[Editor’s note: Insofar as is possible, the letters and notes of Peoples Temple’s contacts with Ptolemy Reid, Deputy Prime Minister have been arranged below in chronological order.]
L-1
[Notecards]
GOVERNMENT MINISTERS
Dr. Ptolemy Alexander Reid, M.P.
Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry of National Develop. and Agriculture, Veterinary surgeon
born May 8, 1918
at Dartmouth Esseq. Coast.
Responsible for agriculture, fisheries, animal health, land development, rice manufacturing & market
REID-PNC CONFERENCE
Feb. 14, 1976
Speech on Authority:
Capitalism is the old Society of sad conditions, but socialism is the new society without want. Guyana is in a transition period. A dangerous position. You could make the wrong move and go back. He tells us a bit of history. Talks of the pitfalls of capitalism, howthe society keeps people from working. Capitalism – silent torture. Makes man lose respect.
Principles of Authority:
Leaders have to be more of an example
Capitalism makes it so that you cannot rise above your environment. (Man’s development depends on his environment). Education – an important factor. If your surroundings are suppressive, then full development cannot take place. The capitalist used God, saying we the poor etc. were to be ruled and they a sub human group, the elect were created by God to rule. So we would think they were special because their environment permitted them to grow. Those in Authority should experience empathy. There should be a change of Position at times so Authority should experience and a worker & vice versa. Because we each forget the problems of the other.
Gives good example of transition period. – (Tells about race, preparing for a long time to complete when the rules change, we no longer shall compete, we must run together. To bring about Socialism we need a high standard of discipline. Authority not with punishment, but authority with justice. We divided into groups of 12 to examine the Principles of Authority.
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D-1-L-20 (1) – L-22 (1)
[Newspaper articles in Guyana press about Ptolemy Reid]
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D-1-L-2 (1)
DR. REID
As we are sure you are probably aware, the Lt. Governor is coming to Guyana because of Bishop Jones and to see the agricultural Mission. He has heard the Bishop speak of the agricultural mission repeatedly and about Guyana’s threats on her independent course as well. We are glad to hear the Lt. Governor speak out so solidly about Caribbean intervention, but it should be noted that none of this ever came about until after the Bishop influenced him.
It will look peculiar to many persons who support the Bishop in our large churches and in civil rights and social action circles in the U.S. if the Lt. Governor were afforded better treatment than Bishop Jones when it has been the Bishop who has risked his life on countless occasions speaking out in support of Guyana during these times of strained relations.
L. Saawar, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that for the Lt. Governor to be met by protocol, for him to meet with the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister and then to stay at Third Street (which is where the Bishop planned to stay)… The Bishop is a very humble man and would not expect any special treatment. He has a modest office and dwelling at Third street because he’d rather see the funds spent on the agricultural mission, but many of his supporters will be upset that the Lt. Governor is being singled out for special treatment. We understand the government’s concern to want to do everything possible for such an important U.S. government official who has openly supported your cause, but many persons would like to see the same considerations given to the Bishop because of his stand for Guyana over a far greater period which has even resulted in death threats on his life and those of his children. You can see that his speaking about Guyana has brought results in the Lt. Governor’s sudden interest in Guyana.
Perhaps to make things easier and to put Bishop Jones’ supporters’ minds at rest, the Bishop could stay at Herdmanston House with the Lt. Governor. The Bishop did not ask that we do this as he is not concerned with such matters but his supporters would like to see the respect shown to him. The Lt. Governor is the Bishop’s personal friend and is coming down purely on a friendship basis to see the agricultural
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D-1-L-2 (2)
Page 2
mission.
The Chief of Protocol has asked for the bishop’s flight schedule on several occasions. I’m sure you are aware of the risk in announcing flight plans these days and up until now, we are still uncertain of his exact arrival tine. We will likely know with only one day of forewarning. We hope this doesn’t inconvenience you, but one can never be too cautious in these times.
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D-1-L-2 (3)
[handwritten note, crossed through]
And entered called on our behalf to tell us that he’d release a story of theirs if they didn’t stop harassing Dymally
[illegible word] may work against us some time.
Bishop moves large crowds anytime, faces threats of assassination. We fear, he doesn’t.
They put on Marcie’s car bomb.
Mervyn Dymally called by treasury men. Bent on getting him on a felony.
Flexibility of funds needed. How much could be converted?
Supporting Chilean refugees. Deported if not supported by us.
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D-1-L-8
[handwritten note]
Paula – Card sent 12/9/75 with box of candy, per JJ’s instructions.
Dear Dr. Reid–
With our deepest admiration, gratitude, and very best wishes for your rapid recovery, the members of Peoples Temple of the Disciples of Christ join our Pastor Jim Jones and sending you our concerns and greetings.
With every good thought we remain sincerely yours,
The members of Peoples Temple – Guyana and U. S.
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D-1-L-19 (1) – L-19 (3)
[Handwritten note from Ptolemy Reid, written on Thank You note stationary from Peoples National Congress: “For your kindness and good wishes during my recent illness.”]
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D-1-K-47
[Letterhead of PEOPLES TEMPLE AGRICULTURAL MISSION]
14th January, 1976
Honourable Deputy Prime Minister
Dr. Ptolemy Reid,
Ministry of National Development,
Camp Street,
Georgetown.
Dear Sir;
The lease for the 3000 acre site of Peoples Temple Agricultural Mission is, to this date, being held up due to lack of completion and submittance of the survey.
The surveyor, Bernard Matthews, recommended to us by the Lands Department, Ministry of Agriculture, has failed to submit the survey in spite of repeated attempts by myself and fellow Members of Peoples Temple, the Commissioner of Lands, Mr. Ronald Dinally, and our solicitor, Mr. Eric Clarke, to get him to do so. This has led to insecurity on the part of many of the supporters of the agricultural program and has hampered Pastor Jones’ efforts in raising funds. The issuing of the lease would create greater incentive in the program’s devoted followers.
After meeting with you in November of 1975 and receiving confirmation that no problems exist with ascertaining the lease upon completion of the survey, we are not uncertain about the fact that the lease has been granted. We do hope that you can assist us by allocating the necessary personnel from the Survey Division of the Lands Department to do this survey (which is estimated to take less than a week to complete), or recommend to us a reliable surveyor who would take up this matter as a priority.
Pastor Jones has repeatedly praised the dedicated leadership and commitment to the goals of Guyana of yourself and the Honourable Prime Minister and wishes you to know that he sends his personal regards and that we remain,
faithfully and cooperatively yours
/s/ Paula Adams
Paula Adams,
Guyana Secretary to Pastor Jim Jones
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D-1-L-3
January 26th, 1977
Doctor Ptolemy Reid;
We have not been able to get into see him since you left, although we tried repeatedly. His secretary said he has been meeting in Parliament every day, and he asked us to put our message in a letter to give to him. I told her it was a matter for discussion, and that we would try to contact him again after Parliament is over. We will wait for your reply. But I’m wondering if we could put it in letter form – following procedure as before, if we cannot get into see hlm? Dr. Reid was very helpful while you were here in this Dec. trip.
- We couldn’t get you or anyone on a flight, and Dr. Reid called and put you on a flight (Pan Am) Immediately.
- He told all that were trying to change the schedule to center it around Dymally, let us follow our own planned schedule.
- The day you were to take the tour of Jonestown, 28 Dec. his secretary called for him to make sure you had a flight. If not be had prepared to schedule one for you.
Dr. Reid and Oliver Harper (Minister of Health) rejected the cakes in accordance with the “Declaration of Sophia.
November 15th, 1976
Secretary, Jennie Constintine:
Called on the 19th of November and asked the amount of people coming from the U.S. to Guyana office, and if my husband was coming. Shortly after our phone call, Dr. Reid called personally to add that he was giving a luncheon for the Bishop, and would like a list of all those attending. He asked about the project (Jonestown) He said some British people visited our farm and when they returned, they raved about our project, (copy of paper submitted to Dr. Reid’s office.
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D-1-L-4
Dr Reid – March 17, 1977
(Taken from work list of same date)
We are still in limbo as to if or when Tim’s appointment with Dr. Reid will be. The secretary returned our call, but only to find out when Tim was leaving. We told her possibly Wednesday, but it was depending on this appointment. Ministry of Agri called us today and said Dr. Reid’s appt with him had been delegated on to them by Dr. Reid. Not only to Ministry of Agriculture was it delegated, but we were sent to Minister of State Kasih who Is taking Kennard’s place while he is gone, and who has a reputation for being totally ineffective. We told Kasim’s secretary that it had nothing to do with Agriculture. She agreed and thought we should go back to Dr. Reid and then see the Minister of Finance. We wrote a note to Dr. Reid which gave the highlights of what we wished to see Dr Reid about and explaining that we had no familiarity with the Minister of Finance. We are now awaiting a reply to the letter.
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D-1-L-5 (1) – (2)
[Editor’s note: These two pages consist of handwritten notes by Tim Stoen before he left Peoples Temple. They are mostly illegible.]
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D-1-K-14 (1)
[Editor’s note: This document is duplicated at D-1-L-5 (3) – (4).]
[Handwritten notation at top of page: “Deb copy”]
- Dr. Reid
1. Protocol and Diplomatic Visa
Even if we have to pay protocol to meet him because of the awful burden he has.
As immigration officer, protocol officer, and someone from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ask if Bishop Jones has a diplomatic visa. [Several words illegible] facilitate his arrivals and departures?
[Several words illegible] said the most foolish thing he’d ever done was to give his views on the [Several words illegible] luncheon. He asked us to thank you for taking him off. He was not informed that clergyman would be present.
Stateside, superstition and supernatural doubts are all related through religion. It is necessary to resolve these doubts through religious influences and caring people through to socialist consciousness.
(I missed a comment about “backbone of every ? movement because of reaching people through ? “)
Bishop Jones was simply giving his opinion on religion and wished us to tell you that he will not discuss religion again. A different picture was painted to him, that the religious influence was not that strong.
III. The Bishop was apprehensive about the Citizen and the emphasis on Jean Dixon in the Citizen. Also there was an article on a woman healed of blindness. This was also in US papers and was followed up later as only a temporary remission.
If there is psychology or rationale behind the Citizen he’d like to know. Anytime the Bishop gives his opinion and it is not taken, it doesn’t bother him. He feels the Citizen is counterproductive.
IV. The Bishop was moving Dymally towards socialism and you solidified it.
V. Dymally was [Several words illegible] Treasury Department men in California. They were bent on getting him [Several words illegible].
[Several words illegible] connections and had an editor call on our behalf to tell people that [Several words illegible] story on them if they didn’t stop harassing Dymally.
[Several words illegible] organized mass demonstrations supporting causes. [Several words illegible] He faces threats of assassination constantly [Several words illegible] for his life: he has accepted that as long as he stands for egalitarianism, assassination attempts will be made. They have even put a bomb on his wife’s car.
Sometimes numbers may work against us, so we will need a flexibility of funds.
We need to hold a part of our money in US dollars. We want to bring all of our
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D-1-K-14 (2)
money with us but we will need to be able to convert back to US dollars or keep a part in US dollars.
If we were legally framed, as has happened with others, we’d need part for survival.
If an emergency comes up, we will need to form legal defense [Several words illegible].
[Next paragraph illegible]
How much could be converted? We need flexibility of funds.
Dr. Reid: What does he recommend doing in a situation that we want to collect some money and put it in a central pot in Guyana?
But if we get harassed, as we’ve seen others do, we say have to pull our money to get us out of trouble. In case of a dire emergency we’d have to put our money in legal defense funds. They’ve attacked Dymally and they started to attack Jim, but backed off because we have a few press connections: and our numbers have saved us. Bishop moves the largest group in any city in the US, about what we fear most is for his life. (Tell about Marcy and Bomb attempt). A Methodist has shown support for our group, and they get tormented. Dymally has been called on by the (T) men (Treasury), and if anything comes up further, we’ll help fight it. So it’s because of these things we will need special funds. We are the only people out there supporting Chilean refugees and if we don’t finance them, they will be deported.
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D-1-L-5 (4) – (5)
[Editor’s note: These two pages consist of handwritten notes by Tim Stoen before he left Peoples Temple. They are mostly illegible.]
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D-1-K-1 (1)
The Honorable Ptolemy Reid
Deputy Prime Minister
Cooperative Republic of Guyana
Dear Comrade Reid
One last communique seems necessary. In reference to Comrade Lambert, after making my own personal contact, I feel honor bound to state that I detected none of the intimidation tactics one of our secretaries described and I subsequently relayed to you. All other reports have been made to you from direct observation and I have always found the aforementioned secretary to be very fair and highly accurate in the past. Nonetheless I had a nagging feeling that I should check Mr. Lambert out myself before leaving early Thursday. Thus when I talked to him late Wednesday night and explained the press factor and the weeks of delay in obtaining even a few board feed of wood to adequately construct housing, etc., facilities for all of the people (for example, six different dates haven been given in the past two months for the delivery of one order of 150,000 board feet and it appears the last date will also be postponed.) Mr. Lambert said he quite well understood our need to revise our moving schedules. Although I cannot reach the secretary for further comment in light of my findings because work duty today carried her to the interior agricultural project, I could not in good conscience leave this morning without providing my evaluation of Cde. Lambert. I did not get into the alleged $1000.00 commission Mr. Lambert reportedly requested, but I did not feel any real pressure from him to meet arbitrary deadlines, nor demands as to how many of the awaiting new immigrants we had to move at any one time.
With Deepest Respect to a Great Leader,
J. Jones
P.S. We did not bring to your attention our construction problems because we knew that we would resolve them in time; and certainly it will soon be remedied when we get the long overdue power pack for our own project saw mill. When we overcome the shipping delay [one line overwritten, illegible] then “watch us go to town!
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D-1-K-1 (2)
P.P.S. I presume you been informed that we purchased $50,000 in bonds. As little as it is, we hope it will help the national effort just a bit, and once we are fully established we hope to do even more. Our consuming passion is to help [illegible word] in our small way to build an independent and prosperous Guyana.
[Remaining three paragraphs illegible]
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D-1-K-1 (3)
As in the Department of Public Works, who are responsible in this case. Therefore, I reiterate, don’t hesitate to simply ignore this because of your onerous responsibilities [3 illegible words] already too much. Please excuse these long postscript afterthoughts.
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D-1-K-2 (1)
Dear Dr. Reid,
I am somewhat concerned because someone who has a position of high authority in Guyana has asked me to do something that was not, in my opinion, in the best interest of Guyana and I also found out later to be illegal. I would like to talk to you as it has nothing to do whatsoever with the problem relating to the movement of people to the agricultural mission. We would be more than happy to comply in going through the proper channels which we realise is the Ministry of Home Affairs for the details surrounding the immigration of the project workers. It is no problem, but you, Dr. Reid, are the reason that I came to Guyana. I have taken considerable harassment with standing up for Guyana and I would like to feel that I am loyal in reporting anything that has happened to me. I trust you explicitly. If you feel that there is no need to discuss this, then that is fine, because I have seen absolute Character and commitment to Guyana’s Socialist Revolution in you. You are the person who won me and when I run into a matter like that trust doesn’t come easily.
If you feel this matter doesn’t need discussing it is perfectly all right. I understand how busy and pressured you must be, but I did want you to know that the appointment with you did not have to do with the arrival of the project workers which would be under the guidance of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Everything pertaining to the movement of the members has been going quite well and everyone has been most cooperative so that would not have even been an issue. This is totally unrelated to the arrival of the new workers.
I know how busy you are and I know that for the safety of
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D-1-K-2 (2)
Page 2
Guyana that your health must be protected. I am quite busy myself but trust, to me, does not come easily. There is no one also that I would talk to because I was asked to do something that would be illegal. Our workers have even been approached about this matter. Our people don’t even know what is proper. I would like to know what is the proper thing to do.
Sincerely yours.
/s/ Bishop Jim Jones
Bishop Jim Jones
[Editor’s note: The signature is not in Jim Jones’ handwriting.]
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D-1-K-3 (1)
The Honorable Ptolemy Reid,
Deputy Prime Minister,
The Cooperative Republic of Guyana
Dear Cde. Reid,
I am writing in concern about the charter. We were told by Joe Lambert that if we were not going to use the charter [illegible word] into the interior [overtyped word] boat being sufficient transportation to our agricultural project) we would still have to pay a commission of $1000. This seemed puzzling to us and wanted to ask you about it. We would not like to take the liberty to [illegible word] a busy man like you, have you not asked us to bring all financial matters such as this to your attention. We would also like to ask you about the local theaters. We have thought about trying to purchase the local cinemas so as to show socialist and other socially redeeming films. Before making any investments, however, we would very much appreciate learning whether the [illegible word] to acquire the theaters, a move we would very much support [illegible word] in the case.
However, there were interesting points of information that I have found in my travels around the country, which I wish to pass on now since it looks like I will be leaving the country [illegible word].
While looking about for investments for some of our people in the church in areas that you have mentioned in our overall projections – [illegible word], sawmills, and other types of farming equipment I have had occasion to meet and talk with lots of people. I can [illegible word] empathize now even more with your question “who can [illegible word].” Across this great nation I found numerous people who talk about [illegible balance of sentence]. One is a certain Lionel [illegible last name], the manager of a large cattle ranch. He stated that you were the only socialist that he knew. He said that he [illegible word] he passed the exams in the same place that you did. Another [illegible word] man, Mr. Hines, and a great deal of praise for you. He is an engineer. His praise seemed to be most spontaneous, not [illegible word] something that was just a response to what I had said; but his comments about others in the administration made me slightly apprehensive. I am very glad that I have the experience of knowing you and allowing your leadership through these last few years because otherwise, I would be somewhat apprehensive considering the [illegible word] of our government here. Hines mentioned with a [illegible words] one time when the electric Corporation was violating [illegible word] standard of ethics, you cleaned out the government and the [illegible word], except for the technical people that had to remain for functioning. I was inspired by his appraisal of your performance. I hear Dr. [illegible name] statements verified by people on the street. [Last lines of page illegible]
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D-1-K-3 (2)
Building a little house made of tan and spare parts, and would, and I am thrilled by the zoning laws were you permit someone like that to develop a little spot next to even an almost pretentious house. But he, as a people in the middle class and the upper middle class all sending one theme: There is a great deal of discrepancy in what some people preach in the name of socialism and what they practice – with the exception of you and some other names I have heard occasionally. But your name came through ten to one over anyone else. (I am not saying this to flatter you for I am trying to be a candid reporter.
I will try to relate some of the comments heard from one [illegible word] who described that there were some advisors who were disillusioned apparently because they couldn’t give Prime Minister Burnham advice anymore; that they came to feel that their advice was of no value because he made his own decisions regardless of their advice. (Again no criticism of you, and everyone spoke highly of the industriousness of the Prime Minister, but comments would come through about a double standard, e.g., something about a closed circuit. I never would comment on those kinds of things so I did not get more information. I would just pass it over by always making a praise of you and a praise of the government by saying that I do not know the Prime Minister, but then I met him and was impressed.) Time and time again I have heard this name: that if Dr. Reid won’t clear the house, then it won’t be done and he is tired; that he has been at it for so long. There was a feeling that perhaps it would be too. much to expect of you I don’t know of all the things that they were referring to because as I said I don’t engage in criticism. I did hear this one businessman refer to a trip to the interior with the three permanent secretaries (Oscar Henry, Cecil [illegible name], and Bernie Orderson), on how one of them had to have four pairs of [illegible word], an ice chest full of beer and soft drinks, a lot of bulgy looking objects which created “creature comforts”. Sometimes it seems to me that some people have to have the privileges of capitalism (which I had) to see its emptiness before they can reject it. There are few like you, Dr. Reid, who had been able to avoid the appeal of materialism. And yet, somehow, one can never trust anyone fully who is not free of all [illegible word] advantages that capitalism pretends to provide. One gentleman said, “yes, I share your faith in Dr. Reid, he is a tired man who mentioned being tired of this whole can of worms [illegible word]. Dr. Reed is not much of a talker unless you get him somehow like the interior and then he will talk about how he really feels. And then he will talk about how he really feels. And I have had that opportunity for many years. I think I know how he functions.” He would not to say that with the Prime Minister, you can never tell, – “he is a real twister.” I said [overtype word] the expression “twister” as we don’t have an expression in North America like that. “The Prime Minister is the kind of a man who likes things [illegible word] yesterday and never tomorrow.” I know that [illegible word] are always the victims of such barbs. I am passing this on only because I am concerned and wish to give you any information that I have. If this is too repetitious just mention it and we will cut it off.
We obviously hope that you would be the successor (an opinion and hope we have heard over and over again) in the case that Cde. Burnham’s health fails. Some have characterized Cde. Burnham suffering from a chronic heart condition. The recurring opinion is that you have kept this stabilized all these years and that you have
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D-1-K-3 (3)
[Illegible]
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D-1-K-3 (4)
certain that I put this man in perspective. He comes from Canada less than three years ago. In the States and Canada it seems almost a way of life to get what you can off whomever you can. Maybe in time, under the guidance of a true revolutionary as yourself, this man can change, although I feel, as you know, in every fiber of my being disgust for any Minister on his level violating this nation’s own laws. I did see a crassness in his office once when he made a joke about Cde. Bradshaw. He said, “Aren’t you going to come to see the agricultural project? What’s the matter? (In a joking way) “Are you afraid to fly on an airplane?” I thought this was coldly insensitive in view of Cde. Bradshaw’s tragic sacrifice and loss in the sabotage of the Cubana airliner.
Mr. Codette is a man who has tremendous need for ego reinforcement, perhaps almost to a frightening degree. We have a very talented construction expert in our group, an older black gentleman who is quite a joke teller. Mr. Codette came in one evening to our headquarters and relaxed as a man with the people. (As you know, we are an egalitarian group and we open our facilities as well and keep order with a large number of [illegible word] in that facility. we have learned a lot about discipline and sharing.) This old chap told one of his jokes, and then [illegible word] procession of jokes continued. It seemed almost that Mr. Codette had to undo him. Finally, after two hours of talk, I have my Comrade friend on the shoulder gently and said that perhaps it would be discreet if we were to close down the joke telling for the evening. Otherwise, I believe it would have gone on for at least another two hours.
Other times this man’s technological and political [illegible word] came through and certainly his knowledge of law. [illegible word] some law myself and hearing the opinion of the barrister in our group one must conclude he is indeed knowledgeable of law and quite a good teacher of law. Our barrister realized [illegible word] the same thing that I did. Baring his strong ego he was a talented teacher, very bright, but emotionally insecure. [illegible word] strong, very obvious ambition which I do not necessarily believe to be socio-sanct.
I hope time will permit again the privilege of talking to you because this whole vast undertaking of our move here [illegible word] clearer. I do not expect any favors and no one of any conscience can expect such because of the pressure that I know are upon you. So until we meet again, the fondest regards from your people.
J. Jones
P. S. To show you my good faith in your country, I am leaving my sons and my only grandchild here. I lost one [illegible word] in St. Joseph’s Hospital a few weeks ago, so I am leaving the only other one that I have, who was born here also and is [illegible word]. I leave my children here, in part, in case one of the assassination attempts is successful. Unfortunately, something could [illegible word] because I have been the victim of several assassination attempts and other forms of harassment, and who knows what other forms of harassment are in store for those who thought [overtyped words] talent are not lacking in courage.
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D-1-K-3 (5)
Dr. Ptolemy Reid,
Deputy Prime Minister,
Cooperative Republic of Guyana
Dear Comrade Reid,
I hope this will be the last time I have to take time from your busy schedule for some time. I am now giving you our new phone number, 7192, in case you wish to [illegible word] us, thus this will cut down some of our communications.
Mr. Lambert said something today that could be interpreted as sort of intimidating. He said that he was going to tell Minister Mingo that he could only call Air Jamaica one more time. Actually people who undertake such a huge move I am sure operate under pressure and no doubt convey that pressure to others, but we feel that his response to our request that we have alternate dates available and different sizes of charters did not justify this reaction. He also said that we would have to move before June because of the summer seasons, and we recognize that as a realistic evaluation. Certainly we want desperately to use the charters because of the necessary savings, but we must think as loyal Guyanese and proceed with the least amount of press attention possible. In fairness to Mr. Lambert, I’m sure that he has not fully understood the gravity of this situation, nor the immense pressure we have been under, particularly when we have on different occasions seem to be manipulated by obvious efforts for pecuniary gain.
Please feel no pressure to act in any manner we bring to your attention because we empathize considerably with your situation and heavy work load. I just took some samples of criticism that were representative of cross-sections of the populace for you to peruse. As you are no doubt aware that whenever there are positive comments of Mr. Jagan and criticisms of the Prime Minister and other ministers of state nearly always the statement follows that Mr. Jagan is not as capable, nor will he ever be able to be the administrator that the Prime Minister is. Several people today impugned Mr. Jagan’s character. Obviously you know our reservations about Mr. Jagan: we have been appalled at the amount of unnecessary public relations that we have had to do because of the scurrilous newsletter he sends abroad that we feel should not have been written. Particularly when it appeared at first that we in Guyana might have been definitely under direct CIA attack such as the instance of sabotage of Cubana Airlines. But Mr. Jagan never alerts and he has caused considerable amount of uncalled for prejudice against Guyana even in a large section of the black community which we have [illegible word] at least in several sectors. I’m glad to report that we have not encountered one criticism of your character and that is sufficient for us. It gives us faith to continue this enormous undertaking.
I need to bring to your attention a manner that all costs are agricultural projects several thousands of dollars if not resolved today. We were informed yesterday that we could not ship seashells (we had ordered 500 tons) until it had been approved. We discussed the matter with several different persons including Cde. Codette and no one mentioned any problems with acquiring such shells. It is the best fertilizer available. The Commissioner of Lands informed us that we would have to have a letter from the government immediately authorizing the release of the sea shell, and thought it possible to
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D-1-K-3 (6)
obtain, but could not allow the shipping company to remove the shells without your direct permission. Another point that we need to emphasize is that not only would we lose thousands of dollars if the transaction doesn’t go through, but also we have found that pulverized lime fertilizer (the only other alternative) blows away from the soil in even moderate wind. Also there is the differential costs of over $75,000 for 500 tons of lime fertilizer. We have plans that we feel assured can help the balance of payments by way of the production of bitter cassava with particular interest in the tapioca starch, which has a worldwide demand. Also, we have some innovative ideas about hot peppers and pineapple that will bring in money to the country and help us develop an agricultural project as a model showcase.
What is now informed of the ecological concern for seashells, which we had not been informed of previously. We certainly expect no considerations in the future that cannot be provided to others. If you or if anyone knows of any alternative fertilizer or concept of fertilizing we would welcome it. However, we understand, others have had seashells approved. We would deeply appreciate the needed clearance for the amount we ordered because the shipping company will not be able to hold the ship after another day, and then we have to bear thousands of dollars in costs already in [illegible word]. I brought this matter to the attention of Mr. Kennard’s office yesterday as soon as I learned of the problem, but my call has not yet been returned.
As for the gentlemen we previously discussed, we now have a plan that is ethical and what could be informative. If we do not hear from you, we shall proceed stateside in that regard. (Again we leave you are number 7192 if you need it). Incidentally, I have had some illness problem of late and with all of this i.e. some recurrence of circulatory problems in the past few days due to the heaviness of my schedule in getting things in proper order, so as to make you proud of what we are going to achieve in the Northwest district.
If we have misinterpreted Mr. Lambert, do not feel that we require any effort on your part. We only felt that what he said about contacting Minister Mingo seemed like a pressure tactic that would not serve the interests of the country. Indeed we were projecting to him the factors of care and discretion about the move being of absolute importance. He did see that we were willing to exercise that care have a great financial loss that we can really not afford. So that is why we mention the matter of the $1000 of yesterday and the comments of today. Because as for contacting you so much, but there has been strong evidence of people manipulating us for material advantage in many sectors of the economy.
Again the most important thing to us is that you safeguard your health. We expect no attention to be paid to any matter that we have brought you except that we want to be sure of the one issue of the shells if possible. We would like to avoid this loss and get on with some of our production plans that would indeed benefit Guyana. We do not expect to be moving into paradise. After living in hell, we certainly can endure any problems that might be present in the transition
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to this lovely opportunity toto pioneer and work together in brotherhood and peace part of the guidance of your good government.
Finally, can we start to Mr. Jagan, we’d heard his name, more than heretofore noted. But today is some of our business contacts to trying to get our people into business (all the [several lines partially blacked out by copying]. That will be a loyalty that will be totally dependent. You can check our loyalties to people and causes in the United States and verify that we don’t give our loyalty easily, but when we do, it is enduring.
Cooperatively yours,
J. Jones
P. S. We don’t wish you to try to resolve the problems we have had within any people. You have far more important things to do, and some of them, if confronted beforehand, might try to sabotage the move.
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Be courteous but it still must be resolved.
Dr. Reid: c.c. Wills, Mingo
There are people who will ask the question and there are some who have already asked about the Bishop’s permanent residency. They would feel better, it is because of them that we are seeking an answer. They would feel better if they knew it was all done. Because they worry about things like the picture in your paper (the article about the death threats) elaborate on the article in the letter, about threats
They just worry. Of course, this decision will not affect their functioning nor their commitment and dedication. If they can have this peace it will mean an immeasurable amount to them. Our people will work hard and they do work hard. They know the office has to take risks because of the principled life he leads. This answer will not change their commitment about their way of living. But they also know that every time that he has to go back he is taking a chance. They know that he has to live true to his conscience. Several have registered their concern that the place that we came from be turned over to the same mentality like Kinsolving, (explain the K mentality), and we find that there is no way to protect yourselves by due process of law. They would like to at least know, it will not affect their decision or their dedication, it is just that it is a peaceful thing for them to know.
Don’t make it look like we would hold off if they fail to make this commitment. Don’t imply this in the letter.
Explain that all of these people who are willing to work very hard had notlove for this understanding of a place until they were taught to by JJ. The same with the philosophy. It was taught by the JJ and it has come from lover and respect thereof.
Include the PF [Peoples Forum].
Explain in the newspaper typographical error. There were 7 to 8 thousand at testimonial dinner. Also, it is more coverage of our organization this time due to the fact that we were preparing for this missionary tour and it was necessary. The tone of the next paper will not include anything critical of the U.S. We do not want to lend ourselves to anything except constructive building, we are only interested in constructive things for Guyana.
Follow up with calls to Mingo and Wills tonight.
We extend the courtesy to all of them and to their representatives and if they ever come that we offer places to stay that will be safe and that if they have errands that need to be done, we can have someone do them or whatever they might need.
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D-1-K-32
It is important that they see the consideration that I am showing. We have logistics problems.
Add Hubert part.
We are very conscientious to do this in the best possible fashion that will help this wonderful country. We thus need to show how much time we have to get the people there together, because of the decentralization there that was necessary. We need to know. Our best shows further conscientiousness, can be denoted in the fact that it went in search for emergency lumber even when we had 150,000 board feet coming from town. We want housing so that this can be the pride of the NW, so that if they have to show the place, this will give them the kind of honour that they deserve. Explain that Henderson, people concerned that Henderson be given the clear sign, not because he needs it immediately, but because the people are concerned that he have it now, because of the kinds of the harassment that could necessitate it on a moment’s notice they feel.
Find out. Some have that paranoia though it was not needed immediately. They are concerned that it be dome immediately before they come because they have that feeling of appreciation for what Henderson has done through the many many years.
Some the most prominent Black leaders are writing about J, his character, commitment They are telling about his character and commitment.
Proceed to ease their minds. It is not a fact of needing it today, but as he comes and goes he should have it because they naturally have a strong feeling of appreciation and we wouldn’t want to see him stranded. It may never occur.
There are no visible signs that it will ever occur, but it is very important to people that it be taken care of now, so that it ie could be used in the future if ever necessary.
Hubert Williams part-
Because people are stretched out of all areas, we have a tax problem getting last ones out of area. We wanted to show discretion and not get undue attention.
J. has been glued to the radio seeing that everything is taken care of with discretion and without undue attention by people such as Hubert (journalists). We had to decentralize people so as to avoid the attention, rather than having them all in one concentrated place in Miami. We haven’t cancelled the 25th, but we may have to postpone for a few days due to logistics.
We did not get small pox vaccinations for all of the people and we are checking into it now so that it didn’t cause undue attention to us in the states.
No problem in causing undue apprehension. Alarmed unnecessarily about Henderson’s immigration
Bishop doesn’t need it now, out he may need to fall back on it in the future if he were harassed.
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D-1-K-33
[Handwritten note: “My point of view is that we shouldn’t press/ Advise & implore you”]
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[illegible page]
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D-1-K-46
18th March 1977
Dr. The Honourable Ptolemy Reid
Deputy Prime Minister
Georgetown, Guyana
Re: Peoples Temple – Transferring U.S. Dollars to Guyana Earmarked for Legal Defense and Emergency Use
Dear Dr. Reid:
As you know, Peoples Temple is committed to investing and spending in Guyana millions of U.S. Dollars in the development of an agricultural community in the Northwest District. In fact, it has already invested considerable more than two million dollars (U.S.) because we are, according to many knowledgeable persons, the only strong socialist organization in the U.S., with mass appeal, we have received considerable harassment, and expect to receive more at an accelerating pace. Rev. Jones has made commitments to set aside a portion of our funds for emergency contingency purposes, particularly the legal defense of people who for exercising their humanitarian conscience are accused for political purposes. There are additional, related reasons why we need to keep funds available for use in the U.S., while deposited elsewhere, said reasons being more appropriately the subject of verbal discussion.
We hate to impose on your busy schedule, but the matter is of such importance that Rev. Jones sent me to Guyana specifically to discuss the same with you or the Prime minister directly. The Exchange Control Act of the Laws of Guyana, Chapter 86:01, Section 4 grants authority to the Minister of Finance to consent to the retention and use of foreign currency by persons in Guyana. Because our problem is unique and the sums are vast, it is most important for us to explain to the top leadership of the republic the reasons for our request so that it may be convinced of its wisdom and necessity. If you thereupon approve our request, you could communicate the same to the Minister of Finance, with whom we would thereafter work and whom we would very much appreciate getting to know.
I am willing to stay in Guyana on this trip until such time as you can see me, but I would be most grateful for an early audience, which should not consume more than fifteen minutes of your time
[illegible handwritten line] persons in leadership will be, from now on, immigrating at an increasing pace. We intend, of course, to become fully integrated into Guyanese society.
Thank you for your courtesy. Be assured of our tremendous esteem, for you and your efforts in helping this great cooperative republic.
Very truly yours,
Timothy O. Stoen
Director of Peoples Temple of the
Disciples of Christ Church, a Guyana Corporation
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D-1-L-7 (1)
To: Jim Jones
From: Tim Stoen
Re: Meeting with Dr. Rei
Date: March 19, 1977
At 8:30 a.m. this morning I met with Dr. Reid at your request. Although Paula and Debbie accompanied me, only I was admitted. The meeting lasted about 20 minutes. The main purpose of the meeting was to obtain approval of the government for PT to hold in Guyana U.S. currency as an emergency contingency fund. Dr. Reid appeared very busy, and received at least one phone call while I was there even though it was Saturday morning. He was quite friendly. Although he did not give me an answer to our request, be called the Minister of Finance while I was present and asked him if a group could hold U.S. dollars in Guyana, and set up an appointment for me to meet the Minister of Finance at 11 a.m. this same morning, Saturday. Dr. Reid indicated that he would try to give me an answer “either positive or otherwise” before I leave. What follows are the points I remember, this being typewritten 15 minutes after leaving Dr. Reid’s office.
1. We had been trying for more than a week, without success, to see Dr. Reid. Last week Debbie had called Cde. Arno, a secretary in the Prime Minister’s office saying that the Assistant District Attorney of San Francisco had been sent to Guyana by Bishop Jones for the purpose of discussing with the Prime Minister or Dr. Reid “a matter involving hundreds of thousands of dollars and of “immediate Importance to the future of our project. That approach did not seen to work. Dr. Reid’s secretary set us up with a sub-official of the Ministry of Agriculture, and we had to cancel, saying it involved a question of holding U.S. funds. We then had to write a letter detailing our concern, which we did, indicating that there were additional reasons for our request which were more appropriately the subject of verbal discussion. The letter was delivered to the Prime Minister’s secretary before noon yesterday (Friday) and around 9:30 p.m. Dr. Reid himself called the house and said he would see me at 8:30 this morning “so that you can get on your way.”
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D-1-L-7 (2)
Dr. Reid meeting
-2-
on the airport roof parking lot, that the Bishop asked what the man looked like and the operator indicated it was a man dressed like an executive standing 50 feet away with his hand on a car, that the Bishop had told no one of his coming to Guyana and so called his secretary in San Francisco, who indicated to him that she had told no one. The Bishop, who was getting ready to board the plane, did not go up, sensing something amiss. Shortly thereafter the paging system called for Eugene Chaikin, pronouncing him name exactly correct which was not usual. Dr. Reid listened attentively.
- I mentioned that the Bishop did not know who it might have been but that his theory is that it was Anti-Castro terrorists or Anti-Allende Chilean terrorists. I mentioned that the Bishop had just come back from Cuba, where he met with Huey Newton (the Govt. ile. Fred Wills, already knew about that), and that this could have been the reasons. I indicated that the Bishop was constantly being threatened, and that we had to keep his comings and goings secret. If I recall correctly, Dr. Reid slightly nodded, appearing to understand the necessity. I then mentioned that Comrade Gaskin had asked the Bishop if he had a diplomatic stamp on his visa, and asked Dr. Reid if that could be arranged. If so, it would be greatly appreciated because the Bishop would be coming and going much more often in the months ahead. Dr. Reid said he would call Comrade Wills about this. (Note: we had previously asked Wills if protocol people could be arranged to meet the Bishop at the airport, and he had said it must be consistent with logic of events or some such statement, although he personally appeared affirmative.)
- In connection with the subject of holding U.S. currency, I also mentioned that we had three choices. We could hold the money in the U.S., but that this involved a risk of seizure by the government if Fascism keeps growing. Secondly, we could hold in an offshore bank, but this would complicate our control. Thirdly, we could keep in Guyana, which we preferred because our leadership would be here, we trusted the government, and we could get the funds to the U.S. for use most expeditiously.
- I mentioned that we were grateful to be able to invest our money in Guyana (and that we had already spent more than $2 million U.S. on our project) “even if the U.S. government didn’t”)
- With respect to Dymally, I mentioned that the Bishop had moved him towards socialism and that Dr. Reid had “solidified” it. I said that Dymally had become a member and attended our Los Angeles services regularly.
- At one point I mentioned that the Bishop had spoken out in favor of Cuba, Chilean refugees and was telling people about Guyana (I do not recall if I said “telling the truth about Guyana). Dr. Reid said, “We are getting gifts from people who hear the Bishop talking of Guyana” and that the gifts were $10 and other small amounts. Dr. Reid brought that up on his own and seemed pleased to say it. I opined he was quite impressed by this.
- Dr. Reid asked me how long I had been in Guyana, and I said around 3 weeks, and that I had come from Jonestown, which I visited first. But that my real reason was to discuss the issue of U.S. currency. I said that working in the D.A. office was becoming “intolerable” as a result of a law-and-order trend which was in effect causing black people to have their “heads cracked.” Dr. Reid nodded. (I felt he is aware of the oppression black people suffer in the U.S., if for no other reason the fact he spent a number of years in Alabama at Tuskegee. I mentioned that my job had gotten to the point, ever since the D.A.’s car was bombed last month, that I had asked the Bishop if I could “stay and fight fascism”, and that the Bishop had responded “Go and help Guyana”. I said that my leaving the D.A.s office would be timed as to when I could get into law school, so as to become a barrister in Guyana, and that I would be stopping in Trinidad on my way back to work out my legal education requirement and exemptions. He nodded, I thought, positively.
- I mentioned that we would be investing and spending in Guyana many millions more, and that we had just this week deposited “200,000 U.S.” in the National Bank of Guyana.
- With respect to Dymally, I also mentioned that U.S. Treasury men were accusing Dymally of a felony. The Bishop found out about, and called the Editor of a large newspaper, who in turn called the treasury people, who dropped the investigation.
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D-1-L-7 (3)
Dr. Reid meeting
-3-
- I asked Dr. Reid to inform us if ever anything came to his attention as to problems involving us, or ways we night improve. I mentioned how happy our people are to be here, and cited an instance where Janie Owens had asked a lady on the street “how are you” and received a warm and friendly “why just fine, thank you.” Dr. Reid seemed pleased.
- I mentioned that we intended to become fully integrated into Guyanese society. Dr. Reid then opened up sore and said neck the following:
a. “We want you people here.” He clearly emphasized the word “want” and smiled when he did so in a positive way.
b. “We need teachers” in “the Northwest District.” He said that some teachers had just been brought in from England, and that he wanted our teachers “because we want people who accept our policies.” (Throughout the whole conversation I felt that Dr. Reid was firmly convinced we truly are socialists.)
c. Dr. Reid said that some teachers from England had visited Jonestown recently “and told us you had the best farm they had seen.”
- When I mentioned how happy our people were to be in Georgetown even before arriving in Jonestown, Dr. Reid said how much he preferred the country, that be had been raised on a farm and would spend as such time as he could in the country if he had the chance. He mentioned that he had gone to school in the U.S. at Tuskegee.
- I mentioned that the Bishop was grateful to Dr. Reid for tipping him off about the presence of churchmen at the reception in December, that he had said it was the most foolish thing he had ever done to discuss religion there, and that the reason he had was that in the U.S. supernatural religion and anti-socialism are related. Dr. Reid smiled, again friendly.
- Overall Evaluation. Dr. Reid was friendly. His manner is get to the point. (His friendliness was later confirmed by Dr. Hope, the Minister of Finance, who approved our request to hold funds in U.S. currency and had, pursuant to Dr. Reid’s phone call and before our arrival, already met with the Manager of the National Cooperative Bank of Guyana regarding our external account). In conclusion, Dr. Reid said: “Give the Bishop my regards.” He also said, “Let me know first if there is anything you need,” a statement quite difficult to implement given the difficulty of obtaining an audience from him.
- Criticisms: I failed to mention the following points: 1) the surveillance of Unita Blackwell Wright, 2) the Bishop demonstrating at the International Hotel and having the ability to move the largest crowds, 3) the visit of the sister of Salvador Allende. One has to keep talking fast with Dr. Reid, and I wasn’t thinking swiftly enough to get all those points in. (It had been decided not to mention the Jean Dixon article in the Citizen, as it might detract from the seriousness of our main purpose.) Another criticism: I should have been more imaginative to find a way for Debbie and Paula to get, i.e., by saying they were the Bishop’s “confidential secretaries” and would be necessary to present the full picture.
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D-1-K-37
28th March, 1977
Honourable Dr. Ptolemy Reid
Deputy Prime Minister
Camp Street
Georgetown
Dear Dr. Reid:
A member of our Board recently spoke with you about the harassment Peoples Temple has been receiving because of our standard on socialist principles. We have had a breakthrough in which some very powerful people in government gave us some information. On the basis of this information and many other supporting incidents we have scheduled the move of a large number of people, approximately 390 to arrive within 10 days. Harassment from elements which oppose integration and social change are making conditions intolerable. We are completely law-abiding and no one is coming because of any crime. All socialist people in the US are in jeopardy.
Please be assured that we have the financial ability to sustain this number of people. All of our seniors are on fixed income, and will in no way be a financial burden on the government. We have many professional experts in technical fields, and highly skilled people, such as nurse practitioners, trained teachers, carpenters, agriculturalists, construction and electrical engineers, and, in fact, part of our medical team has already arrived and is looking forward to working in the Guyana medical community.
We are trying to make arrangements for air transportation through Guyana Airways Corporation to Port Kaituma immediately after the charters arrive from the [illegible word], because accommodation in Georgetown will be extremely difficult whereas we are ready to receive them in the interior. It is our feeling that it will be helpful for you if we flew immigration people to do the processing and the interior. And as I am sure you are aware, these charters from the US are not scheduled through Civil Aviation.
One of our concerns is that the transitional phase be done in a low-profile manner with no publicity. We have been harassed, and it is the wishes of these people to avoid publicity because of the affect it will have on those who are not able to come at this time due to other commitments.
For these reasons it is of the utmost importance that we speak to you at your earliest convenience. There are several specific items which will take a very brief time to discuss. Bishop Jones tried to call you at the [illegible word] yesterday afternoon but was there to answer. We therefore ask that we speak with you at the earliest possible opportunity. The Bishop deeply respects your socialist commitment and has spoken highly of you in the US and in other socialist countries.
Yours cooperatively,
Michael Touchette
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D-1-M-25 (1)
April 5, 1977
The Honorable Ptolemy Reid
Deputy Prime Minister
Georgetown, Guyana
Re: Article on Bishop Jones in Bay Guardian newspaper
Dear Cde. Reid:
You have asked us to keep you abreast of matters of interest affecting Peoples Temple, and I am therefore submitting to you an article on Jim Jones that came out this week in a newspaper of considerable influence both in San Francisco Bay Area and nationwide. The article entitled “Peoples Temple: Where Activist Politics Meets Old-Fashioned Charity.” We felt it would be helpful to clarify several points mentioned in the article.
Although (Bishop) Jim Jones was outspoken in describing himself as a democratic socialist, the writer never once mentions the word, apparently afraid to use it. However, his sympathies were obvious.
The Bakke suit referred to in the article concerns a California Supreme Court decision determining as unconstitutional the affirmative action admission standards of the University of California medical school designed to admit minority representation based on population. It is now under appeal to the United States Supreme Court. Jim mentioned to the reporter that minorities have had 200 years of servitude in the United States and should therefore be owed back wages, not to mention the elementary consideration of admission to schools without having to pass examinations oriented to students from the white middle class culture.
The article mentions a 27,000 acre agricultural station in Guyana which is an error; we told the reporter very clearly that that was the original figure but the present figure is, in fact, 3,800 acres. He was also inaccurate in regard to the Guyana budget total of $600,000 U.S. when the figure we place in Guyana each year is now over $1,000,000 U.S.
Members of Peoples Temple have purchased $50,000 in Guyana Defense Bonds. Although we are not seeking any publicity for this, we recognize that competition is still part of the evolution to the road to socialism. Therefore, if you want to list our purchase (as from the members) so as to stimulate other cooperative groups who believe in the non-aligned socialism you are so brilliantly pursuing, we don’t mind. Some of our ministers know we were going to do something, but did not know the specifics above. It may be better to refer to these as national development bonds, however, in light of the local reactionaries in California (one of whom, we were informed by telephone this morning, tried to assassinate one of our leaders back in the states.) We do not appear to have any problem with the United States government itself, just the local reactionaries.
On the subject of harassment, so far as we can ascertain, there has been only one complaint – in the area Jim discussed with you. The official, a top man over an entire regional tax office of the Treasury Department, said there is no investigation being conducted but that every time a complaint is registered
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D-1-M-25 (2)
his office has a general policy of looking into it no matter how erroneous. He indicated that he did not know of every such complaint. This man further said that his office did have people who are opposed to racial justice and interracial progress, and that though they wore not supposed to show bias in their work, some no doubt did so. This same man indicated he did not know anyone connected with the head of the American Indian service. He indicated that any group that advocates social concepts that are contrary to the norm are always the subject of complaint.
We hope we can depend on this man’s word (although he is a Ford appointee.) We were informed by ether people in the field of tax law, as well as other groups and churches and close friends, that the Treasury Department is unlikely to proceed without Executive awareness or even approval. Under Nixon, the agency was used as an agency of harassment against anyone he did not like. However, there has been so such fanfare that it appears that they have turned away from this and could hardly now become the tool of the executive knowing this agency in the past, I am sure that they don’t admire all of President Carter’s positions, by any means, or any liberal comments of those in President Carter’s administration such as Andrew Young. As Jim mentioned, the sister of the president did try to make contact with him again. It seems strange that she would do so unless certain elements have in mind to do again what they did to others like John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy. Several community leaders have since talked to this agency and they have found that they know Peoples Temple in only the vague sense of our large numbers and they knew nothing of our philosophy. (This is the way it appeared to the attorneys who inquired as it is our approach to be right “out front” about things like that.)
In sum, we have searched and searched and found nothing. Certain tax authority friends in other progressive organizations, including churches, who formerly worked for the tax department deny an investigation if a high level one is going on. If one is, then, it would be someone acting on his own, pursuant to his own bias without basis in fact. But it is usually customary for the head of the department not to deny an investigation if one is really in progress.
Our good friend Mayor Bradley was elected in Los Angeles. This was primarily because minorities control the inner city and because he was running against an almost outspoken reactionary who was very inarticulate. The percentage lead in his favor was only five or six percent which was not encouraging.
The most problematic area for us could be that of conservatorships. Frenzied opposition to cohesive groups is being whipped up by local reactionaries, including anti-Castro Cuban elements, Nazi elements, and the Ku Klux Elan. The KKK is growing by leaps and bounds even in the area of San Francisco. The Nazis have established a major bookstore in San Francisco, which is supposedly the most liberal city in the U.S. These local reactionaries, then, create for us a serious time problem, increasing the urgency to get our people to Guyana. We do not wish to lose some of our skilled people who could, under conservatorships, be tied up in the courts. (Even churches who don’t preach social justice or a concern about socioeconomics have fallen victim to these bigots – simply by being inter-racial).
Notwithstanding this urgency, we feel an obligation to use Caribbean business agendas as much as possible in our move. We have arranged an air charter through a Guyanese representative so that the Guyana economy would benefit (although we lost our deposit with Pan Am, which we had originally chosen because the airlines stateside said that was our only alternative.) This means that we have a slight increase in the number of seats available and persons coming, so we would be most grateful for whatever you can do to get our people cleared as
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D-1-M-25 (3)
soon as possible. We know you will do all you can. Those additional names have already been submitted to our original list.
In addition to the several hundred people coming from the U.S. to Guyana in the first two charter trips, some more people will be coming in gradually as time goes on and as they get their affairs settled. Of course, if there comes an immediate threat of fascism, a large number would want to come sooner.
All of these people are good people, and none have been before a court of law. In fact, as you can glean from the Bay Guardian article, even e very conservative San Francisco supervisor has acknowledged that we are a very law abiding group. Our people are also very frugal, because we naturally have to make every dollar count. In light of this, please know we will certainly eat by your standards. Our diet, in fact, includes nothing but home-grown Guyanese food. We are also industrious, sad although it may sound presumptuous, we are workers.
Earlier today, we wrote to the Honorable Franklin Kleaser Hope, M.P., Minister of Finance, requesting permission in writing for our members who hold bank accounts outside Guyana to continue to do so after moving here upon the condition that no funds be transferred to such accounts from Guyana. A copy of our letter is enclosed to keep you advised, that this is then out of necessity to pay bills and responsibilities that members have for loved ones still in the states.
Finally, let me express on behalf of the Bishop and all the members of Peoples Temple our great admiration for the comrade you appointed to look after our affairs, Cde. Codette. He is such an intelligent and sensitive young man and appears dedicated to you especially and of course the Prime Minister.
Again, our thanks for all your great assistance and the supremely excellent work you are doing. The Bishop reminded us only today that it was his meeting with you three years ago that constituted the distinct reason we decided to come to Guyana. Whatever you can do to provide us an answer as quickly as possible as to the clearance of names on our list will be greatly appreciated. If we can know immediately, our people will be able to give appropriate notice on their jobs. Thank you again.
Cooperatively yours,
Rev. John Brown
Associate Minister
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D-1-M-25 (4)
[Editor’s note: The page duplicates the previous page.]
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D-1-K-5
19th April, 1977
The Honourable Dr. Ptolemy Reid,
Deputy Prime Minister,
Camp Street,
Georgetown.
Dear Dr. Reid:
I wish to take only a few minutes of your tine to explain the concern that several members of the Peoples Temple have about permanent residence status being given to Bishop Jones, There are people who will ask about the Bishop’s Guyana permanent resident status and there are some who have already asked about it. Of course, this decision will not affect their functioning nor their dedication. It is just that they would feel better and it is because of them that we are seeking an answer. They worry about things like those described in the article which appeared in the Guyana Chronicle, the death threats and assassination attempts which the Bishop has had to face because of his principled life. They know that he has to take risks in standing for justice, but they also know that it has been this same commitment that has reached out to then.
Recently in New York the Bishop was paged to the rooftop parking lot of the JFK airport when no one knew that he was travelling except one secretary. He called the rooftop and found out from the attendant that a man in a business suit was leaning against an automobile with others in a car waiting for him. After checking with his secretary, the Bishop found out that no one had been told. Another time travelling back to San Francisco from one of the Bishop’s services and after a meeting with Vice President [Walter] Mondale in which he discussed Guyana’s right to self-determinism and other positive aspects of Guyana, a shot was fired into the greyhound-type bus which the Bishop was riding, The Bishop had been standing in the front of the bus and had just started back down the aisle when the shot shattered the windscreen. Another occasion of harassment involved the Bishop’s wife who found a bomb planted in her car and was a breath away from starting the motor when she remembered to check for such devices, and the Bishop’s adopted Korean son was run off of the road, completely destroying his oar. It is these things that people are worried about. They know that he has to live true to his conscience but they also know that every time that he goes back he is taking a chance. Several have registered their concern that the U.S. may be turned over to the mentality where innocent persons are not given the protection of due process of law. Conservatorships can be used against any person, but more specifically youth and senior citizens. Without being given the right to due process of law for a number of days, a person can be held against their will.
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D-1-K-27
[duplicate of K-29, with different P.S.]
P.S. The Peoples Forum has more coverage of our organization this time due to the fact that we are preparing for this movement of people and it was necessary. The tone of the next paper will not include anything critical of the United States. We do not want to lend ourselves to anything except constructive building and constructive things for Guyana.
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D-1-K-28
The Honourable Dr. Ptolemy Reid
Deputy Prime Minister
Camp Street
Georgetown
Dear Dr. Reid:
I wish to take only a few minutes of your time to explain the concern that several members of the Peoples Temple have about permanent residence status being given to Bishop Jones. There are people who will ask about the Bishop’s Guyana permanent resident status and there are some who have already asked about it. Of course, this decision will not affect their functioning nor their dedication. It is just that they would feel better and ends because of them that we are seeking an answer. They worry about things like those described in the article which appeared in the Guyana Chronicle, the death threats and assassination attempts which the Bishop has had to face because of his principled life. They know that he has to take risks in standing for justice, but they also know that it has been this same commitment that has reached out to them.
Recently in New York the Bishop was paged to the rooftop parking lot of the JFK airport when no one knew that he was traveling except one secretary. He called the rooftop and found out from the attendant that a man in a business suit was leaning against an automobile with others in the car waiting for him. After checking with his secretary, the Bishop found out that no one had been told. Another time traveling back to San Francisco from one of the Bishop’s services and a meeting with Vice President Mondale in which she discussed Guyana’s right to self-determination and other positive aspects of Guyana, a shot was fired into the Greyhound-type bus in which the Bishop was riding. The Bishop had been standing in the front of the bus and just started back down the aisle when the shot shattered the windscreen. Another occasion of harassment involved in the Bishop’s wife who found a bomb planted in her car and was a breath away from starting the motor when she remembered to check for such devices, and the Bishop’s adopted Korean son was running off of the road, completely destroying his car. It is these things that people are worried about. They know that he has to live true to his conscience but they also know that every time he goes back he is taking a chance. Several have registered their concern that the US may be turned over to the mentality where innocent persons are not given the protection of due process of law. Conservatorships can be used against any person, but more specifically youth and senior citizens. Without being given the right to due process of law for a number of days, a person can be held against their will
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D-1-K-29
[duplicate of K-27, with different P.S.]
Page 2
The Bishop has shown complete conscientiousness in handling the movement of persons who will be coming to Guyana. He is doing it in the best possible fashion to draw no attention. The people have been spread out to different outlying areas waiting for the flight so as to not have them concentrated, in one central area. Because of this we may have to postpone the date of the flight until we can get then all together. The Bishop has been glued to the transmitting radio in the interior seeing that everything is taken care of with discretion and without undue attention.
It is not a fact of needing the permanent residency today, but as the Bishop comes and goes he should have it because the people naturally have a strong feeling of appreciation and they wouldn’t want to see him stranded. It nay never occur, as there are no visible signs that it will ever occur, but it is very important to the people that it be taken care of now, so that it could be used if necessary in the future.
The Bishop has received the support and respect of the leading Black leaders in the United States and they are writing to the leaders here about the Bishop’s character and his commitment. Their personal gratitude for the Bishop’s principled stand on social issues is being forwarded through the nail.
The Bishop’s conscientiousness can also be seen by his sending our boat in search for emergency lumber, even when we have 150,000 board feet coming from Georgetown. We want housing so that this can be the pride of the North West Region so that if you have to show the place, this will give you the kind of honour that you deserve.
All of these people who are willing to work very hard had no understanding or a love for Guyana until they were taught so by the Bishop. He has also taught then socialist philosophy. They naturally feel a great deal of appreciation toward the Bishop and a love and respect has grown out of this appreciation. This decision about the resident status will not affect their functioning nor their commitment, but if they can have this peace it will mean an immeasurable amount to then.
Thank you for your kind attention and I wish to convey to you the deep respect that the Bishop holds for you and the leadership of Guyana.
Co-operatively yours,
Deborah Touchette
P.S. We wish to extend our courtesy to you and to your representatives to come to our churches in the U.S. If you should come, we will accommodate you with safe places to stay and if errands need to be done or anything else you night need, we can have someone at your disposal.
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D-1-K-30
[duplicate of P.S. from K-29]
c.c. Honourable Minister Fred Wills, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carmichael Street, Georgetown.
Honourable Minister Vibert Mingo, Minister of Home Affairs, Brickdam, Stabroek, Georgetown.
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D-1-K-27
[duplicate of K-29, with different P.S.]
P.S. The Peoples Forum has more coverage of our organization this time due to the fact that we are preparing for this movement of people and it was necessary. The tone of the next paper will not include anything critical of the United States. We do not want to lend ourselves to anything except constructive building and constructive things for Guyana.
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D-1-K-38
28th April, 1977
Hon. Dr. Reid
deputy prime minister
—note :
this gentleman is badmouthing worrell and trying to give him some difficulty saying that he shouldn’t hold such an important post and still be a citizen, and have property and even named some property over leased out— we have found worrell to be one of your best representatives. This is not our judgement, we are just telling you what he is saying— this is just what he is telling anybody who will listen. He said that he was going to see that it was brought out. -he said he was going to see that it was brought out that worrell was holding a post in which he was supposed to denounce his citizenship,
—Incidentally, though this may be of no significance to you and we have have a large congregation as you well know, in Los Angeles. One of our members who has been in the home of a Tom Moore 11110 Moor Park St. Apt. 105, North Hollywood 760-2111 or 877-4443// area code 213. He is 6 foot approx. wears glasses 35 years of age, black, bush natural, medium built. He is a native from Guyana. He has been in the United States for 11 years. His mother still resides in Guyana. He has been doing undercover investigation work for the Police Department and other groups. This telephone is no, he stated in front of witnesses for his own protection because of his line of work. He claims to be in contact with a lot of people in the United States and Guyanese Government. He made the statement in front of one Alexa Blaire that Guyana was a good place to be from but not to live. He said in the US you could work and get however many cars and houses and everything that you would want but in Guyana you could have only one. He records everything on a very sophisticated device that comes through his telephone. He said this may all be a waste of your time but he said that he was expecting a call from Prime Minister Burnham sometime after Easter. He knows a great deal about the workings of the government and speaks of different persons and knew of our agricultural project here – he is very critical of socialism. The only reason that we mentioned it is that we thought that you should be informed that there is an elaborate taping device on his phone and he is mentioning that he was planning to talk with the Prime Minister.
This man speaks very critically of Mr. Worrell who we have found to be, [2 illegible words] way, most helpful and most supportive of this government. But this gentleman is making much of the fact that he was supposed to give up his citizenship with position he now holds and he still has property in LA and Baldwin Hills which is being leased out. This man is badmouthing Worrell saying that he shouldn’t hold such an important post and still be a citizen. We found Worrell to be one of our best representatives did. This is most certainly is not our judgment, we are just telling you what he is telling anyone who will listen. He said that he was going to see that it was brought out that Worrell was holding a post in which he was supposed to denounce [renounce] his citizenship.
We do not know this man other than through two of our members – we did meet one of our ministers check out that he does have a sophisticated tape recording that automatically tapes everything that comes through his phone. Because the Prime Minister was mentioned by this man as receiving a telephone call we are just passing this on. This can just be malarky or of no value to you in which case you can just through [throw] this away.
I am enclosing a note to you from one of the workers here. I had instructed our workers only to deliver things to Bell Aire address office and in the early [illegible word]
—–
D-1-K-39
[duplicate of K-40, less clear]
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D-1-K-40
28th April, 1977
Hon. Cde Ptolemy Reid:
As you may well know we have a large congregation in Los Angeles. Although this may prove to be of no significance, one of our members has been to the home of a Mr. Tom Moore, 11110 Moor Park St, Apt 108, North Hollywood, Calif. 215-760-2111 or 213-877-4443. He is approximately 6 feet tall, wears glasses, 35 yrs of age, black, bush natural, medium build. This man is a native from Guyana who has lived in the US for 11 yrs. His mother still resides in Guyana. He claims to be doing undercover investigation work for the police department and other groups. He stated in front of witnesses that his telephone is bugged for his own protection because of his line of work. Mr. Moore also claims to be in contact with a lot of people in the US and Guyanese government. He made a statement in front of one Alexa Blaire that “Guyana is a good place to be from but not to live,” because he said that in the US one could work and get however many houses, cars, and material goods that one could want, but in Guyana one could only have one. By his own testimony he records everything that comes in on his telephone with a very sophisticated device. Naturally this could be nothing more than an idyl [idle] boast, but he said he was expecting a call from the Prime Minister sometime after Easter. He professes to know a great deal about the workings of the government, speaks of different persons, and knew of our agricultural project here. He is very critical of socialism. The only reason that we mention it is that you should be informed that there may indeed be an elaborate taping device on his phone and he was mentioning that he had planned to speak with the Prime Minister. (Again the later could be nothing more than the kind of statement one might make to impress someone.)
This man speaks very critically of Mr. Worrell, whom we have found to be most helpful and supportive of this government. However, Mr. Moore is making much of the fact that Mr. Worrell is supposed to give up his citizenship with the position he now holds, and that he still has property in LA and Baldwin Hills which is being leased out. This man is extremely critical of Mr. Worrell, saying that he shouldn’t hold such an important post and still be a citizen. We have found Mr. Worrell to be one of our best representatives, and Mr. Moore’s view is certainly not our evaluation. We are just informing you what he is telling anyone who will listen. He said that he was going to see that it was brought out that Mr. Worrell is holding a post for which he was supposed to renounce his citizenship.
We do not know of this man other than through two encounters by a couple of our members. (One of our ministers did see that there was a recording device that records automatically) we are just passing this on because the Prime Minister was mentioned by this man. Of course, this can just be malarky or of no value to you, in which case you can just throw this away.
I am enclosing a note to you from one of our workers here. I had instructed that letters only be delivered to you at the Belle Aire office in the early morning hours. She is a very conscientious person but she misunderstood the instruction. I hope that receiving the letter in your car didn’t cause too much inconvenience.
Cooperatively yours,
J. Jones
—–
D-1-K-41
[duplicate of K-40, less clear]
—–
D-1-K-42
I am somewhat concerned because someone who is in a position of high authority asked me to do something that was not in my opinion in the best interest of the Guyanese government. and also I found later that it was illegal. I would like to talk to you. It has nothing to do whatsoever about problems of immigration. We would be more than happy to comply by going through the proper channels which we realize is home affairs. No problem. But you were the reason that he came to this country, and have taken considerable harassment for standing up for this country. And I would like to feel that I am loyally reporting anything that has happened to me. Now if you feel– I trust you explicitly. If you feel that there is no need to discuss it that is fine but I will not discuss it with anyone else. I will be glad to forget, it. But I will not discuss it with anyone else. Because I have seen absolute character, and commitment to the Guyanese socialist revolution in you.
You are the parson that won me and when I run into a matter like that I trust doesn’t come easily. I have total trust in you and if you don’t feel it merits any discussion that is perfectly alright I understand how busy you are and how pressured you are– But we wanted you to know that it has nothing to do with the move. The move has been going sommthlt [smoothly] and everything has been very cooperative. This has not come up in even condition with the move. Totally unrelated to the move. I know how busy you are- and we know for the safety of this county we have to safeguard his health. I am quite busy myself I do not trust easily. I don’t want to speak to anyone else. I was asked to do something that would break you.
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D-1-K-44
[undated file copy]
The Honorable Ptolemy Reid
Deputy Prime Minister
Cooperative Republic of Guyana
Dear Cde. Reid,
I thought I should post you that thirteen workers have just arrived, among them a refrigeration specialist and several in the construction field. We thought that, in the interests of the move and your nation, it was best to do it quietly, as one very reactionary reporter seems to have some indication of the move. Thus, we are trying to divert his attention in some other direction.
Commercial travel is very expensive, so we do hope to get the charter in larger numbers very soon, but we will continue to bring in workers by one form of transport or another. By the way, some of the people coming in are skilled in specialized areas other than farming, and we were wondering what potential exists for placement in the economy. The subject was first broached by Cde. Codette, who said your office wanted to know what wages we would be expecting. We were not sure we understood him, as we certainly would be in no position to understand the employment market as well as you. If it is possible for some of the workers to obtain employment positions it would be very beneficial now, in helping to relieve some of the enormous financial burden of developing the agricultural project, as well as the other projects we have in mind that we wrote you about previously. It would be most useful to know whom we should check with at this time regarding employment possibilities, notably in the professional areas.
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D-1-K-45 (1)
Honorable Dr. Ptolemy Reid
Deputy Prime Minister
Cooperative Republic of Guyana
Dear Comrade Reid,
In response to your call of the 27 of April, 1977, the romance has apparently waned, but as all of my instincts [illegible word] me to be dubious of the person, we will be glad to attempt to get this person to write or in some way provide tangible proof of his basic inclinations. Since hanging up the phone with you I remembered that there were two things this individual had been very reluctant to do, to talk on the telephone and to write. The former paramour indicated that this person never wanted [illegible word] things to come home to haunt. If you have any suggestions as to how we night proceed, we will be glad to serve you and our country any way you can see, here or state side, in attempting to obtain information that will substantiate these deep-seated convictions about the individual.
Having disdain for the misuse of electronic surveillance in the states, it never occurred to the secretary in question to utilize that means. I know this secretary well, and I believe she is absolutely accurate here. I have never caught her in a fabrication, and she went into thorough introspection and critical analysis as to why, in that period of her life, she needed sexual reinforcement and acceptance from an individual like the one she mentioned on the phone. I am certain that by means of a romantic entree, one can corroborate everything that we mentioned about the individual.
For some time, many of us have thought Guyanese because this is our adopted home. The country has become richer and more meaningful to us because we have had the immense privilege of having personal contact with one of the world’s greatest revolutionary leaders. As I said unequivocally long ago, we are prepared to die by your side. It is easier for us to make this commitment than some, having lived through the pain of harassment and attempted assignation as ’’strangers in a far country” as the Proverb says – a country that has inflicted a heavy impact of its racism and its bigotry toward socialism upon us.
Suffering and dying becomes easy for a people who have been conditioned by the schizophrenic patterns of the North. Through your belief in us (and for that, we will give at any time the ultimate of our devotion), we have almost materialized a paradise where we can work, farm, and for the first time in our lives, really build constructively instead of being in a defensive posture. We will assist you in any way you need us in keeping this country as strong and great as you have built it.
We have been sickened to death by the double standards maintained by those who profess to be in the struggle from where we came, and we are therefore acutely perceptive of such duality when we see it. The person being referred to exhibits the most frightening hypocrisy of any that has come to our attention. This person stated that the particular location of work was selected to avoid scrutiny and because the pay was better than in a similar capacity elsewhere.
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D-1-K-45 (2)
The person under discussion gambles and becomes insanely insecure (and I am not exaggerating in the least) when involved in sone romantic notion. The secretary’s head was beaten severely because of an imagined rival when in fact there was none. The individual talked far too much of insatiable need for ego reinforcement for someone in his sensitive position. This is the classic “wheeler-dealer.”
It is essential with me that I get my facts down. I spoke yesterday that this person offered Guyanese dollars for several thousand U.S. dollars for personal enhancement. I found upon returning and having a private conference with the secretary, that the person had asked that she exchange several thousand dollars for the Chinese gentlemen who covers the gambling debts. My memory was accurate on all other points that I mentioned in this reference.
If my deep-seated feelings are of any value, I feel very strongly that the above-mentioned individual would be a security risk of the highest order in a time of crisis, and I say it with a heavy heart here. I don’t like to be the bearer of bad news, having had much borne to me.
Tragically, some people will betray their country in time of economic or military crisis. I believe this with every fiber of my being because I have seen this prototype so many times, i.e., a person who would sell out just for personal advantage. I personally witnessed one of this individual’s many long distance telephone calls (which undoubtedly shows on the office records). The individual on that occasion was inebriated, grossly insecure, and even discussed this country in a negative light. If the enemy were listening in its usual fashion, they heard the babblings of a person sexually and emotionally retarded. I will put my full interest on getting this individual on record. I am sure this person is vulnerable in romancy. (Any other suggestions you may have we will follow to the letter.) This person is one of waning potency with a Don Juan complex, and thus would require, I fear, a new face.
We will comply with any other suggestion you wish to provide us by a letter typed and unsigned, so long as we have some prior arrangement whereby we are sure it is coming from our leader. From what one reads and from what was revealed to me by someone in the governmental agency whose board I chair, one’s own telephone systems are not immune to sophisticated laser-like surveillance. In such future communications, I will keep just to the subject at hand, when anything is brought to our attention.
I tried to contact you for an interview the moment the other person we discussed yesterday asked for the money transfer. This was just before I left for the interior about ten days ago. In fact, I decided I should go to the interior in order to avoid him until I could consult you to see how I could deal with the situation. I thought a refusal might not be in the interest of national security because it would end the matter without revealing his character inclination. Anyway, I needed the extra days of work diversion in that Shangri-la that you made possible and for which I will forever be indebted. My office did call on you several times, as your secretary can verify, perfectly willing to come back the moment your busy schedule would allow a brief time to discuss the matter. Now with the envelope system you have discussed, I will be able to expedite anything of that nature which comes to me.
—–
D-1-K-45 (3)
In the future, even if 90% of what comes to our attention is worthy of your throwing our material in the waste basket, we will write you anything of a counter-revolutionary nature that comes to our attention.
The main thing you can do for us and international socialism is to maintain your health. We will not expect any acknowledgement unless you require some follow-up. Thank you over the years for establishing such a feeling of trust that I could feel free to ask you the question ”What happens to the future of Guyana if you and the Prime minister were removed from the scene?” I am sure that you are aware that I ask this only because of the hundreds and hundreds of people that plan to make this their future home and only loyalty.
As you may have read in some of the news articles, I collapsed recently at a Commission Hearing of the Housing Authority over which I am the Chairperson from some apparent angina problem, although, as always, just being in Guyana completely corrects my health situation. I only say this to explain that I don’t see my longevity going beyond yours, and like you, my only interest in living is to do what little I can for socialism in my remaining days.
I want to explain more clearly why I asked that the person whose notes I gave you, not be confronted on the situation until all of our people who wish to make Guyana their new home have made it safely here. I might have had a moment of temptation to have waited until the new pioneers were safely here, if it had not been a matter which could so gravely affect the future of Guyana. (For this man speaks with no small measure of ambition and from what members of our staff have determined, not as much an ambition for Guyana as for himself.)
Whatever ambivalence I had of his praising of you, I did not let it becloud my judgment and my singular obligation to report this matter to you. (We know, of course that we will lose the $4,000. That is of no consequence to us compared to the high stakes, even though we obviously need the money for the development of the northwest District.) We understand the need to be attentive to such matters because we have seen a socialist group in a capitalistic society, thus, we have been forced, as a matter of survival, to develop our own internal security system. If it had not been for this, we would long ago have been destroyed. The other reason for our survival and ability to be economically self-sufficient is our life style – all of us live together and all of us live a sim le life.
Your statement in the office shocked me to recall that his affirmations of loyalty to you nearly always followed upon hearing strong pieces on feelings of support for you by us. I think I mentioned this man does have a lot of stateside connections and could contact unfriendly or sensationalistic elements of the press before our move was consummated. (He knows one, Hubert Williams, correspondent for Caribbean Contact, and has said friendly things about him. We know, from our sources, that Williams has said hostile things about the government in the past.) More important, if we are to do a significant work on this other person who is in a position to embarrass the Republic at best, and do something far more insidious at worst, it might be better to hold off in confronting the individual who provided written documentation of his activities.
This letter has been too long – as I realize looking over it. I want you to know that should anything happen to me in my comings and goings, particularly as pertains to the struggle back there, that the industrious people I have brought you will make you and the descendants of your very dedicated and competent leadership very proud. They are good, hard-working and have the greatest degree of integrity.
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D-1-K-45 (4)
I will not sign this, for, in case it is intercepted, any of us who must continue to work where we have lived could be deemed in violation of serious laws prohibiting acting on behalf of a foreign government. We do not have any qualms about such activity, since the cause of truth and justice is served thereby.
P.S. Another reason for not confronting at this time the person on whom documentation was furnished is that we can be of more help to you. News travels rapidly in a small country, and may hinder our efforts to obtain the information you seek on the other person.
If you wish information pertaining to anti-socialist conduct of nongovernmental individuals of rank such as business and professional people, please notify us. On second consideration because of your heavy burdens re shall provide same unless otherwise notified.
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D-1-K-10
Post Office Box 893
Georgetown, Guyana
Telephone: 71924
10 May 1977
The Honourable Dr. Ptolemy Reid,
Deputy Prime Minister,
Cooperative Republic of Guyana
Georgetown, Guyana.
Dear Comrade Reid:
This is to let you know that we are following through this week on your request to obtain verification regarding the questionable activities of the person (hereinafter referred to as Mr. X) who is located in another place. Our secretary is working on the matter this week.
Something did occur today, however, which seemed strange and caused us great concern. Mr. X told the secretary that earlier today be had been with the Prime Minister and had implied to him that he (Mr. X) was going home to his girl, whereupon the Prime Minister said: “You mean the girl from Peoples Temple? I will talk to you about that later.”
We do not know what that statement any have meant, and, indeed, it may have been casual. We are deeply concerned, however, that we do nothing which would in any way cause embarrassment to you or the Prime Minister. We have a profound esteem and respect for you and the Prime Minister, and we are ever mindful of the great trust and confidence you have placed in us by letting us come to this wonderful country of Guyana. Our only interest is to help you and the PNC in fulfilling your goals to help the people.
Unless we hear from you to the contrary, our secretary will proceed according to plan.
Kindest personal regards.
J. Jones
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D-1-K-9 (1)
May 17, 1977
The Honourable Ptolemy Reid,
Deputy Prime Minister,
Georgetown., Guyana.
Dear Dr. Reid;
Within the past few days we were visited by Minister Coddette at our house at Lamaha Gardens. He called me aside and questioned our tour to Grenada. The inference was that the questioning came from someone in a higher position than himself, although we did not feel this was so.
Minister Coddette surprised us with this ridiculous allusion. His remarks were, “You’re losing your enthusiasm because things don’t go just right. The Bishop meets with the Prime Minister of Grenada and it’s a beautiful place and you know how… I realize you purchased this house and that indicates you intend to be permanent, but I was just curious to know what your plans are.”
I wish to convey that we have no intentions of moving to Grenada. The Lieutenant Governor of California, Mervin Dymally wanted Bishop Jones to meet the Prime Minister of Grenada. He told Prime minister Gairy that “We do things to help people,” thus the Prime Minister asked us if we could do something there to help the people of Grenada.
We thought it would be possible to build up sone kind of trade with Grenada that could help Guyana. A part of our reason was to see if we could get our children into industrial school there.
The Bishop praised you especially and the leadership of Guyana to the hilt to the Prime Minister, he even spoke with the Opposition there and told them how much we respected Guyana and yourself. Bishop Jones told them what a wonderful country Guyana is.
The Bishop knows how straight you’ve been with him and he is a man who has never broken his woad in his life. We are not planning to move anywhere else, we didn’t say a word about coving there. We would even welcome that you should contact Prime Minister Eric Gairy, to verify these facts.
Co-operatively yours,
Deborah Touchette,
Secretary
P.S. This letter came about through a telephone conversation with Bishop Jones.
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D-1-K-9 (2)
[Editor’s note: This page is missing.]
—–
D-1-K-9 (3)
We have been shipping 500 tons of seashells for fertilizer which arrived at Port Kaituma yesterday and 150,000 board measurements of lumber which is now in transit. We therefore feel it is a strange thing that he would come out here when we are doing all this.
We are saving as much money as we can. We are moving the people slower so as not to create undue attention. We have no changes in our plans for coming whatsoever. The Bishop simply feels that the least conspicuous we can make our move the better.
Thank you for addressing yourself of this matter. We aren’t trying to make an issue with Coddette but we feel very strangely about this untimely visit and felt you also would wish to be kept informed.
Co-operatively yours,
Deborah Touchette
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D-1-K-6
18th May, 1977
Honourable Deputy Prime Minister,
Dr. Ptolemy Reid,
Ministry of National Development,
Camp Street,
Georgetown.
Dear Dr. Reid,
I want to explain what may have seemed to be a peculiar situation to you.
The last letter written about Mr. X and his conversation with the Prime Minister was written by me through instructions from the Bishop. I thought that was the conventional manner, but upon reflection and your telephone call which noted some surprise at the Bishop’s return to the US (as was conveyed to me by the Bishop’s daughter in law) I felt that I should have been more explanatory about how the Bishop’s name appeared on the bottom of the letter.
Thank you for your attention and I’ll try to be more careful in the future.
Cooperatively yours,
Secretary
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D-1-K-22 (1)
May 23, 1977
Honourable Dr. Ptolemy Reid
Camp Street, Cummingburg
Georgetown
Dear Dr. Reid;
I arrived in Guyana a few days ago and wanted you to know that I have intentions of being here for several weeks while my husband, Bishop Jones, is in California. Our plans are to alternate back and forth to see that both programs are doing well.
Upon arriving back in the United States, he spoke to our largest congregation of many thousands about Guyana’s achievements with the socialist transition. He praised many particular aspects of daily life which puts emphasis on the socialist formation of the individual. He praised such plans as those which will give senior citizens free transportation anywhere in the country and free education through university level to all regardless of financial ability. It is with these things in kind that my husband was quite astounded by the ludicrous report from a very competent secretary that Mr. Coddette was enquiring about whether we plan to move to Grenada. I here have never been any such plans or even thoughts in that regard.
My husband and members of the church staff were going to the United States and only passed through Grenada because Lt. Governor Dymally wished then to stop and make a courtesy call on the Prime Minister.
They had heard that we are assisting Guyana and they wanted to know if we would assist then too. They have a projected plan for an industrial school on fifty acres of land and wanted to know if we would help in that regard and with a few teachers. We said we night consider helping, but we did not say one word about moving to Grenada. When the bishop and the delegation met with the Prime Minister, they spoke of how wonderful Guyana was and my husband spoke especially high of you as he always does. We told him how much we enjoyed life working in the interior of Guyana, therefore no one could possibly have that type of information as the man approached us with unless somebody made up a lie. He may have just been representing himself.
Two days ago two hundred and fifty tons of seashell were delivered to the farm with another two hundred and fifty tons due on Tuesday. One hundred and fifty thousand board measurements of lumber is being delivered in partial shipments of fifty thousand board measurements. The first shipment of lumber arrived last week with the remainder to be delivered within the next two weeks to assist us with the rapid building program which is being carried on. Ten thousand dollars ($10,000) worth of pumping equipment was purchased in one day. Obviously we wouldn’t be putting this kind of money into a project we intend to abandon. We have put millions into this project.
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D-1-K-22 (2)
We have been moving people in regularly with thirteen last week and four this week. They are being moved in this manner as a diversionary method because of a reactionary reporter who has been showing some interest in this move, and we do not wish to bring undue publicity. Because of my husband’s copious involvement in the community, he has been advised by different members of the church, friends, and other black friends in leadership there, who are thinking about retiring here and even moving down beforehand, that he should not move in mass at this particular time. There is an old adage about the shark: “When the shark smells blood, he goes in for the kill.” Elements exist that would like to see Peoples Temple and its cooperative socialist views destroyed. We have not received any bad publicity and we will continue to try to avoid it, but we can reasonably ascertain that inevitably certain forces are going to try to attack all progressive groups such as ourselves. We want to reflect Guyana in the [illegible word], thus far, we had been successful. With our newspaper, we have been asked to educate people about Guyana in a real way.
[Final two paragraphs of letter illegible]
Sincerely,
/s/ Marceline Jones
Marceline Jones
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D-1-K-8
26th May, 1977
The Honourable Dr. Ptolemy Reid,
Ministry of National Development,
Camp Street,
Georgetown.
Dear Dr. Reid:
My husband was deeply touched by your consideration and calling him yesterday. He has great respect for your commitment and feels a certain affinity with you that he has seldom expressed about anyone. He hates to bother you with your busy schedule, but I have never known him, in the twenty-eight years that we’ve been married, to impress upon anyone that a matter was important that did not turn out to be significant to all concerned.
I can also say that I have never known my husband to do anything which was not for the benefit of people who need his help and those who need his help but would never ask. Our project has been a place for rehabilitation of young people who were never given an opportunity elsewhere. The environment in Guyana is conducive to promotion of concern for those less fortunate and has made it possible for us to have already successfully rehabilitated one or two people. By doing so, we have gained the support from the local newspapers which, as a result, has made them respect this country even sore.
The Bishop praises Guyana to the highest whenever he speaks: and Guyana and you have received the total faith of Bishop Jones, myself, and all of the members of Peoples Temple. Our aim is to be of service to you and to Guyana In whatever humble way we can, and I know that my husband wants you to be aware of how much he appreciated your kindness and interest in Guyana’s well-being to make the overseas call so late in your day. It is your example of dedication which will give people the strength to overcome obstacles. I am at your service if you should need me for anything or wish to call on me for anything which my husband would take care of were he here personally. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Marceline Jones
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D-1-K-7
2nd June, 1977
Dear Dr. Reid:
This letter is simply to keep you posted regarding the project I am working on which pertains to Mr. X. I wanted you to know that I am still working on this and will continue to do so.
I spoke to Bishop Jones last night on the telephone and since his return to the United States, he has put his total effort into moving people to Guyana. Twenty-eight persons have come to Guyana to take up permanent residence since he went back to the United States less than one month ago, including fourteen more who arrived only this week. The Bishop will continue to move people in this way until he feels it will in no manner affect Guyana with any unwarranted publicity.
Unless I hear otherwise, I will pursue getting the information requested. The Bishop sends his sincerest regards and I can say with no hesitation, that he considers you to be one of the most committed socialist leaders anywhere. Thank you for your attention.
Very truly yours,
Secretary for Peoples Temple
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D-1-K-20 (1)
7th June, 1977
Dear Dr. Reid,
The Bishop has asked me to give you a progress report on the conversations I have had with the man I refer to as Mr. X. It is my understanding that you specifically requested that all questionable statements by Mr. X be substantiated, so I have included in this letter only those which are “documented”. I will keep this documentation in my possession unless you ask for it.
At one time I had the feelings for Mr. X and we have even planned to be married, but it soon became clear to me that I could not go through with it if I were to remain committed to socialism and Guyana. I explained all this to the Bishop and prompted him to tell you of Mr. X’s undisciplined actions because I knew of the utter esteem the Bishop has for you Andrew uncompromising loyalty to the transformation in socialist Guyana.
Mr. X is not cautious about government matters and speaks too freely in front of me. Perhaps it is simply his having no doubt about my loyalty to Guyana, but nevertheless, a man in his position should demonstrate the utmost in caution with any person who does not “need to know.” Being posted in a capitalist country should make him doubly cautious, because the possibilities of infiltration into the [illegible word] of the policy-making decisions of the Guyana government would be far greater there. I will give you a gist of the documented conversations I have had.
CONVERSATION #1
Commission to both the Prime Minister and Fred Wills that Habib from the US State Department would be making a visit to Guyana in route to the OAS conference in Grenada (this conversation took place about 23rd May, 1977).
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He also discussed with Fred Wills points which chargé d’affaires John Blacken of the US Embassy said that his government had some consternation about (this all took place as a telephone call in my presence): firstly, the guy understand and influence on the Cuban position in Puerto Rican independence and something to do with the ILO. Mr. X advised Minister Wills to have Rasleigh Jackson clarify the point on the Puerto Rican independence issue to Andrew Young. Mr. X also mentioned about finding a replacement for Claudia Carroll and his discussions with Winnie Angard and Robert Corbin to that effect.
CONVERSATION #2
Mr. X speaks as if he is not part of the PNC government, an onlooker rather than a participant. He made some highly critical remarks about the government and leaders. One such time was when he was discussing the high cost and lack of availability of many commodities, such as foodstuffs and automobiles. He reminded me of when the Pride Minister had made a speech saying that every poor man was to get a car. Mr. X’s comment was that it was nice talk but that men are judged on their performances, not their words. He said the socialists theories are very nice, but they’ve got to work, and that nobody is satisfied that they are on the road to socialism if one day they can see ahead of the road there is hunger, cars going up more than their expectations to own a car vanishing, the prices of houses out of sight. He said that good intentions are not enough and that although nobody is going to be fault the Prime Minister or Dr. Reid for their good intentions to help the poor man, but you can’t remain with good intentions and see the means of achievement are going wrong and do nothing to change it. He went on to say that when things got harder, society becomes elitist with a plutocracy resulting. He said that it was poor planning. He then named off Rex McKay, Neil Cheong, and Joe Chin as examples of the plutocracy, which I find somewhat peculiar being Rex McKay and Neil Cheong are his closest friends.
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He said that people like this can do what they like, can get the things which are scarce, and can travel when they like. I said, “they don’t travel much anymore because they can’t get dollars out of the country. His remark was, “Who says so?” “What’s wrong with you?” “That’s only what you think.” He then went on to say that the politically powerful will not do without. He said that they are out scotching the house when poor people can’t get. He said that they will always have the things they want and justify on the grounds that they are working for the people and they should have it if they need something.
CONVERSATION #3
He mentioned that the Prime Minister’s May Day speech had a lot of booing (which I had not heard about) and said it was because of the high cost of living and people are out of work.
Many times I have asked him if he was coming back to Guyana to live, or I have asked him when he was coming home. He is always evasive or says something about not knowing what he could do in Guyana. His most recent comment to my question was, “It seems to me that the only position I could come home as is Prime Minister. I want to be primus inter pares, First among equals.”
CONVERSATION #4
States and appearances are important to him along with a very comfortable salary in US dollars. When I expressed concern over his playing poker for such high stakes and so frequently, he said that he isn’t poor and that he is going to punish and that he can afford this game easily. He played three or four days out of every week. He lost approximately $4000 at the poker table during his trip in May. I told him the poker represented a very peculiar form of recreation for a socialist because of the position of
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compromise that it could put him in. He remark about what else could $1000 buy, and that he spends more than that in a month. I don’t know what kind of salary he gets, but disregard for the value of money does not exemplify the qualities which need to be demonstrated by the representative of a newly leading country in Third World Socialism. His lifestyle should emulate the principles he upholds, but I can’t associate Mr. X with anything half-sacrificing. He remarked to me that the only posts he would take as ambassador were Brussels, London, Washington, or New York. These are all capitalist centers.
CONVERSATION #5
He has an attitude of invisibility where the Prime Minister is concerned. I asked him if the Permit Minister might object to him having a fiancé from the United States. He said he doesn’t care what people think, “a third party is not going to run my life. Two parties, that’s an agreement. I don’t want to hear ‘what people say’ or ‘what people think’.” Although he is not concerned about his involvement with someone from the US, he did make comments regarding interracial marriages as a classicist. “What I object to in interracial marriages is that the black man usually marries well below his station.” I answered, “With an egalitarian consciousness, what kind of statement is that?” He said, “I’m just telling you what it’s like. I’m just telling you why don’t these women marry black men who can’t afford to support them.”
CONVERSATION #6
When Mr. X was preparing to go to a meeting with Robert Corbin, Minister in your ministry, a conversation came out of it about loyalty. I said, “Minister Corbin seems fairly capable.” Mr. X said, “At doing what?” I said, “Organizing enthusiasm.” He said, “Yes, for what?” I said, “I often think that loyalty
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it is far more important than skills.” He said, “The problem with most developing countries. They put the emphasis on the wrong things.”
I will continue this project until you advise the Bishop otherwise, and I will send you additional progress reports if anything significant materializes. The Bishop did request that nothing be done on this matter until he is able to come in and speak with you when he comes down here at the end of the month.
Thank you for the wonderful example of socialism you are sitting in this great country of Guyana. The Bishop is deeply touched by your socialist sincerity, and I can speak with other assurance that you have a real friend in him.
Sincerely,
Paula Adams
Secretary
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D-1-L-10
June 19, 1977
Dr. Ptolemy Reid
Deputy Prime Minister
Ministry of National Development
Dear Cde Reid,
There is new material even some germane to present visit of U.S. dignitary that 1 think you may need to bear at your convenience.
We have been receiving additional harassments because of our praise of Guyana and articles we have been printing that are definitely pro-Guyana (nonetheless we have great consolation in that over one hundred San Francisco area churches (white & Black) and their pastors have given written endorsement to our church and its programs. Also our Mayor and Lt. Gov. Dymally who are getting flack for their own progressive stands (although not pronounced socialist views as our own) have stood firmly with us. Moreover Thurs. night J. Jones personally received the Special Press Freedom Award from the large National Newspaper Publishers Assoc, presently holding its convention in St. Louis, Missouri. Plus a very kindly handwritten letter of praise recently from President Carter’s wife. Thus all news certainly is not bad!
The Bishop would like to speak to you as early as possible because he must leave by charter for the interior tomorrow (June 20, 1977 ) to work with things pertaining to the project such as preparing to set up a new steam generator. Although the flight is scheduled for early morning, he could probably delay it until 11:30 AM.
If it is impossible for you to see him before he leaves for the Agriculture Project, he would like to speak to you when he returns to the Capitol next Saturday and before his immediately planned departure there soon afterwards.
Goodspeed in your pursuit for Justice, and progress in your eternal ideal to keep Guyana free!
With Deep Respect,
Deborah Touchette
Secretary
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D-1-K-23 (1)
21st June, 1977
Dear Dr. Reid;
Mrs. Rosalynn Carter made an attempt to contact Bishop Jones in San Francisco to see if she could set up an appointment to meet with him in California today. The Bishop’s San Francisco secretary called overseas to deliver this message and we in turn tried to contact you yesterday for your advice (per the Bishop’s request) as to the advantages of the Bishop meeting with her. We had no way of getting the Bishop in by commercial flight from the interior, therefore, we tried to contact you to get a direct flight in if you thought it advantageous. The Bishop actually did not want to come in to fly halfway around the world after just arriving in the hinterland he loves deeply, but if you felt he could effectively be a “goodwill ambassador”, he would have broken his back to meet with her and use this opportunity to improve relations with Guyana. The Bishop has had many occasions where he has been asked to meet with officials, however, if he thought he would not benefit egalitarian social concern and Guyana, he would not accept the invitation. The Bishop has found from his previous meetings with Mrs. Carter that she is a conscientious woman with a loving concern for people. She has championed integration in the churches in her home state in the South. When she met with Bishop Jones before, she discussed getting more medical facilities in Cuba as a means of increasing understanding and peace, and again she mentioned Cuba in a handwritten letter to the Bishop (copy enclosed). She said she would have been most happy to have made a visit to Guyana on her tour through South America, but her itinerary had already been planned. If our secretary had gotten in touch with her secretary in time, Mrs. Carter would have liked to put Guyana on her itinerary, as she has heard quite a lot about Guyana from their previous discussions. She is somewhat courageous in her frankness; and fortunately we’ve got her for the United States President’s wife and not some others. Mrs. Carter could have asked to meet and lunch with any number of senators, congressmen, mayors, or the governor; but she wished to meet Bishop Jim Jones and his Black son, Jim Jones, Jr.,
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therefore, the Bishop thought he could here been of some help to you and Guyana. I wish to say that I found Miss Foster’s reaction to my call disturbing, although I said nothing to the Bishop. He never asks for anything that won’t be of service to others and her abruptness in telling me that “you would have nothing to say”, could have been a result of a very exhausting day for her. I know that the Bishop would not leave the interior after such a short stay unless this good fellowship which he has with Mrs. Carter would benefit Guyana.
The Bishop asked me to bring to your attention the fact that Mr. X will not remain in diplomatic service or Guyana if he were transferred to a socialist post ouch as China. The Bishop is in no way trying to suggest policy, but thought it should come to your attention as a possibility of a way out of a despicable situation. Mr. X would certainly not be able to lose $2,000 a week gambling (Mr. X told me that Sirpaul Jagan makes $150,000 to $200,000 per year gambling). Mr. X mentioned this to me in a conversation at the sane tine he was saying that he would only take the following posts: Washington, New York, Brussels, or London. It may not be audible on the tapes, but he definitely said he would never go to China. This is simply an alternative as there may be other factors against it. The Bishop trusts your judgement and wants you to know we are not doing any instructing; only collecting. There were several conversations which are inaudible to my ear on the tapes I have, however they are being sent back to have the volume boosted. I recall other discussions relating to the Habib talks which did not come out audible to my ear on the tapes and much of it was missed because it was very difficult to follow. This was the first time we’ve ever done anything like this but I am certain there is substance in them which clearly reveals that he is not acting in the best interests of Guyana, and will give grave concern about where his loyalty lies. Mr. X makes snide and critical remarks against the government, and the Prime Minister and you by inference. You can tell by the nature of his answer that I am always defending the government, for example, where he reacts saying “You’re mad,” it is obvious that I am defending the governments’ policies. Two occasions on which I was labelled as
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being “mad” included, firstly, when I stated that less indulgence and more personal sacrifice were necessary to make a socialist transition, and secondly, when I stated that no one was able to get foreign dollars out of the country now that foreign exchange laws had become sufficiently rigid to protect the economy. I would hate to imagine what he might say if I wasn’t defensive, but I will not do otherwise than defending unless you and the Bishop advise me, because the Bishop feels you are living proof that socialism can work. I am sure I can get him to talk more if I were to take a stance against the government and the Prime Minister and you, in particularly, when talking to him. I would not at all be surprised if a man like him has connections in the United States, and I also would not be at all surprised if he was a double agent. I therefore, hope it can be handled as discreetly as possible when you have verification of the tapes (which are presently still in my possession if you wish to verify basic content) because when this does come out, if this is used, it will have severe repercussions in the States. Mr. X speaks much of his admiration for the United States and his intellectual businessman friends he has there. Our church is under certain danger in this situation. I know I do not need to say anything to a man of your character and integrity, but the danger that our group could he put in, is of primary importance to me.
Harassment is not new to our group. John Barbagelata, City Supervisor, is a part of the swing toward fascism in Sen Francisco, the most liberal city left in the United States where our headquarters is located. (I thought perhaps you would like a little background of interest in the city where our headquarters is located: San Francisco.) The right wing no longer exists, and in its place are the neo-fascists, who are out to eliminate the liberals sad radicals. Barbagelata has openly made racist statements and political talks which are not dissimilar to the Third Reich. The only time his appearance and speaking changes is when he is either with the press or cameras. The Mayor of San Francisco is on siege by this man. Barbagelata has an aide who worked for the CIA, so when all kinds of things happened to us, some subtly and others direct harassments through segments of the
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[Editor’s note: Unnumbered page]
press and otherwise, such as vandalism, which the Mayor feels Barbagelata is directly responsible, we weren’t surprised. He made a denial in writing, only after so many people stood up on our behalf, which we can show you, saying that he had been misquoted. He went on to say in a letter which he wrote to a friend of ours who is the Head of the San Francisco Council of Churches (head of all at the Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish churches), “I wouldn’t hurt Reverend Jim Jones. He’s a fine man. He does wonderful work for the poor.” We talked to the reporter directly and it is obvious who Barbagelata was referring to when speaking about eliminating radicals.
The Bishop was elected unanimously as the Chairman of the Housing Commission in San Francisco. This is the first time a socialist has ever been elected or held an office of any kind in the city. Barbagelata is quite disturbed about this and with his aide who specialises in legal set-ups and frame-ups, we were expecting the worst. The coalitions appreciate all of tbs help given them by the Bishop and our group which included the right of each district to elect its own supervisor. We never had that right before because all of the supervisors had to be elected “at large” which gave an undue balance to the wealthy and thus the multinationals and business elements in the community were able to control things in the city. Even though they can now elect their own supervisors from their own districts, it is just a drop in the bucket, but they are not prepared for even that drop in the bucket. We have om record from two people, one that Barbagelata did not count on talking, that he claimed that the best thing for America is for Blacks, Indians, and Filipinos to be removed from this country by whatever means. I suppose he mentioned Blacks, Indians, and Filipinos because they are more interested in their rights than some of the other Third World people.
Bishop Jones was on Thursday 16th of June, 1977 given the Special National Press Freedom Award by the National Newspaper Publishers Association which represents the minorities and the working class, at their recent convention. The award was given for the outstanding work the Bishop has given defending the rights of genuine
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investigative reporting, because it is rapidly becoming a myth, and he is one of the only persons with enough courage to stand up for this constitutional right which keeps fascism at bay. The myth of the adversary press was explained in detail in an article found in thr Harpers. Mother Jones (which has nothing to do with us) is an establishment magazine which carried an article called “True Reporters are Sitting Ducks” and disclosed the non-existence of investigative journalism. Daniel Schorr was being attacked and CBS was willing to sacrifice him though he was a powerful anchor person. Daniel Schorr’s statement about the media and government establishing an alliance was the death of his career as one of the top journalists in the business. Boyles did investigative journalism and found Barry Goldwater in complicity with land owners, the Mafia, and his own supp newspaper. Boyle’s limbs were blown off and be died an agonising death eleven days later, but he named names and neither his own paper nor any of the major papers would even mention the investigation, not the Los Angeles Times, none of the San Francisco Bay Area papers, not the Washington Post, not the New York Times… no one would touch it. It was covered by a small independent journal only. Even Watergate has imposed upon them by European press and a Black man who caught them red-handed in the act of the crime. The allusion to how efficient the press was in saving democracy over Watergate is highly exaggerated. The Bishop has copies of those things if you would like them for your own personal reading.
Special columnist, Guy Wright, has given public praise to Guyana in the Hearst Syndicated Press for rehabilitating young people who are leading fruitful lives and would have undoubtedly deviated to some abnormal behavior and their lives otherwise would have dissipated had they grown up in the ghetto.
Lt. Governor Dymally has been bringing various Heads of State and government leaders from the Caribbean (including Belize, Jamaica, and most recently Prime Minister Eric Gairy from Grenada) to the Temple because they are fascinated by the diverse egalitarian human service programmes that are working in our United States churches where we are giving apprentice training in carpentry, electrical engineering,
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printery, and other practical skills to prepare people for the job market. We run a nutritional food programme where we feed over 1800 people each day. Other programmes include free food and clothing distribution, the physical therapy programme with modern treatments such as jacuzzi baths, diathermy, other heat treatments, fully equipped medical facilities to give examinations with Dr. Larry Schacht on hand. Some of the Heads of State who were impressed said they wanted to duplicate this in their own country.
The Bishop is in the interior, as you are aware, and will be returning Friday or Saturday. Should you wish to speak with him, I would gratefully pass on any massage regarding an appointment. The Bishop has the profoundest respect for you and will be available should you need to see him. The Bishop assured me that you were one hundred per cent socialist; and he has never conjectured character with any degree of error in the years that I’ve known him. Thank you.
Co-operatively yours,
cde. paula adams
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[Editor’s note: The following pages are notes for the Adams letter.]
Bishop mentioned that he [Bunny Mann] would not remain in Guyana if he were transferred to such a socialist post as China. The Bishop said that I should bring that to your attention that that might be a way out of a miserable delicate situation. Bishop said he isn’t trying “to suggest policy, but he thought it should at least be brought to your attention, he did mention that in conversation. That was just an alternative, there may be other factors against that, the bishop trusts your judgement in handling affairs, all we are doing is collecting. We are not doing any instructing, he thought this should at least be mentioned because it may not be on tape, but he definitely said it.
There are several conversations which are inaudible to my ear in the several tapes, however we are sending them back to be boosted. The conversations regarding the Habib talks were not all audible to my ear, but they were critical enough
Much was missed because it was very difficult to follow but I am certain there is substance here that will show that he is not acting in the best interests of Guyana.
We have done a very amateurish job because this is not something we’ve ever done.
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Media
Daniel Schorr being attacked and cbs was willing to sacrifice him though he was a powerful anchorperson. Daniel Schorr’s statement about the media and government establishing an alliance. Harper’s revealing a very detailed information about the myth of the adversary press and another magazine. Mother Jones, which has nothing to do with us, it is an establishment magazine talking about there is no investigative journalism, “reporters (true) are sitting ducks.” Boyles did investigative journalism and found [Barry] goldwater in complicity with land owners in arizona and mafia and his own paper, his legs were blown off, his limbs were blown off and he died an agonizing death 11 days later, but he named names and his own paper nor any of the major papers, not the los angeles times, none of our bay area papers, nor Washington post, nor n.y. times, none of them even mentioned anything about this investigation, it was covered by a little independent journal and even Watergate was imposed upon them by european press and a black man who caught them red-handed. all of this to-do about how efficient the press was in saving democracy is highly exaggerated. I have copies of those things if you would like them for your own personal reading.
I will not do otherwise unless you tell me so, I am sure I can get him to talk more if I were to take a stance against the government and the P.M. and you in particularly. Even though he does say things, you can always tell by the nature of my answer I am defending the government, like where he reacts saying “You’re mad” it is obvious I am defending the government.
put my comments in there stronger.
me speaking rather than PA
this man is a fascist. he’s openly made racist statements, the mayor is on siege by this man. later we had a denial made by this man saying in writing, which we can show you, he didn’t refer to that, that he’d been misquoted saying we did fine work for the poor, we were a wonderful group, etc.
however, he has an aide who worked for the cia, we’ve been having all kinds things happen to us (subtle) and direct harassments through segments of the press and otherwise.
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vandalism that the mayor feels that he is directly responsible for it. and there is strong likelihood that he’ll be the next mayor. there is fascist swing, it is not right wing anymore, it is neo fascist. And s.f. is the most liberal city left in america and this man is obviously a Fascist and his political talks are like neo-fascism when you get him when he is not before the press the cameras
a little background of interest to shew you waht is happneig in the city. J elected chairman of housing commission. 1st time socialist has even been elected or held an office of any kind in the city down deep this can’t help but disturb him. he has an aide who is crafty in set-ups and framing, so we are expecting the worst. the coalitions say we got past in the city, we had the right of each district to elect its own supervisor. We never had that right before, all supervisors had to be elected at large which gave an undue balance to the wealthy and thus the multinationals and business elements in the community to control things in the city, now, the district elections; at least they can elect their own supervisors, that in no way represents change, even so it is a drop in the bucket, but they are not prepared for even that drop in the bucket. we have on record, from two people, one that he didn’t count on talking, that the best thing for America is blacks to be removed from this country whatever means, philipinos blacks and Indians. I suppose he mentioned blacks and Indians and philipinos because they are more interested in their rights that some other third world people. many people stood up on our behalf that he didn’t recant, but sent a letter to the s.f, council of church head, head of all of the catholic, prostetant and Jewish churches, who’s been a friend of ours, saying that “I wouldn’t hurt Reverend Jim Jones. He’s a fine man, etc. He does wonderful work for the people. We talked to the reporter who said it just as I have, but it is obvious who he is referring to (probably radical article),
? reactionary press it is going to happen.
put the [illegible word] the national newspaper publishers for the freedom of the press
for minorities and working class. this award is from the minorities and workers whoare represented by the BNNP of america — this is for an article in the chronicle they gave me their press freedom award. national convention held thurs 16 June of all black publishers and other minorites and a few white publishers with social conscience, they gave me national special press freedom award, for what he has done for minorities
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3
(give the information which is designed for the chronicle about the press freedom award to dr. reid also).
the national press freedom award for the work he has done on the rights of genuine investigative reporting because there is so little of it, the myth of the adversary press, mention harpers fit this in at this point. dan schorr, etc. and what he’s done for B peoples rights.
elected housing commission as chairman unanimously. given public praise to guyana by large columnist in the hearst syndicated press for rehabilitating young people who are leading fruitful lives who would have undoubtedly deviated to some abnormal behaviour if they had grown up in the ghetto. their lives would have disipated. special columnist guy wright. (don’t name him for chronicle), do for dr. reid
various heads of state and government leaders from the Caribbean have been received. [Calif. Lt. Gov. Mervyn] Dymally has been bringing them to the temple because they are fascinated by the various egalitarian human service programs that are working in america in our church where we are giving apprentice training, where we train in our own print shop so they can get into the job market into carpentry, electricians, the nutritional food program where we feed over 1800 in each day, the free food, free clothing distribution, the physical therapy with modem treatments such as jacuzzi baths, diathermay, heat treatment, and fully equipped medical facilities to give examinations with doctor larry schact on hand, some of the heads of state who were impressed said they wanted to duplicate this in their own country, heads of state have come from belize, representatives from Jamaica, the last one was dr. eric gairy who was invited especially by merv dymally to come to our place and view our programs.
this is the first time that we’ve ever done anything like this, but there is enough there to give substance to make grave concern about where his loyalty lies. snide remarks that he’s made even in spite of my defense regarding both dr. reid and p.m. I’d hate to imagine what he might say if i hadn’t been defensive, however I would never do that unless i was instructed by you and the bishop, because the bishop feels you are living proof that socialism can work.
send candy for fr [Father] morrison.
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Transfer him to a Chinese post. mention how much he’s losing gambling, he speculates that sirpaul jagan Makes 150,000 to 200,000 a year.
when this does come out, if this is used the repurcussions with a nan like him, i wouldn’t be at all surprised if a man like him has connections in the u.s., that type of person you can see for yourself, i wouldn’t be at all surprised if he was a double agent so i hope it can be handled as discreetly as possible, when you have verification of the tapes and you handle them (i still have the tapes, which if this attempt you can still verify the basic content), but I do hope that most discretion is used because of the repurcussions it could have on the states, because he speaks much of his admiration of the states and the friends he has in the states, and our church is under continuing danger in this. i know a man of your character and integrity, i don’t even have to say, but you know the danger that could happen to our group, that it puts our church in.
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[Handwritten note at top of page: “Mrs. Rosalyn Carter called yesterday for an appt with Bishop Jones to be held after she arrived in San Francisco.”]
got a very lovely letter in her own held.
she accepted his black son and integrated family
secretary was rude to me, bishop never asks for anything, he’s not impressed by officials, it disturbed me.
however she is than most and should be given credit for her efforts. She was one of the only persons to oppose the death penalty
B [Bishop] said that her itenerary was already planned, but she would have been most happy to make a visit to Guyana. B asked by r. carter to see him on tuesday June 21. the b. wanted to ask your opinion as to the value of improving relations with Guyana an appointment like this would make. He has only just arrived in the interior and is in no hurry to come out, but he thought that this might be an opportunity to improve relations with Guyana. B surely didn’t want to have to come out of the lovely interior to charter planes half way around the world, but he thought it would help. fortunately we’ve got her for the presidents wife and not some others. “I agree with you about institutions and personalities” from J. I felt in view of the circumstances, she is worthy of his attentions. I do like that woman. she is a presidents wife, she championed in the south integration in the churches. She was gracious about my black son. “I would have broken my back to get there if it would help the situation between Guyana and the U.S.” more understanding. he said he didn’t want the job of being the goodwill ambassador unless it is going to be effective. all i want to do is live out in the coutryside. breakdown communication is the cause pf most problems.
Thanked me for trying to get more medical facilities in Cuba to help bring more understanding and peace. That is exactly what she did. (foreign tour to bring more u & p) Slightly courageous and is trying to be egalitarian, she is a nice woman, she is lovingly concerned about people.
Don’t make an issue about miss foster, just tell dr. reid that it disturbed me. be humble. Bishop doesn’t know.
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D-1-K-23 (12)
For her to go traveling around with a black child takes a lot of ?
dont sound pollyannish.
Explain that we had a long distance call which is why we had to Make some arrangements so quickly. we had no way by commercial flight which is why he was trying to contact you to get as direct flight in.
[Handwritten addition: “She could have requested that s enator, congressman, mayort, etc., have lunch with her, but she requested the Bishop.”]
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D-1-K-17 (1)
June 29, 1977
Dear Dr. Reid,
We have been offered a deal by one Mohanmed Bacchus for 3.25 Guyana per U.S. dollar with an initial exchange of U.S. $100,000. Bacchus and his brother are very critical of our Guyana governmental policy, making statements such as, “there is no money available to continue the railroad yet all of the manganese, bauxite, etc. was nationalised.” We always defend our government here in Guyana to apparent little avail. We surely could have used the $69,000 extra in our cooperative. They even want to consider exchanging U.S $500,000 which would mean nearly $350,000 extra for cur project and, Dr Reid, we have problems meeting the needed budget because we have not one dime of outside funding. However, we would not dream of doing one illegal or unethical thing! Apparently Bacchus and his brother are planning prolonged vacations in India and eventual resettlement abroad. We have no recorders in the interior but will get one to verify this whole disgusting treasonous Bacchus scheme unless otherwise notified by you our leader. Because of pressure on us to do an excellent job here, we would like to ask for the option on getting the Bacchus sawmill and farm with, of course, our assurance that all profits will go directly into the non-profit agriculture project we’ve established.
We do not want to burden you with the infamous acts of treason we encounter but they asked us to do this illegal act and our love for you and socialist Guyana requires that we bring it to your attention at least! We are with you all the way! We will purchase another recorder for the interior to prove our allegations unless you notify us otherwise. It is so depressing to witness such ungrateful deed as Bacchus but we’ll keep monitoring as long as you witn [likely “wish”]. Obviously if Bacchus can speak of sending one half million U.S. dollars abroad, his operation is very productive and thus, we urgently need such a paying program to enable us to build a model community here, and we would purchase any property cooperatively! Furthermore, none of us have personal ambition. Hope to see you for a few minutes on another matter of interest when I get back to the Capital. We are cutting ourselves to minimal provision to make this project a model for Guyana and we are proud to say Guyana Airways Corporation wants to show our project to all tourists as a classic example of socialist progress. That makes us feel so very happy and useful. Our only desire is to see your dream of egalitarian socialism succeed to the ultimate in our lovely new home. Of course, we also, admittedly, have the enlightened self-interest of wanting to live next to commit to socialist neighbors. We came too far and expended too much in time and money to end up in the sane corrupt mess we left. Therefore we pledge our lives to help you form Guyana into an ideal socialist state.
Cooperatively yours
P.S. I have asked one of ay secretaries to deliver this for me as I plan to be in the interior until Wednesday.
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D-1-K-24 (3)
[Letter on Peoples Temple letterhead]
(p style=”font-weight: 400;; text-align: right;”>P.0. Box 15023
San Francisco, CA 94115
27 June 1977
Dr. Ptolemy Reid
Deputy Prime Minister
Government Buildings
Brickdam, Georgetown
GUYANA, S.A.
Dear Dr. Reid:
I am writing as a staff member of Bishop Jones’ church who has come to hold you in very high esteem. Bishop Jones speaks often of you, in terms of the very strong moral leadership you are exercizing in Guyana.
I was reflecting on the very recent visit to your nation by Lt. Governor Mervyn Dymally of California, who accompanied Rev. Jones to the church’s project. You may be aware that Mr. Dymally was recently totally exonerated of charges of wrongdoing in his political career. However, our media played a critical role here in California in making it appear, through biased and sensational press coverage, that Mr. Dymally was involved in improper activity. Anyone reading these accounts would have been strongly persuaded of his guilt. His image was tarnished, even though the charges have been proven totally false and groundless.
My point is that many journalists here in the United States do not always present matters reliably. Distortion, innuendo, and misquotation, as well as “facts” presented out of context, are common features of news stories that seek to deliberately manipulate public opinion. Another example of this concerns our United Nations Ambassador, Andrew Young, who, perhaps more than any other public personality in the United States, has been the object of this sort of coverage in recent weeks. Statements he has made have been misquoted and twisted to the extent of making it seem that he actually considered the murder of his very close friend, Dr. Martin Luther King, a “blessing.” This is only one example of how Ambassador Young has been victimized by the press. Young said in an interview in the Los Angeles Times that the press “was trying to invent somebody that’s not me.”
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D-1-K-24 (4)
There is considerable evidence that a host of black elected officials, as well as civil rights and progressive leaders, are undergoing a form of victimization similar to what Ambassador Young and Lt. Governor Dymally have experienced. It has been, interestingly and significantly, those individuals who have had the most forward-looking things to say about furthering harmonious relations, especially with Third World nations, who have been the objects of this sort of abuse verging on character assassination.
I do not know to what extent this unfortunate phenomenon has influenced opinion outside of the United States. It would be distressing, however, if this sort of thing were in any way to cause misunderstanding or ill-will.
I think we are at a crucial stage in international relations, and I hope that, in the interests of promoting understanding, you do not object to my sharing these reflections with you.
Let me close by reiterating my profound respect for the leadership and progress you have brought to Guyana, and the help you have given to Bishop Jones and his staff in making the project in Port Kaituma/Jonestown a successful one.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ Richard Tropp
Prof. RICHARD D. TROPP
Executive Assistant to Bishop Jim Jones
Enclosure
(P.S. You might be interested in reviewing Lt. Governor Dymally’s article, giving a personal view of his experiences with this problem.)
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D-1-K-24 (5) & (6), (7) & (8), (9) & (10), and (11) & (12) are duplicates of letter
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D-1-K-24 (13) – (15), (16) – (18), (19) – (21), (22)- (24)
[Copies of column from Sacramento Bee, November 3, 1976]
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D-1-K-16 (1)
1 July 1977
Dear Dr. Reid,
It is with deep regret that I have to say that from my perspective, you are surrounded with elements counter to your own deep commitment to equalitarianism. For an example, the person I have in mind, Joe Lambert. Air Jamaica said that they wanted a higher price for the single charter, but apparently it was all a ruse, because they are giving us the same cost per person for one as for two. Then, we had to wait for their response. When it finally case, Mr. Lambert gave us a deadline which we could not possibly meet in time to move our people. After giving us the deadline, Mt. Lambert wasn’t even willing to wait for a report back from you about whether a TV documentary that might be done, would benefit Guyana. He was not willing to wait to get a response from you because he wanted to uphold his image with the business world. Now, he doesn’t want to do business with us any longer. It is alright. We’ll manage, but it just doesn’t go right. We’re used to them kinds of negotiations.
In the first place, we asked for the eighth, and Mr. Lambert gave us the seventh. Originally, he said that we’d have to go before the end of June, or we would have to wait until September. This was another manipulation. We’re just following your instructions to let you know how things are going in bringing our people here. We just want to work and to serve. If we don’t use his airlines and use his boat, he said that we would have to pay $1000 commission which we told you about already. He alluded to this again.
If it were not for you Dr. Reid and your commitment, I would give this whole thing up. I‘m right now in the interior, working and enjoying It. I love the interior, I will hate to leave as I would like to stay and work in the interior at the agricultural project for the rest of my life.
So many people talk democracy but you practice it. We couldn’t make it without you. One example again, is Lambert saying that he appreciated what we were doing and he understood that the documentary would be important to both countries, but that he would have to maintain his image with the airlines. He was afraid that he looked stupid. We have put up 6 new houses this week. When talking about the interior, I think that you would be impressed with what we’re doing. I do need to talk to you sometime this week about the prospect of the documentary and how it will be helpful to Guyana. A syndicated reporter has been impressed with Guyana for extending herself to American youth who have been turned on to life again, after leaving the asphalt jungle of the city. This is the PR approach we have taken back there, as well as the beautiful retirement center for our seniors, this has brought more good feelings of Guyana than all of the articles we have written about Guyana and its developmental program. It might affect the approval of at least this project. It has brought a lot of good PR for Guyana. As I mentioned, there is one columnist back in the US who appreciates it. He says that it has turned him on to living when the ghettos are turning the youth off. We don’t want this mentioned.
We don’t want anything to hurt this project. It would be like some unsavory person to hurt this good will. Some tines you wonder if some people wouldn’t. We can verify everything that is said, but we don’t want anything mentioned because we don’t want someone to hurt our good intentions.
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D-1-K-16 (2)
In solidarity.
P.S. On balance, we want to say that Mr. Lambert, when we called back again, apologised for being too business minded and offered assistance for any transportation needed, that we could select through his office any time in the future. However, we are sending the letter anyway because his words seem as tangible as the weather. I don’t want to worry about such situations because we are learning rapidly to overcome such obstacles. I would like to arrange a meeting with you late Monday evening because I have to go out early Tuesday morning to discuss overall planning, particularly in reference to a serious situation in regards to our secretary’s project. One of our secretaries will be bringing this to you. The 3:00 p.m. deadline was impossible because we had not been able to talk with you about this documentary and I was sure that you would be enthused.
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D-1-K-15
Dear Dr. Reid,
I am interested in keeping communications open, and always conferring with you. I wanted to speak to you about an important matter that Paula Adams has been doing that directly affects you. I hope to travel in from the interior on Friday, so that I could meet with you on Saturday, although my health enters into the picture here. The advisability of my traveling is questionable with my temperature and ear infection. There are other problems that we can discuss, of course, but the most important is the work that relates directly to you. There is something that affects you, as a result of this same secretary’s work, which is very serious.
Also, be careful of being approached by an attorney’s wife, as she is of questionable nature. She is not of Apostolic nature and has had connections with the CIA.
Cooperatively yours,
/s/ Jim Jones
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D-1-L-12
8 July 1977
Honourable Dr. Reid,
The advice of my own medical people and the medical people they have consulted with, both in Guyana and in the US, is for me not to travel now with my ear infection and my temperature. I will be calling you next week to set up another appointment, just as soon as the medical people are satisfied that I can travel out and back. The situation I need to talk to you about is of importance, though it can wait. Don’t have any meeting in private with the man that Paula Adams is involved with until I can meet with you first. By that, I mean a private meeting alone with the man, as it could involve your personal safety. This is based on an actual comment by Miss Adams.
As a bit of good news for you, the Health Minister has licensed one of our professional medical people [illegible word] of the necessary [illegible word] needed by the people of the Northwest Region.
We would like to welcome you to come and see everyone and be a guest in our project. I know you are a busy man, so feel no pressure about coming, but I would like to extend the invitation if you would like to see it. We would be more than willing to welcome you. If you come, there would be time to converse but don’t worry about the appointment because I will always calling you to set up another one when I’m free to travel and to come into town. There is no problem, and I’ll be glad to make another appointment then. I am just extending an invitation so that any time you are in the area, you would feel free to stop in. There is no pressuring for you to come by, but if you are in the area, please feel welcome. I know how busy you are, so the invitation is left open for you.
Cooperatively yours,
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D-1-K-13
12 July 1977
Dear Dr. Reid,
I would like to set up an appointment with you for Thursday afternoon or evening this week. There is still a problem with my ear infection but since our boat has already been scheduled to travel from the interior to gather essential supplies, I’m going to set up my plans to travel by boat to save the extra expense of plane fare. The boat will leave Port Kaituma the morning of Wednesday, 13 July, and will be arriving around 11 AM on Thursday, assuming there is no delay in crossing the ocean.
You will be pleased to know that, in the last few evenings, we have spoken to at least 200 ham radio operators, and we have been spreading goodwill for Guyana and exchanging QSL.
Cooperatively yours,
/s/ Jim Jones
[Handwritten notation at bottom of page: “’ Dr. Reid’s eyes only’ in caps, both envelopes – Brown typewriter”]
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D-1-K-18 (1)
8 July 1977
Dear Dr. Reid,
The advice of my own medical people and the medical people they have consulted with, both in Guyana and in the US, is for me not to travel now with my ear infection and my temperature. I will be calling you next week to set up another appointment, just as soon as the medical people are satisfied that I can travel out and back. The situation I need to talk to you about is of importance, though it can wait. Don’t have any meeting in private with the man that Paula Adams is involved with until I can meet with you first. By that, I mean a private meeting alone with the man, as it could involve your personal safety. This is based on an actual comment made by Miss Adams.
As a bit of good news, the Health Minister has licensed one of our professional medical people to do all of the necessary inoculations needed by the people in the Northwest Region.
We would like to welcome you to come and see everyone and be a guest at our project. I know that you are a busy man, so feel no pressure about coming, but I would like to extend the invitation if you would like to see it. We would be more than willing to welcome you. If you came, there would be time to converse but don’t worry about the appointment because I will gladly call you to set up another one when I’m free to travel and to come into town. There is no problem, and I’ll be glad to make another appointment then. I am just extending an invitation so that any time you are in the area you would feel free to stop in. There is no pressuring you to come by, but if you are in the area, please feel welcome. I know how busy you are, so the invitation is left open for you.
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D-1-K-21
[Editor’s note: This page duplicates D-1-K-18 (1)]
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D-1-K-19 (1) – K-19 (2)
[Editor’s note: These two pages an early draft of the letter from the previous page at D-1-K-18 (1).]
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D-1-K-19 (3)
Handwritten note: “Debbie – Seal after proofing (and keep carbon).
“Laura
“Terri has blue copy”
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D-1-L-17 (1)
For Dr. Reid’s Eyes Only
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D-1-L-17 (2)
20 August, 1977
Dear Dr. Reid:
Something has been brought to our attention, a matter which is of some concern to us and I wanted to come directly to you so that you can be apprised of it right away.
This past week a Corporal Joseph, employed, I believe, as an Inspector at the Immigration Office, Brickdam Station, has been asking some of our members who have been processed there some questions. A few of the questions have caused a great deal of apprehension among members. This is the first time such questioning has occurred. I am going to list some of the questions he asked and respond to you on each point for your own information. We are not objecting to the questions but just passing the information on to you.
He asked some if we had a headquarters in any other country. Of course, we are located here and in the United States, and that is all. He said to one of our members that he wanted to know what our problems are now and what they have been in the past, and the more secretive we try to be the worse it will be for us. He then said he wasn’t even supposed to tell us that, and if we weren’t honest it could mean the fall of the organization. This is the commentary that disturbed our people! It seemed rather intimidating. Obviously we are honest and we will always be honest. We are fully prepared to die for Guyana and that commitment was made when relations were almost broken between our beautiful adopted land and the U.S.A.
The implication that we are secretive was totally unfounded, as guests come to our project all the time. This week, just to mention a few guests, 60 students visited the farm one day, the headmaster of the Kaituma school and his wife and family visited another day, several representatives of the Ministry of Education dropped in and talked about mutual concerns in education, and the wife of the Ambassador to the United Nations brought us a child whom we are adopting. The child suffered from gross malnutrition due to the child’s family simply not knowing proper dietary methods. Already the child is doing extremely well. The wife of the Ambassador gave us the child to adopt and we have also adopted several other Guyanese children. At any rate, you can see that the question in the Immigration Office was absurd. Our members speak to guests very spontaneously, and we never know who will be coming up in a land rover or truck next these days. We are very pleased to welcome guests anytime and everyone gets excited at the prospect of visitors.
Another question asked was about peoples’ views on capitalism and socialism. This question is highly relevant and we have no difficulty in answering it. He also asked how much money members made, who paid their way, and how many people lived in their houses. We failed to see exactly how this was germane to their coming, as they plainly state on their immigration forms that they have come to work on the Peoples Temple Agricultural Project. Although again we do not object to answering them. The Temple does assume all transportation costs.
Finally, be submitted to one of our workers a list of people who have come and gone from Guyana. He wanted to know when and why these people left and where
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D-1-L-17 (3)
they are now. He further stated not to lie about it because they could check it out with the States. This seemed insulting to the people interviewed. It is elementary that we would always be completely forthright and absolutely honest.
The following is the list he asked us about and some background on each. Members are of course free to visit here and return to the U.S. to fulfill their personal obligations there. Some even like to return to see close ones.
Don Beck – He is an engineer and educator who came in and out because he had vacation time away from his job. He wants to return here as soon as his other commitments are completed.
Archie Ijames – He is a professional building contractor who went back to help with construction projects for the church back in the United States. He also wants to return when he has completed work back there.
Gene Chaikin – He is a successful lawyer, a public defender and part owner of a small savings and loan company. He has come and gone because of various work responsibilities, but will be coning to take up permanent residency here soon. He is also very skilled in agriculture. His wife is a highly trained medical person also.
Sandy Bradshaw – She is a successful social worker, and she will be moving here also. She is a white woman married to a black artist and educator. She just went back to the U.S. to lend some of her expertise to setting up counseling programs in conjunction with our school, but certainly will be coming back to live with her husband permanently in her adopted land. The others he mentioned all intend to come to Guyana and be a part of the program here, with one possible exception whom I think I have mentioned to you alone. Thus, all returned to fulfill various personal obligations, with the exception of Les Matheson. We have some question of his being an advantage to this country because he is not a committed socialist, and we will always report to you any behavior that would be in any way detrimental to this country.
We have already brought to your attention Mrs. Timothy (Grace) Stoen, who has associations which many people of the left know to be right wing connections, one quite likely CIA. One man by the name of Mazor who has a criminal record as a felon, according to a black editor friend of one prominent lawyer. He is connected with Grace Stoen. We are a little concerned that Grace Stoen has been attempting to intimidate Tim Stoen. One of the leading respected attorneys of the left in the U.S., Charles Garry, frankly questions his commitment to socialism. Grace Stoen has made attempts to threaten and lie on different ones if they did not do what she wanted. Thus, if Tim were to come back to Guyana, we should like to be posted, and we’ll post you of anything further we ascertain about him. Overtly he has not shown any patterns to us, but we have heard back there that he has made statements against socialism and Guyana. We have asked those, both inside and outside of our church, to send affidavits to you to this effect. Les Mathison and Tim Stoen are the two people that should be watched. If Tim Stoen were to come back, we should be contacted, although we might know anyway. We will contact you if his loyalties are not absolutely certain, because our first loyalty is absolutely to Guyana. This loyalty is above our church and above everything else. Naturally we are strongly loyal to each other out of a common bond of ethical humanistic values. We had to have complete solidarity to survive in the States. However, we are Guyanese and Socialists first.
We also want you to be aware of the following few people out of our large parish who we have found to be of questionable intent, with regard to socialism and Guyana. They are David Wise, Ruth Kerns, Liz Forman, Jim Cobb, Mickey Touchette, Terri Cobb, Elmer and Deanna Mertle, Richard Cordell, Jack Arnold
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D-1-L-17 (4)
and Cindy Beam, Marvin Swinney, Birdie Marable, and – I think that is all. It is certain the Mertles have right wing, reactionary connections.
There is also a family, the Hallinan’s, who have a strong connection with the left, but one of them has an affiliation with Tim Stoen that some attorneys close to us have questions about. Therefore, any time a Hallinan might come in, our opinion might be helpful. We will know more about that subject later.
We will bring you none that are not loyal and willing to work. I can’t say too often that we are completely loyal to socialism and to you. Certainly we have always paid the way of those who wanted to return. Les, when we found he was not being constructive to the country, was provided his fare back. We did not make our decision to join Guyana lightly, and others realize how serious we are. In fact, our decision was made in the face of warnings that we would get a reaction.
Finally, we wanted to know if we are to explain in this kind of detail the responses to the questions posed or will giving you the full background as we know it suffice? We want to be helpful and we don’t want to over-tax the departments which have been receiving us. We do not know the significance of the questions and were somewhat worried as to whether this was some sort of new governmental formality or whether serious questions about us were being raised by some non-socialist element. The questions have almost entirely cane from just this one individual.
I am sorry to have taken up so much of your precious time. The agriculture project continues to progress and we now have approximately 500 living in our community here. We hope you will have a moment to visit us here someday, but we certainly understand your incredibly demanding schedule. Incidentally, some of our technically trained teachers have been asked to participate in the beautiful Port Kaituma cooperative school.
Cooperatively yours,
/s/ Jim Jones
[Editor’s note: The signature was not in Jim Jones’ handwriting.]
ADDENDUM
It seems I can never get a letter off to you that other things don’t immediately come up. I’ve just learned about the latest developments at the Immigration Office. Saturday morning when our people went in, Dr. Baird, the Chief Medical Officer, was there, with his files on our people, and he and Inspectors Thorne and George sat in as Corporal Joseph told one of our workers that we had violated some laws by 1) not getting our medical work (VDRL, X-rays, and specimens) done in the U.S. before arriving; 2) not having all our people cleared through the Guyana Consulate in New York before leaving the U.S., and 3) not having all our people cleared by the Home Affairs Ministry before their entering Guyana.
On reflection, we figure the problem was not too serious or they would not have processed those people in the office. However, Corporal Joseph thoroughly alarmed and hurt our people by saying that our so-called violations of these laws could result in our entire group having to leave immediately. He said the situation was very very very serious.
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D-1-L-17 (5)
We don’t know what the problem actually is. We did try to get some x-rays done, and some tests, in the States, but there are a limited number of places to get this done, and it is impossible to do it and get results for Guyana without calling attention to our move here. We have done everything we could not to call attention to this move, since the whole press reaction against us (Peoples Temple and Guyana) as you know, has not been very positive, The press, which has absolutely no conviction, has depicted Guyana as a dismal banana republic, mosquito-ridden, full of people who “steal you blind,” and so on. The press that launched the attack against us is the same one, you know that hit President Carter and Andrew Young.
So we understood that we had clearance to get the medical work done here per the Ministry of Health, to the best of my recollection, though the person who probably arranged this is not available right now. In addition, Dr. Green himself told our medical coordinator that we could avoid a bottleneck in Georgetown by letting some go through without x-rays, and then they could return later at a more convenient time. As far as the blood work and analyses go, we would be glad to do these in the interior if necessary. We have a high level of care for our people because we have many people in the medical field with us and we’re getting medical equipment including a microscope which will enable us to do analyses, etc.
Corporal Joseph also asked about a certain man who has been seen with some of our people, and Mr. Hoosain – I’d have to check on the spelling – who has been doing some real estate work for us. As we explained previously, we are looking for a cooperative garage arrangement where our mechanics can be useful in Georgetown,
We are always happy to reaffirm our complete loyalty to socialism and to you. We didn’t make our decision to come to Guyana lightly, and others are taking us seriously as well. For example, Lt. Governor Dymally wants to build a school here. A lot of people have admired us for coming here, and despite the widespread bigotry at the grass roots level, government leaders have praised our move – an act of courage on their part considering the climate at the grass roots level. So, the press has wanted to put Guyana in the worst light. We have not received any criticism from anyone in any level of government, either local, state or national. And we have not received any hate mail either, which shows that the grass roots is not only bigoted, it is also apathetic. Others, like the President and his wife, see the press for what it is. On our part, we have more support as a group from the left than any other group in the States. Our influence has changed people who formerly had spoken against Guyana; now they have learned to respect it. Even black people who were prejudiced against Guyana have changed their views.
But back to the immigration situation. We have been treated cordially all along, and Comrade Minister Mingo has been especially helpful. We do not mind being questioned – in fact we prefer to be an open book at all times. We will be totally honest in all our dealings. But when we chose this way of life, and took on voluntarily all the risks we knew to be entailed, it is a blow to be told we could all be deported immediately.
Then, today, I received a letter from the Ministry of Agriculture asking about those who had gone on into the interior without x-rays. And another question at Immigration was why did we have people in town when they are registered to the interior. The answer of course is partly that we are doing as you suggested through Cde. Coddette, looking for the garage facilities, and we are getting supplies and conducting the other details of keeping our project going on the administrative end.
This is about all. I’m so sorry to take up more of your time, and I hope that all goes well with you.
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D-1-M-24 (1) – M-24 (4)
[This letter is a duplicate of D-1-L-17 (2) – L-17 (5)]
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D-1-M-18 (1)
Dear Dr. Reid:
Regardlng the foreign currency exchange offered us by Mr. Bacchus (the nan who owns the sawmill at Waini River), we now have a letter in writing from him asking us for the exchange of Guyanese money to $150,000 American money. Per your request, we are informing you about this situation and would like to some instructions or advise from you concerning this.
Concerning the situation of Bishop Jones’ son. John; we wanted to give you a little further background. Bishop Jones and his wife have reared John for three years. His wife, Marceline Jones, was in full support of this procedure. Mrs. Jones was a high official with a good income, and did not have to accept this situation if she was not fully behind it from the beginning. A letter of her support will be coming to you iron her. This is the only case of such a situation in our group. It was only after much discussion and mistaken idealism that our board and the Bishop’s wife asked Jim Jones to prevent Grace from going out and betraying our group. This has never happened with anyone ever again.
Several people have come out to see-our farm lately. Mrs. Alexander, Mr. Whlte, Mr. Lambert, and I think a Mr. Hyatt were out recently, and were impressed with the use of Guyanese texts in the school room. They were impressed with the classes, the educational word games, and things made from our own wood. They spoke well of our housing situation, as they saw many couples’ and singles’ residence inside and cut, as well as our dorms for boys and girls. They were impressed with our abundance of food when they came unexpected at the dining hour. They gave no announcement of their coming, and we were glad. They wanted to see the pits – in fact, Bishop Jones brought it up. Bishop Jones showed then the machine dug garbage pits, and told them about two officials who were concerned about it days before. We wanted to wait until Minister Carmichael came out to look at the pits before burying them. ee told our guests about our new hospital that we are planning to build. They toured our laboratory facilities and our nursing station. We showed them our $3,000 microscope, our white blood cell counter and a new machine used to detect rare eye diseases. Our guests saw our children’s playground equipment all made by hand. They were quite interested in our modern furniture also made by hand, as good as that which is found on the market, and even better than most. The furniture is made by all wood with no nails. Our
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pottery and clothing making also impressed then. No honest person could not have helped [but] be very impressed.
We have delegations all day every day coming in, but some of them could have caused less room for questions, particularly one official, a highly trained professional person who claimed to be a representative for one of the government ministries. He asked several strange questions that are still bothering us. He asked us what we would do if a more extreme Leninist-Marxist government took over and we were asked to leave. We said we would die first. We are pledged to this government’s right to exist, and having been through much persecution, death holds no weight with us these days. We will take the information of what was spoken to us and present it to you if you request it.
Another interestingly bizarre experience is that of a middle aged white North American nan who found his way up the road to our door with no one knowing about him. He told the police he was a friend of ours, but upon being questioned later by police while he was detained, he said he did not know us. He claimed to be alone on foot but peculiarly got all the way from Port Kaituma to our houses without even any dust on his clothes (who drove him?). Power equipment was stolen from the other side of our farm, equipment worth approximately $20,000. Part of the equipment was vital in our building such as power saws and lathes. Electric typewriters were taken, and even the shoes off the porches (because we never wear shoes inside our houses as is the custom in this country). The police said this incident coincided with the North American there who said he was Guyanese, but who’s [whose] voice gave way in the midst of his conversation revealing he was not Guyanese. The police told us they found it conclusive that some equipment that was sold by this nan was our equipment. The one question this man asked there was, “who is John?” Conspiracy is what this all seems to link to.
We have recently had two delegations visit, both of which had members of the opposition party in them who were out to get us. However, all were very impressed with what they saw we were accomplishing on the farm, and went away with a good feeling.
Bishop Jones considers you the finest Socialist he’s ever met, as you have an infinitely deep commitment. He holds you in the highest esteem.
Cooperatively,
/s/ Paula Adams
Paula Adams
Confidential Secretary to Bishop Jones
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A couple of interesting situations occurred out of this natter. She tried to get In contact with Minister Mingo immediately when this situation came up to ask that the man return and investigate more thoroughly, including looking into the pit. She could not locate him, therefore she tried Mr. Coddette. When he was not available she tried Minister Wills (who incidentally called my secretaries into his office a couple of times while you were out of town. When she could not get in touch with Minister Wills, she contacted Minister Kennard. Minister Kennard called both Minister Mingo and Police Commissioner Barker to find out if they were informed about the matter. I do not want to burden you with details, but it was rather interesting what she found out. The following are the various responses she received!
Minister Kennard: Said he didn’t know anything about the investigation, but said that Padmore was a policeman.
Minister Mingo: Said that he did not know anything about an investigation and that he had contacted Special Branch and they didn’t know anything about it, however, the C.I.D. could possibly be investigating, and he would not necessarily know.
Minister Wills: He said that Mr. Mentore from “Special Branch” had ordered the investigation because they were aware that a Dick McCoy, who is known to be C.I.A., was going to visit the farm, Tuesday (today). He said that they could [several words overtyped] investigated the farm, taking pictures and found nothing to be suspicious. However, why was this man so hostile and cold to our people, if it were only to protect Guyana and Peoples Temple?
Police Commissioner Barker: He knew nothing of any investigation.
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The point of contacting these people was simply to get to the bottom of this thing, but instead it seems to become more confusing. We did not like the approach of this man, Padmore. We will, at any time, show you every nook and cranny of the farm. The coldness of Padmore we cannot understand. We fight fascists in U.S. and this kind of thing would be expected. The reactionary press in Northern California is trying to whip up a frenzy. They tried to make something out of my having lunch with Mrs. Carter when we dined for an hour and a half, when in fact, we simply had lunch. They have tried to same tactics on us that they have tried on Andrew Young. Even moderates (in addition to the liberals, progressives, and socialists) said there are efforts to destroy us because of the paranoia of reactionaries about any group, even if it is non-violent working within the society. We are too much of a threat. The Press DEmocrat, part of a newspaper chain going through Northern California, wants to do an article about a substantiated conspiracy to destroy our organisation. The New York Times wants to do an article on this same theme.
A rally in our benefit was held over the weekend with spokespersons Angela Davis, Caesar Chaves, and representatives of the Black Legislative Caucus of Northern California speaking on our behalf to a crowd of 3,000. The Black Legislative Caucus also spoke on our behalf at a convention. The conspiracy is obvious to socialists and the left who have been supportive of our innocence in the face of these lies. We have gotten encouraging support from other Third World countries and the Soviet Union who also acknowledged the harassment that we are receiving because of our stand for socialist Guyana. People were turned off to Guyana until wr spoke so such about it. The President of the Black National Newspaper Publishers Association has shown an interest in what the leadership of Guyana is achieving. We have been able to create more goodwill for Guyana than the reactionary press has been able to turn against.
We have a program weekly where we distribute things which are in short supply in that area. Over this past weekend, we gave out thousands of pounds of rice, hundreds of pounds of fish and plantain.
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When they say, ‘”Thank you.” We say, “Thank the government, because if it wasn’t for them, this project wouldn’t have been possible.”
I have always the highest regard for your socialist commitment and although I have complete faith in your word that our people were accepted, we need new affination of our continued welcome in Guyana. Our primary concern is that there are 500 of our best professional and technical people still to come. They were the high wage earners who stayed back and who will be invaluable skilled assets to this country which suffers from a brain drain. We hope to replace the skilled who were allured by material benefits. We appreciate the qualities of being on the soil, good neighbours, racial harmony and a socialist economy, and we don’t have to have those creature comforts because we’ve seen that they are empty as far as esoterism. We want assurances that they will be able to come in the next couple of months or earlier if there is some kind of extremist or reactionary situation. They are the best of the lot in training and expertise. People are being trained specifically in tropical medicine. All of the skills of these people who stayed back to help support the project will help Guyana beneficially. They are people who can appreciate this country and the nation’s course. I send you my deepest respect and we will be awaiting your response.
[Note at bottom of page] I have something that you would definitely want to hear. It is in the care of my secretary, Paula Adams, who you might call at your earliest convenience.
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D-1-M-22 (1)
Dear Dr. Reid:
We were relieved to speak to you and get an assurance that Bishop Jones’ son would not be drug through a court battle over custody in Guyana. If she would have gotten her way, all kinds of fascist behavior would have followed. Once the woman is refused, there won’t be any of these kind of custody battles.
She obviously has a large sun of reactionary money behind her. Bishop Jones set up a savings for the child. She, at a later time, was openly bragging about spending it on herself. We have affidavits that you can see of people inside the church and one not very close to the church about this woman’s stealing church money. Now that this thing has come up and they have seen her evil, they felt guilty and told of her spending church money on them on many occasions. On one occasion, an adult woman lifted up a mattress and found $5,000 of the church’s money. She didn’t talk about it because she got $350 of it for herself, but she has now signed an affidavit and a copy has been sent there for you from the interior. She wouldn’t live with her conscience when she heard what the woman put in the newspaper, in one magazine, and television.
They could interview this child (John) for yourself. He has some nightmares to tell. He couldn’t cry all night because he had to be presented to Mr. McCoy who visited the farm the other day. Mr. McCoy was very nice. The child somehow concluded that he might have to go back and live with her. He said to the Bishop yesterday morning in tears that he would rather die than do that. He has never talked about dying these last few years. The only other time was years ago, when he was living with her. We were all afraid for the child as he was showing manifestations of being devastated – a twitch in his eye, stuttering, loss of appetite, etc. It was then that the Bishop started caring for John. She was very relieved that the Bishop started taking care of him and never cane around him. She tried to blackmail Bishop Jones. When the Bishop refused to give into her blackmail, she started running around with men. The child can tell you or anyone can interview him.
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Page 2
The child can tell how she locked him in the garage on different occasions while she went into her bedroom with this racist white man who is also in the articles. She threatened to kill the child if he told on her. (This has been so much pain to Bishop Jones that his heart seems to be affected by it.) Another time, the child spoke up for Bishop Jones. She said something very cruel and cursed the Bishop out in front of the child. Then she told the child in a very threatening manner that she and Smitty were going to put a bomb under the church and blow up [overstruck words] him, we’ll blow you up too. She said that to the child!
Toward the end of living with this woman, she would shake him unmercifully for nothing in front of the whole congregation. At times it would seem as if his neck were going to break. Someone asked her why she did that to the child and she replied, “He reminds we so much of Jim (Jones).” The child has been living with the Bishop and his wife for over two years, closer to three, since he’s spent most of his tine in Guyana over the last year to be with the child, and of course the project.
The Bishop went to every degree to keep this child in his life. The Bishop gave her a round trip ticket a few months ago to come and see him and offered it several times, but couldn’t get her to come around and get it. This was a year ago this month. She took the ticket, and we even offered her another ticket so that she wouldn’t have to come alone, since at that time, she was supposedly afraid of this socialist country and afraid of the people of Guyaan. Her racism has become very blatant. She has already returned to live with her racist reactionary parents. And, of course, that makes many of our people very paranoid that she would now feel brazen enough to come in here. It must be that she has powerful backing because she spent the $5,000 she stole from the church and the $4,000 that was put in the child’s account (by her own statement). Her family is influential in reactionary circles, but a very, very modest means. She did take the tickets under false pretenses of visiting the child in Guyana a year ago and cashed then in. The airline company can verify that.
The Bishop has had many many sleepless nights of torture over this matter. He said he cannot live with the thought of sending the child back to someone who hates him so much and is only using the child as a tool probably (according to Mazor, who is a criminal with a 75 page history of unscrupulous illegal activities which is now at the Washington Embassy). Mazor’s criminal records
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Page 3
were provided for us through many lawyers by the request of church leaders who support us of many different faiths.
This is the only case which Bishop Jones or anyone in our entire congregation ever took on in all of the years of his marriage. It was done out of what appeared to be the gravest necessity at the time. Mrs. Jones recommended it to be done and through mistaken idealism on the part of the Board, Bishop Jones hoped that there might also be some chance of changing a sick personality. The entire congregation knows about the child and are writing a statement about how they feel toward the Bishop and his son. They understood perfectly what kind of trouble she would have stirred up at that time if he had not yielded to the Board’s advice.
Mr. Dick McCoy from the U.S. Embassy came out to our farm on Tuesday. Obviously the Bishop did not go into the background of the child with McCoy. However, he said that Joseph Mazor, the criminal who is orchestrating this whole thing is behind this situation, even though the child is here with legal documents. It was immaterial with McCoy; he had no interest in custody matters with the U.S. government.
McCoy also mentioned the problem Guyana was having with Venezuela and we told him that we were behind Guyana to the very last person. We thought McCoy was decisive in that he told the bishop that you and Minister Wills were embarrassed by the smear campaign by the few reactionary right-wing media sources in California. We felt that his motivation was purely to attempt to divide our loyalties through divisiveness. However, we know your stance for socialist principle well enough that we did not listen to such nonsense. We did want to inform you of the types of tactics they use.
We just got a call from Steve Narine from the Guyana Chronicle who said that Mohammed Hamaludin wanted to do an interview with the bishop or myself if he were not available for Reuters International News Service. I have referred the matter on to Mortimer Coddette because the last time we took Cde. Coddette’s advice and told the media that we did not want to hold an interview; that is exactly what they printed. “Peoples Temple declined interview.” Cde. Hamaludin has a very good concept of socialism as far as I can tell, and if such an interview would squash some of the curiosity centered around the farm, we would do it. But only on your advice. The New York Times will be coming out with an expose on this
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Page 444
right-wing conspired attempt to discredit the name of socialism within days.
Thank you for your kind attention. The Bishop has no greater confidence in any man’s dedication to socialism that yours and I respect the Bishop’s opinion greater than any man alive.
Cooperatively yours,
/s/ Paula Adams
Paula Adams
Confidential Secretary to Bishop Jim Jones
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[Handwritten notation: “Dr. Reid“]
Note: To explain more thoroughly; I received the following report from my Georgetown secretary.
A situation coming to our attention has given many of our members a great deal of apprehension. A man, Mr. Padmore, came to our farm at Port Kaituma stating that he was sent from the Ministry of Home Affairs in Georgetown, to further investigate the report about vital tools missing from our farm. This was all a ruse. The man wandered off by himself leaving the two policemen from Matthews Ridge that he was accompanying to investigate the tools. He wandered around the farm and stopped about 60 feet from a large pit which was dug by our backhoe used for garbage. Padmore then gathered some of our people together along with himself to have a picture taken standing in front of the pit. The man had no apparent reason for having this picture taken. He also had another photograph taken of our radio antenna. The man was cold and unfriendly – just the opposite to the accompanying policemen from Matthews Ridge. With all of the beautiful aspects of our farm and the amount of development that has been going on from reactionary elements in the northern part of California, it makes us more than a little paranoid. We were told that there would be a man coming out to look for a “hand-dug pit” two days before this man actually came, but we couldn’t believe such intrigue would take place. Isaac Lambert said to one of our people (off the record) that this inquiry was directed by the Prime Minister. We don’t believe this, but we are just telling you what was said. We will always tell you what is going on. Lambert said that Regional Minister Fitz Carmichael told him that he had ordered the inquiry about the pit because the Prime Minister was upset about it and “he didn’t believe that should be done to anyone, black or white.” We couldn’t agree more, but we find it questionable that it came from the Prime Minister (we have been told before that Lambert and Minister Carmichael were not our friends. And we just gave Minister Carmichael a donation to the Peoples National Congress for the North West Region for $1,000). Our pits were dug by our backhoe and we were not about to take time out of our work schedule to bury a pit which was so obviously dug by a backhoe (as was recommended by another party official – not Lambert). This kind of thing is intrigue designed to play on people’s fears. Our community is always open and no one has ever been discouraged from visiting our farm at any time.
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D-1-M-16 (1)
September 18, 1977
Dear Dr. Reid:
The events which took place during your absence were more than a little strange. When there was no communication with you or persons you had advised us to liaison with, we did not know what was going on. For all we knew, you could have been pushed out. We didn’t know the pandemonium going on Stateside, of what your people there were thinking. The 5 o’clock thing got way out of line. We understand now that they thought there was someone after you, however, due to the lack of communication we had with anyone here, we wanted some answers to our situation.
The concern was that we had been told there would be no such order to take the child away from us. You had told us it would never go to a Guyana court, and we were told by Minister Wills not to be present when the order was served, as it had to be served on the person, and yet the order was served anyway. If someone had explained the process they were going to use to avoid this custody situation, it would have been a lot better. Several lawyers and officials told us they are really after us here, and it truly looked like a conspiracy on the part of the government to destroy us. We won’t bother you now with all the details; we can give them to you later. Officials at the highest ranks told us they didn’t like each other.
I was prepared to give up my son, John, if I had to, though the agony might have been more than I could bear. But I was willing to make the sacrifice, but my son John represented a morale factor to the entire movement. We took a participatory democratic vote, and the people all agreed that the child should not be taken away. The major feeling was that if facisst elements could come and take my son, then no one would have felt safe. We knew that once you give in to the pariahs of racism and fascism, there is no end to it, and on and on they come.
I’m sure you can understand how far our loyalty goes when even one young lady and myself did something that not only would have gotten us into trouble with some other officials here if they had found out, but would have gotten us into the direst trouble with the United States government. During this recent situation we thought it possible that there had been too much pressure on one man who may have been standing alone, and we did not want the conspiracy to go after you or your loved ones. We decided to leave everything we had here, all of the wealth that we had built up, add we didn’t even know if it would be used to assist people in a socialist cause. We didn’t expect paradise when we got here, but we just got hit with too much at one time, plus endless harassment and threats on people which was going on back in the US. It all could have just been coincidence and probably was, yet it seemed synchronized. I had one time jokingly said through this mess that there must be an anthropomorphic deity and be must be a fascist.
You said to me once, and it stuck with me, that most of these people never had to suffer for their socialist beliefs. This statement enchanced my concern. They have never had to make any sacrifices. With you gone, no answers, wondering what had happened to you, us out in the interior cut off from everything, didn’t make us very secure with all of these things happening. I was up six solid nights and days to keep our people calm. Some of our people had gone through some terrible persecution in the US and horrors were lurking in their minds. This war all like a repetition of what they had come from. One cannot forget situations like Allende in Chile and being cut off with no answer amid all of these things happening
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Page 2
Dr. Reid
Forgive me for saying so, but frankly loyalty surely is greatly lacking as it was in many of the socialist and communist quarters in the US. They believed in my character but they talked a lot of rhetoric and yet lived off of the fruits of the capitalist system. They said that I was a 7 day a week socialist, but they were Saturday night socialists. We don’t look for personal aggrandizement. Unless you are at the point of consciousness where they are totally committed and not looking for what they can get out of socialism personally they cannot relate to the position we took, nor can they relate to the extent of loyalty that we have, and the readiness to die for what we believe. You cannot relate to being ready to die for what you believe or for loyalty until you feel it yourself,.
1 hope we don’t have to ever go through this whole process out here again, concerning custody of the child. We are producing, cultivating. I don’t mean to be presumptions but we are honest, industrious people, we will be a great help and we are together and behind you 1000%. I have heard that this court case will be brought to conclusion, but I am interested to know how and how long.
I’d like to say as a friend to friend, and I hope you will understand from the depths of a loyal heart that would die for you… not to trust the US at any level very far – if you really do – and I doubt if you do. That means Washington and all of them. There’s nothing like the liberal treachery – they’re with you when it’s convenient. The climate of the US is the beginning of a new McCarthy era. George Meany has just come out in some establishment press, and he’s been a very conservative labor leader, but not he’s saying that we are in a Nazi era. He said several million dollars has been poured, think he said into a 200 million circulation of letters by right wing government officials and large corporations, but knowing how [well] read you are, you probably know about it already.
We are waiting to send someone down the river to the Bacchus saw mill. Therefore, please advise us as soon as possible. It’s the same matter that you sent Cde. Beckles to speak to me about.
We have always used participatory democratic voting in our organization I mentioned above where we had voted in this way, but another time we took a vote and a man decided to leave our organization because he got caught up in the conspiracy. It didn’t come to public attention that the man was threatening us, but he did repent of what he was doing. His wife and children were out here properly, legally.
We know you may have problems internally, and we are with you, and are willing to do whatever necessary for your government to survive. We came to support this government, and that’s where we are. We ask only that everything regarding this court order be stopped. We believe in you and pledge our undying loyalty. You have my very, very highest esteem and respect.
Sincerely,
Jim Jones
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The enclosed press release is being circulated to news agencies for use outside of Guyana. However, people such as Father Morrison from the Catholic Standard are persistently telephoning my secretary’s office in Georgetown.
I understand from Cde. Mortimer Coddette that according to your wishes, all contact with the media should first go through you. My secretary spoke with Minister Shirley Field-Ridley who said that your position was to comply with whatever we chose to do. I do not understand where that puts us. Could you please clarify.
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D-1-M-15 (1)
[Editor’s note: This letter also appears at BB-17-ww-1 – ww-7 on this page.]
September 19, 1977
Dear Dr. [Ptolemy] Reid:
I thought perhaps you might be interested in knowing some of the background of events which have been taking place at our farm in the Northwest District in the last week or so. I’m sure it will give you a clearer picture as to why we have been trying to contact you. We honestly do not know who else to turn to, as we have always known you to be a man of the utmost of principle and commitment to socialism.
We moved to Guyana with the full expectation of standing and very possibly dying for the government, realizing that you have many enemies. Certainly we have learned this in the three years in which we have been establishing this project, which has grown to a degree of production that everyone who comes it and sees it has praised.
We certainly are aware of the destabilization that has gone on; we are not people who live with allusions [illusions]. We moved here wanted to be able to be in a position where we would be surrounded by socialist comrades. For a while we were able to produce and peace, and I would like for every leader and minister to see the project. Approximately 700 people are living there in such harmony that we don’t even need any law enforcement. Children there are developing their skills in one of the most fantastic education programs I’ve seen. And we have one of the best medical programs anywhere, including the western world. We have many trained medical people and the finest doctor I know. Last week through our ham radio network our doctor performed eye surgery – the delicate surgery on a cornea which was successful.
We want to be model citizens. Now this is what has happened to us in the last few days. We’ve had people come in here in the most arrogant fashion in cars that were official ministry cars, coming in here for various purposes. There have been some who were very, very courteous, such as Dr. Beckles, an excellent man came in with another man, as they had a special request.
And there have been others who were most courteous. Our neighbors have been very kind. We have had much contact with them as we have been distributing thousands of pounds of rice every week until this week while we’ve been under a virtual state of siege and this is making us feel no small amount of anxiety. We came here to produce, and yet so much harassment has going on. We had shootings, including one that nearly hit me. Shootings through our people in the broad daylight – 2 instances. We have seen people lurking on the edges of our farm. Once we saw three people at one time. One was sighted by six different people, as he appeared to be using some kind of telescopic lens or telescopic device which would be used on a high-powered camera.
We’ve had things happen to people which shouldn’t happen to people who are trying to get their moorings. One car came in – an imminent professional person of East Indian descent – surrounded by black comrades, and immediately he asked, “What will you people do if an extremist government takes over and once you thrown out of the country?” And then he goes
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about with a member of our group who is a former CBS news bureau chief, and criticizes the government until Mr. [Michael] Prokes said something in defense of the government as we always do, and then he spoke kindly of one of the ministers. He was very critical of the government generally however, and asked. all kinds of peculiar questions people who come in here who say they are interested in seeing our project, and then later we find out that they are undercover detectives, one by the name of Padmore.
And we’ve had all kinds of bureaucratic problems. No society’s perfect, but it is a strain on one’s nerves having all of this take place in one week’s time. Later a policeman, when he found out it was Mr. Padmore we were trying to locate (no one else seemed to know who the man was), told us Padmore was a detective. Why he would want to be doing detective work on us leaves us with a great deal of questions in the people’s minds. He came out very arrogant, stepped out of the car, went to the area where we have had a garbage pit. This chap had our people line up behind a mound of clay which had been dug up by our back hoe, though we had heard rumors that this was something we were supposed to be doing by hand (which was a lie) and that we were using corporal punishment up here (which is also a lie because we don’t even spank.) Our means subdiscipline is reward or denial of privilege, but we’ve found very little discipline has to be handed out because there is such harmony there. We are supposed to have used drugs, but someone look into that and found that not to be true. We oppose drugs in any form. We don’t even use alcohol, as we feel it is important to keep our minds clear at all times as socialists to build and defend this country that we have chosen as our home.
This Padmore then got friendly only when he wanted to take a picture, so he lined up my oldest black son, and one of our coordinators up and have a picture taken of them showing I think that mound. Padmore said he was from Georgetown, but later we found he was from Matthews Ridge. According to the policeman who said this man should have stated his business, there seems to be a lot of organizational rivalry within the Home Affairs Department, which we understand, but it’s a little tough on our nerves at this time.
2) Now we were called in by the Commissioner of Police who has thus far been a very courteous man. He recommended we put a sign on our gate due to harassment and actual physical damage coming to us. And so we put up that sign which read that upon the advice of the Commissioner of Police, we would like you to stop and state your business.
3) Inspector Benjamin has been here on another occasion, bringing in [Jeffrey Haas] the lawyer representing Mrs. [Grace] Stoen, who is the mother of my child. This lawyer has spoken all kinds of things against Guyana, as has Mrs. Stoen. I followed the advice of two of the ministers and the best counsel in this country saying that the way to protect the child was to leave the area with the child, so when these two men came, neither I or the child were here. I can say without presumption that the child and I could not have a more loving relationship. (It has already been described to you the painful circumstances on which she was trying to lie and destroy her husband, who was a committed socialist. Our whole church knows.) Anyway, income is this racist arrogant attorney, who back stateside has described this country as a barren dismal land, representing this racist Mrs. Stoen who stole money from our church. We have all kinds of affidavits from people inside and outside our church on her.
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We now find this is a big conspiracy involving a large company and at least agents within one branch of government and two in a police department and one newspaper. We had a lot of disconcerting information about that, and then we hear that money is trying to buy things here – that it is a whole conspiracy. We even heard they are trying to pay off judges and so forth.
4) The first day that Inspector Benjamin came in with this US attorney, they couldn’t find anyone to serve the papers on, they were flown to the interior in a plane of Minister [Kit] Nascimento’s. The next time they came, they were flown there in a GDF plane. The pilot was extremely courteous but we find it strange that the GDF plane would be made available to such a character as this Mr. Haas, the US attorney. And given the encouragement of someone who’s connected with someone high in this government, the hostility and arrogance reminded us of some of the harassment we had received in the Ku Klux Klan and Nazis back in the US, and we are not being paranoid.
5) I want to clarify something about the Commissioner of Police that has just come to mind. He recommended that we put up a sign, then we call him about it and he evidently had been told the Inspector Benjamin and Haas were denied entry to the property, which is an absolute lie. The Commissioner then said we would have to take the sign down which gives more room for little petty bureaucrats to harass or show their displeasure towards us.
It seems that within the ranks of the party there are interrivalries. We make our own decisions. Our faith is in you, Dr. Reid, and I’m not going any further. There are others I have faith in, but I am not going into it because I don’t know where we stand in that reference, and I don’t know what you are up against. One official stated that high level in government said that this conspiracy was indeed putting high pressure on this country to destroy us. Other party officials told us, before this chap came in to take pictures, at the minister will be coming to see our pit. It was being reported we use human hands as a discipline just to dig it out and bury it again. This is a lie, as we didn’t use one human hand in it, only diesel labor. Padmore just took a picture of the mound and made our people extremely apprehensive like he was trying to set up a case, another frame-up.
6) So the next day the regional minister came in, and I insisted he go because he mentioned he had interest in that. He went through the whole project with another man by the name of Minister Wyatt, Regional Minister of Economic Development, and another teacher. They were very courteous.
7) Up until now the police have been very, very friendly, local business people had been very nice, and we have had little complaint with any of the citizens there except for one man who came up to our farm who was obviously North American, as his Guyanese accent got lost in the course of the conversation. He told the corporal of police he was coming here because he knew us. And he got in here without any mud on his shoes, though he claimed he had walked in (and it was raining that day.) He claimed he was just dropping by. And of course we didn’t know him and he didn’t say we knew him.
8) Later the police met him again, and we met the police and got our stories together and found out he was lying. We were told by members of the police that this man was involved in the most horrible loss of property that we have ever undergone here. That night a coordinated effort to steal went on, as it did the next night also. It cost us thousands of dollars in equipment we needed for building and the next time we were defending our equipment, they came along our porches because we don’t believe in wearing our shoes in our homes (though some married couples might not practice this in their homes) and stole our shoes lined up outside. The police told us that they had cocked this North American man down the river trying to sell some of our property. And the strange thing was that when he was on our farm the day he came, he pointed to John Stoen and said, “Who is that child.” This does not overcome our people’s apprehensions.
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9) Incidentally, another thing we were told by local party officials was to be very careful that the Minister Carmichael was conducting a thorough investigation as to whether we would be allowed to stay and it was directly from the Prime Minister. That doesn’t give security to people who are trying to build a life. And the fact that we were facing an illegal arrest order based on an illegal process, a writ of habeas corpus that was not served upon me. I never read it until this moment. I was not here upon the advice of Minister [Fred] Wills. The second time these two men came out, they were so arrogant they nailed it into our painted walls on the property.
10) Then we got a chap out here from the American Embassy who said he wasn’t interested in the child John. We told him about the background of John. But then we heard from a cabinet minister that John’s case could be resolved in the interests of the conspiracy as the American Embassy is putting great pressure on them to do so. And I say this with a great deal of fact.
As you may well know, there’s been a press release in support of us, and we are [on] the front page of a white newspaper that’s come out, an alternative, and all progressive in liberal and left papers have come out on our behalf in the US. They all know the background of this situation, as the truth is it took great courage for me to have ever had anything to do with Grace Stoen, as she was not the slightest bit attractive to me, and was even a revulsion. I just didn’t want her to hurt a man who was part of our church, which would of course have hurt the church had she gone through with it, as she threatened to lie on us. She threatened that I had to divorce my precious wife, whom I have been married to for over 27 years, and marry her, and I just couldn’t do this. So now Grace as been involved in the conspiracy because an attorney who is close to her attorney told us this.
Here we stand with a woman who doesn’t even want the child, but is part of an agreement that she has to deliver the child. She’s been given some promises of immunity for some things she’s done if she will lie about us. She doesn’t know anything about us because we never trusted the woman so she couldn’t even [have] known anything to lie about. She certainly never saw me do anything illegal. I am an honest person. I’ve told you everything I’ve done in my life. You’ve had that right. Committing adultery with this woman was one of the more noble things of my life. I consulted with my wife and my entire church before I did it, and I sure didn’t want to have anything to do with her.
It is interesting that none of the press we have had as pick up anything about the identity of John – that he is really my son. For some strange reason they are not talking about this. Every one of our sources knows about John, so obviously that is a part of the bribery to Mrs. Stoen. She won’t have her good name embarrassed. Not to mention the fact that her name is already destroyed in the eyes of good people because she’s a thief. She’s taken good people’s money, and stolen from our church.
Anyway, part of the plan is to get the child back, though she doesn’t personally want the child back. She gave the child to me. I have tried to maintain that woman’s image even though I don’t believe in letting children in this kind of interplay. We offered her an airplane ticket to visit the child. She took the ticket and cashed it in. We gave her some money one time to assist John in a medical situation, and she stole all the money. She spent all the money she stole from the church by her own admission in our affidavits we have. Now there is thousands of dollars behind her attorney who has come down here. Two of our people have talked to him, and he told very graphically how he was given assurances at high level how he would have the child by last Saturday. That doesn’t make us feel secure either.
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Somebody’s giving him some backing. Attorneys don’t come across the US for nothing and they hired an attorney here for $25,000.
Interestingly enough, the media picked up people who were obviously provocateurs who had at one time been planted in our ranks. While they were in our church, they were advocating terrorism, and in my administrative abilities, I didn’t get on them immediately but I found them during military drills planning a stupid kind of action to blow up a bridge. Our church voted them out and disassociated ourselves from them, and discredited them. Now they are the sources in every article, and they are all lies – every allegation is a lie.
11) When the man from the Embassy came out, he said he had come to investigate a situation of a woman, age 32, who was supposed to be held against her will. Her brother had called the Embassy and implied that we had kidnapped her or something, which was a total absurdity. After talking to the woman, he realized she was happy and wished to stay with us, and had no intention of going back, or even leaving our group at all.
Evidently the man behind much of these weird stories is a so-called private investigator by the name of Joseph Mazor, who happens to have a 75 page criminal record (which we have in our possession, and would be happy to show you.) He, it seems, along with some others, is contacting the families of people who have come over here (legally) with our group, telling these families that we are holding their relatives against their will.
When the man from the Embassy came, he said you may be Venezuelan before long. He said you know the opposition has a good point there about profit-sharing, the way things are going there may be a civil war and you’d be caught right in the middle. We mentioned that we had come here all this way, and now a person couldn’t help what might happen to us. This man seemed to be trying to play on our people’s fears, but our people aren’t afraid, because we know all about territorial disputes, and we’re willing to die for your borders.
12) Yesterday two Land Rovers came up to the farm. One would not identify themselves. This is hard for our people to adjust to – being treated in such a manner, as it leads to extreme paranoia. We would like for people to identify themselves when they come in. We’ve never had to ask this before, but under the circumstances, I’m sure you can appreciate why we would ask this.
Min. Wills commented that with all of the orders being served by the court accompanied by the police and the Guyana Defense Force, it would give the community the impression that government is against us. That is not the prevailing opinion there because in our daily contacts we have not found that to be true. However, certain officials in the Matthews Ridge area who were rumored before to be opposed to our group, have sent us two letters. Firstly, to point out that we had acted out of line when we sent in a GDF on a mercy flight to pick up a patient from our farm. Secondly, a letter stating that we were violating regulations by not sending our children to the Port Kaituma schools. The headmaster of the schools told us that he didn’t know how he was going to feed the children he has in the school already. We are getting more than a little concerned about this kind of thing. With all of the harassment, we do not want to send any children off the farm.
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[Editor’s note: This page is missing from the D-1-M-15 series, but does appear on the BB-17-ww series.]
We’d be glad to take and other children in the area but we don’t want to risk our children’s safety for now. We just don’t know what could happen up there. So much cooperation went on when you were out of the country. We would like to get government approval of the Jonestown school and take in children in the community. Could this be done? We cannot send our children to Port Kaituma at this time with what we’ve been going through.
So with all these weird and bizarre things happening, we haven’t asked for anything. We’ve spent money by the tens of thousands in charities. We’ve supported the defense bond, we’ve supported food distribution every week, thousands of pounds of rice, fish, cassava one week (all free) and plantain the week before that. I’m just talking about the last couple of weeks. We’ve hired up over 100 until just recently. Of course we can’t do much of this right now. A union man came in representing the government and says we ought to belong to the party, and we said that we are not people who receive wages, we live communally.
We love the fields and pride ourselves in the field work. That’s the place that’s considered an honor to work. Work is never given as a discipline. The professional people among us always spend their time, as is typically true as you know to any true socialist economy, also working in the fields. The soil provides our life and is the mother of us all.
We have a doctor who goes out to serve local residents, though he is quite busy now. We’ve given treatment to many local residents, even to one police official who had a bad situation.
We’ve been able to convince many leaders of the sincerity of the Socialist administration because others in this country has sent out letters which were so critical. More than any other group I know, we have helped educate the black community by way of the president of the black newspaper publications. He is solidly behind and has come out with some marvelous articles about your country. And our own president has championed it, and that’s when a lot of our own troubles started. Plus our exposé of a black mayor being sent out for assassination, which none of the media would cover. We were told by a high editor in the LA Times that now we had gone too far, we had stepped on the big feet.
We ask only that we have peace here and be able to build, and that these rascals be stopped. We were told there is no jurisdiction, there is no extradition. Lt. Gov. [Mervyn] Dymally was concerned about this same thing when he was here. I could name a number of black leaders who are very concerned about this – the state of the nation. Angela Davis radioed in her support and her interest. (By the way, I forgot to mention that Leroy Wilkins, who is a moderate and just retired from the Presidency of the NAACP, has said he expects “genocide” in the US.)
Our church has been burned down twice in San Francisco, we have been harassed. One of my 10 children, one of my nine adopted children (as you know I have adopted 9 children throughout the years) was nearly killed (whether by high level or low level) as he was driven off the highway into a river (in the US). Members of our church have been shot at, as I have been. So you can see why we are somewhat beleaguered. Though we have had a lot of support such as from Mrs. Jimmy Carter whom I met with for an hour and a half before I left for Guyana – and she was openly praising what we are trying to do here and elsewhere (to get medical help into Third World nations), we nonetheless have faced persecution from other levels.
I wonder if the President isn’t a passing figure on the American scene. It wouldn’t shock me if he were assassinated, though it would grieve my heart to
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think about it, but I know the intrigue. We’ve talked to many officials who have told us with ironclad proof of assassination of other leaders. But I won’t bother you with that. I’m sure you probably know more about it than I do. I’m sure you know too who is included in the conspiracy against us, and you are aware that the most prominent member of the American Indian Movement plus many others, came forward. This leader told how he was threatened and bribed, and was made promises to lie against myself and our church. He was told that if he did not cooperate, he would be extradited. Interestingly enough, unparalleled in court history, a federal court then two weeks later did that very thing. But this good Indian man knew that he could not lie on us, as we had defended every cause, every political prisoner across the US, and people we didn’t even agree with who were being persecuted for their ideas. We help his wife to get bail. We have certainly done our best to champion the cause of liberty and we have always been a non-violent people always.
You’re a very busy man, I know, but if you could do anything to ease our tensions, and find out which channels we should go through, who we can trust so we can go on as our people are in a “war psychosis” as [Che] Guevara once said, an invasion psychosis which is the most productive thing that can happen. We are a part of this economy. We can produce and we can help this country, and you will never have any more loyal supporters. But we really do need assurances now, that our little boy is safe, and that none of the people who are here now will be taken. Because we have no doubt other provocative things will be happening to us.
Thank you for your time. My best regards and deepest loyalty are extended to you.
Sincerely,
Jim Jones
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D-1-M-14 (1)
Paula’s copy
September 29, 1977
Dear Dr. Reid:
A number of alleged official sanctioned events have taken place recently which have given us no end of concern. We are realistic socialists and know that the almighty dollar has a way of reaching into the pockets of bureaucrats who have no commitment to the principles of socialism; however, we feel it is imperative that you are informed of such events. There is a definite correlation of the local bureaucratic harassment with the documented conspiracy in the United States.
Mortimer Coddette asked me a series of questions which we found to be totally out of place for the length of time we have been residing in Guyana. He asked the following questions which I am sure you will agree are more than a little strange coming at this late stage and after we have gone through this same sort of questioning through the Ministry of Home Affairs:
How many of our members were former drug addicts?
How many of our members were former criminals?
What type of crime or most of them involved in?
How many of our members were former prostitutes?
Don’t you think that the possibility is high that they will return to that sort of behavior pattern?
We have been besieged by this sort of interrogation and I don’t understand this inappropriate question. I can assure you beyond any shadow of a doubt that none of our people will become involved in that certain behavior. The only two [illegible word] we have had in the past are typical of the sort of thing coming out of a police-state environment which even noted conservative journals are exposing. Time Magazine recently ran an article about the Gestapo -like techniques the police departments in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Houston are inflicting on people of minority races, even to the extent of killing in some cases.
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One of the two persons who were assigned to me [several words illegible] of a US court is a cripple and could not possibly have committed the crime he was accused: assaulting a policeman, because he could hardly even get about. It was a typical Black man/White policeman situation. This young man has worked out quite well giving the most positive type of social behavior and though his job is not strenuously because of his crippled condition, he has made contributions to the cooperative. He has demonstrated a love for Guyana as has the other chap who under similar circumstances of a frame-up was allowed to come by the courts to join us and start a new life for himself. You may recall the article I brought which, though highly embellished in places, showed where 233 young people who would have ended up with psychological problems or problems with the law were demonstrating the best kind of productive image for Guyana. There has never been any kind of misconduct out of anyone in Guyana and not one person has ever violated any law. We don’t even have any drinking which is not out of any religious piousity, but rather we feel our behavior should be exemplary. We want to produce, and therefore we don’t make liquor available. One person, who is not a member but who came on a visit to see his daughter on the project got broke in Georgetown, and we told him to not come here unless he can demonstrate the highest in decorum because we don’t condone that kind of behavior. We think we hastened his departure.
Mr. Coddette, who told us he was retiring in November because he has 9 years to make two million dollars, made personal references to having used all types of drugs and saw nothing wrong with doing so. He said he has smoked hashish a lot and that he had action tried about every drug there is except for LSD.
Mr. Coddette even made a remark to two of my secretaries which I found to be both unethical and disloyal. He said that you must be taking Benzedrine or methadrine to keep away all those long hours you work.
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Of course I would never believe such a ridiculous statement, but I did think you should be made aware that he had spoken of you in this manner. This same person, Coddette, has criticized us on several occasions for not drinking and not socializing. I don’t understand this two-faced attitude.
Referring again to the questions he asked about our peoples’ past history: anyone who knows the situation in the US that black people have to go through can empathize with their situation. I’m sure there are things in people’s pasts, but I am not going to go to 700 people and asked about the past and invade their privacy when all of them are living exemplary lives – just because Mortimer Coddette has some questions about them.
A right-wing media person in the US named Jim Clancey said he was going to get something on us through his contacts with the immigration and customs department. Because of a sudden and drastic change in the attitude of people in these areas we wonder if the conspiracy has not reached that stage.
Recently, newly arrived Peoples Temple immigrants have been singled out at the airport – them alone – for customs inspection by a procedure of removal of every single item in their luggage for a very thorough inspection. Now if this were a new policy and everyone was going through this very same procedure, we would have no problem with it. However, the last two times our people have come in from the States, they have been pulled aside and made to wait until all of the other people had gone through customs. Tuesday night we only had four people fly in. Their plane arrived at 11:30 PM, yet they didn’t arrive home until after 4:00 AM because they were detained and so thoroughly searched. None of the other arriving passengers were treated in this matter.
We have an outline of the steps the conspiracy will be taken to destroy the Peoples Temple. The stage of the contingency plan they would effect if they couldn’t get us into any legal frame up in the United States would be for Jim Clancey to use his contacts within immigration and customs in Guyana (among other connections he has in Guyana) to get us into difficulty. We were also told by the
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states that money has passed in the courts here.
We thought nothing of the time of Jim Clancey’s bragging to Pat Richartz, a noted investigator and civil rights worker, when she told us about the plan. Miss Richartz is very friendly to us and she got close enough to Clancey that she heard directly CLANCEY’S INVOLVEMENT IN THE CONSPIRACY FROM THE BEGINNING AND THAT HE IS WORKING WITH A VERY WEALTHY MAN NAMED [GEORGE] KLINEMAN WHO HAS NAZI CONNECTIONS. CLANCEY ALSO HAS CONNECTIONS WITH INTERPOL.
This information is coupled with the fact that another man named David Conn, who works for Standard Oil Company and admits to being an agent for the Treasury Department tried to bribe American Indian Movement leader, Dennis Banks, into denouncing me and my church. When Conn thought Banks was going to cooperate with them (as Banks acted like he would through the first meeting in order to obtain information as to what they were conspiring to do and thus get witnesses to document what Conn was saying) gave the identical outline of the conspiracy so before he got details of the campaign in Guyana, he told Conn he wouldn’t have any part of it because he couldn’t take Conn’s racist vendetta.
Another person involved in trying to move the conspiracy into Guyana borders is a man by the name of Joseph Mazor, a private investigator we wrote you about before. Mazor as a criminal record which spans 10 years covering such illegal acts as forgery, fraud, impersonating an attorney, parole violations, etc. with a supplementary mental instability record.
We were reminded from the US at the attempt to get us in trouble here would come in two separate directions with customs and immigration. Pat Richartz warned us that they might be planting drugs on us. It is anti-socialist to use drugs and we don’t touch them. Customs can go through our luggage with a fine tooth comb, if they do it to everyone else, as we have nothing to hide. However, we don’t want anyone planting anything on us. This is an old practice by certain agencies, and therefore WE WOULD LIKE SOMEONE AT CUSTOMS WHO IS A SOCIALIST TO MAKE
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SURE NOTHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS – THAT WE ARE NOT SET UP. We’ve had 25 years of this harassment.
This new policy on People’s Temple alone gives us the distinct impression that we are not trusted. It also causes some repercussions such as alienation from people in bureaus. An example of this was when Mr. Dennis Corlette, the Comptroller of Customs, told Mr. Roberts from Guyana Telecommunications Corporation that he would leave a customs entry to Mr. Roberts’ discretion for customs clearance of radio transmitter sets. Two of our people are licensed to operate amateur radio stations in Guyana through Telecoms. Mr. Roberts took his time to ride out to the airport with one of my secretaries and approved the entry of the transmitter radios and was then told by the customs people that they were not going to release the entries without the signature of Mr. Corlette. Both my secretary and Mr. Roberts explained what Mr. Corlette said and asked the customs people to telephone Mr. Corlette for clarification if they had any questions. The customs people refused to make the telephone call. What is going on? Our radios are vital and literally saved a young man from paralysis the other night when a GDF plane flew in on an emergency after a serious accident occurred. We’d like to know who is responsible for this bureaucratic harassment.
Some divisive efforts were made to come between our US Temple attorney, who is also a member, and us when he arrived back in Georgetown from the States. We’ve had a perfect relationship for years but there was a suggestion we were divided which we are not. Our attorney went out of the country to get avocado [two illegible words] and check into some matters for the church. He is at Jonestown now. But, two men visited him at his hotel when he was in town here – one man was from immigration and one was customs, surnamed Thom and George. They asked our attorney what his relationship was to Peoples Temple, and their line of questioning was extremely peculiar. He felt they were directly attempting to sow division between him and our church. He asked them to call our Temple secretary in Georgetown
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and gave them the telephone number in order to get their questions answered since the secretary here is my confidential secretary and has been living in Guyana for four years now. However, they never did acknowledge his request by calling her.
A reputable Chicago newspaper has recently done an investigation into the numerous cases of journalists who are either CIA fronts or work in liaison with the CIA in exchange for information to write articles on. The Chicago investigation said the notables included well-regarded newspapers and journals such as Time, Newsweek, New York Times, and many others. Also included in their listings for television news media. If one have any doubts about the conspiracy, the noticeable fact that the smear articles have only come out in parts of the world which have a large concentration of Guyanese who would send their relatives clippings, i.e. Toronto, New York, London, and Trinidad. Hardly anywhere else in the entire United States and nowhere else in England or Canada carried these lies.
I was informed last night that seven men from out of state went to Miami where our shipment was waiting to come down to Guyana. They took crates apart checking our inventory with the contents (which matched perfectly). We are getting affidavits to confirm this incident occurred at the shipping company called SUPAC. The shipment is now on the Fernandes wharf here in Georgetown and we want you to be aware of this matter. The shipping company only told our US church about this incident within the last couple of days, and with all of the strange events happening, we are aware of the possibilities of something being planted on us. The shipment has not had an examination yet, therefore we are grateful to have gotten this information now.
A rather disturbing situation has come to my attention which is just the sort of thing that creates tension. The Padmore man who came to our farm to do what only seem to be to photograph a mound of dirt in front of an empty garbage pit submitted a report which states we couldn’t be up there farming and therefore recommended the police look over the farm carefully for opium. This man wouldn’t
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even look at the farm and then submitted this ludicrous report. It is no wonder they feel they should do some sort of investigation when they hear this kind of report, however, we would like for you to get this thing resolved about the kind of character we have so there can be an end to this.
When you were out of Guyana for the signing of the Panama Treaty we were besieged by harassment from several different departments all claiming official sanction which left us wondering if there hadn’t been a coup d’état or something of that sort. The fact that a GDF aircraft assisted this attorney from the US in working to have my son taken from me gave us all the impression that there was cabinet approval. We did not know what was going to happen next. We had no communication and we needed some answers to know where we stood. I asked my secretary to contact you and get some answers by 5 o’clock; however, the message got confused and something was conveyed to you about dying at 5 o’clock. What I did say was that we were prepared to die for what we believed and if there was a coup or something, we’d like to know by 5 o’clock. We wanted to know just where we stood. WE ARE 100% BEHIND YOU AND IF YOU ARE ATTACKED WE ARE ATTACKED!
It has always been my policy to tell the good as well as the bad. Inspector Benjamin from Matthew’s Ridge came out to the farm to inquire about the emergency GDF plane which came to pick up the young man who was injured. He explained why we needed to inform him of an emergency aircraft arrival and said though that he certainly understood in a situation like that why we had not thought to contact him. He was very friendly (not at all like the rumors we had heard about his accusation that one of the Yankee tractor drivers had hit a man and not stopped to assist.) Benjamin seemed to be impressed with what he called a real joint effort of cooperation between landing the GDF plane and our group.
We know that it has always been your way to straighten out matters without receiving recognition. That is the way of a committed socialist, but because of the number of events which have occurred within the past couple of weeks, we would appreciate any encouragement that you can give us that the matters are being looked
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into. We hold you in the highest esteem and I have told my people that you are one person whom we can always depend because you know and live the purest example of socialism. You have the undying loyalty of myself and my people.
Sincerely and Affectionately yours,
Jim Jones
JJ: kl
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D-1-M-8 (9) – M (18)
[Handwritten note]
NOTE: After this letter was written and carried in to be delivered, additional information was relayed over the radio and also hand-delivered to Georgetown by another member from the Bishop following reports given to him from the Georgetown office and from the US
P.S. A meeting was held by one of our medical people and administrative secretary with the Minister of Health, Hamilton Green, to discuss release of an EKG machine from customs and the raising of rabbits. In the course of their discussions, Minister Green said, “The child was not going anywhere,” when speaking of my John. This greatly relieved much of the apprehension described in the preceding letter, and we are committed to your administration to the death, though we still must register our concern and I need to know the process which this decision will follow.
Minister Green, who said he had heard impressive reports about what we are doing in the North West Region, was very helpful and he gave us many words of encouragement.
We have found Minister Green to be consistent in his words, and the areas of assistance we have requested he has always followed through with immediately. He spoke very highly of you to our members, in fact, no one we have spoken to in cabinet has had anything but positive words to say about you. Of course, rumors run rampant in any community and you learn to believe half of what you hear. We had heard there was an old feud, but found the Minister to speak with utter loyalty when speaking about you.
Allegations he made about elected officials in the US daily in what Lieut. Gov.Dymally is called conspiracy patterns based on race. People in various places on the political spectrum, just because of their race, have been singled out for smear campaigns. We would like to think this is not so but even Andy Young is being attacked right now by major sectors of minorities in order to gain their own glory. People like Bayard Ruskin, who is a prominent black journalist, have come out and called him a traitor. We have had nothing but support in the minority press but this goes to show the extent some people are willing to go for personal gain. That is why when we are told “each delegation will be looked at as it comes up,” we find ourselves surprised that they would even be dignified.
[The remaining eight pages of this handwritten note are mostly illegible, and the potions that can be read are without context. The pages have therefore not been transcribed.]
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Addendum to the letter Re: Joseph Mazor’s publicity campaign to bring down an
Addendum to Joseph Mazor:
Should Joseph Mazor be allowed to come down could perpetrate one of the most destructive campaigns against Guyana imagineable.
We have witnesses who have stepped forward who have told us this man, Mazor, approached them, offering them an opportunity to come here with all expenses paid by Mazor and his cohorts. Mazor claims he is doing this WITH THE ASSURANCE of the Guyana government, and that they can take their loved ones back whether they wish to go or not and none do want to go.
new par. It took us sometime as we recall, to even get an aircraft charter to the capital. Why should there be an open invitation to this criminal with a 75 page record who is an avowed fascist and racist. Our own investigation reveals that he has clear connections with the Mafia. I’m sure if you were in our position no matter how much faith in you we have (which is obviously more than you know) this situation would make you feel much less
P.S. to Addendum (Miller’s letter):
Unfortunately the day my wife met you, only the white segment of the Board was available at the time because the others were at another meeting. If you were at the WRSM meeting where the Prime Minister spoke, you would have seen a more representative sampling of our Board because the majority of the Board members are black. We wanted to apologize for the way it was presented to you.
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D-1-M-13 (1)
[Editor’s note: This letter also appears as BB-17-gg-1 – 17-gg-2 on this page.]
Paula’s copy
9 October, 1977
Dear Dr. [Ptolemy] Reid,
As you may have already been informed, my wife spoke at length with Minister [Vibert] Mingo Saturday afternoon at your recommendation that we direct communication through him. She and the committee who went with her were very pleased with Comrade Mingo as he was consistently totally in support of you as he has been in the past. His concern and honesty made for open communication.
Lt. Governor [Mervyn] Dymally contacted us in San Francisco to tell us that he had been approached by Ambassador Lawrence [Laurence] Mann regarding the church. Certainly Ambassador Mann did nothing wrong in talking with Lt. Governor. However, because of misgivings some people in the United States have had about Guyana, until we spoke to them at length about all the positive things going on here, it might be best to use a direct approach rather than attempting communication through our other individuals.
We also wanted to apprise you that in just a few weeks Lt. Governor Dymally will again be visiting Guyana. Since his visit to our project in Guyana, he has consistently spoken publicly of his great esteem for the leadership in Guyana. He will be holding a press conference here where he will speak of his admiration for developments here. The Lt. Governor has been an enthusiastic supporter of our work through our battles with the press and he himself has done extensive research on an orchestrated press conspiracy against all black and progressive leadership in the United States. He has prepared a book which documents and illustrates this attempt to discredit minority leadership in an effort to inform the American public. In fact, the Secretary of the State of Pennsylvania, a foremost civil rights leader, who was mentioned as one of the top 100 black leaders in Ebony magazine has been viciously attacked by the press and is now under some kind of indictment. The Lt. Governor himself has been the subject of a cruel smear as well. We will be obtaining a copy of the book and will send you one if that would be helpful. This entire conspiracy serves to illustrate graphically the grassroots reactionary trend taking place in the United States. A strong movement to impeach Andrew Young it is already underway which further demonstrates the problem. The atmosphere of detente which President Carter has been attempting in the Caribbean is under severe criticism by a large segment of the American population.
It is our concern that the farm be of assistance to the Port Kaituma community whenever possible. We would appreciate any guidelines you might be able to offer along these lines. We are most willing to make specialists available on a part-time basis and will be able to provide such services even more as our farm progresses further toward self-sufficiency. School teachers would be able to provide help after regular school hours. Our bulldozer, as soon as repairs are completed, might be of assistance at especially needed times. As the accompanying letter on our school mentions, we would be happy to accept students from the community into our school.
We have been told by people who strongly favor you the current struggle within the party with regard to the future direction of the government. (To the right or towards the left.) This is of grave concern to us as well and we support your efforts to the end. Our past experiences lead us to a natural mistrust of the United States, despite altruistic attempts in a positive direction by some of its highest leadership.
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Perhaps you have noticed that neither the PPP newspaper, the Mirror, nor the Catholic Standard have carried the press attacks against us. It is not that they are particularly fond of us, but rather the widespread support we have from people on the left, liberals, moderates, and even some conservatives in the United States has influenced them not to do this.
Again I apologize for some errors appearing in recent letters. In one letter the secretary transcribed the word “bump” as “bug” from her notes. Although very trustworthy, this secretary does not normally take dictation and thus an unusual number of errors resulted.
We will await further communication from you or Minister [Vibert] Mingo. We appreciate any guidelines which you give us on any of the subjects mentioned above.
Cooperatively yours,
Jim Jones
Enclosures: Letter to Ministry of Education
Letter to Cde. Wyatt
Peoples Temple School Curriculum Report
News Article from the New York Times Service regarding Jim Jones
Chicago Daily News article regarding the CIA involvement in the American media
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D-1-M-12 (1)
Paula’s Copy
11 October, 1977
Dear Dr. Reid;
All of the activists in the U.S. from all shades of left and socialist groups felt that the least the Guyana Government could do is to clearly decide the custody issue as a decision in the political arena and not in the legal one. That was your position originally but when you went out of the country, it was taken out of your hands. In fact, even several members of Cabinet have said the same about it being a political decision.
The letter to Prime Minister Burnham regarding Joseph Mazor describes what could turn out to be the most destructive publicity campaign against Guyana imaginable should he be allowed to bring an airplane down here. We have witnesses who have stepped forward who base told us this man, Mazor, approached them, offering them an opportunity to come here with all expenses paid by Mazor and his cohorts. Mazor claims he is doing this with the assurance of the Guyana government, add that they can take their loved ones back whether they wish to go or not and none do want to go.
It took us sometime as we recall, to even get an aircraft charter to the capital. Why should there be an open Invitation to this criminal with a 75 page record who is an avowed fascist and racist. Our own investigation reveals that he has clear connections with the Mafia. I’m sure if you were in our position no matter how touch faith in you we have (which is obviously more than you know) this situation would make you feel much less than secure.
We are not reflecting on you, but it is increasingly obvious that you are not in a position to communicate with us, but our loyalty is undying. All we ask is to be told from you what the “lay of the land” is. Imagine what it is to be cut off totally from the one person who caused us to make this bold venture.
The events of the several days when you were, out of the country for the signing of the Panama Canal Treaty were good for us in one way. It has given us a new outlook on living in that we only take one day at a time. The alienation we encountered clearly showed that we are not popular in some circles, and from statements made by other Cabinet ministers it also has shown us that we represent an extra burden on you. Some Cabinet members have said, in fact, that were it not for us, the government would take a more conservative course. Thus, this experience has given us a one-day-at-a-time outlook with a pervading mood at Jonestown among all of my people that we won’t survive. This has provided us with an avenue for careful analysis of our motives and because we have recognized that there is no promise for a future, we have made a firm commitment that will never die. Of course, we are not resigned to accepting that no options exist, but we wish to face this possibility realistically. It is hard for us to look at the future because we know that your health has not been good of late, and we see our future as being determined by your health. Although trust is explicit with you, it is not easily developed with the counter-current of opinions which have been given within your own Cabinet.
We would like clarification as to whom you wish for us to communicate with. NO COMMUNICATION LEADS TO CONFUSION; therefore, some direction or personal choice from you is necessary for greater understanding. At this point, we will
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Page 2
11 October, 1977
have to hear from you. Obviously your trust in us has broken down, although we are prepared to die for you, because you have not been able to communicate with us, or you have not chosen to. You are all that we have left to believe in, and we will follow you if we know which direction you are going. WHATEVER STAND YOU TAKE WE ARE PREPARED TO ALSO TAKE.
Naturally, it increased everyone’s apprehension when Dick McCoy (who we were told by a Cabinet minister was the CIA station officer) told us that he would help us in getting an EKG machine which we need for medical use here out of customs because all he had to do was talk to his friend, the Comptroller of Customs.
Dick McCoy has played on our fears by justifying the conservative elements of the government in their demands for a court hearing of the custody case. We were even told by McCoy that the Solicitor General was working with him on this matter. This surely doesn’t make our people feel comfortable. That, and the press ringing with their concern as to which way the government of Guyana is going has given us no measure of security. We have no problem about which way you are going – we just want to know because we can’t live in a vacuum.
Another matter which just came up that we are trying to comprehend is that the head of the hospital at Matthews Ridge, refused to x-ray one of our people. There seems to be a mood going on.
I had hoped to make this into a short progress report about the developments we have made in raising goats and rabbits. We are working with a sample group to try to solve the foot rot problem on goats and found that raising them off of the ground in pens is effective in eliminating most of this problem. Rabbits had some difficulty until they were cross-bred, but it looks now as if rabbit raising will be very promising, if we can just get on with farming.
You have my deepest trust and we will be awaiting some word from you. We send our most loyal and warm regards.
Sincerely and affectionately
Jim Jones
JJ:kl
P.S. Anything imaginable is preferable to the hellish insecurity my people are going through. Since the writing of the main body of this letter, new and disconcerting news has been brought out about plans that some people have for Peoples Temple, We are always prepared to discount this kind of thing as rumors but some of it comes from too high a level, and cannot be passed over lightly. We have been in a situation where we only had access readily to one senior Cabinet minister who we were told by your closest associates was a man to say one thing and do another, and we were also told that to not go through him could be detrimental to our group as well. It seems that our organisation is too hot to touch – even for good people like yourself, and thus we will not burden you with further communications.
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D-1-M-11 (1)
[Editor’s note: This letter also appears as BB-17-ee – 17-ee-4 on this page.]
[Handwritten notation: “Paula’s copy”]
Bishop Jim Jones
Peoples Temple Agricultural Project
PO Box 89
Georgetown
Republic of Guyana
October 15, 1977
Honorable Dr. Ptolemy Reid
Camp Street, Georgetown
Dear Dr. Reid:
At the outset let me express my most sincere regrets at having to communicate with your office so frequently. I did not know what to do, I was desperate, or I would not have come back with another letter. Written correspondence, at best, can only give an outline of one’s concerns and thoughts; sincerity and depth of feeling is rarely transmitted. In my situation of having to dictate a letter in the form of verbal shorthand across a great distance, the task becomes that much more difficult. Sometimes I am afraid that, by the time my thoughts are interpreted second and third hand and committed to writing, a great deal has been lost in “translation!” I assure you that I appreciate the time you take from your busy schedule to address yourself to a series of long and, probably, often somewhat confusing letters.
To start with, I want you to know that we have offered our lives in the defense of the government of Guyana. In spite of whatever personal feelings we may have, we have agreed to follow the government’s course, even if that course runs closer to the United States in future days. We are willing to place our lives and future totally with the Guyana government. Naturally, any people willing to make such a commitment and desirous of doing a good job need to feel reasonably secure. It is primarily because of this need that I am prompted, once again, to place before you some of our more particular concerns.
It is our understanding from the very beginning that the Guyana government would handle situations like that of my son, John Stoen, with a firm hand, by simply stating that there is no jurisdiction. We are absolutely certain that Peoples Temple has a wide spectrum of support in the United States among a variety of progressive, socialistic organizations and individuals (such as Angela Davis), as well as many groups in the vanguard of social change with whom we have worked and enjoy fraternal ties. They are most concerned about vicious attacks and schemes that have been directed against myself and our organization. Thus we feel you would not find yourself in any difficulty by taking this sort of firm position. But now we hear that the Cabinet will consider each of the “allegations” as it arises. This creates for us an atmosphere of insecurity. We do not wish to sound presumptuous or asked for the impossible, but we need to know where we stand. Personally, I am so weary of constant political harassment that I would gladly sacrifice myself if it would mean any measure of peace for my people. But members of my organization will not accept that. They do not want to work and build without my presence.
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Over the past weeks, our people have still had to endure being constantly singled out when they come through customs at the airport. If some explanation of why the discrimination still goes on could be given, it would make the people feel more secure. Any communication by persons that you trust that would serve to rectify this situation would be most welcome. However, individuals in that department have been very friendly to us, apologizing for this distinction made. One person told us that it would be sufficient to say that you are being discriminated against and there is something powerful behind it.
In an effort to improve communication, work out problems, and build some sort of mutual cooperation with the local administration, we set up an appointment to speak with the Regional Minister and the Regional Administrative Officer. We have had great difficulty with transportation and road maintenance for the past few months, which has been aggravated by both of our bulldozers being at GNEC right now undergoing repairs to the tune of $100,000. Saturday was chosen as a convenient day by the Regional Minister. However, it was required that we change things around to accommodate this weekend appointment with the limited workable equipment we have for transportation. The roads are in need of our bulldozers for repairs, and are impassable to our tractors (nearly); therefore when the tractor carrying the people to the meeting broke down, they were late for the connection they were able to make with a Land Rover which was to carry them to Matthews Ridge. They finally got to Kaituma and found the driver, but he said it was too late. So they called the Regional Minister’s office to explain the situation. The implication was made that our word was not trusted because we have a way of contacting the gate. We tried to explain that because of the lack of batteries (until today, when they came in), reaching the gate was on a hit-or-miss basis, and we were not able to contact them and hold the Land Rover. There always seems to be a willingness, which we find most disturbing, to believe the worst and seldom give us any credit for achievements. However, we are going ahead with a rescheduled appointment for Monday (October 17), and to insure that this doesn’t happen again, we are going two hours early, at daybreak. The only reason we are keeping you abreast is because trust has eroded to a minimum, and has to be built up in this region. We do not wish this matter to be brought up with the Regional Minister; we just wanted to post you about it.
Because there has been a tendency to credit us with the worst motives in a given situation on the part of the local officials (although we have many good neighbors and friends among local residents), we would like to communicate with someone who has proven himself to be sincere. The most sincere communication has been with you, Dr. Reid, and with Minister [Vibert] Mingo: if you chose Minister Mingo to be the person we communicate with, that is fine. He is very straightforward.
We have utilized a great deal of influence among the religious community as well as the socialist and communist parties of the US in an attempt to negate any attempt by either the Catholic Standard or the Mirror to use us [in] any effort to embarrass the government. We have considerable influence with persons from many areas of the States who are understanding and supportive of our work.
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Our counsellor informed us that Yacoob Ally of Mazaharally had been asked by you to hold up on making any court issue out of a situation which concerned lumber we got from them. This was greatly appreciated, because we were treated with gross unfairness by Mazaharally Lumber. Not any of it could be utilized, and we ask them to come up several times to see the wood, but they refused, so we finally burned it to clean up the place. We understand that this could affect you; therefore we are going ahead and taking whatever meager discount he wants. We have been defrauded on a number of occasions with wood. Willems Lumber representatives remarked to us that they overheard someone from Mazaharally talking and joking derisively about how “they gave all bad wood to the Yankees,” and how they had really put one over on us, because we are “too dumb to know.” We cannot afford to have this happen again. We are a little puzzled that, after you had asked that not to, proceed with the matter (according to our counsel) they went ahead anyway, unless there has been some change in policy. The transaction with Mazaharally involved some $109,000 worth of lumber. We are besieged with all sorts of pressures that we will not bother you with, but nobody should be defrauded like we have on this, and other occasions. Out of concern and love for you, we endure it, but we cannot afford this kind of thing if we are to build, develop, and produce in such a manner to make you proud of our work.
Finally, we have experienced a strange sequence of events in recent weeks that have led some persons to believe that we are being “set up” by certain elements. I would like at some point to be able to personally discuss this situation with you, should you have the occasion to be in our area (as you know, due to illegal court orders, I have been advised by our legal representative to remain on the project until such orders are formally rescinded). Needless to say, this has been a cause of some consternation. People have been calling asking stupid questions about our using drugs, and suddenly we are being singled out by the PPP (is this a coincidence?). Two of my people who were in Georgetown at the time were telephoned and asked by Dr. [Cheddi] Jagan to speak with him, which they did. They told him, I am informed, of our support for the socialist goals of the PNC and, in particular, of our esteem and devotion to you. In any case, I have asked that our members have no authorized contact with anybody connected with the Opposition.
A few notes on the positive side. Experimentation continues to be a great source of discovery for us. We have found the cutlass bean to be an absolutely perfect high-protein meat substitute. If there should ever be a meat shortage or protein shortage in Guyana, this would do well for a meat substitute. Minister Hubert Jack sample the preparation and said he could not believe that it was not hamburger meat (it tasted so similar), when he attended the exhibition held in August at the Ministry of National Development. New housing is being constructed. An elevated barn for our goats has been built. We are doing some grafting of various fruit trees that
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will have some interesting potential for the future. We have also located the wing bean seeds finally, and are now germinating them. Hill rice is also going to be an experiment which should be successful, and will make us nearly totally self-sufficient in variety. We feel that the possibilities for progress are practically limitless, and we are proceeding with our work in a spirit of optimism.
In addition to agricultural successes, our medical care which we give free to anyone who comes to us is of such a high standard that, on several occasions, emergency treatments have saved life and limb.
Once again, I apologize for having to burden you with our concerns. I sincerely hope that in the near future these issues can all be resolved so that we can proceed without difficulty in our work on the project. We are convinced the possibilities for the greater good of the nation are extremely auspicious, and we are more than anxious to devote our total energies, without the grievous distractions experienced of late, toward that end.
My best wishes to you, and profoundest appreciation for all you have done on our behalf.
Most sincerely yours,
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D-1-M-11 (5)
[Editor’s note: This letter also appears as BB-17-ff – 17-ff-4 on this page.]
Bishop Jim Jones
PO Box 89
Georgetown, Guyana SA
October 19, 1977
Hon. Dr. Ptolemy Reid
Camp Street, Georgetown
Dear Dr. Reid:
Staff members of our agricultural project met with Regional Minister [Fitz] Carmichael in Matthews Ridge on Monday, October 17th. Many things went well with Minister Carmichael and Mr. [W.D.] Wyatt. They praised the discipline and success of our agricultural project. However, I have found it necessary to write to you because of a series of demands that were made upon us without serious consideration being given to the difficulties and hampering effect that they would cause our program, as well as to the specific conditions that have contributed to our success, which such demands would jeopardize.
One demand was made that our students attend government schools on a permanent, live-in basis. For them to do so at this time is a grave mistake, and would be intolerable to our families for two basic reasons. First, there exists the threat of kidnapping and too many types of harassment to go into now, originating from Stateside efforts to decimate our organization. Also, our project’s success depends upon students being involved daily in our own work/study program. We presently grow enough to eat, but until we produce enough to sustain us, we cannot spare our teenage students. Our teenagers, furthermore, have said that nothing worked for them until they came here and found a sense of community security from living on our farm community. Please give us a year, at least, to produce in peace, and your administration will never regret it. We were promised that we could have our own school. This was a very critical consideration in our decision to immigrate. All of our Peoples Temple immigrants are not even here; therefore, some parents who sent their children ahead to get them out of a racist environment and who are in the process of coming, did not have much time with their children because they were sent ahead. An alternative direction might be to bring other children into our school on the project.
Another matter which would greatly hinder the productivity of our farm would be to give “specialized supervision” to some 15 or 20 “live-in” Kaituma residents. The idea of having Guyanese workers with us is desirable (we now employing a Guyanese crew), but we do not yet have the available staff to give “specialized supervision” nor do we presently have available housing. We cannot, at this time feasibly house extra people because we can hardly keep up with the needs of our farm community. In time, we will gladly extend our building potential to other Guyanese, other than ourselves, as much as funds will allow.
Although we found many points that the Regional Minister
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made to be most acceptable and constructive to our party, we would greatly appreciate it if you could please explain to the Regional representatives that it is a serious error to insist on the aforementioned points at this time, during the very formative stages of our project’s development.
At the meeting we offered to the Region the services of our agriculturalists (which they were desirous of having), our boat, our equipment, our workers, our physician, and other medical personnel for regular hours in the district to serve the community. We made many other overtures, including monetary donations to the PNC. However, there did not seem to be as much interest in these proposals as there was in our schools. This could be my subjective judgment based on the report of associates, but it is unfortunate that this concern has been so prematurely advanced. We have many highly qualified teachers and school administrators who could be useful in preparing students who might later require foreign training with a special perspective. If, after a reasonable period of adjustment, so our students began attending government schools, then, as was also previously agreed, we would like our teachers to be afforded the opportunity of serving in those schools.
One person referred to us as being “isolationists.” This shows absolutely no knowledge of us or a willingness to learn. We have Guyanese living on our project, and only regret that under the conditions of our present development, we cannot have more so that our project could be fully co-operative. There is actually no need for anyone to have a concern that we are “secretive” or a “closed” society. We have visits from many good neighbors every day. Comparing us to the colonial owners because of our gate was indeed painful to our members who have suffered at the hands of racists. The implication is ridiculous. Besides having Guyanese comrades live on the farm, assimilation is being accomplished through adoption, dating, and marriage.
We are distressed by an apparent inability we have noted to relate to the hellish conspiracy we have been subjected to because our activist, socialistic philosophy and practice. There has also been a similar lack of ability or desire to relate to what blacks and interracial groups are having to endure in the States. The regional ministry representatives did not even respond with empathy, I am told, to documented reports of character assassination in the press and legal harassment of black elected officials in the US. These documented facts were recently compiled and disclosed by California Lt. Governor Mervyn Dymally, and Lt. Governor Brown of Colorado (both who have been viciously victimized) in a recently issued, extensive report, The Dilemma Of Black Politics. Over two hundred persons from the US news media were invited to a press conference in Washington held at the release of this report. Only twelve reporters attended, and eleven of them were openly hostile, and covered the conference in a disdainful, perfunctory fashion. Please emphasize to people here that these things really do go on, and that our current harassment as part of the picture.
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We understand through reliable sources that the orders for arrest are still out for myself and my son [John Victor Stoen]. Although we were made to understand that they had been cancelled, now to go into Georgetown to take care of anything, including our weekly radio broadcast. Leaders and activist friends of all shades in the US have recommended the same. It is very hard for us to explain to them why we are even going through this process of resolution.
Our local Guyanese counsel and other governmental officials also advised us that there is apparent danger of kidnapping. This is coupled with the information we have received from our “listening post” of people in the US who are most sympathetic to interracial programs and pacifistic socialism. These people, which even included individuals in law enforcement, advised us not to take these threats of kidnapping lightly. Joseph Mazor, a man with an extensive criminal record running to 75 pages, who has taken a central role in the efforts against us, avowed to our contacts (who he does not know are actually friendly toward us) that they will “kidnap” some of our youngsters, if necessary. This has happened to other groups in the US as part of a move to discredit them. If anyone were kidnapped, we do not doubt that the full processes of the State would come into play, but it is a little late when someone is coming across the border and returning back. By that time, the person abducted would already be out of their jurisdiction, a state of affairs that our people could not countenance. Because of the inroads we have made into such nefarious schemes, we know what they are up to, and therefore, we are more than a little concerned about sending our children away from the farm at this time.
We have enjoyed an excellent working relationship with the government of Guyana. This is why I feel it is my duty to report that our people interpret the fact that we have not been given assurance at any level that Joseph Mazor will not be tolerated entering this country with known anti-socialist relatives collaborating and a scheme to forcefully take away young people from our cooperative, as a breach of this trust. Mazor is a well-known reactionary. His aforementioned long criminal record includes a probation report that labeled him as being mentally unstable. None of the wide spectrum of supporters we have in the US can understand why anybody would allow a person like him access to this country. He has been actually bragging all over that he has guarantees from the Guyana government that relatives will be turned over whether they want to go or not. We can do nothing about sending our children out to the schools of Guyana until this amalgam racist, who investigators from various law enforcement agencies can actually prove is connected with the Mafia underworld hierarchy, is assuredly turned away from entering Guyana. This, and other assurances which we have previously discussed (i.e., that my son not be taken from me) must be worked out first.
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A delegation from the Caribbean Conference of Churches of more than a dozen persons from around the Caribbean as asked to spend a weekend at our farm during the course of their upcoming November conference. Unless there is some objection from the government, we will be happy to accommodate them even though we are a little concerned about some of these delegations, since they could easily provide cover for a provocateur. We have already had one attempted assassination, imposters, larceny, and illegal court orders, to name only a few areas of harassment. The farm and community project will speak well of Guyana, of socialism, of humanism, and for the Christian New Testament concept of brotherhood and equalitarian, apostolic living.
Superintendent Brown of Mabaruma will be registering all of our members under the Aliens and Registration Act, Section 14:03, which states that all aliens must report to the immigration office for district registration. Supt. Brown stated that he was not even aware that it had to be done until he was in Georgetown last month when it was called to his attention. It does not help to ease our paranoia that we were not informed of this, especially after hearing very directly that a Mr. Jim Clancy, one of the conspirators working in the US news media to undermine our church, was boasting that immigration would be one of the two areas he could get us harassed by, through the contacts he has in Guyana. Customs, which is the other area Clancy claimed he would trouble us with, only recently started singling out Peoples Temple members for very thorough “routine checks” which have not always been done on an equitable basis. It would appear, then, that Mr. Clancy perhaps does have some knowledge of what he is talking about in these areas.
There is also apparent hesitation in permitting our people to vote. Just as we do not wish to make any particular issue about voting, so do request that no issues be made about our schools. While we are expected by some to comply with every rule to the extreme degree, it yet appears that we are not able to enjoy first-class citizenship as voters, fully participating in the civic life of the nation. Our need to be accepted would be overridden to a great extent by being allowed to join the present administration and to vote, plus to be given assurances that we will not have to endure individuals like Mr. Mazor. This would help greatly to ease our minds. We have made a donation to the party and have gone out of our way to be conciliatory. However, the subsequent requests that I have outlined above demonstrate a lack of awareness of our productive capacity at this point. We are more loyal to the government by lengths than many officials we have met. This is unfortunate, but they convicted themselves out of their own mouths.
We are somewhat apprehensive about the erosion of trust. One specific example of what can cause trust to break down concerns the recent assassination attempt upon me. Though I was not personally present when the bullet hole in the wall was inspected, there has never been any mention about me citing any papers or reports.
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I find this most odd that no one, not even the witnesses, were asked to sign a report (although they did accept the witnesses reports that were submitted).
I want to say that I have the utmost confidence that all of these matters can be satisfactorily resolved, for the best interests of both our community and the nation.
I [several struck-out words] to thank you for the brilliant speech you recently made for the emancipation of women. Since Soviet Russia has not solved this problem in sixty years, nor the Chinese in 30, nor Cuba in nearly 20, it is indeed impressive that you are setting these ideals forward and encouraging strides to be made.
Please know that our loyalty to Guyana is complete. (I’m almost tempted to quote the old adage that “if you’ve got something working for you… leave it alone!”). We can and will produce for Guyana. This is our aim – to serve. You will not be disappointed by the faith you have shown us in the past, and we pledge to make good that faith in coming days and months.
Let me close by apologizing for the length of this letter. I know you are a busy person, when I felt it necessary to share these concerns with you at this critical period.
Our best wishes for productive visit to Canada.
Sincerely yours,
P.S. Two items. Another recent incident that created some paranoia occurred when the Regional representative wanted assurances from us that we would not tape record the meeting with Mr. Carmichael. Taping has never been done except on request of the official of the Guyana government to confirm matters. This was known by the official involved. If you did at one time explain something about tape-recording, please clarify what context. We have neither the time, funds or desire to go around tape-recording. We have no inclination to invade privacy.
Secondly, a former member of Peoples Temple, a Mr. Christopher Lewis, in our opinion is undesirable as an immigrant into Guyana. He was at one time active in civil rights, but has left our group and has gotten involved in some things we cannot condone. We recently visited his lovely little daughter at the farm; however, we only tolerated his presence because she would have had no future if we did not allow him to visit her.
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D-1-M-10 (1)
[Editor’s note: This letter also appears as BB-17-kkk-1 – kkk-3 on this page.]
Bishop Jim Jones
Peoples Temple Agricultural Project
PO Box 893
Georgetown
Republic of Guyana
Honorable Dr. Ptolemy Reid
Deputy Prime Minister
Camp Street, Cummingsburg
Georgetown
Republic of Guyana
Dear Dr. Reid;
There is a new and real air of friendship which has been noticed in our recent meetings with the Regional Minister, Fitz Carmichael and Regional Development Officer, Cde. Wyatt. Delegations of visitors have been brought to tour the farm by the Regional Minister and other local officials. They have shown our farm with enthusiasm and pride as an example of what can come out of development in the North West Region.
Our “clinical playground” was of special interest to a delegation of educators from both Georgetown and Port Kaituma. The party included the Regional Minister Carmichael, Cde. Wyatt, Cde. Esther Burrowes, and Cde. Lowe from the Georgetown offices of the Ministry of Education, and Cde. Green from the local school system. The “clinical playground” is unique in that it was designed to help children in developing motor skills and at the same time to give the children recreation. They asked us to duplicate this playground for them in Port Kaituma, which we said we would gladly do.
Another one of the members of their touring party, who was not in the education field, asked us to teach them our furniture making process, which we, of course agreed to do also.
The toys which are made totally from local materials, fascinated different ones. They are durable, entertaining, and educational for children, youth, and even adults. These and other things we are doing have made the farm a focal point of interest for many who visit.
In this delegation of visitors, only one man stood apart. He was rude to an absolutely unreasonable degree. A white agricultural consultant from England, he was highly critical of anyone teaching Marxism in the school system. He said that this was not teaching, but rather, indoctrination. We pointed this man’s comments out to the Regional Minister. We avoid being argumentative, but found the man’s view of education to [be] very conservative, dealing with the concept of “imprinting” which is counter to the Guyanese approach to education. The daycare nursery was an impressive feature to everyone except this English who would not even give us the courtesy of telling us his name when we asked. He was critical of children being removed from their parents as is done in the Guyanese school system. We want you to know that we do not object to this concept in the Guyana school system at all. In our case, it is merely that our families, who have undergone a tremense [tremendous? Intense?] amount of pressure from where they came, were led to expect to have the school at Jonestown. We discussed utilization of our teachers at Port Kaituma and we are glad to report that we reached several areas of mutual cooperation which will not require the closing of our school and will make significant contributions to the Port Kaituma school.
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Another visiting delegation included the Minister of Works Steve Naraine Cde. Diablo, Permanent Secretary to Minister of Works, Ronald Rojuarine of Guyana Water Authority, Vera McCullen, confidential secretary to the Minister of Works, Clayton Hinds of Guyana Information Service, Regional Minister Carmichael, Cde. Wyatt, Regional Development Officer, the first secretary from Works and Transportation, Cde. Mohammed Tufail, Industrial Relations Officer, and Superintendent Brown.
The visit was very constructive and is the kind that gives us a real feeling of camaraderie so helpful to motivation for greater production. The gracious attitude and helpful comments of Minister Naraine gave us many ideas. We were impressed by this man and his sincerity. His goodwill was about question and his opinion of the US was made clear by the adverse remarks he offered about it and his desire to have his children discontinue school there. The permanent secretary, Cde. Diablo, called the farm “a model community” and everyone was amazed at how much had been accomplished in such a short period of time especially Minister Naraine who visited the farm only a year ago to see our water wells which runs year-round.
The purpose of the visit was to see what could be done with wells, which they have apparently have difficulty duplicating anywhere else in the country, but they were so overwhelmed by what they saw that it became an incomparable cooperative experience. They came at a time when our various talents were performing and different guests made comments about how well our dancing groups performed. We also had several inspired songs performed by the very talented young people Calypso style, and in other ways “glorifying Guyana “. Cde. Tufail said we should put a complete program together and present it at the Cultural Center for the people of Guyana. Cde. Tufail who was very impressed with our total cooperative program called attention to our athletic skills and said we had the potential to produce another Lennox Blackmore. He asks us to pursue training our people more thoroughly so that they can either represent Guyana or train others.
Cde. Tufail also suggested we cut cane as a means of harmonization. We had thought very much along that line, therefore when Mortimer Codette asked us to volunteer, we said, of course we would do whatever we could, however that was several weeks ago when the strike first started and we have not heard from him since. We concluded that the reason we were not informed was because it would make it difficult for you with the Opposition PPP. We need all of our personnel up there to make a model community, but even at that we were going to volunteer.
Charles Garry, the leading advocate for the oppressed in the US and longtime civil rights leader, visited us at Jonestown this past week. He was overwhelmed to a degree that he called it a paradise of socialist achievement and is going back to the US to discuss this week what he saw on ABC-TV. His insight and respect for Guyana and the government has grown from his associations with Peoples Temple’s acceptance here. He will also be discussing his very popular autobiography Street Fighter In The Courtroom which has become so prominent that he was given a $40,000 initial commission.
Nothing can explain the change in attitudes of Regional Minister Carmichael and Regional Development Officer Wyatt, but there is a warmth and relaxed air which was not there previously. Cde. Wyatt expressed his hope that everything was fine with us and said, “You are our example for the people; you are the one hope for our people to see what can be done; you are doing what our people should do and must do.” Cde. Wyatt was very frank and all of our conversations and he was not
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putting on or his spontaneous reaction to my mention of eating such considered delicacies as frogs and rattlesnakes would not have been to say, “Oh my God!”
The warming of attitudes gives us immense gratitude and promotes an environment for us to contribute and produce for Guyana. Our loyalty to you, the Prime Minister, and to Guyana is undying and your faith in us will not be disappointed.
With sincerest regards,
Jim Jones
JJ:pa [Paula Adams]
P.S. One thing which is still unacceptable to every person in Peoples Temple under the conditions which it now stands is the custody matter of my son, John. We have the understanding that the outcome of the court case now in process will be to my favor. However are we to continue living under the uncertainty of whether it will recur? The same loyalty we have for you must be demonstrated within our own organization are the basis of our entire structure will suffer severe morale problems, therefore it will never accept anything short of complete victory with this matter.
There are two specific areas of concern which of come out of the dragging out of a clear-cut decision. Firstly, the hesitation of government involvement (either directly or indirectly) in quickly ending the whole matter opens other elements of the conspiracy to instigate new custody issues on other children who are here legally. Are we to continue tying up funds designed for building and developing the interior in court battles? We have had great difficulty in explaining to civil rights groups, and other Third World and established socialist countries, why Guyana has allowed a big-money backed reactionary conspiracy to reach into the courts here. Secondly, the illegal order for my arrest which still exists and could be implemented at any time cripples my mobility. Lt. Governor [Mervyn] Dymally and Andrew Young have asked for a private meeting with me next month but my very presence in Georgetown runs the risk of arrest under Guyana law.
All other matters previously mentioned by correspondence have been mutually resolved in the feeling of camaraderie and cooperation exists in the North West Region which we are grateful. The only matter left which we hope can be hardly resolved is the matter of my son. My very warmest regards to you.
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[This letter also appears at B-17-bbb-1 – bbb-7 on this page. And vice versa; note 2: include page 4 of this letter on bbb.]
October 26, 1977
Honorable Dr. Ptolemy Reid
Camp Street
Georgetown
Dear Dr. Reid:
I write to you today on several subjects. I have not been writing as frequently as before because I know you are very pressed of late, and also because apparently in the matter of my son, John, your hands are tied to a certain extent.
I am currently advised both by my counsel and by the Foreign Minister that I cannot come into Georgetown, because the arrest order against me has yet to be lifted. Indeed, when I discussed my upcoming meeting planned for myself, Mervin [Mervyn] Dymally, and Andrew Young with the Foreign Minister, he said he would arrange for my safe passage through the capital and out of the country, because the arrest order is still outstanding. If it were not for the fact that, as I told you on previous occasions, a distinguished member of your cabinet warned me that his word is not to be counted upon, I would go to that meeting. Mr. Codette left the clear impression that the Foreign Minister is actually against our project, when he referred to the vote taken on our coming here. So, it is hard to know what to believe.
The other day one of our comrades was speaking to a Minister in the Cabinet, and very forthright person whose word we have never found to falter and a good spokesman for your government. One thing he said, however, caused much consternation among those few who are aware of the comment, and I am sure would trigger the same unhappy reaction among all in our community if they were appraised of it. He stated unequivocally that we would just have to let the courts follow their course regarding John – there would be no intervention on our behalf. The clear indication was that there would be no intervention, even if it did not go well for us in court. I am frankly puzzled because
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Honorable Dr. Ptolemy Reid
October 26, 1977
Page two
initially, when we spoke of the matter, you stated unequivocally that the decisions of a California court do not apply here, and that those who are trying to take my dear son would find that Guyana would not allow jurisdiction. It seems that something has happened in the intervening time to alter this opinion, or change your mind.
Later another phone call was placed to the Foreign Minister who reiterated the position that we have nothing to worry about, “we would win in the end,” but that laborious court processes must be followed. If such will [were] indeed the case, my mind would be considerably relieved. However, there is again that nagging doubt: because when one particularly close to you says that his word is not to be trusted, then no matter how warm and ingratiating the Foreign Minister is, the possibility of duplicity remains in the memory and affects whatever planning we do.
It is obvious that our local counsel is not counting on our “winning in the end” when he recommends that we send my precious John and any who might be a source of controversy out of the country – to Timbuktu, for God knows how long. I am told that the procedure involving John could drag on for years because the conspiracy behind the scenes have found encouragement. If I were to send my John, what real security would that be? A passport can be traced, and, if I must depend on the person whose good word is questioned by those loyal to you, then how can I be assured that he will ever be allowed to return?
The terrible thing about this whole issue is that once a political conspiracy is allowed to feel a certain liberty to act, then the participants in that conspiracy are encouraged to push further. For example, I have always maintained that the nature of the rebuff given in the case of John would determine whether or not other cases would be initiated. Now a family who in the past were very friendly and very recently wholeheartedly approved of their two sons (ages nineteen and seventeen) coming to the project (they signed all the proper papers) have been influenced by money to demand the return of the seventeen -year-old. This son, a strapping 6’4″ young man, who will be eighteen in a matter of weeks has no desire to return. He is presently in Georgetown to marry a young woman who he cares for who is carrying his child; some technicalities are holding up
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Honorable Dr. Ptolemy Reid
October 26, 1977
Page three
the marriage. So, by any sane legal analysis, the young man should not have to go back to the States against his wishes. But the character of the fomenters of this conspiracy is so base that the parents’ (the Olivers) attorney, a man regarded as unscrupulous by both black and white community alike, has openly threatened that unless we send the seventeen -year-old back, he would see to it that we would get another negative barrage on the California radio station. This is despite the fact that the young man will be eighteen in just over one month.
A showing of solidarity and strength is the only demonstration it seems that reactionary circles understand. Our own intelligence has discovered that the only thing to date that has kept one arm of government from harassing us further is that show of strength combined with the popular support we have in the states from left-wing, liberal, and even moderate groups. All these many supporters say the same thing – why bow to a conspiracy? They are somewhat baffled by your position regarding John, although we have tried to explain your dilemma.
In a few days you will be receiving a letter from Lt. Gov. Dymally. It is a strong letter, and one that I would ask you to read because it expresses the sentiments of hundreds of activist readers. The nature and far-reaching extent of this conspiracy is obvious.
Last night another incident occurred that is unsettling. At about 3:30 in the morning a group of strangers came onto our property. They were obviously up to no good at that hour, and they were organized enough to signal with lights to one another. This was witnessed by many present, including myself. Although they do not shoot, the nature of their approach (from the bush) aroused the worst suspicions. Footprints indicated that some were barefoot and some wore shoes.
We have been told that kidnapping is a real possibility, because the reactionary press is speculating that the government here is not giving us clear support in the custody matter, and that kind of an interpretation acts as a red flag in front of a raging bull. These devious people even brag about it. The way the audiovisual media has treated Guyana is utterly cruel and without conscience or empathy.
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Honorable Dr. Ptolemy Reid
October 26, 1977
Page four
The incident the other night has forced us to strengthen our night patrols. We lost $20,000 in materials in one organized theft incident a few months back. We are increasingly inclined to believe that there was an element of pure harassment behind that incident and the others, which could even be connected with the conspiracy. Certainly some of the incidents were conspiratorial – they bore all the earmarks – and we do not lend ourselves easily to conspiracy theories or conspiracy “psychology.” The patrols are necessary now, which is unfortunate because work production is seriously hampered when manpower has to be diverted to security materials and property. We did report one incident but that route does not seem fruitful; hours and hours of questioning which led to nothing, not even a thorough study of the bullet hole that went through a wall and nearly caused a death. But that was some weeks ago, and since the individual people are far more helpful and cordial. (Superintendent Brown was very, very cordial when he came here with a large group that included members of your cabinet, permanent secretary, and several local people. We were a bit sorry when one official was talking about sources of protein and we mentioned our occasional use of frog and a variety of snake. He was shocked that we would eat such things, saying that “only Amerindians would eat that kind of food.” Our dietitian explaining that they were considered a delicacy in the United States, even amongst wealthy people. Obviously this man came from a protected environment and could not understand our rare consumption of these items. We hope this didn’t cause any repercussions, because he turned somewhat pale during the discussion!!)
Currently we are seriously concerned about the pressure to send our teens to a Port Kaituma School. We are not adverse to intermingling with the surrounding community. On the contrary, we have made strong efforts to make practical contributions to our new home. Our doctor, medical practitioners, and registered nurses have extended their services to the community, we make donations to the party, we have repaired government official cars, and have offered ourselves for membership in the local party structure. (This week fourteen of our people walked all the way to the party meeting because the tractors were needed for production.) I will not bore you with the things we have done and are doing that should have helped relieve the pressure or burden that some in the government may feel from elements opposed to our presence here.
However, sending our teams to the Kaituma School will have a crippling effect on our production. Our school is formulated on the work-study concept and the secondary level students work in agriculture or other essential aspects of the farm for half of the day. To pull them out
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Honorable Dr. Ptolemy Reid
October 26, 1977
Page five
of production would be disastrous at this time. Some of our more active seniors have had years of farm experience, but naturally there is a limit to what they can do. Just yesterday they were a tremendous help in gathering over 120 bags of planting material for eddoes, with the help of course of some strong, young hands.
Our approach to agriculture is scientific. Our agronomist has made a feasibility study and we know exactly what we need in labor and materials at this time to produce. We want to be able to produce not only for ourselves but for the community as well, but we will be hampered beyond measure if we lose the steady work force of the students.
Moreover, it has been reliably reported that malaria has broken out in the dormitories of the Kaituma School. We are not squeamish about disease – the risk was well-known when we came into this area. But I know rumors – if only one of our people got malaria, some youngster would run a friend back in the States and the next thing you would know, the press would get hold of it.
The recent visit of Mr. Charles Garry, an imminent Marxist lawyer who is helping us with our case, (fortunately for costs, or we could not stand the financial burden brought on by the harassment we have been receiving), [several words struck over] will help clear up any “mystery” surrounding our farm that lingers in the capital. He left the project regretfully and visited with Sir Lionel Luckhoo in the capital, and just told everyone he met that the farm was a “paradise.” He went back to the United States, got on the media, and said “this is a paradise.” He was overwhelmed with the beauty of Guyana and the socialist demonstration of the project and asked us if he could retire here. Here is a man who just received a $40,000 check from the sales of a book he has written and he wants to retire here. He will be on another network later this month. He left Guyana and admirer of your demonstration, after much discussion with us. (He had previously been influenced by the Opposition. Mr. [Cheddi] Jagan, whatever his intentions, is engaging in a course that could lead to the destruction of the economy. It is interesting that Mr. Jagan is so warmly welcomed in the United States, especially when the course his Party is taking can lead, even unwittingly, to economic disaster.)
I am equally sure that the visits of Guyanese government officials will also go a long way to dispel any rumors. Those who have come in recent days have had
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Honorable Dr. Ptolemy Reid
October 26, 1977
Page six
nothing but praise, (although we welcome constructive criticism) and have deemed the project a “model” community. Mervin Dymally, will be visiting again soon. He is a man who is not political in terms of socialist ideology, yet he has made statements supportive of socialism in the Caribbean because of his regard for my character and because of my request in support of the Guyanese government.
The custody matters are of grave concern, not simply because my own son is involved, since I feel an equal loyalty to any member of the organization who has chosen to make Guyana his or her new home. I know, however, that the conspiracy has chosen this area as the one avenue by which they can bleed us dry in legal costs and emotional drain. The press has to a great deal been curbed by solid community reaction in our favor (certainly not as a result of any love for Guyana, socialism, or us). Fortunately, the media has been fairly confined and isolated. But custody matters, no matter how flimsy, can bleed us to death. Every time we will fight and raise a storm, but there is the chance again that arrest orders will come for me.
I have proven my loyalty to you in the past, at no small risk. I have stated that I willing, that we are all willing, to follow you know matter what course you may have to take to survive. So I ask you – please tell us where we stand. If the opposition to our presence is too great, or if there is a pressure to have us leave so as to enable the government to take the farm over, or if internal party pressures are such that you cannot act – please just let us know the lay of the land. We are rational beings, and will evaluate and empathize with whatever the situation is.
To be frank, since the incident with John began, my blood pressure has been running at a dangerously high level. I am training leadership as quickly as I can, but at this stage, if my health were to fail, the community, the project would be gravely, gravely endangered. I personally do not think it would survive at this stage. It is not a personality cult. Far from it. I have always been there when any of the people had a medical emergency, a problem with the law, a house about to be lost. Like yourself, I simply cannot separate loyalty from my socialist commitment. It is a loyalty to the death. I have fought hard when one of my Black members, as so often happens in a racist society, was framed and sent to jail. I have never lost one person to jail because of my determination.
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Honorable Dr. Ptolemy Reid
October 26, 1977
Page seven
Because the people have seen this kind of loyalty to them from me, they trust me; it is the collective feeling that our organization cannot survive here, but through my trust, the people have decided to give their commitment, and have gained their own sense of trust.
(Thus, when some official contacts our office and asks such questions as “Do you grow marijuana up there?” it is utterly infuriating. Don’t these people realize that as completely committed socialists we are totally against the use of drugs? We don’t even use alcohol or tobacco, simply because they are detrimental to one’s health and because we want to set a consistent example to our children. I am sure you can appreciate how exasperating some of this has been, and I won’t take up your time with details.)
Our loyalty to you remain secure. We would give our lives, and be proud because we had the chance to make our lives and deaths have a socialist meaning.
Cooperatively yours,
Jim Jones
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[This letter also appears at B-17-qq1 – qq-5 on this page. And vice versa.]
Honorable Ptolemy Reid,
Ambassador Lawrence [Laurence] Mann, who is seeing one of my secretaries [Paula Adams] as you know, exhibits more anti-socialist behavior patterns and anti-socialist rhetoric than most capitalists. I am very concerned about the image he projects for Guyana and the pre-occupation with self-gratification which could put him in a position to compromise the ideals and philosophy he has been entrusted to represent.
A meeting was arranged for a man, Steven Katsaris, to meet with his daughter Maria at the request and urging up myself. Ambassador Mann had explained that the situation of the daughter refusing to see her father had taken on international connotations, in that Steven Katsaris had created difficulties for Guyana by approaching Congressmen with alleged statements that Maria was said to have made that Guyana was not allowing visitors. This is absurd and Maria has unequivocally denied making any such statements. Ambassador Mann told my secretary further that Katsaris’ approaches to Congressman had resulted in Guyana being put on the list of 50 different senators. (We know that to be an exaggeration taking into account that there are only 100 senators total. I doubt if there are 3, if there were any at all.) However, when Maria confronted Ambassador Mann with the blacklisting in front of her father, the Ambassador denied any knowledge of it. Why was this ruse used on me to get Maria into Georgetown for this meeting after we painstakingly explained in detail how this Katsaris had been conspiring with the unscrupulous criminal Joseph Mazor who is bent on destroying our organization and downgrading Guyana to all he meets. We have been reliably told by persons who can even be called moderates that Katsaris has been seeing psychiatrists for years – a fact that Maria has also confirmed. Katsaris, who actively supported the Greek junta and whose nephew was head of the fascist Greek police, refused to come down in December as he was invited by his 24-year-old daughter who will soon be marrying our doctor. This man obviously is motivated by more than a simple father/child relationship or he would not have insisted on a meeting at this time and carried lies about Guyana to a Congressional level. If it were not for my love for you and Guyana, and the untruthful picture presented by the Ambassador to me, I would not have urged Maria to see her father when she stated emphatically that she did not want to see this man who had been conspiring with Mazor. (Incidentally, by Mazor’s own admission it was Maria’s refusal to see her father the first time that was the deciding factor in Mazor’s cancellation of the charter aircraft he was going to use for the staged recovery of family members in Jonestown. We have proof that Mazor admitted discouragement because he could by this one case seeing that he would get no further than Georgetown.)
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Before this father-daughter meeting was held, Ambassador Mann made an angry outburst to my secretary when he felt the plans were not following his design and said, “I am doing this as a personal favor to Steven Katsaris.” This completely contradicts his presentation of a US/Guyana breakdown in diplomatic relations. Ambassador Mann’s persistence in denying Maria’s right to have an attorney present, which was recommended by both our counsel locally and in the US in view of all her father had done, added further to our apprehension over this meeting. Maria’s refusal to attend a reunion without representative counsel was the only reason the request was finally acknowledged.
After the meeting, Ambassador Mann discussed the meeting with US Consul Dick McCoy within earshot although not in the presence of my secretary, describing Maria as being a “wierdo” for demanding counsel to be present. After all of Katsaris’ concerted effort to put Guyana in a bad light, we find it difficult to understand why Ambassador Mann would discuss us in a negative way to the US Consul who obviously does not favor are socialistic doctrine any more than Guyana’s and why Ambassador Mann would be so chummy with the fascist supporting Katsaris. My secretary asked Ambassador Mann who was paying him and he did not answer.
Ambassador Mann’s attitude toward our communal structure is not our major concern, but rather his entire commitment toward socialism and the Guyana government raises questions. He stated emphatically to my secretary and her friend that he would never join the PNC because he didn’t want any organization telling him what to do. We cannot understand how a man who has even spoken poorly to my secretary about his direct superior, Minister Fred Wills, could be placed in such a position.
Minister Wills had one time mentioned to my secretary that Dick McCoy was CIA. When she mentioned this to Ambassador Mann he said with a disgusted air that to Frank Wills, everyone is CIA. On another occasion when she was speaking about the suspicions of Maria that her father was linked with certain agencies and that she refused to see him, Ambassador Mann said (when no reference had been made to Minister Wills) that she and Fred Wills are just alike – you both think everyone is CIA.
Are we to take a man seriously who would openly criticize the government ruling party and his own leader, within the spectrum of his profession? He is reputed to gamble heavily at poker 2 or 3 times a week, usually losing between $1500 and $2000 each sitting.
Ambassador Mann made several threats to my secretary about doing something to myself in our organization if we tried to “buck” him in what he knew he had to do. He subsequently pressed my secretary and her friend about why I did not return to the US, even if it meant my being framed and being thrown in jail or killed. He stated almost as if he had some inside information that if I were dead I would become a “martyr.” I am not afraid of dying or returning if that is your feeling also. I find no enjoyment in living, only tremendous responsibility. The organization feels that they cannot yet produce in a way that would make the project a model community, as Jonestown has been called, without my direct presence on the project. My only concern is that nearly one thousand people do not become a burden on you and the government but rather to produce
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[Editor’s note: This page is missing in the D-1 version of this letter.]
to make what you have inspired us to become: a true example of Guyanese cooperative socialist living.
Ambassador Mann also made strong statements about what he would do if someone really interfered with his life. On more than one occasion he said he would not directly kill someone but instead pay a contract to have someone else do his dirty work. I am not worried for myself in the sense that I have any desire to live, as a socialist fighting fascism in the US, I am always prepared for death, but the fate of my people is my responsibility. But what really concerns me is your safety in view of his irrational judgments and his unwillingness to become disciplined with any socialist standards. If you feel I should return, I would like to know.
Flamboyance is not how I characterize the government of Guyana because I have met the committed party leadership and especially yourself, who live a life of humility and dedication. However diplomatic representation in a foreign country is the means by which an entire government is seen and in view of the need for people to see Guyana as a sincere hard-working developing nation for any serious consideration for aid, the lifestyle of Ambassador Mann drawing a high salary in Washington and throwing it around on poker, women, drinking, expensive cars and fancy living (not that we object to entertainment in moderation which is normal) could make it difficult for persons who have the responsibility of allocating monetary assistance, to see that Guyana is sincere and not going to waste the money.
I want to give you assurance that I would not dream of discussing this matter with anyone else that you, Dr. Reid. I know your uncompromising commitment and only feel it as my duty and loyalty to you and Guyana to report these matters.
For whatever motivation, Ambassador Mann tries to play on our fears. He told my secretary that we have other custody cases like that of my precious John [Victor Stoen]. When I checked this out I found that no custody case exists except inquiries concerning adults. The only other person than Maria which was queried was recently married resolving that situation. I do not know why we get this inaccurate taunting. If the government is moving more toward alliances with the US, we will follow that course out of my faith in you, even though in dealing with the US we believe anyone will get the short end of the stick because no matter what is said people come and go but institutions remain the same.
We are now aware of a startling fact that members of this conspiracy have offered money to the legal father of my son. We don’t know what his response will be. They seem to leave no stone unturned because they simply cannot accept that people can reject the society for a Third World Nation. We’ve had no trouble with the press until this although other forms of harassment have been directed toward us. Our church was burned to the ground twice, attempts to frame us, violence against us, assassination attempts on myself and my wife, and other attempts to intimidate and harass us have been made, but now a new course has begun. An era of viciousness contrived to bring down the most effective socialist group in the entire US has tested our loyalty to both Marxist ideals and to Guyana. We have proven that we will not fail either but to come into contact with someone, an ambassador at that, who claims to represent what we hold more sacred than life and behaves in such a gross fashion
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is almost too much to bear. Ambassador Mann told Dick McCoy, in reference to my John’s case that the Peoples Temple will just have to accept the result of the Judge’s ruling and that his government was not interfering with the courts. We realize that his could be only diplomatic rhetoric, however it was the manner in which he told McCoy. It left my secretary, who is usually accurate about such things, with the impression that we were on our own. His speaking about Maria as being a “wierdo” and making references im the same light about our organization to a US government representative must reflect negatively on Guyana as well. Where he could have been more supportive of our organization considering what Katsaris tried to do, or at the least maintained an objective posture he instead in an effort to ensure his own image to Americans was not tainted supported a man who tried to create diplomatic tensions and he also created an impression in McCoy’s mind that we were some “Moonie-type” group. In fact, McCoy spoke more favorably about us to Katsaris than did Ambassador Mann.
Frequently, criticisms are made up Third World and socialist countries by Ambassador Mann. He has stated on several occasions he wouldn’t want to live in Peking and he has made criticisms of the lack of freedom in Cuba. We don’t see Cuba as a panacea, however it is their structure which makes them successful. This man has no structure, no socialist philosophy, and no loyalty even in a nationalistic sense to Guyana. When I secretary asked him if he was coming back to Guyana to live when he is no longer in the foreign service, he said he did not know but he doubted it if things continue in the same vein of austerity.
Mr. Mann it is critical of our constant references to loyalty. We don’t know how you can build anything unless it is based on loyalty. Frankly, Dr. Reid, we don’t have anything else to put our loyalty on if we don’t put it on principles and people we have seen to demonstrate those principles as we have seen in you. It is this same loyalty, which Mr. Mann cannot understand, that must be demonstrated within our own group. That is why my John cannot be negotiable. If loyalty starts becoming negotiable the morale of our entire organization would suffer.
A final point it pains me to bring up both because of an experience of another of our young women and because of the possibility that you are not in the position to do anything about this man. One of our nurses who was getting a ride home from Ambassador Mann one night was nearly raped by him. According to her, this man tore her clothes attempting to molest her. He intimidated her with a loaded gun waving it around and then placing it on the dashboard. He then locked the doors and made sexual advances she said. She was terrified when she got home and was still very shaken when she told me about it when she came into the interior. I can’t imagine anyone with any socialist orientation behaving like this. He acts as if the female members are public property to him.
I am sorry to have to take up your time with the disappointing details of a government representative who should be living in accordance to the philosophy and principles you have entrusted him to represent. However, knowing your character and commitment to the goals and principles of Guyana I was confident that you would want to be made aware of any aspect of government that could detract from these principles.
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Cooperatively Yours,
Jim Jones
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D-1-K-12
The Honorable Ptolemy Alexander Reid
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Development
Public Building
Brickdam, Georgetown, Guyana
November 28, 1977
Dear Cde. Reid,
Peoples Temple Agricultural Cooperative wishes to thank you for all of the efforts to expedite our obtaining our radios. We know it required extra time on your part and every member of our cooperative has been made aware of the efforts you have made on our behalf; it does not go unnoticed.
Our radios have been instrumental in transmitting much needed medical emergency information which has served the whole of the Kaituma Community as well as our cooperative. The lives of babies as well as other medical situations have been saved via this medium. In fact, our doctor did the most delicate kind of eye surgery with the help of a specialist in such kinds of surgery by using the medical network. In a like manner our doctor has been able to assist others by giving medical information to those who have requested it of us.
Families have also been able to communicate with loved ones across the miles telling them of the beauty they have found in their new home here. One cannot miss their enthusiasm in talking to their friends and relatives via the radio and this has definitely headed off problems with concerned relatives.
Jim Jones especially wanted me to convey his sincere thank you.
Please visit us whenever your busy schedule permits as we would be more than happy to show you our cooperative, and its many functions. We hope to contribute more and more to the totally of life in Guyana, our new home.
Cooperatively yours,
Deborah Touchette
Administrative Secretary
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D-1-M-3 (1)
[Another version of this letter appears at B-17-ss1 – rr7 on this page. And vice versa.]
SENT TO: [Ptolemy] Reid, [Vibert] Mingo, [Fred] Wills, [Forbes] Burnham
Nov. 29, 1977
Dear Cde. Wills;
In an effort to improve the course for integration of our organization into the Guyanese stream of living, we wish to beg a few moments of your time to keep you abreast of developments and select matters which are felt to affect us both.
HARASSMENT:
In a letter to you dated November 15, the topic, “Examples of harassment” did not give the background required an understanding just how situations like that were able to develop. The location of the incidence of the arrest frame-ups of myself and my son, Lew Eric (who has a new son born in Guyana) was Los Angeles which is notorious for a fascist and racist police force. The late Cde. Claude Worrell (who was a courageous warrior against political repression and a great friend) was versed in the tactics of the Los Angeles Police force and mentioned to me the times when frame-ups were also attempted on him: a young woman he was seeing was approached by the LA police and offered a bribe to claim that Claude had raped her – enough of a charge to disbar him from ever practicing law again. Another time they tried to get a friend of his, who was a deputy sheriff, to lie on him. When the sheriff refused he was demoted and taken off of active duty. Claudia confided to me the frustration of living in a racist legal system knowing that it was hopeless and receiving a fair trial for his clients. He felt a great pride in giving his life to Guyana and to a leadership which is working for socialist economic justice.
A book which gives a great background to the operations of the LA police it is called the Glass House Tapes, written by Louis Tackwood, a black man who had worked for the LA police as a paid informer. He was later stricken by his conscience and told what he knew of the goings-on within the “Glasshouse” (as the political section of the police department was called). He told of the coordinated effort of the LAPD with the CIA. In fact, it was Claude Worrell who first put Tackwood on the witness stand about the role he played as both informer and provocateur. (If you should wish to read this book, I’ll gladly provide it).
Several years ago before either of the arrest frame-ups mentioned occurred, there were simultaneous attacks on different black groups on the same Sunday morning. We were not excepted. An apparent “set up” was made by the LA police force, although to this day we don’t know the full background. Just outside our church some white ambulance attendants were trying to force an older black woman into an ambulance. She had evidently suffered a slight sunstroke, but had completely recovered and stated she did not wish to get in. The ambulance attendants started calling her “nigger bitch” and tried to shove her into the ambulance. We heard the commotion and went to her rescue. Evidently they radioed for help, although I don’t know when they found time, because within minutes an LA “riot” squad was there beating our people, women, and children over the heads with circled overhead. I kept most of my people indoors because we were, and are pacifists and did not want a scene like that which ensued through no provocation of ours. The outcome was the arrest of my wife, my oldest adopted son, Johnny (who is here with his wife and daughter), another married man who has a wife and son here, Michael Prokes, and another black male member, C. J. Jackson. None of them had ever been arrested before and were only taken in after trying to stop the ambulance attendant from shoving and forcing the woman into the ambulance after she stated she did not wish to go. There were no grounds for arrest.
I could see what was happening: they were trying to provoke our pacifist people into violent action but I controled the people and kept them inside. I told my people not to get alarmed, that I would go to the police station, try to reason with them and get our people out of jail.
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I walked into the police division with officials of our church, member-attorneys, and visiting officials. While in conference with the PR man for the police department, three white officers stepped up to me and said that I was going to be taken into custody also. They put me in a cell with blood splattered all over the floor, possibly to intimidate me. My wife, who was that time a high state official, was put into a room without windows. It was as if they knew the one problem she had not overcome was claustrophobia. One man (who I don’t even remember the name of because they all looked the same to me) came up to me and said, “Well, you’ve got lots of people, you can afford bail.” I told him that being we hadn’t done anything wrong, I wouldn’t dream of putting up any bail, and in the first place: poor people can’t afford to bail, I am a socialist and I don’t believe in the bail system. He said that I couldn’t stay in jail – it will be at least six weeks before I would get on the court docket. I said, “that’s your problem, I don’t take bail.” This went on for a few hours when finally a police commander came in and said that he understood that I had refused bail and that there had been some mistake: my wife and I were to be released. I said, “No you won’t. You will have to release all of us because we’ve done nothing wrong.” I told him that I had instructed my entire congregation to wait for our return. I was getting weary of this and so was my congregation and they’d probably be down to find out what is going on.
He left saying he had to call somebody, who it was I never knew. After three hours had past he came back and said charges were dropped on all of us. I told him that we wanted someone to come to our church and apologize to the people because it is difficult enough keeping pacifism. On the following Thursday police officer apologized publicly to our congregation. Thereafter we paid for it.
Harassment went on and on for several weeks until I finally culminated in a second arrest (described in the November 15 letter). My arrest was not made at the scene of the “set-up”, but in a hallway, a public place. I suppose it was meant to cause embarrassment. They said something like, “we warned you, don’t resist,” which showed that they were evidently counting on me to resist. Another attempt at intimidation occurred when we were crossing over a bridge. The policeman slowed down the car and said, “It would make a fellow in your position feel like jumping off a bridge, wouldn’t it?” So I went through the same old process; told him I wouldn’t take bail. I told him we didn’t care what they did, that we knew their workings and we will consider anything they say “a badge of honor.” The district attorney knew the judge I was to get was a conservative, or moderate at best, but even he knew the despicable tactics they use in the charges were dropped, as the record, which was ordered sealed, shows, with no stipulation to probable cause “and” no evidence that a violation occurred. And wife, my son, and all persons involved in both incidents have been completely exonerated. We will gladly produce affidavits as well as a copy of the sealed records showing that there was no evidence that any violation occurred. Amazingly, there was never a word in the press about it because of the audacious stand I took by telling all of my people about it. I have told all this to my people because I believe in being open and direct.
Two activists from integrated groups have had similar frame-ups this past week. Although they were not members of our organization nor have they expressed a desire to come live in Guyana, they have been very supportive of us. This same department has even tried to frame the mayor of Los Angeles on two different locations. His opinion of this department was drastically modified.
Now [Ed Davis] the head of the entire Los Angeles Police Department, a man with a reputation as a reactionary fascist running for governor of our state clearly shows which way the political scenario is moving. In the black sections of Los Angeles there is an average of two slayings of innocent blacks each week.
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POST RIOT:
After the riot they tried to start – a man working in the LAPD came to me in confidence because he shares some of our views, and warned us to be very, very careful and watch out. Unfortunately we weren’t careful enough. This same man has come to us again, speaking to my associate minister in Los Angeles. Again in confidence, he said for us to watch out, that the police department is storing these tactics again. He wasn’t referring to us this time, but warned us (because of our association with Guyana) that any Guyanese officials working in their line of duty was in imminent danger. These racist tactics are not involved in any of our people, but they have involved black people we know. This warning about your officials worries me because it was through the knowledge of your consulate in LA that we met Claude Worrell and how we came to be in Guyana. Claude was a fighter and he knew the police state consciousness, but he is no longer there: I am a scrapper and a fighter but I am not there.
This is the same man with the same warning and his warnings came to reckoning. We have instructed all of our people to not go to any public places because we know we can’t be too careful – the last incident took place down the street from our church in a theater.
There have been only two situations with the law but we’ve had many “close shaves” with police harassment especially on our educational cross-country trips in our fleet of Greyhound buses. One time on a street corner in New York there was a black lad and a Puerto Rican lad with knives in their hands going at it. We jumped off the bus asking what kind of inhumane treatment is this for a policeman standing to the temperament. The policeman told us to get back on the bus and stay out of it, they would break up the fight, which they subsequently did. Had our presence not been there, I don’t know what would have happened (possibly one of them might have been killed: the other charged with murder).
There are strong neo-fascist signals and right-wing turns, therefore I want to forewarn you because I know you have an office there. I don’t know if the man knows what he is talking about. But, he is in the right department to know and he was accurate on the last occasion.
PNC INVOLVEMENT:
The PNC Conference held at Matthews Ridge within the past couple of days enthusiastically received the performance of our various talents of music, singing, and the Peoples Temple drill team. Our delegates and performers told us of the delighted reception we were given for our participation and we deeply appreciate this.
Minister Jack’s remarks about us publicly and also privately when he came in to visit us were filled with good will and encouragement. The Regional Minister at the conference also publicly acknowledged our contributions to the community with a spirit of fellowship. Minister King mentioned the absurdity of bringing in and using soft drinks when the most delicious drinks are right there only waiting to be prepared. We couldn’t agree more. We only use local drink and find soft drinks to be inferior in quality and costly indulgence.
Members of the conference were very understanding of the fact that our people were not in the best of appearance because he lost some clothing and had no clothing to change into after being involved in the long train ride and the self-help program in the area before the meeting.
The conference was most stimulating to our delegates in attendance but they couldn’t help noticing the boredom displayed and the mannerisms of home they found out to be, Gregory Gaskin’s wife. Because our new home means so much to us, they found it quite odd that she didn’t even sing the National Anthem. The little girl sitting in between her and her husband (apparently her little girl) must have found her behavior strange also because she kept looking up at her in stony silence. However, the woman left early so she could have been sick.
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D-1-M-3 (4)
Local PNC meetings in Kaituma are attended weekly by approximately twenty delegates from Peoples Temple. We are making up the deficit to meet the Kaituma Party goal.
SAWMILLS:
It has been mentioned by several different people in the government that you want more of our people to settle here. Before this can be done we have to be sure we have adequate financial base. We would be glad to accommodate any number of people as we have not lost any followers or supporters as a result of those horrible smears, attempted frame-ups, and utterly cruel publicity. We are sure they would make very good citizens.
But the perfectly clearly defined conspiracy (which is proven now through several reliable sources of its existence going back 7 years) has had a financial drain on us with legal matters that have literally run into the tens of thousands of dollars. We have been assured by all of our lawyers that we will win the custody matters because every person is here legally with all of the proper legal documents. Their objective from the start was to draw us into litigation as a means of draining resources intended for the agricultural project which is why we explained that because of all of our legal papers were in order, a legal analysis of no jurisdiction would have been the best position to take.
In the previous correspondence it was mentioned that the Bacclus sawmill on the Waini River had been offered to us for sale in US dollars. If we could get concurrence on this matter it would help to offset the enormous costs we have in operating this project. Our farm will continue to produce at the stepped-up pace we have set for this year but to move more people and to maintain a standard of living which will complement Guyana and keep the conspiratorial detractors quelled will require additional sources of income. Therefore if we could be advised as to how to proceed with this sawmill matter or any other suggestions you may have to improve our economic situation we would greatly appreciate it.
REGIONAL COOPERATION:
Our medical program has been called the most advanced and thorough performing for any hinterland or rural project. Dr. [Larry] Schacht, our young doctor, is now going into the local community to reach people with medical attention.
ENTERTAINMENT:
During the tour of our farm one Minister made favorable comments about our elimination of violent films from our up-to-date selection of educational, entertainment, and comedy features shown on our video TV. We found it very encouraging that the government shares our views about the association of violent films anti-social behavior. We also agree that the wrong sort of films tend to encourage an improper emphasis on materialism.
We are attempting more assimilation and many of the young members at the Matthews Ridge conference were very friendly to our young people but all they could talk of was wishing they could get married so they could move to the USA. We found this to be the only discouraging thing about the otherwise absorbing conference.
We feel it would be helpful if a different kind of film was brought into the country; which didn’t give a Hollywood version of life as greener on the other side of the fence. We know it is difficult for a small developing nation to do much educating about the racism in the US, but we have seen our own children develop by leaps and bounds since we brought them only films with moral themes, or documentaries, or ones carry messages about the bad social conditions of the Western Society (even Hollywood has made some good ones with these themes).
NECESSITY: THE MOTHER OF INVENTION:
We have completely eliminated the need for cooking gas in our meal preparation for nearly one thousand people. Wood burning outdoor ovens and stoves proved to
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be more efficient, more reliable and less expensive in our communal cooking. Our boat took nearly twenty empty cooking gas cylinders to Georgetown to be filled. No gas was to be found anywhere so we had a meeting of our inventive people with practical skills and within a couple of days we developed a method of cooking which turned out to be superior.
A steam generator, which will operate on wood and waste, is on order to supply power to the entire community. This will eliminate any need for the very expensive fuel to operate our generators. We are doing what we can to become as “local” minded as possible and to save what foreign dollars we can for the important development necessities for Guyana.
Cooperatively Yours,
Jim Jones
Enclosure: Common Sense article
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D-1-M-3 (6)
[Copy of Common Sense article, October 1977]
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D-1-M-4
[This letter also appears at B-17-bbbb on this page. And vice versa.]
PAULA COPY
The Honorable Ptolemy Reid
At this time our only source of communication from the interior to the capital is about to be lost, our RADIO. In fact, the only reason we had any communication at all today (and it was so poor as to be worthless) is because our radio operator used tape to hold part of the radio together and directed a fan at the motor so it couldn’t overheat. Continuing in this way is impossible. Our radio is our lifeline. Just last week a pregnant woman would have hemorrhaged to death had we not had our radio operating, so as to allow us to arrange for emergency transport into the capital. If a medical emergency were to arise when we were without communication, the results could well be disastrous. I am sure that you can imagine the kinds of PR problems we would face in the event of a death that would have been avoided had radio contact been possible. Dr. Fredericks himself heard our emergency broadcast the other day.
Any call to those who are responsible for this delay which would expedite our getting the radios would be very much appreciated. We do understand the need for proper procedure in this area and have done everything we know to follow the guidelines. Communications are imperative to the continued functioning of our project. We have been pursuing this matter for weeks, with no apparent results. Our boat leaves for the interior Thursday and we absolutely must have a radio for use in the interior. We deeply seek a resolution to the problem before a real disaster results.
FAMILY SITUATION:
One of our members, Emmett Griffith Sr. died this month from cancer of the lungs. He had been diagnosed and treated by Dr. Searwar, and sent back to his home in the interior to be with his family until he passed. A postmortem was done. Ambassador Mann has received a letter from relatives in the States (all his natural children and his wife are here in Guyana, so it must be more distant relations) expressing “concern” that the family may have been “coerced” to come to Guyana, and questioning the adequacy of Mr. Griffith’s medical care. We don’t anticipate any serious difficulties arising out of this, but it is a shame that because of the Ambassador’s having placed himself in the position of “confidante” of Mr. [Steven] Katsaris, others now feel free to seek him out as a channel for their asinine claims.
I am sorry to again take up your time, but I do humbly ask that if there is anything that can be done about the radio situation, I would be most appreciative. We are all concerned about possible repercussions which could occur without having a radio as a source of communication.
Cooperatively yours,
Jim Jones
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[Editor’s notes: This letter includes numerous typographical errors, which have been corrected.
[This letter is duplicated at BB-17-lll-1 – lll-3 and at B-17-pp-1 – pp-3 on this page.]
D-1-M-5 (1)
The Honorable Ptolemy Reid
I hope you will not think it presumptuous, but I thought I would share with you some thoughts and ideas regarding the relations between those holding the perspective of the Third World and those steeped in the mores of Anglo-Saxon, capitalist North America.
This letter was prompted by some reading I did the other evening on Patrice Lumumba. The extent to which that fine man was betrayed, even by those within his own ranks is appalling. Throughout the chronicle of his systematic betrayal and ultimate construction one lesson seems clear: those of Caucasian background from the United States simply cannot be trusted, unless they have been tested in the fire of political persecution.
I do not know if I have told you this before, but I am racially mixed – Black, American Indian and white. My father was a man who tried desperately to “pass” as white and suffered the internal conflicts that such a venture entails. As a youth I lived on one side of the color line, and was able to see the world from the perspective of the white North American. As I matured, that world appeared increasingly unjust and cruel to me, and I finally made the decision to be who I was and am. It was a decision fraught with many a hard lesson, all of which I would gladly repeat, however painful, because there is no pain comparable to the agony of living a lie. After I had made the open declaration of my racial make-up and began to act upon that declaration [ten words repeated], it was interesting to see the reactions of my “friends” and even most of my family.
I am a Marxist first and foremost. I firmly believe that ultimately the socialist revolution will break down allbarriers between peoples. Nevertheless, I am realistic enough and have enough personal experience to be able to say that if I ever met anyone in the United States who was free of racism in some form I failed to detect it. I believe that without exception there is no white person in the United States who does not suffer from racism in some form; the very nature of capitalist society breeds such profound racism.
Even in Peoples Temple, where racism both openly expressed or privately practiced, is simply not allowed to become a problem; we see that over the years the Caucasian percentage of the membership has dropped. At one time the organization was better than one half white, now the ratio is more like 80% Black or other Third World background to 20% white. Rare indeed are those whites who are willing to identify with and become part of the struggle of the Third World to the extent that their own heritage of racial “superiority” is erased and no longer influences their thinking. That 20% have gone through a real “baptism” necessary to prove their commitment: often they have adopted Black children, or have intermarried – not in response to in requirements or rule but rather as part of the belief that such practical identification with the suffering of the Third World can only result in a more sincere commitment to the struggle for liberation.
It may indeed be redundant or unnecessary to say this the one who I know to be a true international Marxist, yet I say it from the heart: be wary of people of Caucasian background in the United States. Behind every frame up I have ever experienced there lurked someone white, either within or outside our organization, who never failed to make it [illegible word] known that racism was a strongly contributing cause of harassment.
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D-1-M-5 (2)
All who pass through life experience their own form of hell, so I will not take up your time to describe the hell of racism that I have witnessed and experienced in the United States. Here in Guyana those of us of lighter complexion have had East Indians who did not know our views on the matter of racism spew out the most viciously racist sentiments. Often they project an attitude of the most arrogant superiority. Unfortunately I have also noticed such racism among some Amerindians. Of course, there are many exceptions to this. One person who readily comes to mind is Cde. [Steve] Narine, a fine man with whom I had too little time, but who seemed very supportive of both the Prime Minister and yourself. Believe me, we are not complaining – as friend to friend I think we should share our experiences, although I have some guilt about the length of these communications. Moreover, having read extensively about Patrice Lumumba’s ordeals, I am more acutely aware than ever of the dangers that can beset leaders of integrity both internally and externally.
I beg your indulgence in allowing me to express these thoughts, and to give you some additional information on the following subjects of concern.
CONSPIRACY:
A few weeks ago, Tim Stoen, the legal father of my son, praised our organization heartily and myself in particular in bold newsprint, thus demonstrating his true knowledge about our work. Now, however, because his desire for prestige and his ambition to become a member of the New York Legal Bar has gotten the upper hand, he is willing to make a deal. His white, affluent background prompted many to distrust him for a very long time – his condescending and paternalistic manner was noted with distrust long ago. He and his racist (and outright fascist) wife [Grace Stoen] May affect a sweet, kindly manner, but any circumspect socialist will recognize them for what they are. Our attorney in the States, Mr. Charles Garry, thinks that Tim Stoen will be quite vengeful (and this opinion is shared by an activist friend of mine) because a leading West Coast columnist wrote that the real reason I am staying in Guyana it is not because of any ridiculous charges, but because of my son. This columnist, although a moderate in some ways, is more independent than others and more outspoken. Although we did not give him the information about my son, it’s probably better that it came out this way in the long run. Yet it likely will make Stoen more hostile and vengeful, because this columnist, who is the most widely read columnist on the West Coast, wrote an obviously favorable piece, and put my standing by my son in the most honorable light. He also commented that the District Attorney’s office told him that the charges were without foundation as so ridiculous as to not deserve comment. The only possible difficulty that I foresee about the true paternity being publicized may come from our pietistic denominational leader. However, as his friends tell us he is a highly promiscuous practicing homosexual, he hardly has room to criticize…
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AMBASSADOR [LAURENCE] MANN:
He said to Steven Katsaris, a man with openly fascist sympathies for the Greek military junta, that he too would also be concerned if his child left the standard of living of the United States to come to “this kind of living” to Guyana. We know during the transitional period one must use whatever talent is available, but I am sure you will not mind by giving a subjective opinion: I would not be surprised if the Ambassador would take a dollar from anybody.
He also told my secretary that Mr. Toddman of the State Department would be visiting Guyana soon. She wonders if he should be invited to visit the Project. If he were honest, he could not help but be impressed, but I have deep reservations about those who could achieve a high level of success in the racist, fascist United States. Somewhere along the line, such persons must have sold their soul and integrity… I have found only a very few exceptions to this – my friend [California Lieut. Gov.] Merv Dymally, newspaper publisher Carlton Goodlett and one or two others.
Cooperatively yours,
Jim Jones
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D-1-M-6 (1)
[A version of this letter sent to Minister Vibert Mingo appears at BB-17-aaaa, and a copy of this letter itself appears at B-17-ppp-1 – ppp-2 on this page. And vice versa.]]
The Honorable Ptolemy Reid,
The following is a brief resume of information regarding particular areas of mutual interest:
INTERPOL:
A government official in the States, friendly to our organization and a person with pronounced socialist sympathies told our headquarters some important information. This person saw and showed some of our people in the States document prepared by Interpol. As you know, Interpol is comprised of some of the most reactionary forces of capitalist society, and counts among its operatives the most important, wealthy Nazi and ultra right elements in the United States. This document contains a series of statements which clearly demonstrate that this organization has been intricately involved in, if not the central core of the fascist conspiracy against us. The two main “charges” leveled against myself and the Peoples Temple our that we are “Trafficking in currency and weapons.” The implication is that the phantom weapons are being smuggled into Guyana with the tacit cooperation of your government (which incidentally Interpol does not see fit to recognize as an independent nation – labeling this country “British Guiana” throughout the document.) This nonsense could be written off as simple insanity if it were not for the fact that Interpol is one of the most insidious arms of international fascism.
What disturbs us the most, however, is that some elements in government appear to be giving this garbage some credence. Currently our shipment of ninety crates is being inspected in customs – in a manner in which even customs officials remark upon as being unprecedented. We do not mind the going through of these items piece by piece, with every inch examined and inspected because we can understand that this procedure may be necessary to safeguard the government’s image should questions be raised. It is time consuming, and has resulted in the bottlenecking of valuable equipment, important to our project. Coming on the heels of this Interpol report, it is disconcerting. The report openly states that “lookouts” reposted in New Orleans, Houston, and Miami to watch our shipments. As you may know, this particular shipment was broken into in Houston by seven agents. We have an affidavit of an independent shipping agent to this effect. We are deeply concerned that at that time something may have been planted in order to “set us up.” Interpol has done this before to other organizations. Our apprehension was compounded when we heard that last Friday one of the crates was broken open, allegedly by a customs person without any of our representatives present. Mr. Janero [Richard Janaro], one of our purchasing agents in Georgetown noticed today that several of the crates bear evidence of having been tampered with.
As this Interpol report was forwarded, according to our source, to the Interpol office in Georgetown, we are wondering just what is going on here. Does the customs department work in cooperation with Interpol – an agency notorious for its fascist, reactionary activity? I cannot believe it. Or, is it possible that there are persons in customs who are individually sympathetic to Interpol and cooperating with this agency, seeking perhaps to discredit the Guyanese government through a frame up of our organization? From the not very subtle suggestion of collusion between Peoples Temple and Guyana in a non-existent weapons and currency traffic, this could be possible.
In any event, I thought it best to apprise you of this situation. I have always been direct with you, and I hope that you feel free to be the same with me. Indeed, I have always been quick to tell you whenever we have been approach over even a suggestion of illegal currency transactions. If you desire, I can
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have some of my close staff talk to your appointed representative regarding this matter; they could give you much in detail regarding this Interpol report.
AMBASSADOR [Laurence] MANN
In a recent meeting between the Ambassador and Mr. Dick McCoy, the Ambassador behaved in a less than circumspect fashion. He volunteered information to McCoy unnecessarily, especially regarding the custody case of my son, John. He told McCoy that Guyana “Was not going to get involved in any way” in the case. Of course we understand that if McCoy had initiated the discussion on this topic, such an answer might be appropriate. However, my secretary noticed that it was Mr. Mann who opened up the topic, and it was obvious that he was trying to curry favor with Mr. McCoy. She said that the Ambassador was unduly friendly with McCoy, almost fawning in his attentions and clear concern that he win McCoy’s acceptance. The Ambassador told Mr. McCoy that our counsel in the states, Charles Gary [Garry], was “stupid” (a characteristic that only betrays Mr. Mann’s own ignorance. His conversation was all together indiscreet for one supposedly versed in diplomacy. Indeed, our local counsel, Sir Lionel Luckhoo, a man who respects you highly, indicated clearly to several of my representatives that he did not trust Ambassador Mann, and assured them that nothing pertinent in this custody case would be mentioned to him.
CONSPIRACY:
We have received reports from the States that our leadership back there have been threatened, anonymously of course, unless we pulled out of Guyana there “would be no end to what would be done.” Among other things there have been threats to unearth the past of different individuals, which is of no practical concern to us as we have been exonerated even the barest hint of wrong doing. Yet, this approach belies a kind of vindictiveness that is appalling, because of the incredible amount of time and personnel it would take to do such a job. Evidence shows that this conspiracy has been at work, in some aspects for seven years. During this time there have been frame-ups, attempts at blackmail, and all manner of pressure tactics. Very recently, Tim Stoen told a close friend that he had been approached with the threat that if he did not help in getting my son returned to that woman, Grace, “things would be made difficult for him.” Tim Stoen says he is under great strain and pressure to cooperate, but at this time he seems to be holding up.
I confess, we have often wondered why there is so much intense concern about our presence in Guyana, but we have no regrets about our decision. At least, in this socialist country, our lives have meaning and purpose.
Radio communication:
We are still trying to get our radios out of customs. It seems that there is some concern, which we understand, that our purpose in bringing radios in is to set up new stations. This is not the case, as obviously we did not order any antennas. I do not see how it would be possible to set up any new station without antennas. We are working on getting a couple of radios out of customs so we will have some back-up in case there is a malfunction in our present equipment. Our radio has been a literal lifesaver in several crucial medical situations.
Cooperatively yours,
Jim Jones
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D-1-M-7 (1)
[This letter also appears at B-17-mmm-1 – mmm-2 on this page. And vice versa.]
The Honorable Ptolemy Reid:
The following our situations we wish to apprise you of or update previous information given.
CUSTODY:
We received word tonight that Tim Stoen as capitulated under pressure and has joined that woman, Grace, again asking for my son’s return. However, Sir Lionel Luckhoo has assured me that this will make no difference in the case. It pains me that Tim Stoen can have so little integrity, after having put me through the ordeal of my life at his request. I am afraid that commitment and integrity are scarce qualities in a world manipulated by pressure, money, and power. As I 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 ask if it is possible that his residency be revoked.
SCHOOL SITUATION:
Our school is flourishing, but we are still anxious that we be allowed to continue its operation. The Port Kaituma School was completely without water for several days, and there have been cases of malaria. Lastly, we were saddened to hear of the death of the baby daughter of a very fine leader, Cde. Green, from gastroenteritis. We have offered our services and skills, both medical and technical, to help overcome these problems, but it would be foolish to place our students in such a situation, in light of the kind of scrutiny we are under from the press. However, our farm functions with the critical help of our students; the school embodies the work-study concept. Production would be drastically impaired if the students had to live, work, and study elsewhere. We have been sending our equipment and personnel in the adjacent farm to help with the plowing and we are happy to do so. The theme for this year’s Regional Conference, in which we will be participating is “Increase Productivity for Socialist Development.” This will certainly strive to do, but it will not be possible if our work-study program is disrupted. (A more detailed report on school matters is enclosed for your perusal.)
INTERPOL:
We have had confirmation of the matter I wrote you about yesterday from a second source. This agency is definitely seeking to link our organization with your government in some kind of collusive traffic in weapons and currency – a traffic which needless to say does not exist. This independent source confirms that the tampering with our shipment in Houston is part of this effort and that this agency is getting a measure of cooperation from some person or persons in Guyana, although the specifics are not yet known.
LOCAL RELATIONS:
We continue to foster better relations with the surrounding community. Regularly we provide petrol at no cost, have lent our movie projector to Kaituma, and have exchanged films with the community. The other night we housed a group of people who could not get on the airplane at our expense, due to a GDF emergency medical flight.
RADIO:
A final and grave concern to us as a matter of obtaining back up radios since our present radios often break down under heavy use. My secretary informed me today that she was told at customs at the airport that we cannot have radios there unless someone with more authority to grant such permission. The
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RADIOS CONT.
radios have been literally life-saving not only to people in the Kaituma community via emergency medical phone patch, but also in assisting in major emergencies in Venezuela and Brazil (where much goodwill for Guyana was directly 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, nor 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 well over 800 people.
Cooperatively yours,
Jim Jones
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[The first seven pages of this letter also appears at B-17-rr1 – rr7 on this page. And vice versa.]
Jim Jones
Peoples Temple Agri Project
PO Box 893
Georgetown
Republic of Guyana
9th December, 1977
Honorable Dr. Ptolemy Reid,
Deputy Prime Minister
Office of the General Secretary &
Ministry of National Development
Camp Street
Georgetown
Dear Dr. Reid:
It is with great weariness that I find myself again addressing you with the bureaucratic hurdles which appeared to be either shortsightedness or harassment on the parts of various departments.
MEDICAL:
Interior development is faced with a major problem insofar as medical care is considered. We have the highest standards in medical care and have shared what knowledge, skills, and real humanitarian concern we have with local residents all over the district. We are now confronted with her medical skills being forced to a standstill where the local residents are concerned because our doctor, who ranked with honors in his class, has not processed his papers through the Ministry of Health.
We can certainly understand the Ministry wishing to certify his qualifications and see his diploma, however we have been told that we can no longer have our doctor treat the local constituency receive life-saving medicines and equipment until this is done. Are we to assume that because of bureaucratic procedure, all life-saving efforts are to be stopped? If it is preferred to not have him giving any care to this area at this time we will discontinue his trips into Port Kaituma and Matthews Ridge and turn people away when they come to us or are brought to us. In clear conscience, a socialist could not make that kind of decision. Where people need me, or my medical personnel, or other forms of vital assistance, I must obey the unspoken principle of socialist concern. It would be suicidal to take this kind of care away from the local constituency. We do not know what the immediate problem will be, but other medical people outside of Jonestown are much less qualified.
Our doctor gives very thorough medical exams to Jonestown residents, to neighbors, and to the entire community. Regular physical exams include diagnostic tests such as blood counts, prostate, cervical, and breast exams for cancer, and other tests. Although not total physicals, we
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realize, but far more defined than any routine physical given almost anywhere.
In addition to routine medical exams, Dr. [Laurence] Schacht has treated all types of emergencies, diseases, and other physical disorders. He has saved, literally, dozens of lives. He gives in constant contact with the “medical net” on the amateur radio discussing emergencies and cases of unusual illnesses brought to him. He reads extensively from our vast medical library which is added to frequently with the most up-to-date medical information available.
Dr. Schacht as written to his medical school requesting that his diploma be mailed to him. The medical school replied, as we explained to Dr. Baird of the Ministry of Health, that because of the medical school’s bureaucratic delays he should receive it sometime this month. Dr. Schacht as the letter stating this if you should wish to see it. Although he did not finish his internship he has had a great deal of extensive study and practical experience both abroad where he attended to the medical problems of our members, in here, where he has even performed delicate eye surgery with the help of the “medical net” through our radio. He explained his qualifications to the Ministry of Health on his arrival to Guyana and if there was some question, why was the policy only brought up now within hours after we had a visitor who came in and suggested our doctor be registered. We are now told that there is a requirement for Dr. Schacht to take care of his registration immediately.
If there is some other way he can be licensed or his registration be put off for a later time until we can train other medical people to work with the many medical emergencies which he faces daily, it will likely save countless lives from all over the area. The gastro problem of smaller children and babies in the local community as required medical treatment of life-and-death proportion that only he [in the entire MATARKI area) has the skills to treat. People were dying before our doctor came on the scene.
The media monster within the small sector that has been so vicious is anxious for us to give them an excuse to attack both us and Guyana. If they should hear of any outbreaks of illness or inadequate medical care, they would use it against both of us. We have a large number of senior citizens and they require an even greater degree of medical care and without a doctor the results could be disastrous. Right now we have the highest standard of medical care anywhere.
The thought of having to wait months to get medical supplies and equipment leaves me perplexed. Lives are at stake. There must surely be a way for you to license our doctor in some manner and not reverse the hands of time, where medical care is concerned, by removing him from this locale. Even local government people like Cde. Green, Chairman of the local PNC, has suffered the loss of a child from inadequate medical care.
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Nothing has opened up trust between the local communities and Jonestown like our doctor providing his services. (Presently we have with us two babies who were brought to us in near fatal stages of gastro. They were saved by 24-hour efforts including intravenous feeding.)
CUSTOMS:
The problem with technicalities has put us in a terrible predicament: it is now being said that we must have our people come in and claim their own personal effects in our large shipments at John Fernandes Wharf (and I assume they would mean the new shipment at GNEC wharf also). Are we to send 800 people into Georgetown for each to go through the crates to claim their own items?
We are a socialist body and live in a collective manner. We did not pack our belongings in an individualistic manner. We packed as a collective and that is how we live. We concentrate on group concern for each person as they have need. That is why we have achieved something Guyana can be proud of. That is why we have been able to build a model community. The achievements we have made our directly a result of our socialistic lifestyle and high degree of structure.
We were told that it was because of US agency warnings (such as Interpol) that customs should examine our goods with great scrutiny. We succumbed to that indignity and insult to our integrity in order to stifle any accusations which may have been made against you or the government but to put us through this bureaucratic paperwork nonsense is harassment. Because of it, ninety (90) crates are sitting in the warehouse which we have been unable to get out. We have actually had to buy items similar to those that are in the crates now but which we could not wait any longer to get out. We simply cannot afford this.
I tried to make Jonestown a comfortable secure home for the many new members who come here but it is with great difficulty with basic vital goods like sheets, shoes, and tools are held up for no good reason. It affects the morale of my people and I don’t like the task of being the organizer, a dad to many who never knew one, a counselor for personal problems which my people feel only I can help them with. I don’t feel presumptuous in saying that no one would envy my jobb, but the truth is that they came here because they believe in me. I’ve never let them down and I have fought long and hard battles for them. I don’t think anyone can imagine the burden in the role I have had to assume as the head of the household of a large extended family, without experiencing it. We don’t believe in hero worship nor do we have any religiosity in our community, but we feel it is the giving of love where it is needed and wanted that builds strong character.
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It is not easy to build a first-rate community which will make Guyana proud, with all of the harassment we have had to endure back there, not to mention some given here. It would be much easier to die for a revolution than to live for one.
Please understand, I say these things out of severe physical exhaustion. The doctor and medical staff are very concerned about my health. I apologize for bringing this up with you but the success of our community is dependent upon my health and I have intense pressures on me from back in the States. I must do all coordinating of our work in the US from abroad in order to save my son, John, and to be able to get our people off to a proper start in their new home. This is really a cry for help from a man who is beleaguered with a 20 hour/day work schedule.
We also know your problems are so complex these days that if we had to do it all over again we wouldn’t have burdened you with our project. But it is too late to look back and we have nothing to look back to. We can make a significant contribution to this progressive administration if these departments have reasonable empathy to what we have gone through. We are not looking for attention or recognition or special privilege. We only want the proper cooperation needed to get the crates out of customs; crates that we sweat blood to acquire. They are essential to our work.
I tried not to expound on every problem we have or the details of the conspiracy we are fighting in the US. But I had expected our professional people to be able to get jobs here in the economy, which we now find they cannot. Therefore, the entire support of the community is left on me alone. (For an example of conspiratorial harassment: we are being hassled by the Social Security department and most of the pensioners are not getting their checks. We were told even by people within the Social Security bureau that it is harassment.)
I have not begun to go into all of the problems we our having. I know you too are beleaguered with problems of perhaps a different sort but I am imploring you to intercede in these matters of ludicrous customs bureau nitpicking. Even the Comptroller of Customs, who has tried to be helpful cannot cut through this. We must obtain a blanket duty-free concession addressed to our organization and not individuals – since we operate as a collective. But even with a concession, we could still be given the runaround – and likely will – unless word is given by high authority the such bureaucrats as Stanley White in customs or his boss, Dennis Corlette.
DOCUMENTARY FILM:
It depressed our people greatly that the government declined doing a documentary film from here because Guyana felt this would give us public endorsement and thus would not be “expedient,” since the film would be shown in the US. Because of the democratic process in our structure here, we share both the good and the bad, without going into details in each case, because each person’s life is affected. This was by far the
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the hardest thing we have ever had to explain to our people, and it left very low morale and a feeling of great insecurity. We fail to see how the film would give public sanction, but we do see how important it would be to both the government and us to not have a US film crew, possibly with predispositions, make a film about a socialist community.
However, we have to bring in a crew if we can’t have it done here because many of our supporters in the US are adamant about it and feel it would prove the fallacy of allegations. We cannot let them down. We are not in all that much ill-repute as only a very small sector is not supportive. It could be a good thing but I don’t agree with having an outside film crew come in because one of our supporters – the President of the Black National Publishers Association – made clear: “none of them can be trusted!” They may do the filming here with a semblance of monitoring by your Ministry of Information, but the editing would be done in the US.
Charles Garry, who is nationally and even world renown, returned to the US after visiting the project and proclaimed Jonestown a “paradise.” Naturally he would not make such a statement on television across the United States if he did not feel that there was only goodness here. He plans to show the film himself at no cost, on his own air time, through his connections. However I am leery of all media people in the broadcasting field in the US. Even though we have some very good friends in the establishment press let the prominent columnist, Herb Caen, we are leery of the audiovisual media.
We are glad that you were out front and we were told about the reluctance of government doing anything which, in your opinion, would be recognized as a sanction. We could sense it anyway, but this official refusal causes a very grave depression. It was obvious because we were getting constant put-offs. Surely, you can empathize how some of us do not feel we have a very secure future. When majority of the decision-makers go against us on this matter, it clearly shows us where we stand. [We have even avoided making criticism of the US in our newspaper (in the US).]
Our concern about the US film crew revolves around what could happen on the trip between the airport and Jonestown. The amount of trouble they could stir within the community between the Port Kaituma airstrip and Jonestown could be horrendous. I feel to realize the wisdom of people coming from abroad to do this when even the moderates are saying that the media has a distinct prejudice toward any socialist nation. You’ve got more faith than we have, with all of the dirty tricks playing on us. We’d like to decline, but Charles Garry and a lot of our supporters wanted done and are insistent. We’ve tried to persuade them otherwise but we have to maintain our support up there. It can be very frustrating when your friends think what they want is good for you but the thing turns out to be not such good judgment.
The excuse evidently passed on by the Ministry of Information for not doing the film was that we offered the alternative of having a US
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crew do the film, which was not the case. The very reason the request was made for the Guyana crew to do the film was to keep from having to let the US crew do it. That was made clear to Brian Stewart-Young who said he thought the film would be mutually beneficial to us and Guyana as suggested that right before Christmas would be a good time to begin filming. You then pass the proposal on to Mr. Hutton Archer, who, in turn passed it on to Minister [Shirley] Field-Ridley. Repeated attempts to meet with her have failed and her secretary has not called after saying she would. What are we to think? We have enough support in the US that Guyana need not fear giving us a stamp of approval. Even the World Peace Council is aware of our situation and prepared to defend us. We are not asking for the Ministry of Information or the Guyana Government to be shown in the film’s credits. We simply want to get a fair documentation of our project by someone to satisfy our supporters. We even announced our willingness to pay the cost. But the refusal makes it look to our people that we are not supported and we are not wanted.
We can’t help but wonder at times what would happen if you or Minister [Vibert] Mingo would leave the scene. We certainly can foresee that there would be a lack of the necessary integrity which brought us to Guyana in the first place.
UNION CONFUSION:
Six representatives of the General Workers Union visited us on Thursday, December 9th, including Neil Gaskin, Regional Secretary for the GWU and Aubrey Armstrong, President of the GWU. They told us that the United Allied Agricultural Workers (Mohamed Tufail’s union) is channeling money and support to the sugar strike and that Tufail pocketed the money that we gave to the Union. They also told us that Tufail has connections with the PPP. We don’t want our money going to anything that supports destabilization of the economy. When we indicated some interest in supporting a trade union, Tufail said he was PNC and gave a long speech about supporting the government. We thought we should join us we even wrote to tell you we were thinking about joining.
The odd thing is that Tufail warned us about Neil Gaskin, saying he stole money. He said almost the same thing about Gaskin as Gaston said about him. Geoking [George King?] said that we won’t be seeing Tufa here anymore. They must be having quite a time with all of the confusion. We simply want to know what is going on.
AMBASSADOR [Laurence] MANN:
A loyal friend will follow on matters of principle whatever course, but won’t be silent. We don’t understand how you can avoid trouble with someone as crazy as he is in such a key position.
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QUESTIONING:
The driver from Matthews Ridge for a group of visitors who came to visit us a couple of days ago ask a lot of questions of various members of our group. My people are very happy here so naturally they report things like this. If people such as this driver were assigned by any department to question our people, it would be best to inform us because our people are apprehensive after all the harassment we’ve gotten, that they might be working for some agency like the CIA.
This driver took one of our young men aside and ask him all kinds of questions such as, “Are your parents or relatives here?” This emancipated adult was ask personal questions like, “What kind of salary do you get?” “How much money do you have?” “Who are your relatives in the US?” “When did you arrive?” “How long are you planning to stay?”
It could have been coincidence, but this man had no grasp of socialism or cooperative living. I don’t wish to bore you with these questions which I have only touched the surface of, but our people resented this because he was too personal and, having left behind a police environment, these kinds of questions are disturbing.
We don’t expect you to do anything about it, but we always post you of such things which could seem odd from both yours and our perspectives.
We want to give our thanks to Minister Hubert Jack who appears to be very dedicated to you. Having been without our heavy equipment for over one year, we were grateful for the assistance he gave. He made good his promise that they would be repaired and sent to us on the 12th of December. It was the first time that we could get any swift action in this area.
We wish to thank you for all that you have done for us in the past and anything you can do in these perplexing bureaucratic areas would be greatly appreciated.
With sincere regards,
Jim Jones
JJ:ps
cc: Honorable Minister Vibert Minho
P.S. We are glad to use our boat to transport neighbors who are in need of specialized treatment, if the government can assure that hospital costs
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This will be taken care of – as we cannot afford any extra financial burden at this time. We have done all kinds of surgical repairs on our project, such as saving one gentleman’s thumb (who is from the Kaituma area). We are glad to do free lab work as well as having our doctor do work in the town on a regular basis. We cannot afford, however, to provide medications for the people in the local community which are essential. There are no medicines in the Kaituma dispensary. Medical work is needed and we are willing, but we need assistance in order to provide it.
Dr. Baird told us that the Ministry of Health cannot dispense the needed medicines to Kaituma because there is a shortage. He said our doctor must become licensed and he must spend 3 months doing internship in Georgetown. Then he wants him to work at the hospital in Matthews Ridge. We are looking for a way to resolve this situation that will enable our doctor to remain in this area to help meet the critical medical needs here.
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[Editor’s note: This letter also appears here. And vice versa]
18 April, 1978
Peoples Temple Agricultural Project
P.O. Box 893
Georgetown, Guyana
Dr. Ptolemy Reid
Deputy Prime Minister
Ministry of National Development
Dear Dr. Reid:
We are facing a crisis situation in which it seems evident, at this juncture, that you are the only one who can resolve it for us satisfactorily. We were given assurances regarding the matter of licensing our doctor, Larry Schacht, which were subsequently reversed. It is impossible for us to accept the new decision as it would have an adverse effect on the health and well-being of too many persons– not just Peoples Temple members.
Originally, we were told that the situation would be worked out by the doctor who heads the decision making medical board. We were told that Dr. Schacht would only have to come into Georgetown for a couple of weeks. After that he would have consultations with a preceptor over radio telephone from Port Kaituma.
You can check with the Soviet Embassy to confirm the type of work our clinic is doing. It would make you proud. The Embassy official–who is a Tass correspondent–and his wife were overwhelmed by what they saw. (We are inviting all the Embassies from socialist countries and home to have the Chinese as our next visitors.) The couple said they were very impressed after seeing some serious disorders and medical problems treated in our facilities. They saw our staff of some 30 persons which include nurse practitioners, respiration therapists, an x-ray technician, RN’s, LVN’s, lab technicians, EKG technician, pharmacist, and a pediatric dispensor who have treated all kinds of critical medical cases. Our doctor has meant the difference between life and death on a number of occasions. The medical board doesn’t doubt this but some on the board insist, nevertheless, that Dr. Schacht must do a year’s internship in Georgetown. We said that if he had to be away for any extended period, it would likely result in some unnecessary disabilities and even deaths. The response by a few of the more outspoken board members was shocking. They said there would just have to be a few deaths, as there were deaths before we came. They used the argument that they wouldn’t be able to go to the States and practice without the proper training and credentials. To us, this indicated petite bourge…ie [bourgeoisie] attitude toward professional standards. (In other words, “We went through the process, and so must you.”) For a third world developing country, this attitude seems highly impractical. Some sort of amendment to the rules (if that’s what it would take) should be made for remote areas where [handwriting: adequate; existing is crossed out] medical services exist. We know you have deep compassion for the Amer-Indian people, and we provide the only adequate medical care they can get in the area. As many as 50 a day have come into the project, having walked from miles around. A number have complained of the treatment they received from the dispensor in Matthews Ridge who is not qualified to treat
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treat any but the most minor cases. Our doctor has actually had to treat people for the mistakes that the dispensor made.
Then we began to describe some of the more critical and complex cases that Dr. Schacht has successfully treated, we were stopped by one board member who said that our doctor’s competence was not in question. He said it was a legal issue. (One woman did say that something ought to be done on humanitarian grounds; but it seemed that the ones who were pushing the legal aspect had an intimidating effect on the others.)
If it is strictly a legal issue, then surely there is some way the board can credit the work that Dr. Schacht has already done, which is documented and which is more intensive than any internship program. Some of his work has been the result of expert consultations from specialist in the best medical clinics in the States and Caribbean, via our radio. Surely Dr. Schacht can somehow be licensed without having to leave the area that is so dependent upon his services which he provides around the clock. It is ironic, to say the least, to charge that our doctor is seeking special treatment when the opposite is true. A prominent physician in the U.S. views Dr. Schacht as a “modern-day Dr. Schweitzer,” as the enclosed letter indicates.
It would be tragic if our doctor had to be out of the area in another emergency situation such as that which took the life of the Port Kaituma PNC head, Ken Green’s child. The child’s condition was very treatable and the life would likely have been saved had Ken known about our doctor at that time. So it is deeply distressing when we are given a message emanating from Minister Hoyte that we cannot post a message offering our medical services and which would have conveyed the appropriate days and times for the people’s convenience.
Morally, our doctor feels (and we absolutely agree) that he cannot leave the project beyond the time period originally agreed upon, because it would be inhumane to do so. You can imagine how difficult it would be to say “no” to the Amer-Indians who seek our medical services and the effect it could have when suddenly the free services are no longer available with no reasonable explanation being given. It is generally known [unreadable] are PNC members, and so I’m afraid it will reflect badly on the government and us if the services are eliminated. Dr. Reid, would you please help us in this matter?
CUSTOMS
We still have made no progress in customs. We submitted a letter requesting various duty-free concessions which were all denied. The letter was issued from Minister Hope’s office. The effect of the answer to our letter is to penalize socialists and give incentives to those who are capitalists. The regulations are obviously archaic. The Deputy Comptroller, Stanley White, stated flatly, “The law makes no concessions for co-operatives. I know it makes no sense but it’s a holdover from British law.”
In Jonestown we distribute equally to everyone. Thus, personal items are never earmarked for a single individual. If it were otherwise and every individual had to claim their own goods, everything would be chaos when the goods arrived as each person would have to come to town.to That would mean
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bringing up to 1000 people into Georgetown to get their belongings which would be an insane and impractical situation that would halt production on the project.
Something needs to be done when the favor is being given to people who live non-communally. We’ve been given duty-free concessions in the past, so we know it can be done. A government official told us that our trouble began when Interpol (which we have proof is part of the conspiracy against us) sent customs a letter stating we were smuggling banned items in our shipments. Then one of the dock owners told us our crates were broken into by six special police officers. The approval on our forms was rescinded before the officers went through the crates. Of course nothing illegal was found (although we did fear that something could have been planted on us). From that time on we have gotten no cooperation from customs– only a series of endless frustrations and closed doors. The heart-breaking thing is that we have had to actually purchase the same type of items that were in the crates because we could not get them released and they were urgently needed.
The customs roadblocks are also costing us many thousands of dollars in increased fees for rental of space for our crates. The longer it takes to get release of the crates approved, the higher the rental cost. This is money that would otherwise be used in ways that could only benefit Guyana through increased development. Again, we are looking to you for some way to resolve this problem, which is having a crippling effect on our goals, which are your goals.
Very respectfully,
Cde. Sharon Amos
P.S. The Tass correspondent and his wife said they loved Jonestown and were particularly amazed at the medical program. (He was very thorough and probing, just like most press.) Only after it became evident that they were favorably impressed, did we tell them that we felt it was critical that they support Prime Minister Burnham and his party. We said that although we have the heist regard for the Soviet Union, we are disappointed at Jagans’s approach (e.g., the camping strategy of “vote your own”). We said the best thing they could do was support the leadership of the Prime Minister. That was all that was discussed about the government (except that we did give the highest praise to your work and the work of Minster [Vibert] Mingo).
[handwriting: “encl: copy of medical degree
cc: Min. Mingo”]
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Honourable Dr. Ptolemy A. Reid,
Deputy Prime Minister & General Secretary of the Peoples National Congress
Ministry of National Development
Camp St.
Georgetown.
Dear Cde. Dr. Reid:
Please excuse the somewhat rough and unstructured nature of this communication; it was transmitted to our Georgetown secretary under less than optimum conditions. However, we have felt it was of urgency and could not wait.
MERCENARIES BEING SENT TO GUYANA
We have alarming evidence that the ringleaders of the campaign [illegible word] our organization and leader have been seriously considering and [illegible word] have already been getting into motion machinery took flight and mercenaries to make an attempt on the life of Cde. Jim Jones and others. This is [illegible word] new in light of the conference of all progressive countries meeting in [illegible word], Benin in which it was revealed that mercenaries are being [illegible word] employed in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Furthermore, we have heard from an informant that is inside Tim Stoen’s circle that this [illegible word] tactic to be employed against us by reactionaries backing Tim Stoen because Guyana is the loan socialist outpost on the South American continent. Mr. Stoen, who has taken a leading role in these efforts, has been in contact with a CIA front group that specializes in aerial reconnaissance. We have the name of that organization and are [illegible word] to you in strictest confidence: the Eureka Research Association. We request that you do not divulge this name since it could possibly [illegible word] private arrangement we have with friendly officials in the United States who have agreed to try to do something to stop such efforts, which [illegible word] possibly start an international incident and could have great repercussions. One of the US Embassy officials is concerned about this being a likely prospect as he told a delegation of our members.
We know of plans to conduct such insane, criminal operations [balance of paragraph illegible]
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position if revealed. We could take a lie detector test prove it.
We know that these threats must be taken seriously, and that we are not overreacting. Recent history is full of examples supporting a conscientious view. We know that rightist elements in the United States would undertake such an operation to test out the vulnerability of Guyana to infiltration and similar military adventures. The issue of hiring mercenaries is a real one in the U.S. for there are even national magazines, (e.g., Soldier of Fortune) which act as placement services for would be mercenaries (such as Rhodesia).
In the wake of these activities, and the fact that threats to hire mercenaries against our community are publicly aired in the California press by people cooperation with Tim Stoen, we urgently request clearance to adequately equip ourselves. We have not been able to get ordinary guns, and have just barely been able to secure a few gun permits for shotguns. We did make application for hunting to adequately defend ourselves. We must have what we applied for and more.
We are close to getting the direct information concerning precise plans to kidnap and assassinate Cde. Jim Jones and reportedly as many others as necessary to get through to him. Tim Stoen has contacted the man who is responsible for the murder in recent months of one of the activists dear to our group and other groups in the U.S. – Chris Lewis. Though Cde. Lewis acted too independently he did fight black oppression and even the press admitted it was an assassination. Tim Stoen said that before he would lie about us, something would have to be done about Lewis who was loyal to Jim because of Jim’s consistent assistance to black political prisoners.
We now have proof that a man named Charlie Walker, an underworld lender, met with Tim Stoen and a newspaper reporter, and is also involved in plans to land mercenaries in this area. There are right wing maniacs involved in it whose names we have. Unfortunately, perhaps tragically, the U.S. press is reluctant to concern itself with our situation until “something happens.” And, as was brought out in the Benin conference, the U.S. press even glorifies mercenaries – like they were cowboy adventurers, so you must understand our desire to be left at least the appearance of not being defenseless (though our interest is hunting). Our people are understandably alarmed, and would even make an unforgettable demonstration should efforts be pursued to kidnap people here without, our having adequate means of self-defense.
GUYANA CONSUL TO MEET WITH CONSPIRATORS
The group involved must be taken seriously, and even moderate voices, are deeply concerned, and we feel that, certainly, Socialists should be all the more concerned. The group tried several “legal” and “diplomatic” means to pursue their schemes, but they got nowhere with the press, nowhere with Congress, and nowhere with the State Dep’t. Now they are going to try a personal venture and we absolutely know they have right wing money behind them. Their efforts actually originate with a militantly right wing Congressman who practically has his own personal shock troops and intelligence apparatus. The group paid off a public relations firm nearly $1,000,000 according to our reports. Our information is sound, and comes from not only our own work, but close sources which include moderates, civil rights activists, and socialists. Now we have learned that Tim Stoen [last four lines of page illegible]
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We are doing our share we feel. We release people from production and the rest of us step up our schedule to maintain production levels on numerous occasions so that some of our people can participate in PNC work. We have given our band free of charge for functions and have spent $1,000 for tickets and for PNC fund raising activities, e.g. Bingo, dances, etc. One hundred of our entertainers participated in the May Day festivities and parade, dancing down the streets (one even fainted because she didn’t stop for a break). We were proud to stand in support of labour solidarity under your PNC. Yet we cannot express how exasperated we are at the temerity and lack of support that we have received out of too many quarters in government from people who could at best be called technocrats, unworthy of tying your shoes. And some of them we know to be criminal and yet they continue to function at their post. We knew that there is a time and a place for “house-cleaning,” but we see no reason whatsoever that we cannot now receive the guarantee that the members of the PNC, both at home and abroad, will no longer dignify the machinations employed by our harassers.
LICENSING OF OUR MEDICAL DOCTOR
Incidentally, a recent visitor to the project, Dr. Walter Thain, a gifted and internationally known cytologist, and head of a medical network of over 2000 members in the United States and round the world praised our work after staying several days. He said that our project’s physician, Dr. Larry Schacht, was one of the best he had ever met out of over 5000 doctors he knows personally. He showed Dr. Schacht a whole series of cytology slides, and Dr. Schacht astounded him by identifying every one correctly. He are now doing cancer research out in the jungle unknown in some quarters of the U.S.A.
The issue of licensing Dr. Schacht remains a critical one for us. First we were assured that there will be a special arrangement for him to do his internship here and come in only once every couple of weeks for special consultation with his preceptor. We have clarified that Dr. Schacht’s presence in Jonestown is vital; you consult on critical cases each night with an international medical network of the world’s top physicians via amateur radio (which has already saved lives). This was to be the main thrust of his internship, and providing written work to a preceptor. Minister Green told us that a compromise could be worked out, another health official said that maybe he told us that because of a very instructive hospital case concerning a malnourished baby. We referred the baby to public hospital because our physician was told by yet another official in the Ministry of Health that he could not risk working with such a case since he was unlicensed. He transformed and maintained the baby’s family at our cost in our Georgetown headquarters. The baby was dying in public hospital because of poor care, according to the hospital to which the baby had subsequently been transferred. It received only black tea to control diarrhea, and no medicine. The doctor at the hospital when the baby was transferred was quite conscientious, but the child was already too far gone and died two days later of acute malnutrition.
We know that we could have taken care of the baby ourselves if Dr. Schacht felt the liberty to do so. We have lost no children and have saved many who were in similar condition. We do not wish to be a party to this again. We reassured the mother; we took care of her in her Georgetown headquarters, tried to make her feel that she did the best she could. When children come here with such problems, we must have our doctor here to work with them. We cannot afford to keep sending them at our expense to paid hospitals, and we can’t conscientiously send them to municipal hospital, then [illegible word] be assured that we won’t register that sentiment with anyone but you. I think you can understand and sympathize with our situation, and will be in
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own country, and dignify the work of this conspiracy, though please understand he’s been very kind and sympathetic to us personally and would gladly bow out if given notice from your good office.
We must express in the strongest terms opposition to such a meeting which will only fan the flames of their attacks and play right into their hands. We have been told repeatedly by party members that Bunny Mann is capable of taking almost any action. We have been told reliably that he would cooperate with anyone and proof of that has been provided your office, as you well know. We know that Bunny Mann will soon be going to San Francisco and Los Angeles, and we naturally wonder for what reasons, and if his trip in any way concerns us. The consulate in Los Angeles confirmed that there was absolutely no grounds to the charges of Tim Stoen and company about our community. He based this on the statement of the head of the Guyanese desk at the US State Dep’t. In short we implore you to take a hand here and assist immediately – within 5 days – to resolve this situation before any meeting is held to identify those scheming other reprobate who has already insulted the integrity of the legal system in Guyana in the most brazen and arrogant fashion.
Tim Stoen is a totally amoral person. He acted like a perfect socialist in our organisation for a number of years (and stated he had always been a socialist from childhood). We discovered, however, that at one time, he had been arrested in the German Democratic Republic for espionage. We have already given you the evidence in this matter. Such people should not, we maintain, be dignified by any officer at any level in any meeting, especially before the media.
Just last night we discovered that one of the persons in this conspiracy told a teacher in our school – Clara Johnson – in a radio telephone patch that ”it is Tim Stoen’s business if they want to kill you.” This worthy couple who have turned to become religious fanatics and sell-out Uncle Tom’s, have 7 relatives here – all legally, as are all the residents. When he said ”kill you” he was speaking in the collective sense in terror of exterminating the community! (And then he even specified his own relatives.) His name is [Wade] Medlock.
If we are to be able to continue to produce, to build, to live and feel accepted here, to integrate (which we’ve been told to do by delegations averaging 20-30 a day as of late, praising us as a model community) and make the full measure of our contribution, we recommend earnestly that some principled person in government such as yourself, act to put an end to this charade, so that these attempts to dignify their case by meeting with Guyanese officials are stopped. Much is being accomplished here – you owe it to yourself to come out here and personally see the extent of what we’ve done.
You may not be aware of it; but our medical facilities here have absolutely proven to be life saving. We deal with scores of dire medical situations weekly. Babies that would have succumbed are here right now recuperating and getting expert 24 hour a day treatment in our facility. The reporter from the USSR Tasa news agency came and saw this work and praised it very highly, calling it a paradise. Of course we did not stress the problem concerning the children brought to us that had just been saved from physical difficulty that handicaps them from assimilating their food, which happens in any society. We build your name up high in our appreciation of your example and practiced help as a person who lives humbly – not only as a Socialist theoretician, but aa a devoted practitioner.
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us with a resolution to this situation.
Again, we would love to have you come, here and see this community firsthand. As a final note we reiterate that we cannot continue to be constantly harassed while plans of hired mercenaries and violence experts are made to be carried out against us, while having our fellow countrymen both here and in the U.S. dignify our harassers, as would be the case if the consular any other Guyanese official were to meet with Mr. Stoen. It is ridiculous to give Stoen this opportunity as he’s been able to get no press coverage on his own (and even in this case the station involved is the least listened to). We know we are doing good service here, and we would like to feel a sense of acceptance, and the support of our new home in our struggle against this conspiracy. We know that we can defeat it, and move forward with you to building a great future of this nation of promise and beauty that we have come to love.
Co-operatively yours,
/s/ Tim Carter
>Cde. Tim Carter
Assistant to Cde. Jim Jones
P.S. You would be proud of what we’re achieving in the production of our own soap, brick, peanuts, and wing bean.
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