Feb 6, 1979 • 1342 • Georgetown-State • 0561

[Listing of agencies receiving informational copies on pdf]

0 061342Z FEB 79
FM AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8908
UNCLAS GEORGETOWN 0561
FOR CA/OCS, BRUCE DOZIER

E.O. 12065: NA
TAGS: CDES, GY (PEOPLE’S TEMPLE)
SUBJ: GUYANESE DEATH CERTIFICATES

1. FOLLOWING LETTER RECEIVED SATURDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 3RD: QUOTE: DEAR MR. ELLICE. I SEND YOU HEREWITH A LIST CONTAINING 304 NAMES OF PERSONS WHO THOUGH NOT IDENTIFIED AS YET BY DOVER MORTUARY AUTHORITIES MAY BE PRESUMED TO HAVE DIED AT JONESTOWN ON THE 18TH OF NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.

THE LIST HAS BEEN CONSTRUCTED FROM THE PASSPORTS FOUND AT JONESTOWN WHICH WERE SURRENDERED TO YOU BY OUR POLICE AND I WOULD BE OBLIGED IF YOU COULD CHECK YOUR RECORDS TO MAKE SURE THAT NO PERSON MENTIONED IN THE LIST IS IN FACT ALIVE.

I WOULD BE OBLIGED ALSO IF YOU COULD VERIFY THE PARTICULARS RELATING TO EACH PERSON NAMED IN THE LIST TO AVOID INACCURACIES.

AS SOON GET A RESPONSE FROM YOU I WILL TAKE STEPS TO HAVE THE RELEVANT DEATH CERTIFICATES ISSUED. SIGNED E. A. ROMAO, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS. UNQUOTE.

2. WE ARE CHECKING LIST AGAINST OUR FILES FOR CORRECT SPELLINGS, PASSPORT NUMBERS, ETC.

3. WOULD D/C’S WITH NAMES BE BETTER FOR YOUR PURPOSES OR WOULD YOU PREFER THAT D/C’S BE ISSUED TO ANONYMOUS BODIES, IDENTIFIED BY BRIEF DESCRIPTION (E.G., MALE, ADULT, FEMALE, CHILD, ETC.) AND/OR BODY NUMBER? REPLY ASAP.

BURKE [John Burke, American ambassador to Guyana]