3558 0300 Consular visit to Beikman in prison PDF Text
790814 0155 State 211536 Personal Effects Of Jonestown Decedents   Text
790817 2120 State 215836 Death certificates needed to process Panamanian bank claims   Text
790823 1357 Georgetown 3774 0403 Embassy reports results of conversation with Skip Roberts PDF Text
790824 1133 Georgetown 3793 0414 Ryan’s Funeral Expenses PDF Text
790824 2155 State 222981 Death certificates needed for Chlotile Butler   Text
790831 1717 Georgetown 3950 0486 Death certificates to be carried to Washington PDF Text

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September

Date Time Origin ID Content Text PDF
790904 1620 Georgetown 3970 0511 Death certificates en route to Washington PDF Text
790910 1853 Georgetown 4073 0565 Source of letter to McCoy named as Gregory Rose PDF Text
790911 1100 Georgetown 4076 0566 US cooperation with Guyana on Jonestown remains good   Text
790921 0938 State 248057 House committee asks for update on GOG inquiry   Text
790921 1847 Georgetown 4267 0636 Embassy uncovers more material on JT for FBI PDF Text
790925 1835 Georgetown 4335 0664 GOG has not moved on promised commission of inquiry   Text
790928 1424 Georgetown 4404 0695 FBI has not furnished promised materials to Skip Roberts PDF Text
790928 1435 Georgetown 4415 0701 Embassy discusses L. Layton trial PDF Text

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October

Date Time Origin ID Content PDF Text
791001 1617 Georgetown 4437 0708 Embassy has copy of Layton written confession PDF Text
791019 1325 Georgetown 4750 0835 Consular visit to Layton in prison PDF Text
791023 1215 Georgetown 4787 0856 Oral confession of Layton PDF Text
791023 1910 Georgetown 4807 0866 Preliminary inquiry of Layton to begin Text
791025 1909 Georgetown 4837 0886 Request for Vern Gosney and Odell Rhodes to return to Guyana for Layton trial   PDF Text
791026 1757 State 279635 Peoples Temple Property And Treasury Checks   Text
791026 1938 State 279701 Witnesses arrive for Layton trial PDF   Text
791029 1553 State 281913 Progress of Layton prosecution PDF   Text

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November

Date Time Origin ID Content PDF Text
791101 1400 Georgetown 4919 Gosney, Rhodes testify in preliminary hearing PDF Text
791106 1529 Georgetown 4969 0960 Fourth day of preliminary hearing in Layton trial; Secret Service check PDF Text
791107 1410 Georgetown 4981 0968 Third day of preliminary hearing in Layton trial PDF Text
791108 1906 Georgetown 5010 0987 Progress of Layton prosecution PDF Text
791116 1300 Georgetown 5080 1018 Tort Claims Against USG For Negligence In Kaituma Deaths PDF Text
791116 1306 Georgetown 5086 1021 Peoples Temple Property And Treasury Checks   Text
791116 1906 Georgetown 5106 1032 Guyana produces report on Jonestown tragedy PDF Text
791120 1916 Georgetown 5152 1064 Report on Layton trial PDF Text
791130 1708 Georgetown 5308 1147 Consular visit to Beikman in prison PDF Text
791130 1950 State 303200 Disposition Of Remains Of Carol Joyce And Albert Touchette PDF Text

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December

Date Time Origin ID Content PDF Text
791203 0552 State 311371 Tort Claims Against USG For Negligence In Kaituma Deaths   Text
791203 1235 Georgetown 5325 1160 Legal Fee Of Guyanese Attorney Retained by US Embassy PDF Text
791209 1155 State 317851 Tort Claims Against USG For Negligence In Kaituma Deaths   Text
791212 0140 State 320179 Guyana Plans to Accept Hmong Refugees at Jonestown   Text
791212 1243 Georgetown 5443 1114 Embassy Receives Copy of Mark Lane’s Book PDF Text
791217 1834 State 324921 Guyana Plans to Accept Hmong Refugees at Jonestown   Text
791220 1936 State 327918 US to consult with GOG authorities in Layton trial   Text
791227 1628 Georgetown 5678 1330 Judicial Assistance: U.S. v. Layton PDF Text
791229 1152 Georgetown 5712 1351 Guyana Plans to Accept Hmong Refugees at Jonestown   Text

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A Note on Sources

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

How to read this chart

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.

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