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Temple file folder for Minister of Information Shirley Merle Field-Ridley
Shirley Merle Field-Ridley
Minister of Information and culture, Barrister-at-law
Born Aug. 24, 1937 at Georgetown
Responsible for public information, broadcasting (other than school broadcast) archives, libraries, film censorship, cultural affairs
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D-3-C-1
Letter to Hamilton Green, Minister of Health, March 25, 1978
PEOPLES TEMPLE AGRICULTURAL PROJECT
P.O. Box 893
Georgetown
25 March, 1978
Minister Hamilton Green
Minister of Health, Labour, Housing
D’Urban Park
Georgetown
Dear Minister Green;
When Marceline Jones and a few others of us talked to you a few weeks ago, you made a very kind offer that would facilitate our clearing medical equipment through customs by having it go through the Ministry of Health. This would be very helpful as we need our x-ray equipment badly and it will rust if we don’t get it soon.
We know you are a very busy man, but if you have the opportunity, could you let us know if this can be done. It would be of great benefit to the surrounding community as well as to the members of our cooperative.
Also, Dr. Schacht has been offered an Honorary membership in the Medical Net. The Medical Net is made up of doctors of every specialty who assist in emergencies on the amateur radio. Specialists all over the world have had the opportunity to observe Dr. Schacht’s work because of the many hours he spends on the amateur radio with these specialists consulting on cases. They feel his work is top notch and through an honorary membership you can receive medical supplies and medications. The only way a doctor can get medical supplies is to be a member of the net and you have to be licensed to do so.
This would assist Guyana as much as it would assist Peoples Temple. As a result of one of Larry’s communications, a Dr. Tructha even offered to come to Guyana to give two months free medical services to the country. However, to be a member you have to fill out a number of forms in reference to your license. Is it possible for Larry Schacht to say he’s training through the Ministry of Health through the hospitals of Georgetown?
Thank you very much for any attention you can give to the above items. We very much appreciate the work you are doing for Guyana and know your schedule is heavy.
Cooperatively yours,
Sharon Amos
Administrative Assistant to Cde. Jim Jones
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D-3-C-2
Press release of Hamilton Green, Minister of Health
CHURCH MUST HELP MOULD ‘NEW GUYANA’ – GREEN
Minister of Co-operatives and National Mobilisation, Mr. Hamilton Green, last Thursday expressed the opinion that the church must lay the foundation of sound moral values without which no nation can stand.
Mr. Green who was declaring open a one-day Training Camp for the Supply S.D.A. Pathfinders Club at Kuru Kururu-Newton Government School, said: “It is my view that the Church and organisation such as you have a most important role to play in the moulding and the creating of the new Guyana Man we’re talking about.”
“No nation can succeed,” he said, “unless we have the ground work, the foundation of sound moral values which can be created through the Church, through the things you believe, in because a technician or a scientist can only make his skill useful to mankind if he has a background of good morals and an understanding whatever does must be in the interest of the entire community.”
He congratulated the Pathfinders for the Programme they have been following and offered the services of his Ministry to train leaders in Co-operative Education and Community Involvement.
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Meeting with Robert Corbin, Minister of State, April 21, 1978
Sharon Amos
Minister Robert Corbin (Dr. Reid’s office)
21/4/78 Debbie & Sharon
– he was quite friendly. I told him about the fact we wanted to check it out with Dr. Reed about our working with the May Day Committee and the mobilization doorstep meetings etc./he said that he would check it out formally with Dr. Reed but he didn’t think it was necessary, he could assure us that it was fine
– he said however that the meetings in Kitty and Campbellville (we mobilized for Campbellville) haven’t been a success
– we told him about the conspiracy (Clive Gaul) (he knows him but doesn’t think Clive is employed right now)
– he said he’d check into it
– he said that he knew officially we were being investigated/I said what about non-officially but he said he hadn’t heard of an investigation
– he said “I wonder if it is your people, CIA, FBI”
– I told him about the informer who came forward (didn’t get all the details about this but the basics) and the state dept call which Dick McCoy told us about pertaining [illegible word] in the plan to kidnap John and Wesley
– I told him about the concerned relatives and how they planned to hire mercenaries – he said if they hire mercenaries, it wouldn’t be a matter for us but for the integrity of Guyana and they’ll throw them out
– he said (re FBI and CIA) that they are capable of insidious things
– said he had gotten [illegible word] calls inviting him and his wife over (his wife thought [illegible word] a girlfriend of his but he reassured her) and he said he would come over for cocktails Wednesday (told us we could call him at home or work)
– said he had traveled widely over the world studying index the systems
– I complimented him on the [illegible word] in the paper he did on South Africa/said he likes to speak but has learned to listen too/I told him we’d like to hear of his travels/he seemed interested in our interest
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APRIL 21, 1978
DEBORAH TOUCHETTE
MINISTER CORBIN
APPT. W/ SHARON AMOS
DEBORAH TOUCHETTE
– He said he just came back, not feeling well, flu or something, said he was didn’t want to spread his germs to others.
– said he could tell us certainly that there was no official investigation of us now.
– said it would be o.k. in fact it would be good if we would participate in PNC activities. He would check it out, at our wish, but he knew for certain it was alright.
– said he had gone to Canada for this youth thing, but actually had to do some other things which kept him back, said the conference had been over for a week now
– said his wife wanted to know who the girls were that kept calling on the phone? she had asked if they had some interest in him, said he was joking said his wife would know if a girl had interest in him, he would not have her calling his home.
– Sharon told him about Bruce Oliver’s situation. He said he would check it out, said he knew the person Sharon was talking about, but didn’t think he was with the force anymore
– Said if mercerneries came it would no longer be a matter just for the Peoples Temple, it would be a matter involving Guyana. We would have to defend our borders.
– We asked him to dinner, said we would enjoy hearing about his history how he came to the position he is now
– He said he didn’t talk much, but he like to talk
– He used to give speeches alot.
– Sharon mentioned a speech he made in the newspaper…
– He said it wasn’t spoken for the news, it was a message made so the children would understand, said he had to learn not to speak, and to listen, it didn’t come easy, said but by listening is how he learns.
– He said he couldn’t promes [promise] when he could come, gave us days that he could not come, Wednesday next week was possible, he would be in town for cabinet and nothing to do Wed night.
– Asked us who would be there?
– We told him if he came while the teachers were in town he could speak to them.
– If he came next week it would be Sharon, myself, Mike [Prokes] and Tim [Carter].
– He said for us to call him Wednesday and he would let us know.
– He asked if it was possible that the person who keeps trying to see Bruce wasn’t using this as an excuse to go after one of our girls, pretending to want to see Bruce?
– Sharon gave him the rest of the background on that, of his persistence to see Bruce and the corlation [correlation] with Dick McCoy receiving a phone call about an enquirie who wanted to know how easy it was to come to Guyana to get a child
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File card on Robert Corbin, Minister of State in the office of the General Secretary
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D-3-F-1
File Photo and short bio of Desmond Hoyte, Minister of Works
Hugh Desmond Hoyte, S.C. M.P.
Minister of Works and Communications.
Barrister-at-law, born March 9, 1929 at Georgetown. He is responsible for roads (design maintenance and construction), Government buildings (including quarters and their allocation) rural water supply, Hydro meteorology electrical inspection, procurement of general supplies, postal services, Government transport services, shipping and harbour services, civil aviation and telecommunication.
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Temple strategy approach to Desmond Hoyte
December 17, 1976
Desmond Hoyte
MINISTER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
REASON: Take gift and tell him about P.T., also a courtesy call in that he Hill be taking over restructuring the North West Region. We’ve tried to see him several times, but he’s always been too busy. We had mentioned this to Minister Wills (Foreign Affairs), and he said he would help us. While meeting with Eric Clarke, Charlie [Touchette] mentioned that we wanted to see Desmond Hoyte, Eric Clarke, called him right then, and his secretary and us that afternoon to come for an appt. He was very rushed to get to a meeting in parliment. The only time he acknowledged what I was saying, was the mentioning of attempts on Jim’s life and his family (that did soft his attitude I felt),
REMARKS: He said Minister Wills spoke to him about us, but he refused to accept the gift. He asked us to read the Declaration of Sophia, and said he would sent this to us to read in the mail, (which we received) he said P.N.C. member are not to accept gifts. This booklet would explain.
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D-3-G
Letter to Oliver Hunter, Ministry Of Information, 1975
[Peoples Temple letterhead]
Johnny Brown
1366 So. Alvarado St
Los Angeles, Calif
10/5/75
Mr. Oliver Hunter
Ministry of Information
Brickdam, Georgetown
Guyana, South America
Dear Oliver;
I know it seems like years instead, of months since we last communicated. I do hope this letter finds you in the best of health. I have thought of you many times since my return to the states; and I want to thank you again for all that you have done to help. We all appreciate it very, very much.
As you know, when I left our mission field, I came back to help pastor our large Los Angeles church operation. It is one of many that Bishop Jones has in the state of California. It is indeed a huge task, but under the leadership of Bishop Jones, and the grace of God, everything is working out according to schedule.
Tell me, how is your project by the airport coming? Have you been very busy with visitors coming to see our country? (Guyana!) You know, I never got the pictures of the G.N.S. March, and if you have some spares, I would love to have one.
I will sign off for now. May God be with you in your work there. I look forward to when I may once again be in that beautiful country.
Your friend,
/s/ Johnny Brown
Johnny Brown
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D-3-G-4
Letter from Oliver Hunter, Ministry Of Information, 1975
Oliver Hunter
[illegible street address]
Guyana
12/1/75
Some Suggestions For People’s Temple
Dear Friends
- In an effort to ensure that your projects move smoothly, you must first try & understand the Guyanese Social and religious [illegible word]. Do not take things for granted and do not work on unproven assumptions or ideas.
- Your projects are very good, if they were not the Guyana Government would not have allowed you to come. But you must ensure that your projects move smoothly.
- For this to happen, you will have to ensure these three (3) things.
- The people understand fully what you are doing
- The people understand the purpose behind your project
- Be sure that you understand the Guyanese people in the church (local).
To bring about the first you will need to get at the mass audience.
To bring about the second you will need to let people see what you are doing – maybe have public meetings also.
The third is maybe the most important: You are saying that you do not want to establish a church in Guyana. But is this really practical. Are you sure that you will get the right kind of people for your projects from the other churches.
This is important – you must be sure that these other Christians have the same kinds of orientation – you must be sure. Of course there are endless numbers of good Christians in Guyana. Got to get them involved in a
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project of the nature of the one you are pushing, you may made not only to screen them but to get them to understand your aim and object – the full meaning of community life.
To do this, you may have to establish some center – some church – where you can give these people the necessary orientation, the necessary training, although they may be good Christians, in order to ensure that they fit into your operation.
These are only a few points but I am sure that your organization can give some thought to them.
Also you must beware that some churches in Guyana do not undermine your work. Especially since your work is in keeping with the philosophy of the Government – the philosophy of cooperation. Your projects although being good may be misunderstood. Give yourself some leeway. Don’t go to people all the time blindly – try to leave some space for feedback – feedback is vital for your organization.
In closing I will write to say that I think that you are doing a good job – since it relates to “people” and for measuring the course of humanity.
Oliver Hunter
c/o Ministry of Information, Guyana
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D-3-H-1
Photo and short biography of Franklin Hope, Minister of Finance
Franklin Eleazor Hope, M. P. Minister of Finance, was born October 1, 1924 at Buxton, East Coast, Demerara.
He is responsible for budget taxation, tax incentives, monetary policy, banking and credit, exchange control, Government accounting and financial control and Government lotteries.
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D-3-H-2a
Meeting with Frank Hope, March 19, 1977
Minister Frank Hope – March 19, 1977
At Dr. Reid’s request, Tim[Stoen], Debbie [Touchette], and Paula [Adams] met with the Minister of Finance, Frank Hope to discuss keeping U.S. dollars in Guyana. Dr. Reid had first called Minister Hope to tell him what it was that we wanted and set up an appointment for us to see Hope.
1. A background was first given on Jim and Peoples Temple. The following items were mentioned:
A. Adoption of children of all races.
B. Receiving Senate citation. Claude Worrell attending testimonial dinner.
C. Dr. Goodlett’s esteem for Bishop. (Pres of National Newspaper Publishers Assoc.)
D. Picket for Fresno 4
E. Visit to Cuba.
F. Laura Allende speaking about concentration camps and tortures.
G. Angela Davis speaking at our church and calling on Bishop for advice.
H. Unita Blackwell Wright and surveillance.
I. Attempts on Bishop’s life (shot into bus, bomb in Marcie’s car)
J. Bishop speaking about Guyana across the U.S.
K. P.T.is the only strong socialist group in the U.S.
L. P.T. getting harassed because of stands for social justice.
M. Religion in American Life Award
N. Herald-Dispatch “Greatest Humanitarian in the Nation Award”
O. Persons in top government posts not disturbed by Bishop, but in the lower eschelons of government service reacting.
2. Tim then explained the reasons why we would need to keep U.S. dollars in Guyana. Commitments for legal defense, support of refugees, and to ensure that we would have funds to send back anyone who demonstrated anti-social behaviour.
3. Tim said that our money came from persons like ourselves who worked and contributed to church programs. Tim also said that no single person benefitted from the church contributions, that we didn’t buy extravagantly and that our Bishop even wears used clothing.
4. Minister Hope said, “Dr. Reid told me about your request.” “I discussed it with the Governor of the Bank of Guyana and the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Guyana, in fact, you probably noticed them leaving just before you came in. There is no difficulty technically. It is entirely feasible. It can be done. I have no objections at all.” “You will have to discuss the mechanics with the Bank of Guyana (Mr. Matthews, Governor of the Bank of Guyana).” “I’ll talk in advance to him; I mentioned it already.” He said that he would set up an appointment for us for next week. Minister Hope said, “Money can be utilized for purchases overseas within the limitations of things we import (no banned items).” Min. Hope then said that the Bank will work out the details.
5. Frank Hope has been a Minister of Finance for 5 years. He was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance before becoming the Minister. Before that, he headed a statistical department (where-?).
6. Paula then brought up the duty-free concessions that we submit applications for (which goes through his office). She said that Claude Worrell and Dr. Reid had indicated that anything which is not banned coming down for the agricultural project and its members would be allowed to come in duty-free. He nodded his head. She told him that there were some things pending his approval and he stated that he would look into them next week.
7. Tim Stoen invited Minister Hope to come to the U.S. and visit our church at our expense. Debbie invited him to visit our farm. Paula elaborated and said that it would be beneficial to have someone from the government come to get a first-hand look at our organization in San Francisco. Hope said that next time he visited the U.S. he would try to get to California.
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Page 2
Paula’s Overall Impression:
I thought Minister Hope to be courteous and friendly. He listened attentively, nodding his head and an occasional “yes” to let us know that he was listening. Hope is a very organized person from the looks of his neat office (or his secretary is very organized). He is a short man. His wife is Black and he keeps her picture on his desk. There is a picture of himself on his wall behind him. There is not a picture of the Prime Minister or Dr. Reid beside his, nor in the whole room that I noticed. Hope seemed to understand what we said about fascism being close at hand in the U.S. and about suppression of rights (when we told about Fresno 4 and the Watergate era). His answers were short and simple without dressing up with elaborate phrases, He was not pretentious and did not have to show that he was an important person. He stood and shook our hands on arrival and departure with a warm smile.
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HOPE, Frank
1. Debbie and Paula tried to set up an appointment to see him the end of February, 1977.
The secretary said that she would call back and never did.
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D-3-H-4
Letter to Frank Hope, October 14, 1975
October 14, 1975
Honorable Minister Frank Hope
Ministry of Finance
Main Street
Georgetown, GUYANA
Honorable Minister Hope:
We all wish to thank you for your most kind attention to the matter of our supplies coming into the development project we are engaged in in the North West District. Your help was so very much appreciated making it possible to get much-needed equipment into use quickly. Our Bishop James Jones spoke of his own appreciation of you to our large congregation.
It was just over a year and a half ago that our Bishop heard of the FCH Program and with several others visited Guyana to learn more about it. At the invitation of Dr. Reed [Ptolemy Reid], he visited the North West District and since then has worked to establish the Peoples Temple Agricultural Mission just outside of Port Kaituma.
It was the spirit of cooperative living which your honorable Prime Minister Forbes Burnham has instilled in the FCH and other Programs that made it appropriate to establish our project. The spirit of helping one another is so much in keeping with our own beliefs in practical Christian works by taking Matthew 25 literally: to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give shelter to the homeless.
The kindness which persons such as yourself have shown to us is what has made Guyana truly a cooperative republic. It has been this spirit of cooperation that- has made it possible to do so much in such a short time. Thank you for your kindness.
Sincerely,
/s/ Donald Beck
Donald Beck
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D-3-H-5
Undated Letter to Frank Hope
c/o Professor Tropp
Santa Rosa Junior College
1501 Mendocino Avenue
Santa Rosa, California 95402
The Honourable Prank Hope
Ministry of Finance
Main and Urquhart Streets
Georgetown, GUYANA
Honourable Mr. Hope:
All of us here at People’s Temple send you our warmest regards. We have heard from your staff workers how much dedication you continually demonstrate by your hard work so much so that you have hardly any time for your family or yourself. Our Bishop Jim Jones is a person much akin to yourself and your leader Prime Minister Forbes Burnham: working constantly in helping service to others.
We have so very much appreciated your assistance in expediting import duty-waivers for our cooperative agricultural development project in which we are working in the North West Region.
I have enclosed with this letter several copies of articles about the activities of our Bishop and congregation which you may find of interest. Also, we are preparing a more complete booklet giving a more detailed picture of People’s Temple; we will send this along when it is ready.
Again, thank you so much for the example of dedication in working in service to others: certainly it is the essence of cooperative living that can bring people together.
Sincerely,
Donald Beck
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D-3-I-1a
Letter to Oliver “Monty” Harper, Former Minister of Health, November 15, 1976
November 15th, 1976
Oliver Harper
MINISTER OF HEALTH:
We presented the list Maria brought and asked the following questions.
a. Importation regulations on medical equipment and supplies and pharmacy equip. We would get all things in duty free as long as it’s io be a free medical clinic.
b. Who should we talk to for assistance in filling out import license and customs forms in ministry of health: He said his secretary and the permanent secretary of Health would assist us. We have to write a letter in request to the chief Medical officer, Dr. S. Baird for this.
c. Who should medical personnel in U.S. have their resume’s submitted to in Guyana for licencing to practice here (e.g. doctors, nurses, pharmacist, lab technologist, x-ray technologist, inhalation therapist, physical therapist, etc.? All persons must write to general nursing council, Sy. Joseph Hospital. Address it to “Larry Noerll”.
d. We have several “nurse practitioners” which is a more highly qualified nurse. [line repeated: A nurse practitioners, which is a more highly qualified nurse.] A nurse practitioner in the U.S. may diagnose and prescribe like a doctor, but not do surgery. Would they be able to get an equivalent license here? Could a special provision be made for then?
e. Any miscellaneous advice he could give us on getting up a small clinic in the N.W.D.
1. New doctors will not be able to work in Guyana’s interior. They must have at least one years experience in Georgetown because of the different types of disease here. All doctors weather [whether] long time practitioners or even Guyanese born, educated outside of Guyana, still must have one year practice in Georgetown. He explained such things as yellow fever, mal nutrition, malaria, and tropical diseases are more commonly delt with here.
2. He would never allow a med. clinic to be set up without a Guyanese midwife working in the clinic because of the complications involved. The average mother has five or more children in Guyana to range on to anywhere around fifteen children. That makes complications monumental.
3. We must make a formal application throught the Regional Minister, “Minister Charmichael”, who will submit it to the Minister of Health, to set up the Clinic.
4. After all the details have been taken care of, and applications submitted, we must talk further on the subject. He suggested that a satellite hospital might be more probable then [than] a fully equipped hospital; since there is already a hospital in Mathews Ridge (Which leaves much to be desired). Charlie [Touchette] explained that approx.. five hundred people would be moving into the area. He said he was aware of this,
5. For the medical supplies, we much [must] have;
a. quanity
b. itiaized prices
We must submit this to Minister Harper’s secretary who will assist us in getting them in duty free.
If supplies are sent to Peoples Temple, in care of Ministry of Health, it will come through customs faster.
Charlie Comments:
I believe our interview with Minister Harper was very fruitful. He committed the Ministry of Health to assist in various ways in planning and the construction of our clinic. The Minister was very informative as to the qualifications of our doctor, advised us who our nurses would have to submit their resume’s to for services in Guyana. Minister Harper was, I think very willing to give us his time and answer our questions to his fullest. I believe he will help us a great deal. The only thing against the Minister was be is very pro U.S. He refered to people on his staff (different ones) that had been educated in the U.S.
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Meeting with Dr. Oliver Harper, Minister of Health, Jan. 1975
Conversation with Dr. Harper, Minister of Health – Jan. 1975:
1. There might be jealousy of our success.
2. Did not have any feelings that were negative about healing. He said it is what you believe.
3. He said that we had nothing to worry about.
4. Graphic [newspaper] is known for not “having verified statements about things. For example, three times Georgetown hospital without verification. “Unknown” officials are always making statements. “Government attacking government.”
5. said he would speak to Prime Minister and Cabinet about us. We have nothing to worry about.
6. He said to let him know, and he would help us get nursing students into the program. To write directly to him. To set up a hospital, he requested us to inform him and work in conjunction with the Ministry of Health.
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D-3-I-4
Letter to Dr. Oliver Harper, Minister of Health, February 18, 1975
[Peoples Temple letterhead]
February 18, 1975
Honorable Minister Oliver Harper
Ministry of Health
Brickdam Stabroek
Georgetown, Guyana
Honorable Minister Harper:
It is with deep appreciation and gratitude that I greet you on behalf of Pastor Jim Jones and the many members of Peoples Temple Christian Church. From our workers both in Georgetown and Port Kaituma, we know that you have extended yourself in support of our agricultural project, Jonestown. Mr. and Mrs. Touchette spoke very highly of you and remarked how the members of our agricultural outpost had so greatly enjoyed your speech at Matthew’s Ridge. We understand also that you have been willing to represent our interests in high levels of government. In face of such overwhelming solicitude on your part, what can we say but, with all our hearts, thank you!
We are gratified that the Jonestown Project has flourished. Our workers have carried on diligently and have completed clearing a five-mile road, a bridge, cleared some 300 acres, and planted some thirty crops. We are glad to have been able to be of service in the Port Kaituma area, among other things providing jobs for local residents. In the area of medical assistance, we hope to establish a medical clinic to supplement the eventual expansion of our agricultural effort.
Our Pastor and congregation have felt compelled to make this commitment because of the world food crisis. We have been greatly encouraged by your support. As an expression of our deep appreciation for your friendship, please accept a box of home-made candy in forthcoming mail.
Pastor Jones holds you in high regard, and sends his personal and most sincere best wishes.
Co-operatively yours,
/s/ Jean F. Brown
Jean F. Brown, Sec’y.
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Letter to Police Commissioner Lloyd Barker, October 5, 1977
October 5, 1977
Commissioner of Police Lloyd Barker
Eve Leary Police Headquarters
Georgetown, Guyana
Dear Commissioner Barker:
The Peoples Temple Agricultural Project would like to have some of the members hunt wild game for food. With a population of approximately 750 persons, we need several sources to meet protein requirements. The following list of persons were selected by Peoples Temple to be responsible for the guns:
1) Al Simon
2) Jose Simon
3) Stephan Jones
4) Tim Jones
5) Lou Jones
6) Jim Jones Jr.
7) Darrell Devers
8) Bruce Oliver
9) Tim Carter
10) Johnny Jones
11) Carl Barnett
12) Johnny Cobb
13) Emmett Griffith
14) Walter Williams
In total they will need 12 revolvers and 2 shotguns; one for each of them if that can be expedited.
Thank you so much for your kind and courteous advise. Cde. Jim Jones has remarked on several occasions about the tremendous integrity and principle on which you run your high quality police force.
Hoping to hear from you very soon on the approval of the above named people and guns.
Sincerely,
/s/ Paula Adams
Paula Adams
Coordinator
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[Editor’s note: This letter is a follow-up to the previous one, but written seven months later. It was signed by Sharon Amos]
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Letter to Police Commissioner Lloyd Barker, May 17, 1978
May 17, 1978
Commissioner of Police Lloyd Barker
Eve Leary Police Headquarters
Georgetown, Guyana
Dear Commissioner Barker:
The Peoples Temple Agricultural Project wrote a letter requesting permission for fourteen people (14), to be made responsible for the use of firearms to hunt wild game for food. We would like to make a correction in the third paragraph of the letter dated the 8th of May. It should say, In total they will need 12 rifles and 2 shotguns; one for each of them if that can be expedited.
Thank you for your immediate attention.
Cooperatively Yours,
/s/ Deborah Touchette
Deborah Touchette
Admin. Secretary
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Sharon Amos
COMMISSIONER BARKER 13/4/78 (Sharon, Debbie, Mike)
– we brought in a complaint against Clive, attached/ Mingo told us to give it to Barker
– he said “what is all this” when we showed him the thing/ we told him that’s what we came to ask him.
– he asked if we had reported this to the local police and we said we had and it was to a Cpt. Martin but they said they were coming to our home to check it out but they never did
– he asked for some background on the Olivers/ we explained how they had wanted their sons to sign over money but which the sons were willing to do, but they keep harassing them and the sons chose not to see them/ we had encouraged the Olivers to see them but they didn’t want to. We had gone thru the American Embassy (he first said we shouldn’t have just decided on our own and we explained that it had all gone through the Embassy and since they were married and adults the Embassy had said they wouldn’t push it
– we said that the problem was people coming on the premises and he said that this is correct that no-one has any right to come on your premises if you don’t want them to come
– but he said that the root of the problem is whether or not these people can see their sons
– we said that the sons feel their parents are harassing them and he said he doesn’t understand how wanting to see your sons is harassing them
– he said this is the first time in 28 years that he has found that people cannot see their relatives
– he said it is difficult for him to understand
– he said he has been a professional police officer add he still feels that the root of the problem is this about the parents and he said that Guyanese people wouldn’t feel it was harassment
– we gave him the background (some of it) on Olivers/ that they are not the normal law-abiding parents/ he has been to jail and she tried to stab Marcie.
– he said well “I’m glad you are proving me wrong” (I think he was slightly sarcastic when he said that) – the only reason he wasn’t more nasty I think is that Mingo talked to him last tine/ but the fact that he would bring up these issues independent to Mingo (I think) is that he works sometimes independent of Mingo (he’s always being praised in papers) so maybe he thinks he’s big stuff tho Wills said in actuality he is nothing
– on his desk was an invitation that said “to meet with Colonel Hawes, Defense Advisor”
– regarding the license for Bobby [Stroud] and Joan [Pursley] to accept donations, he said he was still working on it (it was on someone’s desk) and he would let us know when it was ready
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[illegible]
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D-3-L-1a
Meeting with Skip Roberts, Deputy Commissioner of Police, May 26, 1978
Deborah Touchette, May 26, 1978
Skip Roberts
W/ Terri Jones
Deborah Touchette
– At first he said he couldn’t see us until next week, and just as we started to go, he sent a message for us to come in.
– We told him that a serious problem had come up, and that a few of our members had been taken to the police station, and they had just as much right to be in that area as any body else.
– Before I could finish what I was saying, he answered ‘rightfully so, rightfully so.
– I asked him what he meant by that?
– He said they had no right to be there snooping around, he said there had been a series of fires at the Pegusas [Pegasus Hotel] causing thousands of dollars worth of dammage and his people were down there trying to find out what was behind it all. He said they were picking up anybody in the area that looked suspicious, or was lurking about. What were your people doing down there anyway?
– We told him the same thing we told Mingo, and that when she [Kathy Hunter] had come into the country she had used the Prime Ministers name and Minister Mingo, and had entered fraudulently. We had found out through Pat Small, who we bumped into accidently, and had gone to the Pecusas to meet her and find out why she had come unannounced. She asked to go up to the project and to meet with cde. Jim Jones,
– We told Kathy that cde. Jones was not there, but if she wanted to come up any way, she was welcome, but she acted abnormally to this
– Skip said well I met with her for over an hour, and she said all sorts of things about you people, but I knew something was funny from the moment I heard her name. I recognized it from the articles that Paula [Adams] had submitted to me in the beginning that she and her husband had written from the Ukiah Daily Journal.
– He said it was a good thing Paula had gotten those things to me long ago, because she’s an older woman, and she sounds convincing to some of those people who know nothing about your organization.
– “I don’t like her though,” he said, she’s playing alot of games, she doesn’t really smile, she just squints her eyes, she’s phony.
– “One thing about her is, she contradicts herself too much” he said.
– “She said she had to hawk some diamonds to come down here, but she has the money to spend all over the place in the little shops, buying dresses and this sort of thing, she’s not careful in how she talks.
– “Both the commissioner and myself were up there for some time.
– I didn’t believe her, and I was getting tired, so she directed most of her conversation to the Commissioner. She brought it too our attention that there had been no drills or fires until she had arrived at the hotel, she tried to make it look like you people were responsible for the fires.
– We told him we didn’t even know there was a fire….we were aware of the drills, but new [knew] nothing otherwise.
– We told him that we had received a phone call from a woman faking an accent and she enquired about Cde. Jim Jones and his warebbouts [whereabouts]. We knew she was supposed to be leaving the country that same day according to Min. Mingo so some of our people went down to see if she was still there, because we thought it was a possibility the calls could be comming from her.
– we asked him if he couldn’t see how unlogical it would be for us to stick around the area if we were setting fires? and in the first place
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D-3-L-1b
– none of our people have criminal records, and we have never had any trouble since we have been in Guyana, so we don’t understand why our people were picked up, and singled out and even one of the girls [Daisy Lee Stroud] was intimidated, one of the officers told her, if she didn’t talk she would be made to leave the country. We said she was very young, asian background and didn’t speak english very well, and even when she was trying to explain what she had said to the police she didn’t do it very well.
– He said yea but she was found upstairs in the hall ways, not down in the lobby
– Terri told her that she was young and new and of course she would be currious to see the hotel.
—We told him that Tim C. [Carter] had taken it on himself to go down to the Fegusas after he had received the call and had taken Daisy with him.
– Skip said “In the U.S. you can have private detectives, but not in Guyana, you have to call the police, that is left up to the military and the police.
– “Why didn’t you call me?” he asked, in the past Paula always called me, even in this case with Tim Stoen, she called and I got right on to it,
– I told him we didn’t know, but in the future we would call him right away, but we had reported it to Mingo and he had assured us that she would be leaving the country right away, so we went down to see if she had, or would, after the call.
– He said that the lennion colsets [linen closets] had been set on fire and that is expensive in Guyana, you didn’t know there was a fire?
– We told him we absolutely did not know, it only makes sense, we wouldn’t have been down there if we knew.
– Well you fell right in to her hands then, she knew therr was fires and shr used it against you.
– He said he didn’t think we were responsible, but he thought it was a coincidence since we didn’t know. Can you understand why we thought what we did?
– Terri asked if we were still under investigation?
– He said ‘No.”
– She asked if any of the people would have a criminal record?
– He said no, it would just go on file that certain questions had been asked and answered on the report in connection with the Pegusas incident (on the file on the Pegusas)
– He said the U.S. embassy had called him wanting to know if what they had herd was true, that some of the P.T. had been arrested?
– Skip said he told them no, it wasn’t true, but at that time he didn’t know anything about it. he later found out that it was true that some of them had been picked up.
– While we were sitting there the phone rang and a reporter from the Guyana Chronicle called and asked him if it was true what he had herd that some of the members of the peoples temple had been arrested?
– he denied it to the press
—we asked who the man was that asked?
– He wanted to know why we wanted to know?
—I told him that’s alright if he didn’t want to tell me, but otherwise we were just wondering.
—he said he couldn’t remember the man’s name, but he was an east indian fellow who has been with the chronicle along time, sort of heavy set
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D-3-L-1c
– I honestly can’t remember his name, you people might know him.
– call me back later, call me in an hour, I’ll remember by then, or call me tomorrow. (there were some people in his office so I don’t think he wanted to tell us in front of them. We had walked out of the office and come back in to ask the reporters name)
– We invited him to J/town, he said he didn’t like to go in those out of the way places, said has wife was interested in going.
– I guess it would help you if 1 did go up sometime and then I could tell people that I have been there and seen all the good things.
I guess I will go sometime, he said.
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D-3-L-2a – 2b
Meeting with Skip Roberts, Deputy Commissioner of Police, April 22, 1978
[Editor’s note: This memo also appears as B-1 (6) – (7) on page https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/?page_id=129793.]
APRIL 22, 1978
DEBORAH TOUCHETTE
SKIP ROBERTS
APPT W/ SHARON AMOS & DEBORAH TOUCHETTE
– He said there was no investigation from the CID [Criminal investigation Division] dept. If there was, he would know about it.
– the only time he wouldn’t know was if it was political, (subversive)
– then all they would do was listen, accumulate information and relay it.
– said it wasn’t unusual we were checked in the beginning, all churches are checked by the CID, we don’t just allow people to come into the country and set up a church.
– said he was in the U.S., spent time in Washington, Chicago, & Boston, but didn’t like New York, said it was a terrible place
– He said there are beautiful places in the United States.
– He has a friend in Long Island, has bought a fancy home there
– said we are a progressive community, so naturally we will be harrassed
– said it would eventually go down, as it is, he hasn’t heard much on P.T. lately
– said in 77, alot of news, 78, maybe thirty situations, 79, maybe twenty situations etc. until nothing, said this is the way things go.
– He thought the church headed by Rabbi Washington was a criminal situation dealing with passports etc.. Someone brought this up in a meeting and and he agreed,
– He had arrested Rabbi several years ago, the man’s a criminal, has a record in the U.S.
– Mentioned that he had met Harritee [Harriett Tropp], said he liked, her.
– He asked about Sandy Jones and Tim, said he remembered that big husky guy.
– asked about the people he met at Redds Prerro’s party [Joseph “Reds” Perreira], (Mike and Deb)
– He said he showed Paula Adams the report by [undercover detective] Padmore, said to Padmore that he was saying illigal things in that, if people from the U. S. fine something good about Guyana, then theres something wrong with them, and what he was saying was anti-govt.
– said the P.M.’s worries are that people see good things in other countries like the U.S. and want to leave to see these places. Everybody wants to go to New York
– What the P.M. wants them to realize is they can do nice things with this country
– said he was out of the country when we had our program doing some study in England on a fraud case, he would know the results in about five days.
– said we should not worry about things that may happen, face them as they come.
– said their films should show more documentaries of the bad things in the U.S.
– Sharon agreed, said there were movies that glamorized alot of things in the U.S. that made people dissatisfied.
– He agreed that was so, but… What can I say to someone who is poor, sees a movie with a man that has fine clothes, fancy cars, and alot of girls under each arm of all sizes and shapes at his disposal? what can I say thats bad about that? I don’t know what’s bad about that. I spent time in the U.S., I know what it’s like
– He said parents couldn’t do anything against us, it is not a police matter if parents don’t see their children.
– What the police may do is go to your place and investigate the situation, ask you why you won’t let the parents on to your property?
—–
It would be better for you if you let them, in that they may go back to the U.S. and say P.T. wouldn’t let me see my child because he was chained up, beaten with marks all over him, this type of thing.
– said he personally isnt worried about us. He didn’t have any problems with us.
– asked us if we had a new truck, said he noticed it down town with alot of people in it.
Sharon told him Stoen wrote the Senators, saying we were holding people against their will, the State Dept wrote all of them saying that Stoen s information was not accurate. McCoy checked us out and found the rumors to be unfounded.
– said things are going your way.
——
D-3-L-3
Meeting with Skip Roberts, Deputy Commissioner of Police, May 26, 1978
May
Deborah Touchette
Skip Roberts
appt. w/ Terri Jones, Debbie Blakey, Deborah Touchette
– We gave him the letter about Maria’s dad. At first he thought we wanted him to make our feelings about the situation known to the general public.
– He said he didn’t want to do that
– He said Paula had tried to get him to put in Guyana’s that all Stoen’s accusations were unfounded.
– We explained that we wanted him to see the realiness of the situation, and also told him ht
– We mentioned in passing that our trucks were going up to the North West.
– Skip said he saw our members going around town a lot, and he noticed some of our members standing on the corner with large shopping bags of things, food he thought
– He wanted to know if we brought things in from Jonestown or sent things up to Jonestown?
– We told him about bringing a few things in, but mostly we sent up things that we can’t grow like flour etc.
– We told him about Dr. Walter Thain and Evett’s mom and Julia’s parents that will be coming.
– We invited him to come to our home, or up to the project in Jonestown sometime.
– He said he would drive by our place this evening to see where we lived.
– Terri told him we were making our own soap.
– He said you don’t do what they did in Germany do you? Like they did in the concentration camps when they took the fat off the dead bodies?
– I said that was very inhumane.
– He said that he would pass the letter on to this people
– He maintained a jovial attitude, half joking and half serious throughout the conversation
– I don’t like Skip. I think he can be a very devious person, he seems like the type of person who would win your friendship and confidence while he’s selling you down the road and would smiled while holding a gun at your throat and saying sorry I have to do this to you ole buddy…
– It struck me funny that after his weird humor of concentration camps, he offered to show us the whole file on P. T. Said he thought he had shown it to Paula, but sometime when we come by and we all have more time, he would show us. Said he had a thick book on PT alone, a lot of relatives complaining about their children.
– He had a lot of people waiting in the waiting room, but I do think we should go back and see what new developments have taken place, although I would like to get your opinion on what to say, and if you think it would be a good idea to go back inquiring about his file?
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D-3-L-4
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