[Editor’s note: Insofar as is possible, the letters and notes of Peoples Temple’s contacts with Desmond Hoyte, Minister of Development have been arranged below in chronological order.]
D-1-P-1
6/3/78
A more detailed report on contacts will follow – I want to get this out now. The most significant thing that seems to be happening is the focus on Desmond Hoyte. Both in The Chronicle and the New Nation he has received front page coverage with his budget statements. In the New Nation he received front page headlines while the Prime Minister gets second page. Wills says there is something going on behind the scenes – a power play as he called it – and I bet Hoyte is the one behind it. The reasons:
1) Wills resignation – Hoyte aspires to Reid’s position. They say Reid will never become the PM, so Hoyte is actually bucking for the top spot. Wills was number 3 in terms of power in the cabinet, after Burnham and Reid. So Hoyte’s first step at the ladder is to get Wills removed. He succeeded.
2) Attack on PT – He knows we are a political power, and have strength. I feel his attack on us was his way of forcing us to recognise him s something to deal with. Now that Wills is gone, he has to show his power. It may seem back-asswards, but if the man is as impetuous and short-tempered as people say he is, it is not far out. It is an election year and he doesn’t want anything at all to reflect on his department. Even though Green is the head of Health, if Hoyte responds as regional minister he makes himself look better than Green by being more concerned.
3) His vows to get at us with the GDF and the boat situation: and now the GDF wants to charge and the rumors of the boat seem to be abounding and the new talk of putting a customs station at Kaituma. All this must be from Hoyte. Also the fact that the media is so edgy – there is something going on there. Hamaludin wouldn’t tell us who it is that is giving hands-off orders, but it is Hoyte who asked that the paper “refrain from publishing further hand-outs” which is a pretty direct order it seems to me. Even though we heard that Green is not pleased with Hoyte, they were very buddy-buddy at the Mashramani celebrations. I wonder if Green is not afraid to get involved with us because of Hoyte’s campaign?
4) Mingo’s statement that Hoyte is obviously prejudiced towards us, and he kept on referring to “your friend Hoyte”. Also Mingo offered to talk to Dr. Reid, which he has never done in the past, and we hadn’t even asked him to. Why would he talk to Dr. Reid now, when we haven’t even asked, when he wouldn’t hardly do it when we did ask? He said he would talk to him because if it seemed we were having problems. What does he know that we don’t?
This may not mean a thing, but Hoyte is on the move, and I feel alot of our problems right now are a result of his power politics.
[Handwritten note at bottom of page: “I’m sending two of the more significant conversation with Wills. They are old but I may have something down you haven’t seen yet. Tim [Carter]”]
–––––
D-1-P-2 (1)
[Letterhead of Peoples Temple Agricultural Mission in Guyana]
16 July, 1978
Hon. Minister Desmond Hoyte
Minister of Economic Development
Avenue of the Republic & Brickdam Georgetown
Dear Minister Hoyte;
We received your letter and thank you for your forthrightness. Good intentions often pave the way to hell as the saying goes and we see that for some reason the waters are troubled between you and Peoples Temple. Frankly speaking we’ve heard that you didn’t feel particularly warmly towards Peoples Temple. On one occasion my wife attempted to get an appointment with you to work out any differences that might have caused you any troubled feelings about us. But you are quite a busy man and upon finding out that your schedule wouldn’t permit an appointment at that time, we have made little attempt to contact until recently.
We were very pleased by your direct and outspoken position on the fair practice of medicine recently in a public speech which was passed on to us by another official who spoke very positively about it. We were appreciative because we feel that the new constitution’s guaranteeing of medical services to the people is a most praiseworthy step and, we realize, not an easy undertaking for a smaller third world nation.
Our prime concern is that there not be any barriers between us when there is such a great need for all concerned socialists to work together regardless of racial or national background. We deeply desire to help, in our way (however insignificant that may be) towards the realization of the worthy goals and ideals the Guyana government has set forth. We are proud to be able to help, and feel it is our obligation in return for the privllege of living here.
Of course we would like your goodwill, and would not dream of insulting you. We were informed by a number of people that a story about our medical program in the newspaper disturbed you. We don’t know the veracity of that but we do know that the world is rife with rumours. We thought that the article reflected well on Guyana, because, after all, we could not achieve anything In terms of serving the people of this country without the cooperation of the Guyana government. It allowed us to establish ourselves and find refuge here in spite of no small amount of harassment due to our ideals and practice of cooperative living and integration, an area in which
–––––
D-1-P-2 (2)
Guyana is setting the pace.
Please know that it is our desire only to assist and not to offend. We stand behind you and the leadership of Guyana that is working so hard to provide the greatest opportunities for its people. Should you wish to discuss any matter with us at your convenience, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Cooperatively yours
Cde. Jim Jones
(by Sharon Amos, Assistant)
– —-
D-1-P-3
Hoyte: Information Gathered from the Public Library
Deborah Touchette June 9, 1978
Cde. H.D. Hoyte, S.C., M.P.,
Minister of Economic Development & Cooperatives
M.E.R. Giles-Permanent secretary
Address: Ministry of Economic Development
I Ministerial Building
Avenue of the Republic & Brickdam Georgetown, Guyana.
General Information:
– used to be the Minister of Works & Communications, March 9, 1973
– Born March 9, 1929
– was responsible for roads and sea defense, govt. buildings, water supply, hydrometerology, electrical inspection and procurement of general supplies
– his first name is Hugh.
– Sunday Chronicle April 3, 1977 Page 1,
In apparent move to rationalise portfolios Economic & Development & Regional Development Minister D.H. takes on local Government & Co-operatives while Cde. H. Green gone to the Ministry of Labor, Health & Housing, also got parliamentary Secretary Cde. Seeran Prashad formerly w/local: government to help the new expansion and Cde. Phillip Duncan formerly Min. of state for Rupuni Regions goes to Cde. Hoyte’s ministry as Minister of State.”
– Sunday Chronicle Aug. 25, 1974 pg.l
“The Key Economic Development portfolio goes to current Works & Communications Minister D. Hoyte. He succeeds departing Dr. Kenneth King who will leave in 48 hrs for top FAO job in Rome. Minister Hoyte will also be responsible for Regional Development.
– July 1973 Cabinet Responsibilities senior Minister SCMP Min of Works & Communications Barrister at law, born March 9, 1929 – G.T. responsible for roads (design maintenance and construction Govt, buildings, including quantons and their allocation rural h2o supply. Hydrometeorology, electrical inspection and procurement gen. supplies, postal services, govt transportation services, shipping & harbors services, livid [likely “civil”] aviation and telecommunication