[Editor’s note: This document was released both as a State Department cable as part of its 1981 FOIA release, and as Serial 68 of the FBI’s RYMUR release.
[The text for this document was released in 2014 by the now-defunct Wikileaks website at https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/1978STATE295932_d.html. This URL may be available through the Wayback Machine.]
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 01
STATE 295932
ORIGIN ARA-15
INFO OCT-01 ISO-00 SSO-00 NSCE-00 INRE-00 ICAE-00 CIAE-00 DODE-00 PM-05 H-02 INR-10 L-03 NSAE-00 PA-02 SP-02 SS-15 SY-05 SYE-00 FBIE-00 MCT-02 SCS-06 CA-01 JUSE-00 TRSE-00 /069 R
DRAFTED BY ARA:GBROWN:JE
APPROVED BY ARA:JABUSHNELL
S/S-O:SVALERGA
——————018617 221942Z /53
O 221827Z NOV 78
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN IMMEDIATE
INFO AMEMBASSY CARACAS IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY BOGOTA IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS STATE 295932
E.O. 11652: N/A
TAGS: CASC, OREP (RYAN, LEO), GY
SUBJECT: FBI INVESTIGATION OF RYAN DEATH
The FBI made the following press release November 21: Begin quote: FBI Director William H. Webster confirmed today that the FBI is investigating the murder of Congressman Leo J. Ryan of California and the events surrounding his death at Jonestown, Guyana.
Director Webster added the murder of Congressman Ryan is being investigated by the FBI under the provisions of the Congressional Assassinations Statute including conspiracy provisions of the act; since those responsible for the
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 STATE 295932
death of Congressman Ryan can be prosecuted for this federal offense if they are found in or returned to the jurisdiction of the United States.
Survivors of the shooting incident at Jonestown are being interviewed by special agents of the FBI upon their return to the United States. Other persons who might have information relating to this incident are being interviewed throughout the United States. FBI representation in Guyana is being coordinated with the State Department and the Government of Guyana.
Christopher [Deputy Secretary of State Warren Christopher]
UNCLASSIFIED