P 041527Z FEB 80
FR SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN
UNCLAS STATE 030638
E.O. 12065: N/A
TAGS: CDES, GY (PEOPLE’S TEMPLE)
SUBJECT: RECEIVER’S REQUEST FOR EMBASSY ASSISTANCE
REF: GEORGETOWN 309, STATE 11655
1. As requested by Embassy, Mr. Fabian’s letter has been reviewed. The letter and suggested changes appear below. The letter has been cleared with the Department of Justice and may be submitted to GOG.
I have been made aware that certain lawsuits have been filed both by and against the Guyanese government in connection with assets and liabilities of the Board of Directors of the People’s Temple of the Disciples of Christ Church in Guyana, a Guyanese corporation. In order
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PAGE 02 STATE 030638
to clarify for you the position of the United States Government with respect to these lawsuits, you are advised:
A. The United States is not a party to any of these lawsuits.
B. I wish to make it clear that the United States Government (represented by our Department of Justice) is staying informed of the actions taken by the official court-appointed Receiver for the People’s Temple of the Disciples of Christ, a California corporation, Mr. Robert Fabian of San Francisco, California. Mr. Fabian visited Georgetown January 20 and 21, 1980 but unfortunately was not able to visit with you.
C. The objective of the United States Government and of the Receiver of the People’s Temple, a California corporation, is to wind up the affairs of both of the People’s Temple entities so that the unfortunate
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circumstances giving rise to these problems may forever be put to rest.
[D.] Messrs. [Lionel] Luckhoo and Luckhoo are the attorneys representing both the Receiver of the California People’s Temple and the Board of Directors of the Guyanese corporation.
E. I believe that any dispute involving the United States claim to any assets of the People’s Temple can probably be resolved in United States courts by means of litigation which is already filed and in which
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the Government of Guyana is not a party. The United States Government has no objection to the Government of Guyana dealing directly with Mr. Fabian or his attorney. The United States Government hopes that the issues are quickly and amicably resolved to bring to an end the unfortunate state of affairs. I assure you, Mr. Attorney General, that you will receive the full cooperation of my good office in our effort to bring about an amicable solution of the problem.
2. Departments of State and Justice also request the Embassy to cooperate with and provide assistance as appropriate to the Luckhoo firm in its attempts to defend the litigation initiated in Guyana and in liquidating any remaining PT assets which come into the possession of said law firm or its agents.
Vance
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