[Editor’s note: The State Department FOIA release of 1981 made several deletions in this cable. The information was disclosed in earlier cables and is denoted below in red type.]
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 01 GEORGE 00170 132046Z
[Listing of agencies receiving informational copies on PDF]
R 131032Z JAN 78
FM AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6016
UNCLAS GEORGETOWN 0170
DEPT PASS ARA/CAR/TUNMMINIA
E.O. 11652: N/A
TAGS: CASC, GY (EDWARDS, JAMES)
SUBJECT: W/W JAMES EDWARDS DPOB: NOV. 1921, MISSISSIPPI
REF: (A) 77 STATE 294454 (B) GEORGETOWN 3223
1. Consul had personal, private contact with Mr. and Mrs. Edwards on Jan. 11 1978 at People’s Temple agricultural community. Mr. Edwards emphatically denied that he is being held against his will at the community. He appeared puzzled by [Calvin Johnson’s] assertion since he had written his relatives since his arrival in Guyana that he was happy and content.
2. Mr. Edwards indicated he enjoyed his activities of gardening, fishing and carpentry. Mrs. Edwards stated she sewed and gardened. Consul considered the replies to his questions spontaneous and without fear. They look healthy and content.
3. Edwards orally gave Privacy Act authorization to Consul to pass on the above information to [his nephew Calvin Johnson].
Burke
UNCLASSIFIED