[Editor’s note: The text for this document was released in 2014 by the now-defunct Wikileaks website at https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/1978STATE299036_d.html.]
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STATE 299036
ORIGIN NODS-00
INFO OCT-01 ISO-00 /001 R
DRAFTED BY L:MFELDMAN:JE
APPROVED BY ARA:JABUSHNELL
S/S-O:TREYNDERS
S/S:JPERRY
——————080907 251957Z /42
O 251936Z NOV 78 ZFF4
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 299036
NODIS
E.O. 11652: GDS
TAGS: CASC, OREP (RYAN, LEO), GY
SUBJECT: PERSONAL EFFECTS
REF: GEORGETOWN 3929
1. WE APPRECIATE THE HANDICAPS UNDER WHICH YOU ARE WORKING AND CONGRATULATE YOU ON RECOVERING AND IDENTIFYING THESE IMPORTANT TAPES. WE AGREE WITH YOUR ASSESSMENT THAT THESE TAPES COULD BE IMPORTANT EVIDENCE FOR GOG OR USG INVESTIGATIONS. ACCORDINGLY, OUR FIRST PRIORITY IS TO PRESERVE AND TO PROTECT THE TAPES AND RELATED RECORDS. EMBASSY SHOULD STORE THE MATERIALS IN A SECURE FACILITY, MINIMIZE ALL HANDLING, AND IN PARTICULAR NOT PLAY THE TAPES, PENDING FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS.
2. IN VIEW OF THE COMPLEXITY OF THE LEGAL QUESTIONS IN-
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VOLVED AND THE COORDINATION AND RESEARCH THAT MAY BE REQUIRED, WE BELIEVE THAT FOR THE TIME BEING THE BEST USE OF OUR SCARCE LEGAL RESOURCES IS TO DO THE LEGAL WORK IN WASHINGTON. HOWEVER, WE WELCOME YOUR DRAWING TO OUR ATTENTION ANY MATTERS THAT MAY REQUIRE LEGAL ADVICE. WE WILL ENDEAVOR TO GIVE YOU PROMPT ANSWERS. IF DEVELOPMENTS WARRANT, WE WILL RECONSIDER SENDING A LEGAL ADVISOR TO GEORGETOWN.
CHRISTOPHER [Deputy Secretary of State Warren Christopher]
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