[Editor’s note: The text for this document was released in 2014 by the now-defunct Wikileaks website at https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/1977STATE219301_c.html. This URL may be available through the Wayback Machine.]
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PAGE 01 STATE 219301
ORIGIN SCS-03
INFO OCT-01 ISO-00 /004 R
DRAFTED BY CA/SCS/SADOBRENCHUK:RAM
APPROVED BY CA/SCS/AAGISE
CA/SCS/RLRIVERA
——————083563 132349Z /66
P 132154Z SEP 77
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN PRIORITY
INFO AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN PRIORITY
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE STATE 219301
E.O. 11652: N/A
TAGS: CASC
SUBJECT: W/W: PEOPLE’S TEMPLE IMMIGRANTS
REF: GEORGETOWN 2132
CAPTION: PORT OF SPAIN FOR RICHARD MCCOY AT CONSULAR CONFERENCE
DEPT. OFFICER CONTACTED CALIFORNIA STATE DEPT OF BENEFITS PAYMENTS, COUNSEL FOR CHILD SUPPORT AND SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT DIVISION FOR RESPONSE TO EMBASSY’S QUESTION PAR 5 REFTEL. STATE OFFICIAL STATED THAT COUNTY OFFICIALS HAVE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY IN CUSTODY MATTERS. STATE OFFICIAL UNABLE TO ASSIST WITHOUT NAMES OF CHILDREN AND CALIFORNIA PLACE OF RESIDENCE. AT PRESENT HE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF GENERALIZED OR SPECIFIC COMPLAINTS ABOUT CHILDREN ALLEGEDLY REMOVED FROM CALIFORNIA. STATE OFFICIAL CONFIRMS THAT COURT PERMISSION IS REQUIRED TO REMOVE WARDS OF COURT
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FROM JURISDICTION.
VANCE (Cyrus Vance, Secretary of State)
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