[Editor’s note: This document was released both as a State Department cable as part of its 1981 FOIA release, and as Serial 536 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/1978GEORGE03987_d.html. This URL may be available through the Wayback Machine.]
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 01
GEORGE 03987 282131Z
ACTION SCS-06
INFO OCT-01 ARA-15 ISO-00 CA-01 SSO-00 PPTE-00 SY-05 SYE-00 FSE-00 HA-05 H-02 INSE-00 OC-06 CCO-00 DODE-00 /041 W
——————116724 282138Z /64
O 282017Z NOV 78
FM AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8250
INFO FBI WASHDC
FBI 437 MAW/CP CHARLESTON SC
HEW WASHDC
USSS WASHDC
UNCLAS GEORGETOWN 3987
E.O. 11652: N/A
TAGS: CASC, OREP (RYAN), GY
SUBJECT: REPATRIATION OF SEVEN JONESTOWN SURVIVORS
REF: GEORGETOWN 3985
1. Seven Amcits [American citizens] listed reftel, accompanied by State officer Jim Ward, will depart Georgetown at 1300, stop briefly at Port of Spain, T&T [Tobago & Trinidad], depart Port of Spain at 1300, arrive JFKennedy Apt [Airport] New York at 1815. All times given are local.
2. Requests HEW [Department of Health, Education and Welfare] reception arrangements at JFK, also INS & Customs facilitation. Suggest wheelchair be available for one passenger, Mrs. Hyacinth Thrash. If other agencies plan to meet at JFK as opposed to final destination, pls advise. Would also appreciate any info available we can relay to these Amcits regarding overnighting in New York and plans for onward transportation to California.
3. Ward will continue on National Airlines flight 491 leaving JFK at 2015 and arriving Washington National Apt at 2111 Nov 29. He will be traveling as non-pro courier with dip [diplomatic] bag. Requests he be met if at all possible.
Burke [John Burke, U.S. Ambassador to Guyana]
UNCLASSIFIED