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26 April, 1976
Peoples Temple Agricultural Project
P.O Box 893
Georgetown
Dr. Ptolemy Reid
Acting Prime Minister
Dear Dr. Reid:
Some persons involved in the conspiracy against us have formed a group call “Concerned Relatives”. They have drawn up a petition demanding that certain relatives of theirs be sent back to the U.S. to see them for a period of one week. (They are alleging that the relatives are being held here against their will.) Ambassador [Laurence] Mann has stated that the petition is essentially true. Can you please give us some explanation for this man? What makes us so insecure is that he is so unprincipled and unscrupulous, as we have been told by everybody and can document ourselves. We know that he has met with those who are working against us, and it has been told to us that he has been getting money. How are we to have any security?
He has fanned the flames. We had it all cooled down but he gave some kind of statement that there is something strange going on in Peoples Temple and our opponents feed that to the press. We are direct. We’ll die for you as we’ve declared on numerous occasions. We mean that. But please will you tell us what in the hell is the reason for retaining this man? Has he got something on high cabinet officials as he has told one of our members? If you say that this is the case, then we won’t ask any more questions. If it’s not the case, then it seems stupid to keep him in the U.S. He would sell out for a dollar. There is nothing he can have on anybody that would seem to us to warrant keeping such a disloyal person in such a strategic position.
Remember, Dr. Reid, we have direct information about this man. You can go back to previous letters and see that we have not given you guess-work about him, we have given facts. We would not have any more problems or trouble with relatives if he had not given them encouragement. It would have long since died down. He even admitted that it was his idea to bring them. A police official, by the way, also encouraged the idea that relatives come, here, saying that he would see to it that they could go out to our project. This is absurd. We have relatives visiting right now – and more coming. But we don’t want relatives who are involved in the conspiracy, because we have proof from a publisher that they are planning to hire mercenaries to come here and kidnap children. These people are not wanted by their own relatives on the project. Those who are not involved in this mess, of course are welcome to come. You can check with Mrs. Vivian Davis who is here visiting her daughters. She is a professional medical person and has never met Jim Jones in her life. She has heard all the lies and foolishness. She also heard that Guyana (and us) had no electricity, no running water, no conveniences, and no doctor.
This is another reason why we are concerned about our doctor. His presence is vital on the project, not just for medical reasons which are the foremost consideration, but also for public relations purposes. We are viewed with such intense scrutiny that we must maintain the highest standards of health and health care services. Our doctor has one hell of an awesome job, sometimes see-
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-ing 50-60 Amer-Indians per day, who come from miles around. He needs to have his license approved without having to leave the project. He should not be away one minute. His competence has been proven and even the medical review board of the Ministry of Health doesn’t doubt it (his competency), according to the statements of board members at a recent meeting with us. But some of the board members still insist that he go through an internship program which would take him away from Jonestown and undoubtedly cost some lives. This is unacceptable to us and we can’t understand the callousness of a couple of board members who said unashamedly that this was a price that had to be paid. We couldn’t believe we were hearing this.
Of all the relatives who have come to Guyana, it could only possibly be three persons at most, stirring trouble back in the U.S. All the other relatives were very positive, including Mrs. Davis who is on the project now. Others will be coming soon, such as a prominent Methodist Superintendent, Dr. John Moore and his wife. We have conversed with Dick McCoy of the American Embassy about the problems with relatives and he acts like he is our friend, but one never knows.
Please, Dr. Reid, now more than ever, take hold of Guyana with a firm hand. It is the only way to save the principles which you have stood for by living a principled life. You’ve never used your position to take advantage, and you’ve always lived humbly. Jim Jones and many many others do not want to die for an unprincipled situation. We would consider it an honor to die – but not for nothing. We don’t wish to die as a representative for people who don’t believe or stand for anything – whose course isn’t firmly established. Thus we implore you – please take firm hold of Guyana.
Yours Co-operatively,
/s/ Timothy Carter
Timothy Carter
Assistant-to-Cde. Jim Jones
P.S. I’m sure you’ve been hearing about our work in support of the PNC, such as mobilizing people for the “doorstep meetings”, participation in May Day activities, self-help projects in Port Kaituma, fund-raising – to mention just a few things we’re doing. We are also donating the use of our brass band to help Minister Carmichael reach his fund-raising goal of $50,000, as well as selling tickets and buying $300.00 worth ourselves.
cc: Min. Mingo
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[Handwritten notation] From Tim Carter
Blackmon [Carl Blackmon, Guyana Chronicle Journalist] 8/23 Marcie [Marceline Jones] and Tim
– He was friendly and positive. When Marcie asked him his impressions of Jonestown his first reaction was “interesting” (which is what he said to me on the way out of Jonestown – and that’s all he would say), but then he softened a bit and went into how much he admired our resourcefulness and the project.
– He said not all his questions were answered but what he saw he was very impressed with. He said he didn’t know about the medical, but the agriculture spoke for itself because you could see it.
– He said that one of the accusations was that we staged things for people when they come to visit (he just sort of dropped this in – so obviously he still has some doubts, even though his overall attitude was very positive)
– He said that he had been all over Guyana, even places where you could just drop a potato on the ground and it would grow, and nowhere in Guyana was anybody doing with agriculture what we are doing. He said again how impressed he was with our resourcefulness.
– He said he went home and told his kids all about Jonestown, and he wished that his son Raul had been there to see for himself.
– He said that unless we were hiding alot of people away (said that jokingly) he saw an awful lot of happy faces in Jonestown.
– He said that Guyanese expect things at their fingertips, to flick a button and have their electricity etc, and here are a group of Americans who are used to such conveniences going into the jungle and sacrificing these things and producing for themselves and being happy with it
– He looked at the [Carlton] Goodlett quotes and said he was going to do an article based around them. Said it would be in Saturdays paper. Then he said he wanted to do a feature article on our agriculture, and put it in Sunday’s paper. He said he was very busy this week because his daughter was marrying and his car had broken down, so he may not get to it, but that he would get to it the following Sunday if not. Said he would put a picture in with the Goodlett article.
– Said he would also be doing something for AP to respond to some of their queries about the charges. Marcie pointed out that even to print denials to charges plants negative thoughts in people’s minds. He agreed and said that he definitely would not do that here in Guyana, that he would stick with the agricultural aspects of the project and things like that, and not touch the political at all. But he said he would deal with the political aspects of the thing in the AP article. He said that he would let us see it before it went out (he offered this, we didn’t ask) to change any factual errors, but he also said that his observations were his observations. I dont think he meant this as if he was going to ax us, but more that he didnt want us dictating to him everything that might be in the article, that his thoughts are his thoughts. I didn’t especially like this comment, though, but I don’t think there was is anything we can do really.
– Said he enjoyed the entertainment very much
– Said he didn’t panic once during the whole trip, not even when the pilot had to try and start the plane by hand. We apologized for the flat tire and he said that these things happen. He said that after all that the photographer, Oudkirk, the day after he returned broke his shoulder.
– He showed us the picture which were all very good. There was one excellent one of everybody saying good-bye. There must have been 20-30 people in that picture, all with big smiles on their face (and I mean all). The picture is useable I think, but probably needs to be cropped. It would be perfect except that John Harris is in the foreground and rather prominent in in the picture with a raised fist instead of waving good-by.
– As we were leaving he came out and showed us the telegram from AP regarding John [Victor Stoen]. I asked him what prompted this, if the article in the paper had gotten out of Guyana. He said that it must have, and he thought that is what the telegram was aksing about. The telegram read “Added info on Peoples Temple case. Also need to know name of child, Tim Steaon (that’s how it was spelled), and where mother now lives. Who is the father and his whereabouts. How long has child been in Guyana and if child taken there by father. If mother, in US, need to know her address or where the family home was before child take to Guyana. Carnes. 14 Aug” Carnes is the head of this region
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for AP. The AP headquarters for the Caribbean is in Puerto Rico. Blackmon first wanted us to respond on the spot. I told him we would have to check with our attorneys before answering any questions because the case was still pending etc. Then he asked if we could answer in an hour. He noticed the date was old and then thought that it may not have been related to the article that was in the Chronicle – I don’t know the date the article was in, we should check, it out. It would be interesting if that telegram came before Bishops [Judge Audrey Bishop] decision, strange the sudden interest in something that had been dormant for so long.
– Blackmon did say that were a model when it came to agriculture, and there was no way to deny that. He wants to visit again.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
– When I talked to Hamaludin [Mohamed Hamaludin, Guyana Chronicle Journalist] about the dinner date and why he couldn’t come (this was before we knew Freed [Donald Freed] wasn’t coming in) he explained that he just had to do a story for CANA. He said that even though he was on leave, Cana was pressuring him to do something. He said that when gets off leave, he is going to be working for Cana-Reuters full time, and not for the Chronicle anymore.
He said that he had been in Parliament the night before listening to the debate on the IMF. I asked him if there was going be devaluation, and he said that no, there wouldnt be, at least for the next 6 months anyway, which is the period of time this loan covers. He said that Guyana could not benefit from devaluation because it is tied to the U.S. dollar, and the dollar has been devaluating itself, so there would be nothing to gain. But the way he said this it sounds as if there will be subsequent IMF grants, and there is the possibility of devaluation then.
He said that there is so much happening in Guyana right now, and Cana is after him for more stories. He said Haynes speech (about speeding the judicial process) was very significant and he was going to do a story on that.
He said that we probably think he is trying to avoid us, but he really isnt. He was very friendly.
– Rev. Barry mentioned in church that the farmers were getting very alarmed over the rain and that instead of the dry season beginning, another wet season was just beginning. Barry was very positive, as usual. Introduced us to his congregation – about 10 adults and 10 children.
– One of Mingo’s principal secretaries – a Portugese guy whose name I still don’t know (I’m finding out) – had a relative in the hospital near Gloria’s bed. He saw me visiting with her. Gloria [Carter, wife of Tim Carter] said after I left he came over and talked with her for about 10 minutes, praising the project and the good work we do. He told her that they were trying to arrange a visit to Jonestown – they are going to make it look like official business but use it just to visit. He told her they arent coming to do anything except just visit and see Jonestown. Said he had heard so many good things about it from me Mike Prokes and Sharon. He is the man who got me my tax clearance when I was leaving the country and introduced us to Ms. Shirvington who has been so helpful. Sharon and Prokes might know this guy’s name.
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[Handwritten note] To Reid, Mingo Only
(Last Page Different)
Honorable Prime Minister Forbes Burnham
Parliament Building
Georgetown, Guyana
Dear Cde. Prime Minister Burnham,
Several things have come to our attention recently that you should be aware of. They regard the media in Guyana, and renewed attacks on Peoples Temple by Tim Stoen through the media in the U.S. The situations are as follows:
“HANDS-OFF POLICY” IN GUYANA MEDIA
We have been told by several reliable sources that the government has deliberately chosen a “hands-off” policy towards Peoples Temple in terms of press/media coverage, and one media person even said that Jim Jones and Peoples Temple are expendable. We were dismayed when we heard this, and even more dismayed when we read Minister Hoyte’s [Desmond Hoyte] “Letter to the Editor” on Feb. 16th advising the [Guyana] Chronicle to “refrain further from publishing hand-outs…from persons who may have their own purposes to serve.” This crude letter of his has had some far reaching, effects, which we will go into later.
Firstly, we do not understand the “hands-off” policy, or why the government we have devoted our lives to would choose such a course of action. We know that you have survived rumors of the grossest nature in the media, and we are getting more and more used to rumor-mongering about us. We follow your thinking on nationalism and [illegible word, likely “colonialism”] we understand it fully. And we understand the complexity of the public and private sectors. But certainly people wouldn’t consider anything coming from the media here as indicative of total support, for Jim and the project by the government. The “adversary press” is a myth in America, and it is the general opinion that the media does not speak for the government. We have even been told by U.S. officials that they wouldn’t mind publicity on Peoples Temple at all, as long, as it wasn’t presented in a light that would embarrass the U.S. (e.g. that we left the U.S. because of its racism). So if something positive was done by the media here, it would reflect well both on Guyana and the United States. Of course we would never speak in a light that would embarrass the U.S., concentrating only on the services of Jonestown, the medical clinic, the free aid, the cooperation of the Guyana government, the wonderful Guyanese people, etc. And Jim would never change from this posture unless they tried to completely destroy Peoples Temple – which is very remote and in that case they would be going after Guyana also.
We happen to know from friends that certain people in the media actually consider us an “ace-in-the-hole.” Because the U.S. doesn’t want to deal with any people who are unhappy with its basic beliefs, a story about us could be used as a plus for Guyana, not a minus. In fact, news clippings of a laudatory nature would be helpful to relations. We certainly are wise enough to see that to do what the U.S. feared would only hurt Guyana’s survival, as well as that of Peoples Temple.
As we said earlier, we are somewhat upset by Minister Hoyte’s tactics and what he effected through his letter. We don’t in any way question his aptitudes, or his skill. But regardless
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of whatever talents and genius he may have, he lacks diplomacy [illegible word]. Everyone we have talked to understands what he was trying to do, and how counterintuitive it was. They agree that his ordering that letter to appear in the paper shows genuinely poor judgment, and reflects much divisiveness. The reasonable thing for him to do, rather than act impetuously, would have been to tell us what the problem represented and how we could have helped him solve it. We’ve tried our best to give proper credit to Min. Hoyte, he is secure in his work, and we will continue to do so. One would have to be extremely short-sighted not to see that we are a very productive people, who are trying our best all the time. And it is unreasonable to not want a resolution of the matter, if such a difficulty did exist. If Min. Hoyte is foolish enough not to care for Jim, it is truly unfortunate, for we will follow the government to the ends as long as you and Dr. Reid are handling things. And when you are willing to put your life on the line, we want to know you and Dr. Reid are calling the shots, not unknown quantities.
We do not expect accolades to continuously come from the government, but this sort of thing is outrageous. We believe in criticism, both group and self, but we have never given the government a slap like the slap Jim was given, and then he was never even told why was being slapped. We especially don’t understand when we consider that we have contacted almost every Congressman on behalf of Guyana – with very encouraging results – why did this slap in the face have to happen. We have heard several things about Minister Hoyte’s disposition, including his short temper. But we are calling it as we see its we don’t feel this is any wav to handle your best friends, for nobody could give more loyalty to Guyana.
What is just as disconcerting is when press releases, such as the one we submitted regarding Dr. Peter Fernandes’ visit, are not printed. Why wouldn’t people want the good works that the Peoples Temple and Jim Jones are doing known? It just doesn’t make any sense, and could easily make one paranoid. With letters like Minister Hoyte’s, and reliable sources telling us there is a hands-off policy towards Peoples Temple in the media, one wonders how in that kind of climate could we possibly expect any security for John Victor (which is essential to our survival). If the FIC is hesitant to identify with us, what possible assurances could there be?
TIM STOEN RENEWS MEDIA ATTACKS AGAINST PEOPLES TEMPLE AND GUYANA
Minister Hoyte’s letter has had several effects. One is that reporters abroad are taking more liberty in asking questions. Even though they are friendly, it is painful to review all the lies. But most significantly, Tim Stoen has gained confidence because of Min. Hoyte’s attack on us. Emboldened because he saw a house divided, he publicly is stating he now will win the custody case of John Victor. At a party that was heavily attended by the media in San Francisco, Stoen made Minister Hoyte’s letter quite public, and said “You can buy anybody you want in Guyana if they haven’t already been bought off, Apparently they (Jim and the Temple) haven’t offered Hoyte a big enough price,” We have irrefutable proof that as a result of this he was given encouragement to renew his attacks in the media. All this is a direct result of Min. Hoyte’s letter, and we do not appreciate one bit his playing into their hands.
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Consequently, new articles have appeared in the press. The rumors had been laid to rest and now they have been revived because of this. They have only been able to keep the conspiracy going using that person’s quotations about our medical department, as they appeared in one of the 3 cheap rags that printed the story. You can review it yourself.
The articles are nothing as bad as the smear a few months ago – it wasn’t as devastating as a smear. There were alot of innuendos. Even though Stoen is trying to get the press to cooperate in smearing Jim, our Agricultural Project, and Guyana in regards to the custody case, it is not working. It seems that things are turning a bit because the articles don’t have the bite they did before. We are counteracting this through Herb Caen, the most widely read columnist in California, who has stated previously in his column who the real father is. Tim Stoen had admitted to Herb Caen that Jim Jones is the real father of John Victor, and that the affidavit he wrote was genuine. (Now Stoen denies he ever wrote the affidavit, saying he was forced to sign it. This is rather odd, considering he was the Assistant District Attorney at the time, and that the style of writing is his, which anybody who knows him can testify to).
The Hearst newspaper, which had given us the worst coverage before, not only printed Stoen’s far out article but gave Jim’s side of the story too. The editor of this particular paper is bitter with the situation his daughter had to endure, and since then has become a captive of the extreme right. It is common knowledge that no one on either side of the political spectrum trusts that particular paper. The article did not say one thing against Guyana, and made no comments that the Guyana government was interfering with the court case. It also stated that Jim would take anatomical tests to prove paternity. In fact, they, showed a ridiculous looking picture of Tim Stoen in front of a church with a Bible in his hand, looking something like a Watergate conspirator reconverted. He was calling himself the spiritual father of the child. That kind of play will get him nowhere in San Francisco.
Tim Stoen has been trying his hardest to appeal to the right-wing in the Redwood Empire. (He must be really hard-up to go to newspapers this small – none have circulation exceeding 5000.) One of these papers said that Stoen couldn’t get an interview with the Deputy Prime Minister of Guyana and that proved that the Guyanese government is prejudiced in Jim Jones’ favor (in regards To the court case). Can you imagine the audacity of these people – Jim Jones would never even dream of trying to get an appointment with you or Dr. Reid in regards to a matter like that. It’s ridiculous. But even this paper stated that Stoen is on a vengeance campaign, and they were critical of that. The article was headlined with “Two great men have fallen,” the implication about Jim being that he and the Temple had moved to a Socialist country, and the implication about Stoen that he was not a good lawyer and he had fallen because he was bitter and vengeful. The writer is a racist and a reactionary, and had connections with the old, German boon. He also writes for the other paper that tried to make it look like Guyana is prejudiced in favor of Jim, The articles show the mentality of the writer: he is not depending on the Guyana courts to hand down a fair decision and is trying to wield some influence.
As a result of these most recent attacks we have demanded an
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article presenting the full side of the story and have threatened litigation. Not only have we threatened litigation, but we have put all newspapers on notice. They have done this sensational type of thing in an English newspaper once before, and even though it had no effect in the U.S., what seems to be appreciated more than anything is a strong posture. Once before when we were being threatened by a media attack we won when we stood up against them. One reason why Jim didn’t get the upper hand on the media in the U.S. right away was because he wasn’t there to coordinate and give advice, and of course now it is necessary for him to stay with his son John for John’s welfare.
It is significant to us that in these articles they have allowed Jim to repudiate this whole mess. In former articles they would have printed things such as that Jim claims to be the reincarnation of Mao or Jesus Christ (an absolute lie). One commentator cracked up and said the real issue is not that Jim Jones is Jesus Christ, but the real story is that Tim Stoen does not want to be Joseph.
Interestingly enough, the San Jose Mercury, which is part of a nationwide chain of papers, wants to expose and expose conclusively the proof that there was collusion between the Redwood paper and the first magazine that printed negative articles about us. It was their purpose to destroy a group working for social change, even though it is working within the system. They have proof of past and future plans.
Tim Stoen is now clearly stating that he is against any kind of socialism and that he is not concerned about the masses any more. The right wing posture he is now taking supports more and more evidence that he is a provocateur. While with us he tried to encourage and provoke people into radical actions. When taken in light of his trip to the German Democratic Republic, this posture is even more insidious. He told us he had never travelled there before, and, not only has he travelled there, but when he came back he made headlines by attacking its government and socialism. He now has the nerve to go to the U.S. State Dept. and ask them to take a more aggressive stance in his case. Marceline Jones (Jim’s wife) and others made the rounds in Washington D.C., negating alot of what Tim tried to do. The people they saw agreed it was none of their business and a matter for Guyana alone. Two people even turned around and offered to write a letter on our behalf even though we weren’t looking for something like that.
Jim and all of us have certainly learned a lesson with Tim Stoen, We now have some new and very thorough screening techniques, and this will never happen again, where humanly possible. Jim has learned that the loyalty he gave to people such as Tim Stoen seems to be self-serving to those people. It seems it is not worth even a penny for the most part, especially when considering how Stoen turned. But he is grateful for the experience and the lesson it taught him.
OUR POSITION
Of Jim has become the focal point the Stoen attack so even if he was prepared to make the sacrifice of giving up John, it could not be. It is obvious that John Stoen is not Tim Stoen’s objective, but it is rather to destroy and discredit a great man of high character
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and uncompromising principles and his organization. This [illegible word] issue has become a cause of life, for it is a matter of principle. Maybe we’re not thinking like others but after 28 years of war all one wants is peaceful change. Principles have more meaning than life, and peace and principle are more valuable than continuation.
We know you understand this from your own example. We have known you only through Dr. Reid, Minister Mingo, and Fred Wills, but most particularly through Dr. Reid. We shall never forget your stance during the Cuba/Angola/Guyana/U.S. controversy, nor the moment the Cubana airliner was sabotaged by the CIA. Your courage in these matters is one of the reasons we have such high regard for you. It means very much to Jim that you’d rather die for the honor of our country, the country you have put your whole life into, rather than opt out to live your life in some quiet rest home. Life is finally to be laid down anyway. But one must stand up for one’s principles.
We will continue to follow your non-aligned posture and will emanate goodwill. We try to pick up from the media your nuances, which is difficult. But the willingness to take your nuances and follow the course, even with the tremendous amount of pain involved, is proof positive of our absolute loyalty to you and Dr. Reid. It comes out of complete, unreserved loyalty, for no one else would have done what we have done. We understand that it is a ticklish era with the elections – which shouldn’t be bothered with in the first place – but we understand. We know there have had to be major shifts made by you and Dr. Reid alone, and the intruding requirements by the U.S.S.R. by saying – dictating – what you and Dr. Reid were to do if the U.S.S.R. were to be faithful. We want to see Guyana get the IMF loan, and we are sure President Carter’s position (not liking the alternative to the PNC) has not been underestimated. We have been assured that we would not be any factor in any financial aid decision being refused,’ but we have also been advised we could be a great asset in securing one. If it were said publicly that you have reliable proof that the Peoples Temple wanted you to get an IMF loan, we were told it could be a big help in any decision made. The firm opinion of over a thousand U.S. citizens on Guyana soil carries alot of weight.
We have never had any intention of causing a problem, we only wish they would let us alone in peace. But it is necessary for our survival that things work out for John. Jim Jones and every member of Peoples Temple honors the Guyana judicial system and we will in no way interfere. And we have been assured by friends in Washington D.C. that they would not interfere, and have been told by people in the Embassy that nothing would be done to hurt Jim or the project. Everyone here and in the U.S. knows that even the application by the Stoen’s was improper, and their motives are at best highly questionable. That is why it is necessary that things work out or John. To do otherwise would be a gross miscarriage of justice we feel. Disillusionment sets in when rumors and lies become so plentiful – such as that our boat doesn’t check in properly or that we are smuggling things – but we remain undaunted in our loyalty to you and Dr. Reid and in our pushing to further our production. But our productivity could be increased greatly if we only had some assurances John wouldn’t be taken. The strain and worry is a horrendous burden for anyone to carry. Our only
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goal is to become a model cooperative in the mould you and the leadership of the PNC [People’s National Congress] have cast. We will continue to work our hardest to build a greater, more prosperous Guyana.
We know you are a very busy man, and apologize for taking so much of your time. The issues discussed warranted the attention, however and we’re sure you have perceived their vital importance. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to help partake in this great socialist experience. We will continue to strive to implement the ideals of the People’s National Congress under your wise and astute leadership.
Cooperatively yours.
Tim Carter
cc: Dr. Reid, Min. Mingo
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15 July, 1978
Prime Minister Forbes Burnham
Public Buildings
Georgetown
Dear Prime Minister Burnham,
It is with dismay that racist reactionary elements have put us in a position of informing you of diabolical schemes. They are planning to thwart what has been regarded by many on the West coast of the U.S. as the most effective and popular socialist movement in existence. Our friends and supporters are still many and it is with their help that we are kept abreast of their conspiratorial plans.
The latest information which has reached us was given to us by a relative of someone who is an active conspirator. We were told that one of the tactics to be used to discredit our organization to us was to manipulate the strained relations between Guyana and Venezuela. The objective is to cause trouble between Peoples Temples and the government of Guyana by using the media to play up lies about our cooperative as being an “armed garrison” and “jungle outpost” on Venezuela’s doorstep. We don’t know details which makes us very unhappy but they have not succeeded in getting the major media interested in their lies and it has only been printed on a local level. There is no reason to believe that this has changed.
It is this same local media which quoted Jim Jones as saying he respected Idi Amin. The only thing Jim has said about Idi Amin is that he wished the white press would get as concerned over the racism in South Africa and talk about John Vorster in the same way they do Amin.
This person also told us that they are going to try to cause trouble between the Guyana government and the PPP [People’s Progressive Party] over us. This makes some sense because we heard from several people, including those close to the government, that Clarence Hughes (Stoen’s lawyer) is now close to the PPP. We thought we would tell you because it is impossible to keep up with moral degenerates that would use Idi Amin and an “armed garrison” to whip up racial hysteria in northern California.
It is interesting that Clarence Hughes is close to the PPP because Tim Stoen has been maneuvering to get close to the PPP.
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We know this for a fact. Our source told us that part of Stoen’s deal was a commitment from the PPP to take Jim’s son, John, when the PPP is made government. Stoen has shown himself to be totally immoral in an effort to destroy us for our socialist beliefs. This is obvious from what we’ve heard of his approach. He plays each association for what it is worth; to an atheist, he’s an atheist; to a fundamentalist Christian, he’s a fundamentalist Christian; to a communist, he’s a communist. Stoen would make a pact with the devil or anything or anyone if it would give him press coverage.
The racist small town rag called the Press Democrat, which has been primarily responsible for printing the lies against us, employs as their reliable reporter a past member of the Nazi party whose affiliation is with racist organizations and the American-German bund. This reporter is responsible for the most atrocious lies imaginable being passed around about us, He has finally broken the all-time record of lies which would be laughable if it wasn’t so serious.
They have now printed that an old alcoholic white woman who recently visited Guyana as a journalist for this same rag, the Press Democrat, was raped by two young men and that was dragged across the floor by her hair. The final insult, to cover everything up, is that it said that these two black men poured a bottle of wine down her throat. This old woman has been the laughing stock of that small white community for years because she is always drunk. Their aim was to keep us out of that tiny community because we run an orphanage there. We had to sneak out a black-man, who helped run the orphanage, to make sure that no harm would come to him. These people like Stoen are horribly enough even able to get a couple of Uncle Toms to work for them. [handwritten notation: “missing a sentence abt danger driving down [illegible word]”] This is the kind of thing that makes it difficult and endangers all black people in attempts undermine socialism.
Cooperatively,
/s/ Tim Carter
Tim Carter
Administrative Assistant to Cde. Jim Jones
cc: Dr. Ptolemy Reid
Minister Rashleigh Jackson
Minister Vibert Mingo
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[Editor’s note: The following letter is identical to BB-8-g above, with additional notes appended to end.]
[Handwritten notation] To Prime Minister Only
Honorable Prime Minister Forbes Burnham
Parliament Building
Georgetown, Guyana
Dear Cde. Prime Minister Burnham
…
P.S. FOR YOUR EYES ONLY, COMRADE LEADER
Our people pick up information and we have told you we will pass on what we hear. Ambassador Lawrence [Laurence] Mann made some statements about you when the debate was going on between the U.S. and Guyana over the Cubana airliner affair that were most uncomplimentary to your judgement. He said that because you were supportive of Cuba, relations between the U.S. and Guyana broke down, and your judgement was unwise. Mann said he felt that you had acted withoutt even thinking about what he had done to improve relations with the U.S. He also said you had risked the whole future of Guyana. He was so critical he even spoke of getting a new job.
We have also heard that you have never made it clear to your ministers what your policy is toward the Peoples Temple and its members. This did not come from any official source, and we realize that people have motives other than honorable for telling us such things. The official who is assigned to talk to us is much more careful about what he says, and we appreciate the communications with him very much. We need that communications, and much more. At times tensions get so high it is overwhelming. A word directly from you or Dr. Reid would be very helpful. The only consistently loyal people we can talk about are Dr. Reid, Minister Mingo, who are totally loyal, and until he departed, Fred Wills. That is why it was such a shock to us to see Minister Wills leave, but we realize it is not our affair. He has remained absolutely loyal to you throughout, however. All the other ministers our people have met with briefly, we have thought them to be loyal to your administration.
Once again, thank you for your time. We are looking forward to having you and your wife visit our cooperative.
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PEOPLES TEMPLE AGRICULTURAL PROJECT
Jonestown, N.W.D.
P.O. Box 893
Georgetown
25 June, 1978
Honorable L.F.S. Burnham, Prime Minister
The Residence
Vlissengen & Homestreatch
Georgetown
Dear Cde. Leader,
You and Dr. Reid are the leaders of the avant garde socialists here in Guyana, and we place our future hopes with you. Minister Mingo is most helpful in allaying our fears that anyone would be able to undermine you here. It is hard to produce (which we are doing satisfactorily) when you are under vicious attack from abroad. But for us to feel there were no future at home would be paralyzing. The conspiracy is concentrating on trying to divide Peoples Temple and the Guyana government, as well as encourage hatred for Guyana with sensational, biased, and negative press reports. Following is an outline of recent developments:
MEDIA ATTACKS ON GUYANA AND PEOPLES TEMPLE
The establishment press in the United States has renewed its hysterical attacks on Peoples Temple, and also is including outright lies, misrepresentations, distortions and sensationalistic charges against yourself and Guyana.
The most recent diabolical and insidious strategy is to try and portray Jonestown as being an armed camp. We know for a fact that part of this is to make Venezuela nervous and upset about having a socialist group on their borders, as well as to mislead and cause suspicion among our Guyanese friends. They are making up outrageous lies that we have guns all over the place. (They are even trying to make parallels with our current situation with Venezuela and the Rupununi insurrection to cause suspicion and mistrust.)
Debbi Blakey, the young woman who just left our group and stole approximately $15,000 (US) while doing so, is also making up outrageous lies, and is working full force with the reactionary conspiracy to try and destroy our organization. Among her bizarre tales she tells the lie that Jim Jones has a high regard for Idi Amin. We don’t ever remember Jim saying anything that could remotely be construed as having “respect” for Idi Amin. We do recall him making the statement that he wondered if Amin would be getting all the concerned press he is now getting if he were white. Jim doesn’t know Amin but it is a fact you can’t know a man by what you read in the paper. (As you mentioned about Zaire, they reported the number of white casualties but didn’t mention the number of our black comrades that were killed by the imperialists.)
What Jim is really concerned about is the attacks on Guyana. They are so sensationalistic and provocative. One day they say you are a Maoist and we are working with you, and the next day they say we are pro-Soviet and pro-Cuban. The American public must be idiots not to see such contradictions. It is obvious they are setting Guyana up in every way possible to be hated by the U.S. For example: ” I went to Parliament with Joe Ramson and what did I find staring me from the wall at the right hand side of the Prime Minister of Guyana: A near life sized oil of China’s Mao Tse-Tung. Look’s like it’s down the road to Peking for Guyana if Burnham’s referendum endum passes – and it looks like it will.” This quote was taken from an article bv Kathy Hunter, the reporter who surreptitiously entered the countrv in May and
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whom much attention was drawn to by the incidents at the Pegasus. This type of McCarthyite ranting of hers is the most damaging kind of thing for Guyana. The U.S. press is getting more reactionary than ever. Even President Carter, by his own proclamation, states the press is serving even more reactionary elements than he.
Kathy Hunter has some other very vicious and ugly things to say about you and Guyana. It is obvious this woman was sent deliberately by the conspiracy to start trouble. It is hardly coincidental that all the trouble at the Pegasus started with her arrival and ended with her departure. An example of some of her vitriolic remarks:
“…Another fascinating tidbit making the rounds is that Forbes Burnham is holding the project up to public view as a prime example of how the Guyanese people themselves could make an all for one and one for all living without having to import outside products.”
“Have also picked up the interesting rumored ‘information’ that the land being used by the Peoples Temple for their experimental commune was sold to Jim Jones for an appreciable amount by the Prime Minister himself. “
“All this is from the Guyanese people themselves and the latter ploy appears to be the bitterest pill of all. They are a fun-loving, free enterprising people and when the P.M. says they can only have one car and one piece of property to a family and when they can’t buy replacement articles which the government has ’banned’, they are slowly coming to a boil.”
“From what I’ve learned in this very short time, it would appear that the Guyanese’ pot is boiling over.”
This kind of inflammatory reporting serves no purpose other than creating an anti-Guyana climate in America. It seems as if the troublemakers at home are in contact with the reactionary forces in the United States to try and whip up anti-referendum, anti-Burnham fever wherever they can. But it is not only directed to you, but also seems to try and discredit the government and the party in general. Example:
“…I was informed Mr. Waldron of the immigration office was downstairs. I’d completely forgotten his asking me to bring my passport to his office that morning and had my conversation with the Police Commissioner had laid that to rest. Despite the protesting that I was waiting to be picked up and taken to Parliament to hear the Prime Minister read the bill on the referendum (which, if passed, would do away with the present constitution formed after the fashion of the United States and British Commonwealth) they bustled me off to the assistant secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs where I was treated in a most contemptuous and insulting manner and informed that my stay in the country had been cancelled. The assistant secretary said the next plane out would be at 1 p.m. Wednesday and I would be on it.”
The hardly subtle innuendo that the Guyanese government is drafting a new constitution, not to try and improve conditions in the country, but rather to take a stance opposed to the U.S. and Britain, is an underhanded slap. Hunter’s “horror” story gets even more disgusting in its sensationalism, trying to portray government officials as being gestapo-like, brutal, insensitive people. Example:
“…in the morning…the immigration officer called and demanded my passport. I told him I wouldn’t give it to him, that it was issued by my government and I wasn’t giving it up. He said if I wasn’t on the 5 p.m. plane that day, they would come and put me on it by force. I told him that if he wanted to be responsible for my death, to go right ahead. He came up to my room and pounded on the door.”
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wouldn’t let him in without the manager. He got the manager and came to the room again and left. I had to have the doctor again and he told them I was unable to travel and he would let them know when I could. He also told them – the immigration officers – to stay away from me…that I was in no medical condition for their harassment.”
Hunter is outrageous in her lies about Guyana and Peoples Temple. Now Debbi Blakey is the tool being used to ship up racist and reactionary emotion. They are saying that Blakey was a representative of the Temple officially and has gone to the Guyanese government as a delegate for us (a lie, but they are trying to add credibility to their fabrications). This is bizarre sensationalism. She was never a representative or sent to any government agency. Her lies are almost too ridiculous to refute.
One thing you should know is that Wesley Kirton, the son of UPI reporter Kirton, met with Debbie Blakey frequently before she absconded. There was obviously something more than a friendship going on here. Wesley has always been critical of socialism and has said things against the PNC. He has blamed the shortage of certain commodities on government corruption (rather than on the hoarders); he is opposed to the new Constitution Amendment Bill; and has questioned yours, Dr. Reid’s, and the party’s integrity in general. We are suspicious that this is the young man Debbi became pregnant by. She contacted him the night before she left at 2:00 am to help her with her nefarious scheme of stealing her mother’s and others money. You should know that Blakey’s mother, brother, and husband all live in Jonestown. Since Debbi has left and become a part of the fascist conspiracy (her mother knows fascism well – she escaped from a Nazi concentration camp) the entire family has been extremely upset and the mother is now very seriously ill.
No matter what Blakey says, the underlying reason for the USA’s hostility to Guyana is the fact that we are a 3rd world, multi-racial socialist country, and we refuse to cow to their wishes (and this should be obvious to the Soviet Union as well). Racism is a prevailing motive of the United States, in spite of any images that are created to the contrary. We can attest to this with our own blood. And America is currently experiencing a wave of right-wing, McCarthy- isite rhetoric and feeling. President Carter is not like you and Dr. Reid – he doesn’t have the courage to stand up. At best, he bows to pressure. And even if Carter’s intentions are on the side of the angels, we can confirm the “personalities come and go, but institutions remain the same.” We know the enemy, we have dealt with him for over 25 years.
We have an advantage in virtually being adopted by Guyana. We appreciate Guyana more than we have noticed many people do. We would defend this country to the point of dying if necessary, rather than go back and live in a racist, reactionary country. That is another reason why these absurd lies about us having bazookas and many guns is ridiculous. You know we would have no intention of doing anything but defending our people and our country. The Guyana government is black, and we are willing to die for that. , We are not indicating prejudice when we say this, but we know the history of Guyana, and “apanjat” is simply not acceptable to us. We wish this government to remain in power and we have said this to people in the United States, including Soviet friends of ours.
This stuff about an armed camp, and the other lies, are stupid and ridiculous. We know you know these things are not true. But if you ever want to have help in that way in an hour of need, don’t hesitate to ask us. We would be quite a formidable fighting force to reckon with be cause we know the ultimate price of freedom and we are prepared to pay it to live in a free country. We came here to be free, and to work hard and till the soil, and we will continue to do so – and be ready to die to keep Guyana free if necessary.
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INCIDENT WITH VENEZUELAN COLONEL AT PAPAYA
A delegation of our people went to Papaya to hear you speak. While there our people were approached by a colonel in the Venezuelan armed forces. He said he had heard what a lovely place Jonestown was from Dr. Reid, and wanted to know if he could come and visit. We have no intentions of ever getting close to Venezuela and wanted you to be abreast of the situation. If you would like these people from Venezuela to come and see our project (and they do want to see it), then please let us know. Otherwise, we will not even entertain the notion. If they came they could be forever satisfied that we have no squads of armed guards and Jonestown is not an armed garrison. That colonel could see that for himself. This whole thing is a calculated move by forces in the United States to try and get us in trouble down here and arouse the Venezuelan suspicions.
Another thing we thought we would report is that one of our members, in Venezuela for medical attention, saw a map of Venezuela and it had the North West District of Guyana shaded in, as if it were Venezuela’s territory. They saw more than one map like this.
As we said before, we will not respond to this Venezuelan officer in any way unless we hear from you to do so.
LIONEL LUCKHOO
Lionel Luckhoo is asking us to get his book published in the United States called “Verdict for the Defense”. He is asking our counselor in the U.S. to get a publisher for him. What is this? . This man is so critical of Marxism it is ridiculous. We know there are no perfect solutions to any problem, but this man is about as socialist as the man on the moon. He is so pro-American it is sickening, and off the record, we wonder if he will mess up our case being this way. He is very friendly to us, but it his little indirect comments he makes about blacks that make us wonder.
Perhaps his writing will appeal to the average reader, but it certainly doesn’t appeal to us. It is so narcissistic. He is interested in corporate stock. It’s the kind of thing where if you read between the lines you can see how much he trusts the United States.
It does not speak against Guyana, nor will it hurt Guyana. It is quite apparent that there is no love lost for Cheddi Jagan. However, we would like to know just what the position is because we are socialists and this man is not, and his writings are not, unless he’s had a change of heart since then. We can understand the necessity of using his skills – you have got to keep a country together. But we did want to point these things out. (Frankly, we know liberal Americans who wouldn’t speak out some of the things he has spoken to us privately that almost eulogize the United States.)
Lastly, we did want to mention the one phrase in his book that did bother us because he reflects his concern for life: a would-be client walked in his office and confessed, “I’ve just killed my wife.” Lionel offered the cheerful response: “That is a minor offense.” Life is sacred to Socialists, and even though this may have been just for sensationalism, it seems a bit callous.
CELEBRATE LIFE
We are people who celebrate life, but are not afraid to face death from the enemies of black liberation (3rd world, international liberation). We decided to move to Guyana years ago because of your courage in telling the United States you would not be told what to do (re: the Cuban planes) and you would die standing on your own two feet. It was this kind of courage that made us move our people here. We want to
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stand with someone who has some guts. We want no changes in the leadership of the present government. Jim Jones and everybody on the project are behind you, Dr. Reid, and Minister Mingo 100%.
Imperialism will have to crush us if it ever moves against the government of Guyana. On that you can depend. We have come here to be free, and we have made our last move.
Cooperatively yours,
/s/ Tim Carter
Tim Carter,
Asst. to Cde. Jim Jones
Encl. fact sheets
– black leaders persecuted in U.S.
– negative press attacks on Guyana
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THE RACIST AND REACTIONARY POLITICAL CLIMATE IN THE UNITED STATES
Senator Brooke, the only black senator since 1880, has held this post since 1968. He is considered from moderate to conservative. He also serves as Attorney General in the state of Massachusetts. He was recently brought before the Senate Ethics Committee and indicted on 35 separate accounts of financial irregularities, and faces up to 175 years in prison. The significant thing about this is that Senator Brooks was not bothered until he spoke up for the African liberation movements. As a matter of fact, the charges were brought to bear while he was in Africa, the day after he had come out strongly against the racist regimes of Vorster and Smith.
Representative Barbara Jordan, also considered a moderate, has been one of the most popular and vocal black elected officials. She is due to run again shortly, but she says the racial climate in the U.S. is too severe, and would prevent her from winning.
SEPIA magazine, one of the largest black periodicals in the United States, recently published the startling evidence of how black elected officials are being singled out for persecution and prosecution. All have been smeared in the press for one thing or another. Over half are under criminal indictment and criminal investigation at the present time. The documentation was provided by the Lt. Governor of California and the Lt. Governor of Colorado.
Mark Lane, who wrote a very enlightening book on the Kennedy assassination called Rush to Judgement has been smeared in the press recently. His crime: his book is gaining too much validity and acceptance in the U.S. He very effectively exposed the Kennedy assassination for what it is premeditated, conspiratorial murder. This man is now the victim of merciless smears in the media.
There is a woman witness who can give concrete evidence as to the conspiracy behind the plot to assassinate Martin Luther King Jr. and its connections with the CIA and reactionary forces in the U.S.
Frank Schnepp, an ex-CIA agent, recently published a book called Decent Interval. In this book he gives the proof and the documentation of how the United States was the country that escalated the war in Angola, did numerous things to subvert Neto’s MPLA, and actually were the ones responsible for much of the bloodletting. He has had to leave the U.S. for fear of his life.
Larry Flynt, the publisher of Hustler magazine, wrote a searing indictment of the U.S. government involvement in the Kennedy assassination. He gave much evidence and raised many valid questions, and asked for a re-opening of the investigation. Two months ago, Larry Flynt was shot in an attempted assasination. He very nearly lost his life, and is now paralyzed from the waist down permanently.
The Nazi party U.S.A, and the KuKluxKlan are enjoying a tremendous upsurge in popularity and support. Their memberships are growing by leaps and bounds. Recently the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the right for the Nazi’s to hold a march in Skokie, Il, a city comprised of more than 60% escapees from Nazi concentration camps.
In what is being termed a “tax revolt”, but in actuality is a backlash against the poor there are 23 states that have now passed legislation of one sort or another reducing taxes that are being used to support public hospitals, public education, and civil servant jobs. In California, there are the frightening prospects of over 1/3 of the schools not having the funds to open, public hospitals having to close, mass transit reduced, and guaranteed job losses for several hundred thousand people, most of them black, brown, other Third World, and women. There is not a lower income family that is not affected.
Racial violence in schools across the country continues on the increase. Boston, Louis
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NEGATIVE PRESS
KCBS, radio, San Francisco – “It became clear to her (Kathy Hunter) that Temple members are not very well liked in Georgetown but are tolerated there because the government is behind them.
“…one source in the State Dept. told us that relations with this tiny country are very shaky at the present time…”
“…Burnham has recently cultivated relations with Fidel Castro. He has established the only Marxist government in South America.”
“…for the time being, it appears the Peoples Temple is free to do whatever it is doing in Guyana without fear of meddling…by the Guyanese Government…”
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[Editor’s note: This letter also appears at D-1-K-11 (1) – 11 (4) on this page.]
[Peoples Temple letterhead]
7 May, 1978
Honorable 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 against our organization and lender have been seriously considering and perhaps have already been setting into motion machinery to fly in mercenaries to make an attempt on the life of Cde. Jim Jones and others. This is nothing new in light of the conference of all progressive countries meeting in Cotonus [Cotonu], Benin in which it was revealed that mercenaries are being widely employed in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Furthermore, we have heard from an informant that is inside Tim Stoen’s circle that this is the tactic to be employed against us by reactionaries backing Tim Stoen because Guyana Is the lone 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 relaying it to you in strictest confidence: the Eureka Research Association, we request that you do not divulge this name since it could possibly harm private arrangements we have with friendly officials in the United States who have agreed to try and do something to stop such efforts, which could possibly start an international incident and could have great repercussions. One of the U.S. 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 on phone communications and letter correspondence, but we want more proof. We also know that these individuals, fronted by Mr. Stoen, have even been trying to get the U.S. State Dept. involved in their schemes, although they have not been successful. Mr. Tumminia, head of the Guyana Desk in Washington, has repeatedly said there are no grounds for the charges about this community, and has clarified that position in writing, and made fondly of our organization in response to queries about us. We were told by an official in the State Dept. that the State Department was asked to cooperate with the mercenary operation and absolutely refused. We were told this is strictest confidence, because he said it would compromise
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his position if revealed. He could take a lie detector test [illegible words] 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 rightful elements in the United States would undertake such an operation to test the vulnerability of Guyana to infiltration and similar military adventures. The issue of hiring more 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 this mercenaries against our community are publicly aired in the California press by people cooperating. 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 if 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 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 leader, met with Tim Stoen and a newspaper reporter and is involved in plans to land mercenaries in this area. There are right-wing marines 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 adventures (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 Dept. Now they are going to take on a personal venture and we absolutely know they have right wing money behind them. Their efforts actually originate with a militantly right-wing pressman who practically own his own personal shock troops and intelligence apparatus. The group paid off a public relations firm near $1,000,000 according to our reports. Our information is sound, and comes from not only our own work but also from close sources which include moderates, civil rights activists, and socialists. We have learned that Tim Stoen is [remaining four lines illegible].
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[Continued from BB-8-m-2]
We are doing our share we feel. We release people from [illegible word] and the rest of us step up our schedule to maintain production [illegible words] numerous occasions so that some of people can participate in PNC work. We have spent $1,000 for tickets and for PNC fund raising activities, e.g, Bingo, dances, etc. Hundreds 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). 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 the government from people who could at best be called technocrats, unworthy tying your shoes. And some of them we know to be criminal and yet continue to function at their post. We know that their [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 around the world praised our work after staying several days. He said that our project’s physician, Dr. Larry Schacht, wan one of the best he had ever met out of over 5000 doctors he knows personally. He showed Dr. Schacht a whole series of cytolome slides, and Dr. Schacht, astounded him by identifying every one of them correctly. We are now doing cancer research out in the jungle that is unknown in some quarters of the U.S.A.
The issue of licensing Dr. Schacht remains a critical one for us. [illegible word] we were assured that there would be a special arrangement for him to do his internship here and come in only once every couple of weeks for a special consultation with his preceptor. We have clarified that Dr. Schacht’s presence in Jonestown is vital; he consults 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, but 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 a 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. We transported and maintained the baby’s family at our cost at 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 where the baby was transferred was quite contentious, but the child was already too far gone and died two days later of gross 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 more who were in a similar condition. We do not wish to be a party in this again. We reassured the mother: we took care of her in our 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. We cannot afford to keep sending them at our expense to paid hospitals and we can’t conscientiously send them to a municipal hospital, though 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 [illegible word]
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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 kindly 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 accounts 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 he’s been provided your office, as you will 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 the trip in anyway 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. We heard this on the statement of the hand of the Guyanese desk at the U.S. State Dept. 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 dignify those schemings of a 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 organization 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 meetings, 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 to 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 terms of exterminating the community! (and then he even specified his own relatives.) His name is 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 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 that some principled person in the 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 see 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 cooperating and getting expert 24 hour a day treatment in our facility. A reporter from the USSR Tass news agency came and saw this work and praised it very highly, calling it a paradise. Of course we did not stress the [illegible word] concerning the children brought to us that had just been saved from physical difficulty that handicaps them from assimilating their [illegible word], 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 a Socialist theoretician, but as 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 continually 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 or 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 hear 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.
Cooperatively 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 beans.
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BB-8-m [no number listed]
[Peoples Temple letterhead]
31 March, 1978
Honorable Prime Minister L.F.S. Burnham
The Residence
Vlissengen Rd. & Homestreatch Ave
Georgetown
Dear Cde. Prime Minister Burnham,
We have learned that Tim Stoen is attempting to bring into the country a group of right wing provocateurs who are bent on inciting and promoting more trouble for Guyana. Their names include the Breidenbach’s and the Johnson’s. Tim Stoen is using as his latest appeal the accusation that Guyana and Jonestown are a communist prison camp. From what we have been told, these people have so far refused Stoen’s advances and have not responded.
It seems that Tim Stoen will try to contact anybody these days to try and get his dirty work done. Another of his latest schemes was to contact Angela Davis and ask her to get in touch with the USSR. He offered her money and support if the USSR would take official stands against Jim Jones in the United States. Angela has said she would sign sworn testimony to that fact.
We are sorry to have to always bring these types of things to your attention, but have told you we will always keep abreast of everything we hear.
There is another matter of grave concern to us. But for one recent exception, we have been told there is a stand-off policy towards us in the media. Not? we have received a letter from one radio station asking us to change the content of our radio program, and upon investigation, the General Manager had the complaint that we “talked about socialism” for almost one entire show.
If someone could really tell us what is going on. it would be to the best advantage of everyone out of respect to you and Dr. Reid, Minister Mingo, has a real sense of loyalty. but Jim Jones Is loyal also, and he needs to know desperately the difference between rumor and fact and an explanation about the hesitancy towards us saving “socialism.”
If you do not feel comfortable speaking with Jim’s staff, then please speak directly to Jim or his wife. Any response would be most deeply appreciated.
Co-operatively yours,
Tim Carter
Asst. to Cde. Jim Jones
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BB-8-q-1
26 August 1978
Minister Hamilton Green
Health, Housing, and Labour
Honestreatch Ave.
D’Urban Park
Georgetown
Dear Cde. Minister Green,
Attached is the inventory for the crates that were detained at Timheri Airport. Also attached is a copy of the detention slip. If you are in need of any other information, please let me know. All the items listed are for the use of the Jonestown Medical Clinic, and we hope they can enter duty free. I am making arrangements to ensure that any medical supplies coming into the country will be inventoried and sent to us prior to their arrival.
We deeply appreciated your meeting with us this morning, and all that you have done to help. If we can ever be of any kind of assistance whatsoever, please don’t hesitate a moment to let us know. We are more than happy to do whatever we can. Cde. Jim Jones and all the members of the Peoples Temple Agricultural Project extend their greetings and best wishes.
Cooperatively yours,
/s/ Tim Carter
Tim Carter
Asst. to Cde. Jim Jones
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BB-8-q-2
NOTICE OF DETENTION
1) SIX (6) CASES OF
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS
CARDIAC MACHINE ETC.
2) ONE (1) MACHINE
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BB-8-q-3
#2 Footlocker • Lucretia Finley • #2 Doxsee
12 • Sylvania heat lamps
67 box • Polaroid film (Patty Cartmell)
20 bag • Sewing machine needles, various sizes (Sewing dept.)
[Handwritten addition] Boxes Left At Airport
15, 11, 9, 2, 12, 10, 13
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BB-8-q-4
#10 Plywood container/boxes • Lucretia Finley • #9 Doxsee
180 • 60 min. cassette tapes (Patty Cartmell)
36 • Caps (Patty Cartmell)
1 • Saw blade (Ken Norton)
2 box • Size D batteries, 4 doz. (Patty Cartmell)
2 box • Size C batteries, 4 doz. (Patty Cartmell)
2 box • Size AA batteries, 4 doz. (Patty Cartmell)