[Editor’s note: One of the subjects of this serial whose name is deleted is NBC News producer Bob Flick. The deleted information from the memorandum – designated by brackets – which is known to the editor has been indicated by red type. Other information which remains withheld under the Freedom of Information Act has been denoted in green type.]
0 050310Z DEC 78
FM SAN JUAN (89-123)
TO DIRECTOR (89-4286) ROUTINE
SAN FRANCISCO (89-250) ROUTINE
BALTIMORE (89-173) ROUTINE
LOS ANGELES (89-436) ROUTINE
NEW YORK (89-495) ROUTINE
WASHINGTON FIELD OFFICE (89-570) ROUTINE
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UNCLAS
RYMUR
Reference director teletype to San Francisco, dated December 1, 1978.
On November 20, 1978, [Bob FlIck, NBC News] interviewed at San Juan. Eleven page FD-302 and nine page signed statement obtained and being forwarded appropriate
PAGE TWO (89-123) UNCLAS
offices. [2 lines deleted] Details of flight from New York to Jonestown, Guyana provided. Charles Gary [Garry] and Mark Lane interceded on behalf of P.T. and made arrangements for Congressman Ryan and media to visit P.T. On November 17, 1978, trip was organized to P.T. and [FlIck] furnished complete observations concerning this visit. Return described by [FlIck] on November 18, 1978 to P.T. Details of confrontation between P.T. resident and Congressman Ryan reflected but [information deleted].
Upon preparing for departure from P.T., approximately twelve defectors accompanied Congressman Ryan and media. Also Larry Layton, P.T. member, boarded truck and rode to airport.
Larry Layton ascerted [asserted] himself and demanded to be one of five passengers on single engine plane. Permission for same was granted by Congressman Ryan.
After single-engine plane taxied for takeoff position, Jim Cobb, member of “Concerned Relative group” pointed out a tractor pulling a wagon with several men standing. Mr.
PAGE THREE (89-123) UNCLAS
[name deleted] driver of this vehicle was the same driver who had driven [name deleted] from P.T., name not known. [2 lines deleted] men in tractor-trailer began shooting. No description of assailants.
Mr. Flick ran for cover and made an effort to obtain a weapon from Guyanese soldier who was guarding a wrecked airplane near scene of assault. This effort was negative.
When shooting ended and assailants left, [name deleted] gathered wounded, provided first aid, and shelter until help arrived. [2 lines deleted] gun was used by Layton when he assaulted passengers in single-engine airplane. Once U.S. officials arrived, he departed Guyana and returned [2 lines deleted]. FD-302 to follow.
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