Serial 72
Nov 23, 78 • 1900 • Georgetown-State • 3895

[Editor’s note: This is a State Department cable that was included in the FBI’s 2009 RYMUR release of documents under the Freedom of Information Act. It was not included in the State Department’s own release, but we have included identifying information for it using the agency’s designations.]

0 R 231900Z NOV 78
FM AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8174
INFO RUEHFB/FBI WASHDC
BT
UNCLAS GEORGETOWN 3895
E.O. 11652: N/A
TAGS: CASC (PEOPLES TEMPLE)
SUBJECT: RELEASE OF SOME SURVIVORS OF PEOPLE’S TEMPLE
REF: A. GEORGETOWN 3821 B. GEORGETOWN. 3853

1. Police officials indicated today that most of the 25 individuals who are staying at Eve Leary Police HQs [Headquarters] will be permitted to leave the country tomorrow (Nov24). For tonight they are being moved to a hotel with police protection.

2. Indecision on the exact number that will be allowed to leave the country should be resolved later this afternoon after the police to determine if more information can be gleaned from them.

3. The names of those who may rpt [repeat] may be released are:

[several names deleted]
Clarke, Richard
[several names deleted]
Davis, Grover (possibly will be asked to stay)
Evans, Julius
[numerous names deleted]
Parks, Edith
[several names deleted]
Paul, Robert
[single name deleted]
Thrash, Hyacinth
[single name deleted]

4. Those currently detained at the People’s Temple Georgetown HQs, Lamaha Gardens, will be held for awile [a while] longer, finish investigation into the deaths of Sharon Amos and her three children.

5. More definite information will be available this afternoon and will be forwarded, along with the addresses the members of the group planned to go to after their arrival in the States.

Burke [John Burke, U.S. Ambassador to Guyana]

BT
#3895