[Editor’s note: This document was released both as a State Department cable as part of its 1981 FOIA release, and as Serial 245 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/1978GEORGE03902_d.html. This URL may be available through the Wayback Machine.]
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[Listing of agencies receiving informational copies on pdf]
0 240330Z NOV 78
FM AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIQNC 1768
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E.O. 11652: NA
TAGS: CASC, (PEOPLE’S TEMPLE)
SUBJECT: Georgetown roundup
1. Body removal. Total known dead (including 4 Amos and 1 Parks) 410D
Moved to Imehri [Timehri] Airport 270
Evacuated from Timehri to USA 270
Currently at Timehri 00
Remaining at Jonestown (mostly bagged) 140
We expect that, weather permitting, evacuation of all parties to the US will be completed on Nov 23.
2. Search and rescue. Search and rescue operations will be expanded on Nov 24 and will continue after body removal.
3. FBI. Legatt Oglesby will visit Jonestown Friday to inspect weapons and takes serial numbers.
4. Consular activities. Records and statistics; we have sorted and are reviewing 804 US passports and 583 immigration cards (not including the 64 passports located just today).
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These documents are being crossed-indexed and cross-referenced against the list of known dead and lists of survivors in order to develop an accurate register of persons not yet accounted for.
Funds and repatriation: We have secured promissory notes and placed on subsistence 29 people, primarily from the group of persons who fled Jonestown last weekend. Since these individuals are presently in a DETAPM category, funds are being utilized from the EMDA program.
Medical assistance cases. The three Amcits [American citizens] presently hospitalized as a result of wounds received during the attack on the Codel are potential medevac candidates. Two of the three have been evaluated by the AID physician. Zhe [The] third was undergoing surgey [surgery] and was not evaluated. Movement Saturday or Sunday is anticipated.
Arrest cases: One PT has been arrested and formally charged with five counts of homicide and related charges. Three more are under detention and may be charged shortly. The arrested citizen has received the usual initial consular visit.
Personal property: We have recovered the billfold and airline ticket of Jackie Speier but have not located her briefcase.
Burke [John Burke, U.S. Ambassador to Guyana]