(Editor’s note: This is a cable from the files of the State Department that was included in the FBI’s 2009 RYMUR release of documents under the Freedom of Information Act. It was not included in the State Department’s own release, but we have included identifying information for it using the agency’s designations.)
0 141145Z NOV 80
FM AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4086
RUEHFB/FBI WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEBWJA/DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
REUESP/ AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN IMMEDIATE 3711
BT
CONFIDENTIAL
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE GEORGETOWN 5487
FBI WASHDC PLEASE PASS FBI SAN JUAN AND FBI SAN FRANCISCO
E.O. 12065: NA
TAGS: CARR, GY (LAYTON, LAURENCE)
SUBJ: POSTPONED DEPARTURE OF LAURENCE LAYTON
REF: (A) GOODMAN-STEIN (DOJ) TELCONS 11/13, (B) GOODMAN-KUPFERER (US MARSHAL) TELCON 11/13, (C) GEORGETOWN 5449
1. With the US Marshal unable to get to Georgetown in time for the BWIA flight November 14, and with the Dept. of Justice and the Chief US Marshal recommending against our using Embassy officers to accompany Layton, we arranged with Director of Public Prosecutions Ramao to postpone Layton’s departure until new flight arrangements could be made. We are tentatively aiming for departure on November 19 or 21 and will advise exact plans later today (November 14) if possible.
2. DPP Ramao continues to urge that no publicity whatsoever be given to this effort. Should Layton’s lawyers become aware of DPP’s intentions, they could conceivably serve Layton with a “judgment summons” over his legal fees. This would have to be served on Layton after a “nole prosequi” notice had been issued and before he could be put on a plane. A further delay of several weeks might result and could conceivably put Layton at freedom in Guyana.
3. At a court hearing the morning of November 13, Layton’s lawyers called for the GOG [Government of Guyana] to expedite criminal proceedings against him, a move designed to secure his release. The DPP asked for and was granted 30 days to consider the government’s next move. That move should be to get Layton quietly out of the country as the DPP had planned to do Nov 14.
4. We regret any inconvenience caused Trinidadian officials and hope we will be able to call on them the week of November 17 if necessary.
5. The DPP and Embassy Georgetown believe that it would be best for marshals to arrive not earlier than the day before Layton’s scheduled departure.
Roberts [George B. Roberts, Jr., American ambassador to Guyana]
BT
5487