(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.)
UNCLASSIFIED FBB 550
[Listing of agencies receiving informational copies on pdf]
R 112003Z MAY 81
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN IMMEDIATE
UNCLASSIFIED STATE 121785
E.O. 12065: N/A
TAGS: CGEN
SUBJ: JUDICIAL ASSISTANCE: JONESTOWN LITIGATION
REF: GEORGETOWN 2343
1. After repeated attempts, the Department has succeeded in obtaining the following response from the Department of Justice concerning the questions raised in Georgetown 1924:
Quote: A response to George Jackman, Acting Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), questions concerning defense requests for witness statements in his possession, and Guyanese police possession. DPP should be advised that under US judicial system, defense is entitled to trial witness statements in possession of US Attorney’s Office. DPP was proper in advising Tony Tamburello that he should make his request to the prosecution in San Francisco. US Attorney’s Office, San Francisco, would appreciate notification by DPP should he be recontacted
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PAGE 02 STATE 121785
by Layton’s defense attorney. Unquote.
2. With regard to the proposal set forth by Conoff [consular officer] in Georgetown 2007 to the providing of per diem funds for witnesses, that inquiry has also been pending at Justice Department. There follows the responses of that Department to the questions posed in Para 5 Georgetown 2007:
KA) [(A)] The Department of Justice does agree with the suggestion outlined.
(B) Defense counsel have not contacted the Department for assisting in transmitting appropriate number and fund code for travel of defense witnesses. Please advise CA/OCS/CCS/ARA whether Conoff apprised defense counsel that dept facilities can be employed to make such arrangements provided in advance of date of appearance to make arrangements. Dept has attended to telephone defense counsel to offer assistance but counsel have neglected to return calls.
KC) [(C)] Special Agent [name deleted] FBI, San Francisco has advised Dept that he will make arrangements for prosecution witnesses to be met upon arrival U.S. person to be contacted by witnesses in the event of some unforeseen circumstance preventing their being met: Special Agent [name deleted] FBI, San Francisco, office address: 450 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco, Calif. 94102 Tele: (Office) [numbers appear as letters]; KHome 415-[number deleted]
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PAGE 03 STATE 121785
(D) Justice will be responsible for travel of its witnesses regardless of whether defense have requested identical witnesses.
Haig [Alexander Haig, US Secretary of State]