0 041938Z DEC 78
FM BROOKLYN/QUEENS MRA (89-495)
TO DIRECTOR PRIORITY
SAN FRANCISCO PRIORITY
LOS ANGELES PRIORITY
NEW YORK PRIORITY
BT
UNCLAS E F T O
RYMUR
ReBQtel call to FBIHQ, December 4, 1978 and ReBQteletype to the Bureau, dated December 4, 1978.
Referenced teletype sets forth results of interviews conducted Sunday, December 3, 1978. Of the anticipated 80 interviews to be conducted, 22 have been completed – six on Wednesday, November 29, 1978, six on Saturday, December 2, 1978, and 10 on Sunday, December 3, 1978. Next scheduled interviews will be Wednesday, December 6, 1978, at JFK Airport, New York, upon arrival of Pan Am Flight 228,
PAGE TWO UNCLAS E F T O
approximately 6:30 P.M.
Media reports reflect “misunderstanding” concerning the FBI’s failure to provide armed security to Pan Am for Sunday’s flight to JFK.
For information of Bureau, the following account was provided by Pan Am Captain [name deleted], who flew Sunday’s flight, and by Mr. [name deleted], Director of Security for Pan Am.
During pre-boarding stage of flight 228, at Georgetown, Guyana, on Sunday, December 3, 1978, Captain [name deleted] became concerned about the “attitude and appearance” of several members of the Peoples Temple (PT) who were returning to the United States on his flight. He contacted Pan Am New York who informed him “armed federal agents” would be aboard this flight. Captain [name deleted] interpreted this to be FBI agents and stated there were none to provide security for the flight; and accordingly he denied boarding to 18 male PT members. Captain [name deleted] met with media at JFK upon his arrival and stated he was told by his Pan Am headquarters that FBI agents would be aboard that
PAGE THREE UNCLAS E F T O
flight.
Media reports reflect “the spokesman for the United States Embassy said armed FBI agents never showed up because of a misunderstanding between the State Department in Washington and Pan Am headquarters here (NY)”.
On Monday morning, December 4, 1978, Mr. [name deleted] of Pan Am orally requested of the Brooklyn/Queens (BQ) FBI office, that “armed security be provided for Wednesday’s (December 6, 1978) Pan Am flight 228 from Guyana to JFK”. Mr. [name deleted] requested this security be provided by the FBI, but would accept any armed representatives of the United States Government assigned to that flight. The flight departs JFK at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, December 5, 1978, and will return the following day departing Guyana at approximately 11:30 AM.
For information Bureau, this is the first request received by the NYO to provide armed security for any commercial flight out of Guyana.
Media reporters have referred to the existence of outstanding federal warrants in connection with the investigation,
PAGE FOUR UNCLAS E F T O
and a San Francisco Examiner reporter specifically asked about the existence of seven such warrants in California charging subjects with violation of the Congressional Assassination Statute. The Associated Press in New York also asked the same question, specifically referring to seven warrants. No affirmation was made as to the existence of these warrants. The existence of four federal fugitive warrants was acknowledged for four United States citizens last known to be in Guyana, but not PT members. These four fugitives are as follows: [information deleted].
Interviews conducted this past weekend were done so in 12 individual recreational vehicles (RV) in a Pan Am hangar which is removed from the main JFK terminal. This approach has been most successful in providing a secure atmosphere for these interviews, and it is anticipated these RVs will be used for Wednesday’s interviews. It is requested a wire in the amount of ten thousand dollars be forwarded to SAC, BQ, for past and
PAGE FIVE UNCLAS E F T O
expected expenses in connection with this investigation. The wire should be sent to Citibank, 95-12 63rd Road, Rego Park, New York, 11374, attention [name deleted], Officer in Charge, to be picked up by SA [name deleted]. Money must be received by 11:00 AM, December 5, 1978.
Bureau is requested to advise security procedures for Pan Am 228 which arrives JFK Wednesday, December 6, 1978 at approximately 6:30 PM, so that Pan Am security can be notified.
BT
[Page 6]
ADDENDUM: CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION (CID) DES/rak 12/5/78
Brooklyn Queens MRA (BQMRA) has undertaken the task of interviewing returning survivors from Guyana as they arrive at JFK International Airport. It is noted that this case has been designated a Bureau special bearing special case number 16. In order to conduct the required interviews, the BQMRA has had to provide for physical security and interview space at JFK. These considerations necessitated a rental of 12 recreational vehicles for placement in a Pan American hanger [hangar].
CID concurs with the request of the SAC, BQMRA that in order to continue with investigative responsibilities, a wire in the amount of $10,000 be forwarded to BQMRA as outlined in instant teletype.
[Handwritten note: “Funds wired in A.M. 12-6-78”]