[Peoples Temple letterhead]
25 January, 1978
Honorable Cde. Dr. Ptolemy Reid
Deputy Prime Minister and General Secretary of the Peoples National Congress
Ministry of National Development
Gannt St.
Georgetown
Dear Cde. Dr. Reid,
The reason I am writing to you at this time is that the medical team, including Dr. Baird and Cde. Charles Hines, will be contacting you in regard to their visit to Jonestown in which they inspected the medical services there. They will be consulting with you in regard to the future arrangements of our medical services.
We had a very satisfying dialogue with Dr. Baird and Cde. Hines and talked for several hours. We communicated to them the essential need for our doctor. There will be soon upcoming visits from dignitaries (such as the Methodist Superintendent) who would be very judgemental and critical if we didn’t have a high standard of medical care. Charles Garry (our attorney and well known activist leader) was so impressed with all the services he witnessed in Jonestown, including the medical program – that when he returned to the U.S. he made several press releases to newspapers stating that “I have been to paradise.” Also, because of Mr. Garry’s suggestion, there will be a TV documentary made on life in Jonestown. The people on this TV crew are very friendly.
It is essential for Guyana’s image and ours for us to continue [illegible word] our present high standard of medical care and to allow us tohave our own doctor (who we are sharing – free of charge – with the entire North West District community). Several people were legally approved to come here based on Dr. [Larry] Schacht being a permanent resident in our community.
We have a significant problem facing us if we cannot get our crates (now over 150 in number) released from customs. We are getting threadbare clothes, and we cannot receive distinguished guests until these crates are released. The clothes in these crates are used and are essential for members in our community. The duty on these crates (and we have already asked for a duty free concession from Minister Hope, who did not grant this) will be between $14,000 to $16,000, which we simply cannot afford – especially with all the free services we are providing. Any help you could tender in this area would be greatly appreciated.
We thank you for any progress that comes about through your meeting with Dr. Baird and Cde. Hines. We will never forget all that you have done for us in the past, and it is deeply, deeply appreciated. As you know, our only wish is to be an asset to Guyana.
—–
BB-2-vv-2
[Peoples Temple letterhead]
Cooperatively yours,
/s/ Sharon Amos
Sharon Amos
Administrative Assistant to Bishop Jim Jones