[Editor’s note: The text for this document was released in 2014 by the now-defunct Wikileaks website at https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/1978STATE016766_d.html. This URL may be available through the Wayback Machine.]
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 01 STATE 016766
ORIGIN SCS-06
INFO OCT-01 ARA-14 ISO-00 H-02 HA-05 L-03 /031 R
DRAFTED BY CA/SCS/FLHENNEKE/MRER
APPROVED BY CA/SCS/SADOBRENCHUK
CA/SCS/EAPOWERS
DESIRED DISTRIBUTION
ARA/CAR-FTUMMINIA
——————096880 210554Z /223
P 202304Z JAN 78
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN PRIORITY
UNCLAS STATE 016766
E.O. 11652: N/A
TAGS: CASC
SUBJECT: W/W PEOPLE’S TEMPLE MISSION
REF: GEORGETOWN 0252 AND PREVIOUS
1. DEPARTMENT WISHES COMMEND POST FOR EXCELLENT REPORTING CONTAINED REFTEL AND IN TELEGRAMS CONCERNING INDIVIDUAL CASES. INFORMATION PROVIDED WILL BE MOST USEFUL IN RESPONDING TO CONTINUED CONGRESSIONAL AND PUBLIC INQUIRIES.
2. RE PARA NO.5, REFTEL, DEPARTMENT CONCURS IN QUARTERLY VISITS TO PEOPLE’S TEMPLE PROVIDED THERE IS LEGITIMATE CONSULAR NEED FOR TRIP. DEPARTMENT DOES NOT WANT TO CREATE THE IMPRESSION THAT USG IS “CHECKING UP ON JONES OR THE PEOPLE’S TEMPLE” AND VISITS FOR NO APPARENT PURPOSE WOULD ONLY SERVE TO REINFORCE SUSPICIONS JONES ALREADY HARBORS.
CHRISTOPHER [Deputy Secretary of State Warren Christopher]
UNCLASSIFIED
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