(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.)
CONFIDENTIAL FBB 178
[Listing of agencies receiving informational copies on pdf]
0 R 171225Z MAR 81
FM AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5131
INFO AIT TAIPEI
CONFIDENTIAL GEORGETOWN 1355
BOGOTA FOR LEGATT
E.O. 12065: GDS 3/11/87 (ROBERTS, GEORGE B) (OR-M)
TAGS: PEPR, PGOV, GY
SUBJ: PEOPLES TEMPLE LITIGATION
REF: STATE 058256
1. We sent a letter to Guyanese Foreign Minister Rashleigh Jackson March 11 telling him that the two issues of FBI presence in Guyana and our possession of GOG [Government of Guyana] documents might arise during the USG [United States Government] litigation to recover the costs of repatriating People’s Temple members’ remains.
2. There is a good chance that the Foreign Ministry will not respond. If so, we recommend that the litigation proceed. If the Guyanese should respond to our letter, we would take the line with them that we will do everything possible to see that any embarrassing publicity is minimized, but we would make no promises. We would try to avoid any detailed discussion of how we obtained the alien registration documents. If necessary, we replace as much of the responsibility as possible on the former chief of the Guyanese Special Branch. He is no longer in Guyana and should thus not be susceptible to any GOG retaliation.
Roberts [George B. Roberts, Jr., American Ambassador to Guyana]
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
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