[Editor’s notes: The pdfs for this page retains its numerical order as they appear in the complete section. To place them in their proper context for the ease of researchers, the transcripts below have been placed in chronological order. Only the first letter – to Guyana Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fred Wills – is undated, but its context places it in Fall 1977.]
[There are numerous points in the following pages that an article or document has been attached. None were.]
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Dear Minister Wills,
The following are a couple of items which we did not get to discuss thoroughly yesterday which we would like to apprise you of as well as the enclosed school report you requested.
CUSTODY:
We received word tonight that Tim Stoen has capitulated under pressure and has joined that woman, Grace, in asking for my son’s return. However, Sir Lionel Luckhoo has assured me that this will make no difference in the case. It is a pain to Bishop Jones that Tim Stoen can have so little integrity, after having put him through the ordeal of his life at his request. We are afraid that commitment and integrity are scarce qualities in a world manipulated by pressure, money, and power. As we understand it, Mr. Stoen’s residency was predicated on his being a member in good standing of Peoples Temple. As he is no longer a member in good standing, I asked if it is possible that his residency be revoked.
RADIO:
A final and grave concern to us is the matter of obtaining backup radios since our present radios often break down under heavy use. My secretary informed us today that she was told at customs at the airport that we cannot have the radios there unless someone with more authority grants us permission. These radios have been literally life-saving not only two people in the Kaituma community via emergency medical phone patch, but also in assisting in medical emergencies in Venezuela and Brazil (where much goodwill from Guyana was indirectly the result). Not only would this lack of communication hurt us badly with relatives in the United States, thus creating a PR problem here, but it could mean someone’s life. There is apparently some paranoia that we would set up additional stations. We have never ordered additional antennas, which would be a prerequisite to additional stations, no do we have any use for more stations. Our radio in the interior is malfunctioning presently and could go out any moment. Georgetown does not have a radio to the United States at all as they sent us theirs because our other radio broke down. We would greatly appreciate anything that can be done in this area as it is critical to the health and well-being of over 800 people. (One reason the radio is not easily repaired is that the current method of making the radios does not rely on the use of tubes which are replaceable which considerably complicates their repair.)
It was a pleasure meeting and talking with you yesterday. We conveyed in your regard for the Bishop one of our members flying in this weekend and I hope you to\wo will be able to see one another in the near future.
Cooperatively yours,
Michael Prokes
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Dec. 8, 1977
AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL MINISTERS OF GOVERNMENT
From: Peoples Temple Agricultural Project
PO Box 893
Georgetown, (Phone numbers: 68787 & 71924)
Dear Comrade:
Enclosed are some materials which we thought would be of interest to you:
First, a news item by the West Coast’s (USA) for most journalists, Herb Caen, regarding Bishop Jim Jones. (Caen, who is also a prominent author, is a good friend of ours – though, of course, he can’t show it too openly – and has said positive things about Guyana at our direction.)
Second, a Resolution on the US House of Representatives calling for the impeachment of Ambassador Andrew Young for, among other things, promising increased US financial assistance to Guyana. (Young is being harassed for speaking out on the same issues of social, racial, and economic justice the Peoples Temple stood for in the States.)
Third, an unsigned letter to Bishop Jones threatening his ministry if he doesn’t pull its money out of Guyana defense bonds. (This insidious letter is typical of many we have received over the years.)
Fourth, a letter to the Prime Minister from a journalist who has known Bishop Jones for over 20 years and is thus familiar with his background.
Before I joined Peoples Temple five years ago, I personally checked into Jim Jones’ history where he grew up and started his ministry. I was easily able to confirm the kinds of things that Mr. Preston says in his letter (enclosed). I found that Bishop Jones had operated a free kitchen for the poor and that he received constant harassment for his efforts to integrate businesses and fight for the civil rights of minority persons in an extremely racist area of the US (Indiana). He was finally forced to leave the area for the safety of his family. He went to Brazil for two years where he started an orphanage, then returned to the US and ended up basing his ministry in California.
A recent study has documented a nationwide conspiracy to destroy the careers of Black elected officials at every level of government in the US. Presently, 50% of all Black congressman in the US House of Representatives are under investigation. (Of course, this is hardly true of white congressmen.)
One of the victims of the conspiracy his Lt. Governor of California, Hon. Mervyn Dymally (who was born in Trinidad, and who visited and praised Guyana last year). Lt. Gov. Dymally
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came through two years of dozens of investigations – which, in effect, put his career in limbo – without ever being charged. However, it cost him many thousands of dollars in legal fees, not to mention the human cost of extreme torment to he and his family. His story is quite typical of scores of others contained in the report, which was sponsored by the National Association of Human Rights Workers and the Committee on the Status of Minority Elected Officials. (If you are interested in seeing this report, let us know and we’ll arrange to get it to you.)
As a result of identifying with and supporting the humanistic goals of progressive, enlightened public servants in the States, Peoples Temple has been targeted for the same harassment and persecution aimed at them. As a relatively large group that is having significant impact on life in the Northwest Region (as we are told), we believe you have a right to know all about the people in your midst, and we feel an obligation to do what we can to provide the necessary background and perspective.
If you have any questions whatsoever regarding our plans or goals (which are in essence the same as yours), or anything else about us, please don’t hesitate to ask; or better yet, come to Jonestown for an intensive look at fgerribleour program and facilities, as some ministers and officials have already done. We would sincerely appreciate any suggestions and criticism you might offer that will better help us to integrate ourselves into the Guyanese culture.
Cooperatively yours,
/s/ Mike Prokes
Mike Prokes
Associate Minister
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Dec. 29, 1977
Peoples Temple Agricultural Project
PO Box 893
Georgetown
The Hon. Forbes Burnham
Prime Minister
Public Buildings
Brickdam
Georgetown
Dear Prime Minister Burnham:
Please forgive what will undoubtedly end up being a lengthy letter, but there are a few matters we think you would want to be aware of, and a few others that we would like to take this opportunity to bring to your attention. During the
During the course of a friendly exchange with one of our staff members, one of your security guards – without being prompted in any way – made the statement that he liked the United States and preferred capitalism. The remark wasn’t very comforting, to say the least, for obvious reasons. We don’t know his name but he mentioned that he has been your guard for seven years and was trained in Cuba for six months. Our sense of duty requires that we report this to you, as we felt it was a grave statement that might have serious implications in a time of crisis.
Our members appreciated hearing you speak import Kaituma during visit, and this past Sunday your recent in Black Bush Polder. We sent 125 people to Port Kaituma who were rewarded for exemplary work with the privilege of going. We would have sent more people but it was discussed and decided that the loss in production would be too great (which also affects how much we are able to assist the Party.) (We hope our last assistance to the Regional Minister was helpful; we’ll continue to do this from time to time as we are able.) Unfortunately, our financial burden has been increased by the problem of our members’ Social Security checks being deliberately held up. (We will likely start a class action suit.)
Knowing these are difficult times, at least half of our people did not take refreshments at the rally in Port Kaituma because that assignment among themselves not to add to the cost to the Party. (They did consider it a special reward for work well done to be able to attend, as I mentioned.) Had we known we were going to be on the program, we would have been prepared with more things that we’re making and growing in Jonestown.
Our members enjoy your speech immensely. Bishop Jones, who ordinarily doesn’t want to go out, would have loved to have made the trek to Port Kaituma to hear you speak. But our members wouldn’t hear of it being that the arrest orders are still in effect, and is thus felt that it is still not safe for him to leave the project.
Perhaps all the agencies, such as Interpol, will see in time that the Bishop has no political ambitions and then will leave Guyana and our people alone. However, our attorney here says there has to be enormous money behind the attempt to nullify our organization. Money has been spent two buy-off any persons who it is felt might be effective in promoting the conspiracy against us. (A prominent San Francisco public relations firm has been hired, for example, to
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discredit us by utilizing the media. Former Temple members, including infiltrators, provocateurs, and even a terrorist and Trotskyite element, have been paid to fabricate bizarre, outlandish stories against us. These stories are then submitted pre-packaged, we are told by journalist friends, to the press.)
One of those who has been turned against us is Timothy Stoen, the husband of the woman [Grace Stoen] who is attending to get custody of Bishop Jones’ son, John. Although they have been separated for several years, they are coming here in the first week of January, if not sooner, for the continuation of the hearings. According to their attorney, they plan an indefinite stay when we know that neither of them have any money of their own to speak of.
Stoen only used Peoples Temple to advance his own career as an attorney. He was not in basic agreement with our socialist lifestyle. He pretended otherwise, but his own lifestyle revealed too clearly his capitalistic nature. The enclosed article, copied from an old news clipping, shows where his true sympathies lie.
Another area of concern to us is in regards to various comments made by an official whose life we mentioned in a previous letter. (She was referred to as not showing patriotic concern when the national anthem was sung at a district conference.) We’re not wanting to indict this man; that’s why I’m not referring to him by name (not knowing who might read this). We hope this will be kept confidential so that things won’t be strained further. It could be our own subjectivity, but this official gave the impression that he had to escort you and your delegation around. He said that when you came, he had to have gasoline, so we gave him all that we had at the time and our people got to Port Kaituma (for the rally) the best way they could. His comments made our members feel uneasy. He said he felt that our organization couldn’t function without Bishop Jones’ charisma – that it was the only thing holding us together. First of all, the Bishop is not that charismatic; but beyond that, the remark showed a total lack of awareness of the Bishop’s character and loyalty. Though he does function as the leader of our organization, he has taken great pains to insure that the survival of Peoples Temple does not depend upon his personal leadership.
One of our members, a woman, mentioned to this official after the rally that you were sensitive to cut your speech short due to the heat, which few leaders will do. He responded in a snide, cunning way, saying, “Yeah, but it was still an hour long.” We don’t know whether he was testing us or what, but if that’s the case, our loyalty will always come through 100%. It’s absolutely pointless the land that on us and we wonder why he continues to do it. Maybe he is trying to test different ones of our group because everyone he talks with hears him make snide little remarks. But there is some overlap because he put one of our people, Harriet Tropp, through it before. It’s practically an interrogation. In fact, that’s how he tried to represent himself, as a sort of official interrogator. It’s almost as if he feels like he has us in a corner. Our people got the impression that we have to do pretty much what he demands of us.
The official said he had a one-track mind and then started in about sex. He said he believes in free sex and that such an attitude between men and women and whomever is an indication of freedom in other areas. It sounded very strange to us. Among those talking with him were a lawyer and a school teacher.
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They didn’t get argumentative; they simply said that people get together in our group as they wish, although we do not encourage promiscuity because it is a form of exploitation. That was our statement. But then he went on to ask the group about Bishop Jones’ sex life. (The Bishop was not present.) He asked if the Bishop saw someone in the group he wanted, would he be able to have sex with that person (That’s roughly how he put it). He was told that one of the Bishop’s strongest character points his loyalty and that includes loyalty to his wife, (who is under no small amount of fire in the States.) The groups and said they didn’t feel comfortable discussing the Bishop’s sex life without him being present and suggested that the questions be asked of the Bishop himself. When it was mentioned that the Bishop had been happily married for 28 years, he said in a brash sort of way, “Well, a lot of men are happily married but that doesn’t mean they don’t have sex with other women.” (The man’s wife, by the way, who is pregnant, was there during this discussion.) Our people aren’t easily bothered by forthright discussions, what they found this to be a disgusting performance.
His wife never spoke until he left the room, at which time she said sure like to have some of our folks help out with the craft workshop with local youth. We of course said we’d be happy to do so.
Maybe it is just this man’s personality to act in the manner he does around us. At least he didn’t directly to our face. (Although he has taken children aside who later told us some rather strange questions he asked them.) He also said he thought – from observing faces – that our people lacked spontaneity, which is the most ridiculous thing in the world. Anyone would know by observation that they were spontaneously enjoying your speech. He attributed this “lack” regimentation and some sort of socialist authoritarianism. We told him to drop by in the evenings or after work hours so he could see this what we were having recreation, entertainment, or simply moments of pleasure and levity. He asked us point blank if he could spend a week on the project, going to meetings, touring the various programs and facilities, etc. We of course said yes but he would be coming with bias and not from our perspective at all, so we would prefer that he not be sent. He could never appreciate our lifestyle. He said he wanted to bring some people from the Ridge on a tour in January and we said we would love to have them. But we basically don’t trust this man. He is someone who, in our opinion, has no loyalty to you because he revolves almost entirely around his own self.
It’s people like the above-mentioned who make us feel short-lived. We live only one day at a time but we can’t help but wonder what we would face if and when you, and a few of your top ministers, were not on the scene. We have not have seen the same character and commitment in others as we have seen in the few of you. Knowing your resolve has helped us when we’ve received anonymous letters (an example of one is enclosed) saying that there is no commitment to us and that were going to be sold out here. We know these are – undoubtedly – tricks.
Another thing that was disturbing to us was a question asked by the official mentioned earlier if we thought our organization could be used as a front (just as the Black Panthers had been found to be infiltrated). It bothered us because we received word from a friendly source of ours that the man (Joseph Mazor, the private investigator with the long criminal background who is referred to as a “con man” in an official probation report we obtained) who is pulling the strings said he was going to plant the notion that we are a CIA front. We told
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the official that our organization is not conducive to infiltration because we are a hard-working group of people, and as such, we really get to know our members well. What we do is not glamorous, into our work routine we develop a high degree of camaraderie that would cause a phony to stick out like a sore thumb.
The intelligence community is aware of our organization, however – there is no doubt about that. Through an attorney for Daniel Ellsberg (who leaked the Pentagon Papers, as you may remember), we learned how various data banks are being used, particularly the kind that centralize information on dissidents and political figures. One of these data banks is in East Lansing, Michigan where I’m sure it is no coincidence that a minister by the name of Trifa lives. Trifa has been identified by a number of Jews as having participated in a mass slaughter of Jews in Hitler’s Germany. (A book we have entitled Wanted documents this man’s past and shows his connections with the American Nazi movement today and its significant political influence.) Peoples Temple clashed with the Nazis when we took them on in our newspaper.
The intelligence center housing the data bank is connected with the University of Michigan. It gives actual recommendations and plans on how to “smash” (the actual crude word that was used, post-Watergate no less) persons who are considered to be political threats. We’re supposed to get a copy of such a report which we’ll pass along to you. The intelligence is both national and international in scope. This is the type of thing that goes on covertly in the US, no doubt without even the President’s awareness, as it is unlikely that Carter would approve of such a mess. (The data bank covers S. American countries, including Guyana.)
The attorney told us that Bishop Jones is viewed as a political threat in South America and that he is rated for kidnapping or assassination. The Bishop is not worried about these threats but our members are extremely concerned. The ironic truth is that he doesn’t want anything for himself. He only wants to establish a model community to help Guyana in her relations with the US. To help bring peace for Guyana, the Bishop doesn’t even speak about the US anymore. He was refusing all political interviews when he was in the US last. He granted only those interviews that permitted him to speak of our human service work because, with the US public going more reactionary, he didn’t want to risk hurting Guyana’s situation in regard to the US.
The attorney is concerned that the data banks make it easy to push organizations around because of the ease of feeding information into them (which is often false) and also taking information out. Thus, even honest agencies can be confused and manipulated by the information that is under the auspices of data banks, which a lot of people are utilizing. Plus, the fact that the information is coming out of a computer use the information more credibility (at least for a time) as well as an aura of authority.
It has long disturbed good peoples’ consciences in the States, including progressives in government, the false information is fed into federal data banks with ease. Such information can be, and often has been, recirculated and used for political reasons – pawned off as the gospel truth. We don’t know exactly what is going on in our case, but we sure have [blank space] plenty of nefarious and horrible things happening to us. They tried to poison Bishop Jones’ wife in a cocktail setting, which was quite a jolt recently. And just two weeks
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ago a young man who was remotely connected with us who was an activist, was clearly assassinated. Our people in the States see it as an attempt to intimidate us into thinking we can expect more if we don’t quit supporting socialism and socialist causes here and there. The information on this case looks very bad. No one, including our attorney, doubts that it was an assassination. The victim had a considerable amount of money on his person which wasn’t touched.
Bishop Jones received a lot of harassment before he left the States, particularly in the Los Angeles area where it’s like a police state. Cde. Claude Worrell told several of us before he died Matt – similar to Bishop Jones’ experience – he was also the target of a set-up involving plainclothes police who hung out in men’s toilets. (Cde. Worrell was undoubtably remembered there for representing members of the Black Panther Party, which would automatically buy trouble with law enforcement agencies.)
I just want to bring a couple of other things to your attention that are of concern to us here. One involves a man who came to our Open House last Saturday night. There were a couple of hundred guests who came and all were friendly except for him. He signed our guestbook as L.P. Ferreira (or something close to that) from the Registrar’s Office. He serves in the capacity of marrying people, and he said he didn’t believe our people chose their partners. It was an absurd and ludicrous statement because often the couples have related sexually, and one couple was even expecting a child before the marriage. (We don’t prohibit such relationships, as we aren’t strict in that area, the we do strongly encourage the nuclear family.) His statement was most disturbing probably because he works in an area that attempted to serve the papers on us concerning the Bishop’s son. This man was intoxicated at the time, but that is when we find people often reveal what’s in their minds.
An item that has just been brought to my attention is that Constable Persaud came to the PNC meeting (after not having attended for some time) making bigoted remarks about our people being “Yankees”. It was obvious he was a little drunk, I’m informed. He accused our doctor of only helping people who support the government (which is of course ridiculous). He started his harangue outside the meeting and then came inside. My information is that other Party members were very supportive of us.
Finally, we wanted you to know how much we appreciated your friendliness, as well as that of your wife, Dr. Reid, and Minister Mingo following the rally last Sunday in Black Bush Polder. We felt as if we were treated with genuine respect and that helped us considerably, because of our feeling of not having a future. We know we work better than others we see who think they have a whole lifetime to live, but it helps more than you can ever know to have people of your positions take the time to say encouraging things and even make suggestions (such as the one you made about stocking our stream with fish). Thank you for the show of friendship. We again pledge to you our undying loyalty – though we’re well aware of what that can mean. We are realists. We know there are some who don’t share your progressive values, and thus if you were gone our loyalty would mean that we’d been sacrificed. But we face this because we’re always faced what the future might bring. That is how we’ve survived. Our people have been through hell. 25 years of harassment in the US – the most vicious type of racist harassment that is more than anyone would believe, unless they themselves lived through it – caused Jim Jones to become very realistic. That
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is why you can be assured of our solidarity and staunch support. It’s based on awareness and on principle, which is the best kind of solidarity to have. It’s based on a 20 hour-a-day work schedule of the leader, not on some charismatic quality. Though he speaks and writes well, that’s not where it’s at. It’s based on an immense concern for every individual – to always be there in the time of crisis or emergency and to risk himself for them.
There are many other things that seem significant enough to pass along, but we’ve already taken more of a Prime Minister’s time than I suspect we have a right to. If you have any suggestions or criticisms arising out of anything we’ve brought to your attention, we’d love to hear from you via any means you might choose to communicate. But please know we are not expecting it. We only want to be doing is our best to serve.
All the best.
Cooperatively yours,
/s/ Mike Prokes
Mike Prokes
Asst-to-the-Bishop
cc: Dr. Reid
Min. Mingo
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JIM’S COPY
Peoples Temple Agri Project
PO Box 893
Georgetown
Republic of Guyana
30 December, 1977
Honorable Prime Minister Forbes Burnham
Office of the Prime Minister
Public Buildings
Georgetown
Republic of Guyana
Dear Comrade Burnham:
Today I am writing to you about some important disclosures and heartening matters which affect both the government of Guyana and our organization. We know you are busy, but I do hope if you are short of time you will get a trustworthy secretary to read the correspondence that Jim Jones sends to you, or asks one of his aides to write, because I have never known Jim Jones to talk idly, nor does he behaved impetuously.
Our people are loyal to Jim because of his committed demonstration of socialist principle. He has been more principled than anyone we have ever known, even offering to go back to the US at the risk of losing his son, but the entire organization unanimously voted against allowing such a thing to ever happen. Our people have been taken care of by Jim, as well as many not in the church, and we know that the progress of the farm and the success of the cooperative as a model community is entirely dependent on Jim’s presence. We feel we could not make it without him at this juncture.
MAZOR: INTERPOL SPECIAL AGENT
We have documented proof that the ex-con Joseph Mazor who has a ten year criminal record and who orchestrated the conspiracy against us, is a full-fledged member of Interpol. (Enclosed you will find an insert which gives the background of Interpol and the connections it maintains with the Nazi movement.) Also given to us from a high US official is unmistakable, irrefutable proof of the connection of Mazor with every one of the ex-members, who were likely plants from the beginning. Some of them we are absolutely sure were plants.
It is a grave mistake to allow Special Interpol Agent Mazor and all of his instigated harassments, such as the Olivers and their phoney child-custody matter regarding two sons who are married adults, to bring their dirty work into Guyana. Mazor has open contact with every type of clandestine CIA-type of front. We can prove what we are talking about. Mazor has unlimited access to “data banks” which store information regarding
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any person, organization, or nation for use by government agencies on a national and international level. The data base covers South American countries including Guyana. He has access and can feed it false information, and there is no way of ever challenging or clarifying it. Even though we are the most peaceloving people you will find, there is an attempt to paint us to look like a violent terrorist group because we spoke out in favor of the Guyana government (then moved to Guyana), and we took a strong anti-apartheid stand regarding South Africa. We have also been accused of giving arms to Guyana and rioting on behalf of the government here. This goes to show you how far they are willing to go and leads one to conclude that much of our harassment has stemmed from our support of Guyana and the government.
Many people we have met in the community tend to not have any real understanding of the racism in the United States or in the world. Mazor has openly talk about doing away with black people, but people like the Olivers will do anything for money; and sources who are highly reliable told us that Mazor gave the Oliver’s money to get here and that he has financed all of the matters regarding child custody. It is a mistake for you to let this kind of mass come down here, because you will not have only Mazor, but the entire Interpol operations and connections, and the Nazi movement to contend with.
DEMONSTRATION OF PROTEST: THE NEWS IS TURNING
Like the town crier going up and down the streets, members of Peoples Temple and civil rights leaders, and activists formed a two and one-half city block long demonstration protesting the lies against Peoples Temple and exposed the massive conspiracy which has terminated Jim Jones and Peoples Temple for destruction.
Jim Jones organized the members of Peoples Temple, civil rights leaders with their organizations, left activists, and friends, to take to the streets marching body to body, placard to placard, with documentation on the placards of the massive organized conspiracy. Jim is only sorry that he let our attorney persuade him not to do this in the first place. Jim had repeatedly expressed the desire (and wisdom) to go to the streets and protest. Our attorney, with support for his view from many prominent in the left, said not to, because a conspiracy of this level couldn’t be fought in this matter. Those same people on the left joined us in the streets marching when they saw our courage.
The conservative establishment press and television media had no choice but to print the overwhelming evidence and details about the conspiracy. Although the Third World and Black Press have always been supportive, the conservative press has been reluctant to report the truth. But the deluge of proof of the conspiracy brought out by the protest demonstration resulted in a complete turnaround in the media. Two large television stations said we were “victims of ungrounded charges.”
Documentation on the placards expose how a group of ex-members, who were found to be Nazi sympathizers and Ku Klux Klan elements, met on a certain February 24th with Nazis, Interpol agents, and others to give information about our progressive activities and to plan the strategy of
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lies, defamation, and court actions to destroy our organization. These ex-members knew what they were doing and that they were meeting with special agents for more than one branch of clandestine activity. We named every person, every fact, every date, and every detail on the placards. This forced the media’s hand because the overwhelming evidence couldn’t be ignored.
New proven details, which Jim hasn’t burdened you with, were exposed. The special Interpol agent Joseph Mazor was involved with the customs people who vandalized our crates in Miami which were being shipped to Guyana.
Many people in the populace who saw our demonstration with other civil rights activist leaders protesting alongside of us express their gratitude. A bank official, for example, said with tears in her eyes that she knew this was happening to us because it always happens to people who help the poor and oppressed and that no one did more for the oppressed than Jim Jones and Peoples Temple. Because of fear of reprisal from her job she wouldn’t give her name, but one person who had seen the woman at her workplace, knew she was in a division of management at a bank.
There is a lot of fear of reprisals and naturally some of the US press continued to ignore the documented proof that we put forward because they didn’t want to face their mistakes, or because they are reactionary, or even are part of the conspiracy (as we know a newspaper and TV station to be), but several major white establishment medias did cover the truth.
Bigotry and fear increases with economic turbulence and some showed this when a black person moved toward them as we marched up and down the streets, but the success of this courageous move cannot be underrated and hopefully it will back the conspirators off. Jim is only sorry that he did not do this before. One can imagine the effect of having the thousand people, who are here now, on the street as well. This has surely been a nightmarish experience one would have to go through to fully understand.
We feel a depth of comradery [camaraderie] with the Guyana government which has been the victim of conspiratorial propaganda. We hope you will carefully read all of the new disclosures, evidence, and details of harassment we submit to you. Not only will it help you to see how far-reaching this conspiracy has been, it will also show you how definitely linked this conspiracy is to our support of Guyana. Jim sends his warmest regards to you and wishes to affirm our loyalty to you and your government.
Cooperatively yours,
Michael Prokes,
Associate Minister
MP:pa
cc: Honorable Dr. Ptolemy Reid
Honorable Minister Fred Wells
Honorable Minister Vibert Mingo
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Jan. 11, 1978
Peoples Temple Agricultural Project
PO Box 893
Georgetown
Prime Minister Forbes Burnham
Public Buildings
Georgetown
Dear Prime Minister Burnham:
There are presently two matters that are of more critical concern to us than anything we have faced thus far in Guyana.
Concerning the matter of the custody case involving Bishop Jones’ son: We wonder if Richard McCoy, the American consul, doesn’t know something about the judge in the case being influenced (financially) by the other side. First of all, the judge clearly issued the orders for Bishop Jones’ arrest – illegally. Then on Saturday, January 7th, instead of dealing with the matter before the court – the question of legitimacy of the orders against Jim Jones – he allowed their representative to go into a diatribe about a non-related matter he wanted the court to reconsider.
Our representative is taking the position that since the original application by them was not supported by an affidavit from the mother, the application is therefore bad and all that flows from it is therefore a nullity. I could give you more facts that would show how this case is clear-cut in our favor, but I won’t take the time to go into it here. Suffice it to say that our representative said he would stake his reputation on the rightness of our case and its ultimate triumph in court. He said, however, it appears as though this judge is working for the other side. Even McCoy couldn’t understand it, as he said in front of other friends of his that Guyana couldn’t be accused of favoritism in ruling in our favor since both sides are equal friends of the US. He wants the goodwill of our group, at least ostensibly, as he made his remarks in the middle of praising what we are doing to promote goodwill between the two countries. McCoy also told the other side (specifically, the man who was formerly a member of Peoples Temple) that he (McCoy) wouldn’t be persuaded away from his neutrality. Though he obviously wants our goodwill, it sounds as if he knows something is going on behind the scenes. He said he couldn’t understand why the case hasn’t been decided (since the court couldn’t be accused of prejudice). Another thing that lends much credence to the idea that the case has been influenced is that our representative told us he was offered more than he has ever been paid to work for the other side.
If we lose the case at this juncture, the ramifications our dangerously serious for both Guyana and Peoples Temple. The decision will be used to get negative publicity against you and us in the States; more critically, it will keep the flow of legal harassment coming here, as the funds to do this are obviously coming from the same source – the Interpol agent Mazor, who is orchestrating the conspiracy. (The people who have come here thus far were in no financial position to make such a trip and stay in the best hotels.) Furthermore, and of most concern to us, is the health of our leader and the morale of our people. Bishop Jones, who has needed to get special medical attention for some time, has been immobilized by the Orders.
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It is impossible to explain to our people why a man who has created the most effective co-operative community (probably anywhere in the world) and has promised to use it for the good of Guyana, has had arrest orders issued on him by the courts of the country he came to serve. It just doesn’t make sense, and I doubt whether our people’s morale can stand months of appeal, if it comes to that.
The morale factor also has been seriously affected by the tremendous difficulty we’re having in another area – customs – which is the other matter I want to take up. We have been encouraged to populate and develop a region where few people want to live, as you no doubt are aware. We have sacrificed beyond anything I’ve ever seen any large group of people voluntarily do. We’ve demonstrated our willingness and have received official praise over and over for the model (the term used most often by official visitors) we have built.
On one hand we receive encouragement to grow and develop, and on the other hand we are stifled from doing so. I am now referring to the bureaucratic red tape of customs (although we suspect there is more to it than simply red tape). We have had 90 crates of John Fernandes’ wharf since September. We have actually had to buy many of the same goods and supplies that are in the crates because these items were so urgently needed. There are still more things that we need right now that are in the crates. We can’t afford to buy the items elsewhere and it is ludicrous that we were forced to do that before when the things needed are contained in the crates. All of the crates have been unpacked and inspected. An entry form has sat on Minister Hope’s desk for over three weeks (taking it over the want-of-entry Dave, which forces us to write a formal letter, and close, requesting an extension). We are running into the same type of problems with a shipment of 113 items that sit at [illegible abbreviation]. Part of the shipments include vital medical supplies. Our doctor sees local residents in our region every day, in addition to our own people. Our medical team has saved at least two lives that we can document and we have babies starving with us who have been under constant care for weeks. We’re doing much more in the medical field that I won’t go into here. It has been entirely at our expense even when we couldn’t afford to provide medicine or special transportation. We have turned no one away, but we don’t know how long we can keep it up, especially when we are being drained by legal fees. Confidentially, if this case goes to an appeal, we may find ourselves without an attorney because at this point we cannot afford to pay the costs.
After personally dealing with the customs problem, the only way I can see in which it can be resolved it is for us to be given a blanket concession on personal and household effects (which, incidentally, are never earmarked for any one individual, but are sent and used for the entire collective). Also, officials in the bureaucracy need to be told in no uncertain terms that our shipments must be expedited and released by the given date. Otherwise, they can drag it on and on. If they do not receive official word, save from one of your chief aides or Dr. Reid, we know from experience, nothing else will get the job done.
The key persons who should receive notification are Cdes. Corlette and White at Customs on Lamaha St.; Minister Hope, his permanent secretary & Cde. Bender at the Ministry of Finance; Cde. Dolinver & Bowen at Customs on Camp St..; and Cde. Pooransigh & Millner at the Ministry of Trade.
The matters above were the main subjects of meetings with Bishop Jones and our people in Jonestown and it was decided that the requests for your intervention
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be made, as we have pursued and exhausted all alternatives without success.
We have had a man working full time on customs matters alone for weeks. But right now many of our people are wearing worn-out shoes, for example, because our crates are still tied up. They don’t understand this at all. Their morale is low and naturally our production decreases when this happens. (Before these matters arose, our people were never happier with their lives.)
If you would do something to resolve these two areas of concern to us, you will never regret it. (You can confirm that we offered our assistance – at great possible risk and sacrifice – when Guyana was experiencing her biggest problem that ended just recently.) The same loyalty that compels Jim Jones and our people to fight for any and all members – though they may only represent a physical liability to our collective – will be used to benefit Guyana with its most productive force. Minister Wills, who is about to visit the project, I’m certain will confirm to you what I mean after he sees with his own eyes what has been achieved by the dedicated Socialists in Jonestown.
All the best.
Cooperatively yours,
/s/ Mike Prokes
Mike Prokes
Associate Minister &
Assistant-to-the-Bishop
cc: Dr. Reid
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Michael Prokes
Peoples Temple Agricultural Project
PO Box 893
Georgetown
18th March, 1978
Honorable Prime Minister Forbes Burnham
Office of the Prime Minister
Public Buildings
Georgetown
Dear Prime Minister Burnham:
We have learned not to trust abstract pledges of loyalty too extensively. In our own experience, in many cases, we have given much in help and support, and although we have strong support, nevertheless little in practical loyalty has returned. We have learned to be cautious, and that is why we ask questions, such as about the resignation of the Foreign Minister [Fred Wills]. Minister [Vibert] Mingo allayed our fears about it being indicative of a move to the far right. (We had heard that the far right of the party had forced you to make that move.)
We gather from various sources that perhaps there was a misuse of funds, and, from your own speeches we concluded that not as much work was being done as the need for productivity requires. It would have been helpful if someone had immediately told us the currents of change. We went through some anxious moments. We had caught the Foreign Minister in rough little lying games, but we still like him because he highly regarded you, and interpreted you in an intelligent manner to us. We had been getting all kinds of diametrically opposed views on what your attitude was, vis a vis our movement. It seems a lot of people like to stir up mischief.
Life has certain parameters of the basic elements of freedom we have to have. However you can depend on our loyalty. We would never go to your opposition. We are Third World people predominantly Black, and distrust anyone who would appeal to racism as a basis for support. Even the Soviets have always been friendly to us at home, and as far as we can tell, they have been friendly to us abroad.
We need guarantees that our freedom and survival won’t be hampered by the machinations of a few reactionary racists abroad. If the reactionaries are coming down on you and us, there is nothing so ennobling than good cause to die for. We all die sometime, so we take our life one day at a time, and fill it with so much joy in production and human services such as medical care in our own community and for the many who come daily from the community around us.
We are not interested in working with any administration but yours. You can depend on that kind of loyalty. We don’t count that much on a future, because we have had too many of your so-called
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[two lines of draft letter, scribbled through]
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Prokes: Burnham, -2-, 18th March 1978
“supporters” talk in a very dual fashion about their loyalty to you. We believe in Dr. Reid, Minister Mingo, Minister Green, and Minister Jack who seems sincere. There are a few others that we have spoken to, but have not have enough contact with to be certain.
We keep hearing recurring rumors that this or that person will be the next PM – names other than Dr. Reid. We would have no confidence living under the administration of one person who appears interested in your position. We are not religious but one thing Jesus said is a valid guidepost: “No man takes my life. I’ll lay it down on my own terms.” When you stood up to [Henry] Kissinger, we heard all kinds of complaints. Jim Jones, however, shows that time to bring his sons here with him, as they wanted to be present, and if the US came to destroy you, as with Dr. [Salvador] Allende, he and his sons wanted to die with you. (Jim’s son, John, has tested as a genius, and even at his age, he understood the gravity of the situation.) We have been through so much hell – attempted assassination, church and senior citizen homes burned that it has certainly steeled our backbone for dying.
Please guard your health well. The human race has not come so far in socialist evolution that people are not still much like other primates. No matter what their leader had achieved in the past, the moment he appears a little ill, the pack moves in for the kill. Although we do not presume to advise you, continue to keep a wary eye on North America. It would seem that the pivotal factor is to insure that the army is loyal and from our own experience we would judge that an army official who would give up his seat on an aircraft to a sick Amerindian woman does not seem to have ambition for personal power.
Please lend any assistance you can to see that are amateur radios are permitted out of customs. They are one of the best things we can do for Guyana. We, especially Jim himself, made thousands of friends for Guyana and the project. He pushes himself to stay up hour after hour and makes contacts, usually getting only two hours sleep a night and then dragging himself out to the fields, each day. He does this because he feels it is the least he can do to show appreciation living under a black prime minister who is first and foremost a statesman and genius at diplomacy, which is so desperately needed for the nation’s survival. You also have a hell of a genius, and one very dedicated to you, in comrade Dr. Reid.
We have met many, but can honestly say that none compare to the fine character and dedicated example you have shown us as a leader. Our loyalty to you is guaranteed by the principles you have demonstrated.
Cooperatively yours,
Mike Prokes, Associate Minister
P.S. We do not understand why we have been asked by Gregory Gaskin of the Matarkai Scheme to return a cane grater and pitter, and a cane chopper which Dr. Fernandes very recently told us we could use for 6 months. We need them and it has been only 2 months since we were loaned these machines. We find it difficult to understand why Cde. Gaskin would wait until Dr. Fernandes was out of the country to request their return.
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Duplicate of m-3
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[Editor’s note: This is a draft of letter to Prime Minister Burnham, Min. Reid and Min. Mingo. There are numerous inserts and arrows pointing to text to be moved. They have been incorporated as much as is possible.]
Mar. 23
Arrest Orders:
Initially, several US Embassy officials volunteered the opinion that it would be ridiculous to think that the arrest orders could ever be invoked. Other than Mr. Blacken, none of these people have any sympathies for a socialist organization. The subject was discussed in the context of an invitation to come to the capital for some affair. We had declined, citing the arrest orders as the obstacle, and received the above response. Numerous other Guyanese officials subsequently gave us the same assurance and eventually we felt relatively secure the leader of our cooperative could travel in absolute safety. We came to this country knowing full well that the government can control such matters; we were told this by Cde. Worrell. This is especially important at this time with the upcoming cultural show. We feel that a first-production could be highly beneficial to Guyana, because it would demonstrate what the emphasis of the government on cooperative living can achieve. Cde. Jim Jones is an excellent organizer, and has considerable talent in the field of theatrical management. We consider his abilities essential to the program, and we made the decision about him coming based on that fact. Cde. Jones would participate greatly in the show, and arrange only a few quiet appointments. However, there are rumors that he is afraid to come to the capital, and that kind of talk reflects badly on the government.
We are now informed that the arrest orders will not be implemented unless Stoen’s lawyer, Haas, or another of the
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clique of racist conspirators pressure for his arrest.
In a personal sense, whether Cde. Jones is arrested matters little – but such a move would trigger absolute pandemonium among our people. Even in the US, on one occasion when he and some others were arrested in a civil rights demonstration, the organization (including JJ) went on a hunger strike. We were prepared to die unless the framed-up charges were dropped.
We regret that we came to Guyana already beleaguered by oppressive racist & reactionary elements. However, such a history has steeled us to adversity, and if your government were attacked by enemies, foreign or domestic we would be your best supporters. Our experience of racist & reactionary oppression is in that sense of advantage to you.
It seems that this reality is difficult to communicate. The most upsetting of all comments came from 2 high government officials who remarked that you were afraid to get too close to us because “we have too many enemies in the US.” Please let all know that we never began to tell of all the friends that we have in the US. (At one point a friend remarked that you would resent our getting letters to you, so we didn’t send even
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1/100th of those received in our support.)
It is most upsetting any government leader would say he is keeping his distance because we have enemies. If we all adhere to that standard, there are those who would never become friends within the principal people such as Angola or Cuba. [Beginning of insert A from page n-4] We repeatedly hear the one minister in particular dislikes us and would do anything to harass our organization. As long as the administration is a change, we are not worried. We are told by one official that there was a complaint that we were given too much information and too many guarantees. This is ridiculous. When we pointed out treasonous elements that hold respect in the country, we were told to shorten our letter, as we do not go into as much detail as before – but we hold nothing back. Every bit of information we received is conveyed to you. I am sure if you received your letters you will see this is the case. [Notation to begin insert B, but it is not included in this copy of draft.] As for assurances, anyone knows the community produces much more effectively when its few basic requests, necessary for survival, are provided. End of Insert
One report that we were led to feel absolutely reliable since we have been infiltrated by the CIA; another swears it’s the KGB. I think we can feel confident and guarantee you that no CIA or KGB are in our ranks. On the advice of one of the government officials, we’ve taken strong precautions to prevent such infiltration from ever happening. If, in your busy schedule, you would ever have the time we can document statements made about us from high levels that would alienate any other people. However we are able to look at the overall picture and not be immobilized by detail, so our loyalty has been unaffected.
After all the above, let me say, there is a positive note. Minister Carmichael acted quickly and got a GDF plane to carry in a mother & her baby (who appears to have a rare cranial disorder). It very well could
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have met the life of the child. We regret that one person in government finds criticism with this vital service, and even wants to silence our amateur radio, which we use to connect with the best medical specialists. (This will be utterly intolerable.) Often such connections obviates the need for emergency flights. [Notation to begin insert C, but it is not included in this copy of draft.]
[Balance of page is Insert A]
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In spite of economic difficulties, our home is filled with our Guyanese compatriots. We make donations constantly that we can afford (housing & medicines, medical services, etc.) Babies and children brought us have been nurtured back to perfect health. We consider such service our duty, a privilege, and a joy.
There have been many doctors and amateur radio operators who have been helpful, the following have given particularly expert consultation. Mike I suggest in a thank you note written to them by someone in government we foster considerable goodwill.
Dr. Nicholas Ellen – ophthalmologist – Geo. Washington Univ. Hosp. His consultation helped save an eye
Insert # ** [There is no notation where this insert belongs.] One person in government even went so far as to say he would after Jim assassinated. This rumor, even if it were in fact reality would not prevent his coming into the capital. Death holds no fear for him or any of us. Death, in many ways, would be a welcome relief from a life of pain, responsibilities, and [illegible word].
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Dr. John Wilson, Cardiologist
Mass Gen. Hospital
And Dr. _____
Administrator of _____
Mass Gen. Hospital
Both of these fine doctors were very helpful with a man who had suffered cardiac arrest. As you know, the hospitals they are affiliated with are among the most outstanding in the world.
Art _____
Although not a doctor, this man told us he had written his Congressman asking him to support increased aid to Guyana.
We have made over 4000 contacts via this medium, talking always about the beauty of this country. Although we do not ask that the persons we contact do anything in particular, responses like the above I’m sure are not uncommon. Not once have we encounter an unfriendly or rude person.
Cde. Jim Jones spends every night talking about the beauty of this country and gets only 2 hours of sleep at night, and suffers from chronic laryngitis as a result.
A note of acknowledgment to our own people would certainly boost morale immeasurably, as they hear that one in government wants to deprive us of this means of communication.
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Michael Prokes, Associate Minister
Peoples Temple Agricultural Project
PO Box 893
Georgetown
3rd April, 1978
Honourable Prime Minister Forbes Burnham
Office of the Prime Minister
Public Buildings
Georgetown
Dear Comrade Burnham:
I wish to take only a few minutes of your time to pass on pertinent and encouraging information given to us by a US Embassy official following his visit to Washington, and to express some of our heartfelt feelings about issues which we will not compromise on.
Arrest Orders:
Out of concern that the fine young people who put on the performance at the National Cultural Centre would do their best in representing Guyana, Jim Jones had to come to Georgetown. He has been their inspiration and their best drama critic nurturing them from a deep, bitter, anti-social alienation to become a credit to socialism.
Jim, originally was coming to Georgetown to keep appointments with Mrs. [Viola] Burnham and Minister [Vibert] Mingo, but every member was so incensed that Jim, in essence, had become “persona non grata” that he was forced to heed their advice and travel incognito. Other people in government, even in one of the offices of Cabinet, cautioned Jim not to do it as well, not out of any disrespect for you, but simply because we could get no written assurances from you that Jim would not be arrested.
What is so alarming to us is that we were told by Dick McCoy that John would never be taken and Jim would ever be arrested, and now we are told that if Jim came to town he would be arrested. Jim does not give a damn personally, but it will create chaos.
Dick McCoy also stated to us that he did not think Guyana would go to the wall. He said that if worse came to worse and the court awarded John to Tim Stoen, he did not think Jim Jones or Joyce Touchette would be arrested if they refused to give up John. We did not comment.
Sacrifices:
There is a current release circulating within certain government circles that anyone person can be arbitrarily sacrificed to promote what is loosely termed, “the good of Guyanese people.” We certainly would not want to be in the position of balancing the life of an individual against the complex, amorphous quality but we hope you understand, if Jim could have sacrificed John and lived with that on his conscience, he would’ve done so. But we know that
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it would have been to let him be used by people who never cared for him. He would be thrown aside, scared and hurt, on the rubbish heap. This would have killed Jim. He would have felt guilty of the worst form of murder – killing his own child. Even if Jim could have made this sacrifice, the conspiracy has shown us that there would have been others. This is been proven by direct witnesses.
People who claim to be loyal to the PNC have informed us that we should be willing to be the sacrificial lamb to enable Guyana to get aid from the IMF. According to our sources, no such sacrifice would be required. All that is asked is that we do not lend ourselves to being the sources of embarrassment to the US on the international scene. Our desire to leave the US is not to seek international notoriety, but only peace. We hope you can make that point to both the IMF and the US.
We have heard that the USSR speaks well of Guyana. This has given us encouragement that the far right wing will not dominate the scene here.
Cultural Presentation: A Success:
We were overwhelmed by the gratitude expressed to us for having this performance. The reports we received were raving with compliments about how professional we were. It would have been even better if Jim had been there.
Everyone we spoke with thanked us for Mrs. [Marceline] Jones’ speech. They said it was both moving and the first time they had heard about our background, what we’ve been through, and how we came to Guyana.
Lynette Dolphin, Director of the Department of Culture, said, “Whenever we need to draw from local talent, we know where to go.” A dance instructor at the National School of Dance asked our dancers to come and share dance routines in their classes. The AP and UPI representatives said they wanted to write about the performance and said that our brass band is comparable to the best in that category to any in the Caribbean. People who work at the cultural centre said they were amazed at how dedicated our young people practiced for the show. Many expressed a desire to visit Jonestown because it really must be something unique to have all of this talent dedicated to cooperative living and working on a farm.
Congressional Enquiries:
A reliable source told us you were keeping a file devoted exclusively to reports on US Congressional enquiries and responses. (This source is not the former Foreign Minister [Fred Wills] who has always been scrupulously careful not to reveal any confidential information.) The person who showed us the Peoples Temple file has always proven to us to be absolutely loyal to you.
We were told by a government official months ago to not have any of our Congressional friends write to you because you did not want to be deluged with all of the letters. We hope this is been taken into consideration as you peruse this file.
We do not understand your objections to our obtaining information. We do not “collect” information, nor do we have any other purpose than to analyze whatever information we are given to see how we can better serve Guyana and improve our relations. We have always made it a point to tell you everything we hear, which is one of the reasons we have registered concern that you do not always read our letters.
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Invitation from US Embassy:
Jim was invited to a function by someone in the US Embassy. A gracious refusal was sent to the person, stating that he had responsibilities at Jonestown. Jim was not interested in going anywhere and he would never travel much, but he should be absolutely free to travel whenever he needs to.
State Department Says “NO” To Would-Be Kidnappers
We were told in confidence by Dick McCoy that within the past few days, his officers at the State Department have received telephone calls asking if the US would cooperate in serepticiously [surreptitiously] bringing people into Guyana for the purpose of removing children from Jonestown, “circumventing” legal proceedings of Guyana. This is a polite description of a kidnapping operation. Of course, he said these callers were emphatically told “NO.” But the information does complement the counsel given to us by our liaison regarding a kidnapping operation.
We are telling no one else of this conversation with Dick McCoy but our three trusted friends. McCoy told us this in confidence and said he would deny it if ever mentioned to him. But we believe it our duty to pass on any information that comes our way and we will continue to report everything.
McCoy Says “We Have A Case”:
We were emphatically told by Dick McCoy that we had a case of “abandonment.” The child was left here by Tim Stoen and that would weigh heavily in the eye of the court. McCoy said, moreover, that these types of cases have always, in his vast experience, been resolved on behalf of the people resident in the country where the case is heard. He said this is the rule whether in Guyana or the US because the court is expected to state that their own environment is best for anyone to live. Many others in the legal profession as well as McCoy have stated that Jim has the best legal point.
Another person in the US Embassy said that Guyana was spineless and would yield to any pressure, however small, for Tim Stoen. We can’t conceive of that, but from God’s sake, don’t test our people on that point because too many of your people have already told us that you control Judge [Aubrey] Bishop. Anyway, all would be lost should such a decision come.
Little has been asked by us, and no people are prepared to give as much to the government as we are. We have never conveyed your assurances to anyone but the most responsible of Jim Jones’ staff, contrary to what we were accused of. We will gladly view the names of those who have given us assurances, but only face-to-face and not through many hands. We can vouch that these are people you esteem and who represent you. When people mention the case to us, we are very cautious and say things as:
We know we have the best case and moral issue, but it is Judge Bishop who will decide and we just hope that he makes the right decision.
Others in the legal profession have told us we can appeal, even though Judge Bishop is apparently friendly to us. We always tell them we certainly will appeal all the way.
When people like Dick McCoy say things will go our way; we say, there is no way of telling.
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Inconsistencies:
Dick McCoy said the State Department is losing interest in the John Stoen case because when he was in Washington he pointed out inconsistencies in the statements Tim Stoen, Jeffrey Haas, and others involved in the conspiracy were making to State Department officials.
McCoy also said but even though their interest is on the wane, that if the courts of Guyana do not reach a decision very soon (and not after 4, 5, or 6 months) that Tim Stoen and whoever is behind him will put more pressure by lobbying in Congress. We can lobby too but it is very costly and socialists have more difficulty. If Tim Stoen’s pressure were massive, we would have to exert more pressure TO GET EQUAL RESULTS.
We were assured by Dick McCoy that his office will continue to point out the inconsistencies in the stories Tim Stoen is telling. He also mentioned that he brought back a stack of mail for his Ambassador to read in support of Jim Jones and Peoples Temple, even letters to the President.
Official Bodyguard Works With Conspirators:
One of our young men who performed at the Cultural Centre, Bruce Oliver, was approached by one of the government’s official bodyguards and told that he had been “assigned” to contact Bruce’s parents once a week (and told Bruce the correct telephone number) to “report” to them how Bruce and his brother, William, were doing. It is highly offensive to us then a representative of the government in a sensitive position as a bodyguard would be working against loyal members of your own staff.
This bodyguard was formerly assigned to the former Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was transferred back to your own staff on the Minister’s resignation.
He is obviously working with the conspiracy as a spy. It is horrendous that he is in that position with the government and working as an agent for an Uncle Tom and Aunt Jane like the Olivers who are backed by fascists and outright racists. They are self-seeking and cannot claim to have any of the massive support we have from black people, civil rights activists, church leaders, moderates, Liberals, an official of US representatives from all spectrums.
The bodyguard approached Bruce with information that four airplane tickets were there for him to pick up for himself, his brother, and their wives to use. We know where the tickets are. Bruce wants to have the tickets cashed in and the money turned over to the PNC. This bodyguard ought to be made to turn his money over also.
Bruce’s dad, by Bruce’s own knowledge, has criminal connections. His mother is a drunk and vicious. She would have killed Marceline Jones with a knife if she hadn’t been stopped. The police had to intervene to keep this woman from making further attacks on Jim’s wife.
The Oliver’s don’t have a dime and stated openly they were doing this for money. When they were in Guyana they stayed at the most expensive hotels, and have been flinging money around like there is no end.
We want action taken and this bodyguard stopped, or the money given to the government. His parting words to Bruce were, “Don’t tell anyone about our conversation.”
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Applications for Firearms:
There is apparently no idea by some who process requests for firearms how many people, other than the ones at Jonestown, we take care of. In view of the fact that we feed 1000 people in Jonestown and take care of Guyanese neighbors in the interior and at our Georgetown headquarters, it would very much help relieve some of the burden of feeding this number if we could hunt for food.
in addition to the shotgun and hunting rifle requests, we also made application for a revolver to be used as a protection weapon. In light of these kidnapping potentials, confirmed even by the State Department, why is it that the handgun permit has not been processed?
No Compromise:
We have heard that one person said, we “lobby” and “pressure,” but in the end we would “put up with anything.” Please, if you know or can find out whoever made that determination, tell he or she not to make that foolish mistake, because we have come very close to the point, ar many times in our lives, where death looks more desirable than a life full of compromise.
Yours cooperatively,
Michael Prokes,
Associate Minister
cc: Dr. P. Reid
Minister Vibert Mingo
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April 9, 1978
Peoples Temple Agricultural Project
PO Box 893, Georgetown
Prime Minister Forbes Burnham
Public Buildings
Georgetown
Dear Prime Minister Burnham:
We have been informed that the judge in the child custody case has talked in open conversation about the exact time that he is going to give the decision and that it is not going to be favorable to us. Originally, we got nothing but encouraging reports, but now they are discouraging. We hope they do not reflect the reality of the situation, for Jim Jones can’t live if the case goes against us.
There is a disgusting lie being told about us supposedly harassing the judge’s wife. We were told by a reliable close acquaintance of the judge that he said his wife had gotten a letter from us about the case. We are not that stupid; we would not do that. Someone else who checked it out told us that she did not get any letter and had heard nothing from us about the case. This is the most abominable affair that we have ever seen, when a co-op and its leader would die for this country but cannot get a favorable resolution even when the law clearly shows that the judge made an erroneous decision. We are apparently considered of little value to Guyana by the majority of the few prominent leaders of the party at the very top echelons. Even a high official of the US Embassy said that the decision should go in our favor from a legal standpoint alone. In fact, he said in all of his assignments abroad, he has never known a nation in a case like this to ever decide against the resident or citizen; and he said it is absolutely Guyana’s prerogative to make up her mind in our favor. We made no comments to him and he raised the issue. He said he thought the process should be speeded up so there would be no accusation from the US that the decision is deliberately being sat on. Although he said he didn’t expect broad support for Tim Stoen, in any event, because Stoen lost his credibility after having been caught in lies to the State Department and to congressmen.
We see no reason why this decision cannot be favorably handed down in our behalf. Our people cannot continue to try to live with this kind of alienation and apprehension. It is very destructive and we do hope someone is listening to this quiet desperation.
We were told there is a rule given to immigration authorities that the child is not to leave Guyana until the case is finished. We were informed by several persons that the rule was a concession to the forces helping Tim and Grace Stoen. Only one person said it was to help us. We would like clarification please.
We are loyal, so we would know better than to give public assurances to our people on the specifics of the case. Please understand that we are tired, greatly disillusioned with life, and – as much as we stoically celebrate life through such events as we presented at the National Cultural Center – we are mostly ready to die. No one can understand what another goes through. The 25 years of constant insidious harassment – even when we were in public good favor – make staff look beautiful.
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We are also perturbed that another little boy who is five years old and very ill in the hospital in Georgetown with a brain hemorrhage, calls on Jim, his pastor, and Jim cannot come because he is a prisoner of the arrest orders. Several people associated with the government say the orders are intentional, but we deny it. We can see no reason why you want Jim locked in like this because he does nothing but speak well of Guyana and its government – and very little talking does he do at that. He is weary of the world of public leadership. He said he had his lion’s share and wants no more. We know that many mutual friends of ours, both here and abroad, do not understand why this matter cannot be resolved favorably to us to allow our community to be a prime example of production to all.
Though some kind words from you and Dr. Reid and others dedicated to you do occasionally trickle down, we still keep hearing that we will be given no assurances. And we hear of other cruel and snide remarks reportedly by some cabinet members. For the life of us we do not understand it because the assurances we seek are minimal, necessary for survival, and even essential in Guyana. We simply want to be allowed to maintain our own school and medical department, which we hear through the grapevine is being worked out satisfactorily, and which is an absolute necessity to avoid attacks from abroad on both Guyana and us. When we submit customs papers to Minister Hope for clearance, we would like some assurance that the matter will be handled within some reasonable specified time period. And the matter of Jim’s child, of course, is the most important moral concern of the entire community in Jonestown. An informant within the conspiracy has told us absolutely that if we were to yield on this case, which we would never know, then other cases will follow. So that would also be counterproductive to the interests of Guyana. Furthermore, we will never allow the child to be this kind of pawn for racists and outright fascists.
ADVISED TO GO SLOW
A month or so ago we were told that we needed to integrate more. After our successful cultural program that was praised by all sectors of government and community life in attendance, as well as countless others that heard about it since, we have been advised by an official whom we admired that we should “go slow.” Can you give any explanation for this?
CULTURAL SHOW PRAISED BUT NO PRESS; HOYTE
It is grossly embarrassing when we are ask questions about why we didn’t get a word of press on such a spectacular cultural and entertainment events as we presented on April first. Guyanese friends and acquaintances do not understand why it has gotten no coverage, and they’ve asked us if we are on the “outs” with the government. Of course we deny that we are on the “outs”, but we’re little evidence to support it – particularly when we are told there will be no press and that we can expect even other attacks by Hoyte. If any article about the event does get published, it will only be because we raised the issue with the Ministry of Information.
A high-ranking official said to us that if you didn’t want our organization alienated and destroyed by lack of morale, then no one should be permitted
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to attack us who claims to be with the party, particularly when Hoyte’s attack was clearly groundless. Even according to the statements of your own officials – and they volunteered their criticisms because we never bring up such matters, except with the one assigned to us who you trust – the attack was not based on fact. Friends unto death should be considerate enough to criticize each other privately, which is essential to unity. Although we had done nothing to Hoyte, we are told over and over that he doesn’t like us. One person even told us (we must not name him, as we don’t know how many others will read these letters now) that we are being set up at our project in the Northwest in case we must be eliminated at some point.
LETTERS RESENTED, NOT READ
We have been told that our letters are not read. Please realize that it’s when we stop writing that all will be given up. So for God’s sake tell us who to write to with the assurances the highlights of the subjects will be given to you. We have not had assurances given to us to date that you read the material. Some matters, such as regarding Venezuelan officials, could be of critical importance to national security.
A high-ranking person in US officialdom told three of our people that “Guyanese people don’t like Guyana but the US government does, because Guyana has few people and many resources that the US can utilize.” This was said just before someone was put into a new post here. Please do read the other letters as this is something we need for life. It is up to you, but it would be foolhardy not to give us some peace on the matters of concern to us. We have few whom we can trust to discuss our feelings with – none but a few of you in government – because we do not trust easily. There is a lot of salient information in the letters, and much significant information pertaining to security; and our survival rests in them.
MEDICAL MATTERS
Recently we brought a five-year-old patient to the hospital. Isaac had brain hemorrhaging and we wanted to have our private professional medical personnel with him around the clock. Jim Jones was prepared to bring in a neurologist for Isaac or to even take into Cuba if necessary. Jim wanted special RN’s with him at all times, because his condition was so critical at first. The child could have died without private highly competent personnel to monitor his vital signs. We feel we have to be as perfect as possible in our medical care to avoid any problems for Guyana. We are deeply sensitive to everyone would take care of, whether they are Guyanese friends or someone in our own community. But with a person in that condition, we provide 24 hours of observation. As you know, reactionaries in the US judges not by Guyanese standards, not even by their own – they expect perfection from us. Of course you realize that the US even allows families by the bedside of the critically ill, and would judge us all harshly if we didn’t have professionals by his side to monitor. Moreover, with brain damage, the vital signs can change immediately and complications and death can ensue – so we wanted to be there. Obviously, it would be Guyana too that would be judged if we made one medical faux pas. Thus, when we ran into difficulty in getting it cleared for our medical personnel the stay was Isaac, we wondered why we had to cut through red tape. Fortunately, the kindly Head Matron, Cde. Standiford, intervened and got it cleared for us. We appreciate that. It seems ridiculous when
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professional people cannot offer that kind of service which our personnel extend not only to the one patient but others around them. This was appreciated by the floor nurses. Anything can happen to a child in Isaac’s condition, unless clearly observed.
We believe that all socialists should be prepared to die and still continue being productive. It is the highest motivation to be prepared for the worst. But as much as we love and admire you, there are some things that we cannot live with. The last blow came when we were told by a prominent person in a government office that we cannot even put up a sign telling the day we give free medical care in our clinic, which has been lauded by every government official who has seen it. You can confirm that we have always given credit to the government for the medical program we have, just as we have abided by Hoyte’s demands that we not give food to the people. But to not be allowed to erect a sign offering free medical services seems grossly inconsiderate to many people who are very sick. Every country has sick people needing such services, and Guyana is no exception.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN JONESTOWN
Just as a matter of possible interest, we are beginning to produce bricks in Jonestown, which we are sure will prove beneficial to Guyana. We have Knolinite type clay for fire bricks. We should have quite a number finished in five weeks and success appears likely. We are also well on the road to perfecting soap totally from materials found in the beautiful jungle here and which requires no import of any kind.
LATE WORD
As I have been writing this letter, we have received word that the Youth Division of the Ministry of National Development has us under investigation. The information is reliable and we have felt that something was going on from the types of questions we’ve been asked lately by certain individuals. Our honesty has been clearly proven as we were told privately by a high official that we’ve already been investigated by the best, and nothing of a questionable nature was discovered. The fact that no crime or anti-social behavior in a group as large and mixed as ours is remarkable. So why this? Death would be highly preferable to us, particularly if there is any truth to the matter that a division under Dr. Reid is checking us out. That would be the final despair because our faith is in you, Dr. Reid, and Minister Mingo.
Please give us the feedback on the above matters that we see and very much need. It will be truly appreciated and never taken for granted.
Cooperatively yours,
/s/ Mike Prokes
Mike Prokes
Associate to Cde. Jim Jones
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PS (for Dr. Reid): you expect us not to talk to you and we know you are very busy – busy beyond words – we realize. But when trust is needed, where do we go? We need one session of straight talk and assurances that are basic to survival, then we will not bother you. We would live freely in the lifestyle befitting compassion and concern and helping the government in the area of free medical services. If you read your letters from us, you know there are a lot of people in the party who you cannot trust. We want, out of our loyalty to you, to keep you posted about such evidence. We won’t make this letter strictly confidential, but we implore you, we desperately need to communicate soon. This is all we have asked. You can send it few answers to the above questions we’ve raised, directly to Jim Jones through a trusted emissary. But we do need answers on these matters which are vital to our well-being.
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April 12, 1978
Peoples Temple Agricultural Project
PO Box 893, Georgetown
Dr. Ptolemy Reid
Deputy Prime Minister
Ministry of National Development
Dear Dr. Reid:
As a result of our cultural presentation on April first, people are requesting our entertainment all over the country. The PNC also has asked us to do a presentation for May Day celebrations. However, it is evident that some person(s) do not want to acknowledge in the press that we exist. Many have said to us they thought it was curious that such a superb cultural event received no coverage. When we made an inquiry into the matter, we were told, in a nice way, that an article would appear on the next Sunday (April 9th). It did not. Then we were assured it would come out on Wednesday. Again it did not appear. In the meantime the Ministry of Information ask for an article on the role of our women in Jonestown, which we turned in the next day. We have seen nothing come of that either.
It’s obvious there is some element that is determined to block any press coverage of us. So will continue to produce on our agricultural project as our contribution – though our performers could have made a significant contribution to the culture and to goodwill relations for the PNC. But we can’t do that in the present climate.
We have given very visible (as well as non-visible) support to the PNC at rallies, conferences, mobilizing people to attend doorstep meetings, etc. If anything happened to this government, it would not go well for us due to our contribution to the Party. In fact, it could kill our Agricultural Project and community. In spite of everything, however, we have still made the commitment, and most everyone connected with the Party nose of our strong support. The support still exists, though sometimes we get the feeling of being used.
Regarding the child custody case involving Jim Jones’ son, we feel it must be re-emphasized that the rule or policy decision but the boy cannot leave the country with anyone, was designed to help Tim Stoen. We know that Stoen would not come after the child because he knows that he wouldn’t get anywhere – as, obviously, no one who has care of the child would allow him to be taken. Since it doesn’t apply to Stoen, it must have been aimed at us, thus assisting him.
We will appreciate your consideration of the above matters which we don’t understand.
Cooperatively yours,
/s/ Mike Prokes
Mike Prokes
Assistant-to-Cde. Jim Jones
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[Letterhead of Peoples Temple Agricultural Mission]
May 22, 1978
Hon. Forbes Burnham
Government Buildings
Georgetown
Guyana
Dear Mr. Prime Minister:
It is our feeling that it would be in the best interests of Guyana if a feature-type story of our project were run in the Chronicle, and perhaps released through Caribbean news agencies.
In the past few days, distinguished visitors to our project, Rev. John V. Moore and his wife, were interviewed by local newsmen. Rev. Moore is a former Superintendent over many Methodist churches in California, and now pastors the largest Methodist Church in Nevada. Both Rev. and Mrs. Moore were highly impressed with the Jonestown community. We were visiting their two daughters, one a registered nurse, another a teacher, along with her husband and child. Mrs. Moore, too, it is widely known as an organizer for prison reform and Equal Rights for Women. Both were able to give objective, first-hand views of the community. If such an interview were published, along with some account of life in Jonestown, and the accomplishments of this unique cooperative community, done by journalists with solid credentials, it would have the decided effect of dispelling and discrediting the vicious lies being circulated that portray us as some kind of ‘slave camp.’ Needless to say, this can be (and, indeed, is intended to be) an embarrassment to the government.
Included in such an article can be the commentaries of several other recent visitors to Jonestown, such as Dr. Walter Thain, a director of the 2000-doctor MARCO medical network, and a famed cystologist. Dr. Thain spent several days at the project, and spoke glowingly of it. He also commended our project doctor, Dr. Laurence Schacht, as one of the most brilliant physicians he had ever met of the over 5000 he had consulted with. Also, famous US civil rights attorney (and author) Charles Garry as visited, and has called the project “paradise.” He wrote an article about his visit that was subsequently published in the black press. Another woman, a medical professional with two married daughters and grandchildren living on the project, also visited and wrote a statement that lays to rest false allegations perpetrated about us. Finally, US State Department officials have visited and officially have cleared us of these charges.
There is no question but that our community is structured. This helps to overcome the kind of anarchy we see in so many circles that undermines production. Even though structured, our community is characterized by a tremendous outpouring of individual
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BB-29-j-2 – Duplicate of BB-29-j-2, two pages earlier
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BB-29-l-1 – l-2, Duplicate of BB-29-j-1 – j-2
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Peoples Temple Agricultural Project
PO Box 893 Georgetown
May 23, 1978
Dr. Ptolemy Reid
Ministry of National Development
200 Camp St.
Georgetown
Dear Dr. Reid:
The following is a rebuttal to the intent in a long series of attempts by reactionary elements to align, discredit, and ultimately destroy Cde. Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple. Those actively engaged in this invidious activity have issued a wordy statement that is filled with lies, distortions, innuendo, ad hypocritical piousness. Should you ever be bothered with this outlandish document, here is a point-by-point answer to it, in which the lies and falsities of the so-called “concerned relatives” are made obvious.
Thank you for your time, for we realize your busy schedule.
Cooperatively yours,
/s/ Mike Prokes
Cde. Mike Prokes
Assistant to Cde. Jim Jones
P.S. At this time we can at least one thousand names to the petition. We can also add many, many more telegrams, as the ones included here our only a representative sample. (The attached petition has about 3000 people.)
cc: Min. Mingo
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25 May 1978
Peoples Temple Agricultural Project
PO Box 893 Georgetown
Prime Minister Forbes Burnham
Public Buildings
Brickdam
Dear Prime Minister Burnham:
Attached is a copy and photograph of the type of thing our reactionary detractors our doing try to make us and Guyana look bad.
Notice how – in the photograph – they attempted to associate you with the so-called concentration camp. (Undoubtedly this was masterminded by Timothy Stoen, whom we’ve written you about before.)
Also enclosed is a letter giving some updated background on the campaign against Peoples Temple and this country, and another letter enclosed proposes a way of dealing with it.
Thank you for your time and whatever consideration that you may give to the above matter.
Cooperatively yours,
/s/ Mike Prokes
Cde. Mike Prokes
Asst. to Cde. Jim Jones
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[Editor’s note: This letter also appears at BB-31-a-38 – a-39]
25 May 1978
From: Peoples Temple Agricultural Project
PO Box 893 Georgetown
To: Ministers of Government
Dear Comrade Minister:
As you are probably aware from previous correspondence, there is a small but vociferous element of Nazi-like thugs that has been attacking Guyana and our organization. They are press headline seekers, and they have held demonstrations to attract publicity. Recently, they even shoved a black woman, which was witnessed by an officer who warned them to straighten up or they would have to leave.
A man by the name of Timothy Stoen heads this bunch (Stoen was once a member of Peoples Temple – undoubtedly an agent-provocateur as he attempted to put our organization on a violent course). He hasn’t been able to get much attention in the press, particularly as of late. The last demonstration attracted no coverage to speak up. (It is the little papers – such as the Ukiah Daily Journal – which this type of element controls, and these papers don’t mean much.) It is not so popular to attack us anymore, since much of the punch has been lost.
One of the press owners – Rupert Murdoch – has aligned himself with reactionary forces in attacking all socialists. It is a return to McCarthy-type (“red-baiting”) politics. One group – Synanon, which is known and respected for its rehabilitative work – was not even socialist. But they were too progressive and they were closed down by the same type of reactionary force, working in league with a segment of the press. (We can provide other examples of socialists and progressives who have been victimized by press smears, if you are interested for any reason.)
We pose no political significance to them, other than that we were socialists and we were popular (something which evidently couldn’t be tolerated.) But the expressed attempt to destroy our organization has failed, though the attempt apparently continues. Recently our detractors issued a wordy statement filled with lies, distortions, innuendo, and hypocritical piousness. It was issued under the banner of “concerned relatives” and contained the signatures of a few dozen persons, most of whom have no relatives here. Among the persons who signed it are several known convicted criminals.
We filed thousands of signatures in support of our organization and against the insidious bigots who only could muster a meager 30 signatures. We sent copies of our support petition to the US State Department and the International Human Rights Commission. It was signed by our supporters from all over the Eastern, Midwestern, Southern, and Northern US. Should you be bothered with the outlandish document sent out by our detractors, we will have on file for anyone to see, copies of our petition (over 160 pages of signatures as well as telegrams of support and good wishes), statements of relatives of Jonestown residents (these are relatives who visited the project, all of whom loved it), and a point-by-point answer to the outrageous lies and falsities and against us, which are clearly exposed. (The ministries of Home Affairs and National Development have already been sent these materials.)
A friendly editor-reporter of one of the large newspapers in San Francisco, who is familiar with our work, told us that the true story will never get
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printed in the establishment press where we come from in California, because when a story climate is created, the press doesn’t want to change it. She said it would hurt the media’s reputation to reverse itself by printing the truth, after a false climate has been established. She said once the press has created an image of something, it is too arrogant to admit it errored in making that (false) image, even though one day they will be caught. This journal is called a reactionary conspiracy against us and said that if she were to print the truth about our good work, she would be fired. We would give her name, but we’re reluctant to spread it around, because if she is quoted, it could cost her job. However, we will provide it on an individual basis, if someone feels they need it for any good reason.
To paraphrase what many who have stood through the years for social justice have said – this is an insidious campaign to destroy a progressive organization that has been effective in helping many thousands of people in need of all kinds of assistance. We are an open book and have nothing to hide, and we will be happy to answer any questions that our friends and comrades may wish to ask. So please don’t hesitate if there is anything about our organization or work here in Guyana that you wish to clarify.
Thank you for your time and consideration of the issues that I’ve posed.
Cooperatively yours,
/s/ Mike Prokes
Cde. Mike Prokes
Associate Minister
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[Duplicate of BB-29-j-1 – j-2]
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1 June 1978
Peoples Temple Agricultural Project
PO Box 893 Georgetown
Minister Vibert Mingo
Ministry of Home Affairs
Dear Minister Mingo:
The other night someone on amateur radio from San Jose was talking about a mercenary mission in this part of the world. That could mean the end of our community because we will not sacrifice our babies and children. We cannot live in insecurity every day and continue to produce. We can’t understand why we can’t be given certain basic commitments. We have one unique thing that we can offer you and that is the loyalty of every man, woman, and child.
Don’t be surprised to see one day that the promises of the USA are not worth a damn, as they stormed across Guyana’s borders. We would be your best defense, but we don’t have enough to work with. Again, we don’t even have the basic commitments. We fail to comprehend it. But one thing is certain, Jim Jones cannot continue to live this way. You know the kind of commitment he has. When his people are arrested, his life is on the line. Most people wouldn’t even make that kind of commitment when it’s their own children. His commitment has caused a thousand others to be committed to socialism, the PNC, the Prime Minister, Dr. Reed, to you, and to defending Guyana.
Jim still keeps joy in the community, but it’s getting harder and harder. It’s getting very heavy to keep inspiring joy in people. We cannot even [illegible word] in the end of the day because there is something new to deal with, because there are too many liars in the world. Guyana has more than its share of problems with that sort of thing. One high-ranking official knew better then to hold our people on some foolishness. He played a dangerous sort of brinkmanship but fortunately he knew better than to keep it up – though he did lie to us. We catch people in lies all the time. When we tell you something, we tell the naked truth.
Our people cannot live with the sacrifice of our children. Please understand this because there is no way around it. We are sure that the issue involving Jim’s son, John, was pressed so that the benefits of our work [illegible word] be felt by anybody except those living on the project. That is why the conspiracy made such an issue of it. They know that Jim is a good honest follower of socialism and that is why they don’t want him around. He knows how to build, based on work and character, and they don’t want any more socialism than already exists. Tim and Grace Stoen never had any interest in the matter – it is the conspiracy’s attempt to isolate Jim Jones.
Bunny Mann said that pressure would come over John. He talked like we would have to yield on that point, but we cannot and will not yield. Dick McCoy said it would be perfectly all right for the decision to go in our favor. He said he wouldn’t be surprised if it did go in our favor because these types of cases are usually decided in favor of the resident. He said he would be a slap in the face if a decision were made that Guyana wasn’t the best place for the child. That is why in almost every case McCoy has known, the decision went for the resident. The issue no longer holds the importance it once did with the conspiracy. It is fizzling out. It’s no longer even mentioned by Tim Stoen and others in the conspiracy. The so-called “concerned relatives”
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were just using it to get other issues started. But it is no longer that big of a thing to them. Unless, of course, it goes in their favor, in which case they will exploit the hell out of it. We’ve been told by legal specialists in international law that the conspiracy can’t make an issue here unless Guyana lets them. Even Tim Stoen has said privately that he couldn’t win but was only doing it to be an irritant. The only value that John has to the conspiracy is with regard to Jim Jones’ health, because it is known that he won’t allow any of his people to be a pawn, or be sacrificed. As we have stated numerous times, the same unconditional loyalty that we give to John, we would give to you. Lionel Luckhoo said that John would not have to leave and that everything would go all right. He implied that this was from the Prime Minister. However, Bunny Mann was implying the opposite and he often reflects the feelings of others in the government. Mann thinks we should even pay off Grace Stoen for John. We must get this contradiction cleared up. Anyone knows that if you put a socialist (with a 160 IQ) with people who hate him, you are sending him to his death. (We informed you previously that he already attempted suicide at four years of age over the rejection of his mother when he climbed onto a balcony railing atop a building to jump.) Tim and Grace Stoen don’t even live together so you know they’re not looking out for John’s future. We will not let the hate go on. We’ve got to know whose word we can trust. We are going by the word passed on by our attorney that we will win (unless, of course, there is a change in government). Our fate is hinged with you, the PM, Dr. Reid and the PNC. We know how the PPP feels about us – if they come to power we are dead. (The only reason they don’t write about us is because of the support they know we have in the US, e.g., the President of the National Newspaper Publishers Association which is the black press of America.)
We have been approached about helping with certain things connected with the Party. It is obvious that Dick McCoy does not want us to get involved as he always talks about Jim Jones participating with the PNC and saying it could cause us to lose our ties with the US (meaning citizenship). We don’t mind that – we’re willing to face it. But we do need assurances here that we’ll have the basic things needed to function. We are not trying to bargain, but naturally with our US citizenship at stake, we do need guarantees that some things will be certain here. What we want is very little. Simple things – especially now that we’ve been told about the citizenship matter. If our citizenship is lost, we are willing to take that. We just want safety for our people, such as John. Also, we have not heard about our doctor and the matter of licensing him. We need that because Minister Hoyte is actively working against us. How can we have security when a man this popular is against us? We can no longer get free mercy flights for medical emergencies because of him. Most recently we were told that our nurse practitioner who is licensed in Guyana can no longer give medical treatment in Port Kaituma. No one would tell us who gave the order; they would just say that it came from Matthews Ridge. The PNC is getting many times more benefit from us then we are getting from it, because the party always has people like this minister who opposes us. And, of course, if the PPP ever came in, we would be closed out for certain. As I said, our fate is hinged with the party and so we are willing to put our lives on the line for it. But it is time for the basic assurances to be given. Ethically, it is not right what was done to us in Port Kaituma. More importantly, it is not right what was done to the people seeking treatment. They would not even met the people in line talk with our nurse. It
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is totally outrageous that she is licensed in Guyana and they won’t permit her to do what she is licensed to do. There is no one else there with the training she has. When she told the line of people that she cannot treat them, two people in line shouted out that they would come into Jonestown to see her at our facilities. So you see the division that has been caused, because we could not say, “no, you can’t come to Jonestown.” Our nurse was going in every week with our people who went in for PNC meetings. Our people came up and saw how others were upset and now our people are upset again. We get a few days of peace, then something like this comes up. It’s stupid and inhumane. We have personnel and medications. We should be assimilating and they won’t let us. We want to find out who is responsible for such nonsense (though it’s fairly obvious who is behind it). The right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing. We want to know what prompted this situation. We can document our medical care. Countless people have testified to our effectiveness and efficiency in medical treatment. What are we supposed to say to people when we have the antibiotics or other medicine that people need and they come in asking for it. We don’t understand the logic behind this action – we would like to hear it. We have little faith that anything major is being resolved, but things like this are incredibly harmful to our people’s morale. Then we are asked by the PNC group to help with this and get involved with that (the latest is that our musicians are requested to perform in Papaya) – this is a one-sided romance. We implore you to please get something moving on this situation.
Another thing that we don’t understand that is important to us is why we can’t get something in writing to help refute the lies Kathy Hunter told the press after coming to Guyana. The press won’t let us simply tell them how she misrepresented herself and they won’t take our word that she was never in protective custody. We have to show them proof, or at least be able to back up what we say with documentation, before they will do a retraction. We do not want the statement to use in a libel suit. We just want to be able to offer proof this woman is a damned liar. Unless she is discredited, the conspiracy will see that they can get away with this sort of thing and will send more people here to do the same infernal nonsense. This broken down alcoholic said that you listened to her phone calls, disconnected them, tried to break into her bedroom when she was sick and that she had to block the door with her bed. She said she was treated like she was in a police state. This type of schizophrenia must be responded to, or else any old drunk who they want to send down here on false pretenses for a story will get away with it. The press likes monsters and it likes to create monsters. If you are a socialist, it is doubly true. We have consulted a group of international lawyers who say it is very little to ask for a statement. They don’t understand why we can’t get it. Neither do our supporters. They say that unless the statements of Kathy Hunter are refuted, it looks as if she is being accommodated. The lawyers can only conclude that it’s an obvious gesture of not wanting to get involved with Jim Jones. They see no other reason why you wouldn’t give us a simple statement of fact about the woman. We’re not asking for an endorsement of Jim Jones or Peoples Temple. We just want to put a check on this woman by making it clear that she did represent herself and that she was not under protective custody.
Even Bunny Mann said Kathy Hunter was in the conspiracy and didn’t count for any other purpose. We would like to know the results of the fire investigations involving the Pegasus. That’s Tim Stoen’s style. Obviously, only the conspiracy would be benefited by it – not us. It was designed to hurt us because they probably didn’t want to risk that Hunter might have had some
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decency left in her which would work against them if she decided to be honest about what she saw in Guyana. Not wanting to chance that, they may well have planned what happened at the Pegasus because the sequence and timing seems too strange to be a coincidence. It was good insurance they would get what they were looking for. What could pay them more? It is also strange – to say the least – that Hunter’s statements were carried by the UPI in the States without even going through the UPI man in Georgetown. In fact, he didn’t even know about Kathy Hunter or the UPI story until we told him about it. UPI didn’t even attempt to confirm, with its own man in the area, the outrageous statements Hunter made to the press. The local man was at a loss to explain why he wasn’t contacted. He seemed genuinely astonished by it. It further shows what we’re up against and points out the need to utilize whatever concrete documentation we can get to fight this thing and protect ourselves and the country we live in. That’s why the written statement from you is so important.
Thank you for all your time.
Cooperatively yours,
s/s Mike Prokes
Mike Prokes
Assistant-to-Cde. Jim Jones
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[Editor’s note: This letter also appears at BB-31-a-36]
4 June 1978
Peoples Temple Agricultural Project
PO Box 893, Georgetown
Prime Minister Forbes Burnham
Office of the Prime Minister
Public Buildings
Dear Prime Minister Burnham:
We wish to extend an invitation to you (and whoever you may wish to bring along) to come to visit our agricultural project and medical clinic in Jonestown. In case you are not aware of it, our school has been officially accepted into the Guyana school system which we are very proud of.
We’ve heard through a couple of different sources that you were recently planning to pay us a visit. Please know that you are always welcome to drop in at any time.
Within the last month we read in the [Guyana] Chronicle that there is a plan for resettling white bigots from South Africa in certain countries of Central and South America (such as Costa Rica, Bolivia, in Brazil, to name a few). Enclosed is a petition that members of Peoples Temple have signed, protesting such a plan. With your permission, we would like to send this petition to the United Nations and the countries involved.
We wanted to check with you about this first because, naturally, what we do reflects upon Guyana.
We appreciate what you are doing to promote socialism in Guyana and other Third World countries.
Very respectfully,
/s/ Mike Prokes
Cde. Mike Prokes
Assistant-to-Cde. Jim Jones
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5 June 1978
Peoples Temple Agricultural Project
PO Box 893 Georgetown
Minister Shirley Field-Ridley
Ministry Of Information
Georgetown
Dear Minister Field-Ridley:
In talking with Cde. Carl Blackman of the Chronicle recently, I invited him to visit Jonestown so he could personally see what it is all about. That’s when articles are submitted to him pertaining to our community, he would have some background knowledge on what is being reported. He suggested, however, that I contact you, instead, and propose that arrangements be made for a team of news persons go to Jonestown. He said that the various press representatives need to see the project and talk with Cde. Jim Jones, because it would be good for a consensus to be reached among the media about Peoples Temple and its work in the Northwest. He said it wouldn’t do for just one reporter to reach a conclusion about our community, because if it’s doing the job everyone says it is, then let all the media be convinced to. Furthermore, He said it was journalists in a difficult position when they are asked to publish a positive release about something that they actually know little about (from the standpoint of first-hand experience).
Cde. Blackman suggested various persons being included in the trip, such as Prince Mason from GBS, Harry Harewood from Demarrara, Clarence Kirton of UPI, hisself representing AP, Mohammad Hamaludin for Cana-Reuters, Paul Persaude of the New York Times, and Hutton Archer or Cde. Forsythe from the Ministry of Information. Cde. Blackman thought that a Sunday would be the best day for everyone. All of the above, of course, was only suggestions, but it did sound reasonable to me, and it is something we have been wanting to do for some time.
As you may know we did attempt to get a team of reporters to come out to the project before, but it didn’t work out. One the reasons we would like to try again is that we feel the resulting coverage would serve as a deterrent two reporters being sent here from the USA under false pretenses to do negative stories against us and Guyana. This happened just recently with a journalist [Kathy Hunter] who lied to the Ministry of Home Affairs in order to get an extension of her one day stay here. Because nothing major has yet been done in the press on our project, it was evidently felt by those who don’t like our socialist orientation and who thus sent this reporter, that she could get away with doing a sensationalistic-type story. (We have some of the articles that quote her after she returned to the States, if you’re interested in seeing how US reporters can get away with telling absolute lies – e.g., alluding to Guyana as a “police state.”)
I know that at least some of the reporters mentioned above are interested in going to Jonestown, and where hoping – with your assistance – this can be accomplished in the very near future. Thank you for your consideration of this matter, and I hope it will be possible to discuss it with you soon.
Very respectfully,
/s/ Mike Prokes
Cde. Mike Prokes
Asst. to Cde. Jim Jones
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