[Editor’s note: The subject of this serial whose name is deleted is Ryan aide Jim Schollaert. The deleted information from the memorandum – designated by brackets – which is known to the editor has been indicated by red type.]
[This section of Serial 1681 covers page 18-21 of the FBI Report of January 12, 1979.]
FD-302
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Date of transcription 12/6/78
[Name and address of Ryan aide James Schollaert deleted], Arlington, Virginia, furnished the following information:
[Schollaert] advised that [words describing his position deleted] the late United States Representative Leo Ryan of California, and accompanied the congressman along with the following individuals from New York to Georgetown, Guyana, aboard a Pan American flight on November 14-15, 1978:
Jackie Speier
Legislative Counsel to RyanBob Flick
NBC News CrewDon Harris
CorrespondentBob Brown
NBC CameramanSteve Sung
NBC Sound ManTim Reiterman
Journalist
San Francisco ExaminerGregg [Greg] Robinson
Photographer
San Francisco ExaminerRonald Javers
Journalist
San Francisco ChronicleGordan Lindsey [Gordon Lindsay]
Freelance Writer
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AX 89-102
Charles Krause
Journalist
Washington PostTimothy and Grace Stoen
Concerned relatives and former Peoples Temple (PT) membersSteve Katsaris
Concerned relativeClara Bouguet [Bouquet]
Concerned relativeHoward and Beverly Oliver
Concerned relativesJim Cobb
Concerned relative and former PT memberBonnie Thielman [Thielmann]
Concerned relative and former PT member
[Schollaert] stated that the following listed individuals traveled on from Georgetown to Jonestown, Guyana on November 17, 1978, aboard a chartered aircraft.
Leo Ryan
United States CongressmanMark Lane
Attorney for PT, JonestownJackie Speier
Assistant to RyanRichard Dwyer
United States Embassy, Georgetown
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The four man NBC Crew listed above
The five journalists listed above
An unknown individual with the Guyana Information Agency (officer) [Neville Annibourne]
[Schollaert] stated that when he arrived in Georgetown, he, Ryan, and [name deleted] went to the United States Embassy where they met with the ambassador. A tentative agreement was consolidated for Ryan and [Schollaert] to visit Jonestown the following Friday. [Schollaert] stated that Ryan also asked him to contact PT in Georgetown and [Schollaert] talked to a Sharon Amos, a member of the PT, telephonically whereby further plans were discussed. [Schollaert] observed a petition listing 650 names of PT members who objected to the visit. The list was in the possession of Richard Dwyer at the United States Embassy in Georgetown. Ryan also visited the PT in Georgetown prior to leaving for Jonestown where he talked to Sharon Amos, PT member. [Schollaert] recalled that Ryan mentioned he was pleased with this meeting. Negotiations continued on until Ryan chartered an 18 seat aircraft which departed for Jonestown on November 17, 1978. On November 17, 1978, a conference was again held with the interested parties and again extensive limitations were placed on who should visit Jonestown. Ryan wanted to bring along the press and relatives and the PT were hesitating on this request.
[Schollaert] did not travel to Jonestown but rather stayed in Georgetown where he communicated via hand [ham] radio from Georgetown to Jonestown during Ryan’s visit.
[Schollaert] had no direct knowledge as to what occurred in Jonestown, however, understood via hand radio that Ryan and his party talked to members of the congregation of the PT on November 17, 1978, and stayed overnight.
After the massacre in Jonestown, [Schollaert] assisted Guyanese authorities in identifying those who were killed.
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[Schollaert] advised that Richard Dwyer, Deputy Chief of Admissions [Mission], United States Embassy of Guyana, gave him Ryan’s briefcase along with the baggage on November 20, 1978. [Schollaert] handcarried Ryan’s briefcase back to San Francisco arriving on November 21, 1978, at which time the items were given to Joe Holsinger, Administrative Aid [Aide] to Ryan.[Schollaert] stated that he did not examine the contents of the briefcase, however, recalled that Dwyer mentioned to him that he thought the briefcase had been broken into sometime while in Guyana. [Schollaert] was not aware as to why Dwyer considered that the briefcase had been entered.
[Schollaert] remarked that Mark Lane and Charles Garry, Attorneys representing PT arrived in Georgetown, Guyana, on November 16, 1978. [Schollaert] recalled that Ryan had sent a telegram to Jim Jones, leader of the PT, during the Fall of 1978 and Lane telephonically contacted Ryan and stated that the visit would be allowed based on the following conditions: That there be no press, that the delegation be balanced and only if Lane was present during the visit.