[Editor’s note: The text for this document was released in 2014 by the now-defunct Wikileaks website at https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/1979STATE191978_e.html.]
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STATE 191978
ORIGIN PPT-01
INFO OCT-00 CA-01 ADS-00 OCS-06 /008 R
DRAFTED BY CA/PPT/C:WBWHARTON:ST
APPROVED BY CA/PPT/C:WBWHARTON
CA/PPT – RELAMB
CA/OCS – AAGISE (IN DRAFT)
——————009750 241535Z /44
P 241504Z JUL 79
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN PRIORITY
UNCLAS STATE 191978
PASSPORTS
E.O. 12065: N/A
TAGS: AINF, CPAS
SUBJECT: PRIVACY ACT, FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT GUIDELINES
REF: GEORGETOWN 2485
1. DEPARTMENT APPRECIATES EMBASSY’S HELPFUL COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS CONTAINED REFTEL. THEY WILL BE KEPT IN MIND AS THE GUIDELINES ARE DEVELOPED. FOLLOWING INFORMATION MAY ALSO BE HELPFUL.
A: WHILE THE PAPER IN QUESTION ADDRESSED FOIA AND PRIVACY ACT ISSUES IN THE CONTEXT OF THE PEOPLE’S TEMPLE/JONESTOWN, GUIDELINES ARE BEING DEVELOPED IN BROADER CONTEXT OF CONSULAR-RELATED INFORMATION AND REPORTING IN GENERAL.
B: IN VIEW OF LIMITED SCOPE OF THE GUIDELINES, IT ISNOT BELIEVED THAT FIRST AMENDMENT CONSIDERATIONS, WHICH REALLY
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GO TO THE ABILITY OF AN AGENCY TO ACT OR MAKE DECISIONS WITH RESPECT TO A PARTICULAR MATTER OR INDIVIDUAL, WOULD BE A MATTER FOR DISCUSSION IN THE ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES. HOWEVER, THEY WILL BE KEPT IN MIND AS THE GUIDELINES ARE DEVELOPED.
C: WE NOTE THAT THE POST DID INCLUDE DATA CONCERNING JONES’ HEALTH IN ITS REPORTING. WE REGRET THAT THIS WAS NOT ACCURATELY REFLECTED IN THE PAPER.
CHRISTOPHER [Deputy Secretary of State Warren Christopher]
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