[Editor’s note: The State Department FOIA release of 1981 withheld all names associated with Peoples Temple from this cable, as well as the file number. They are denoted in red type.]
0 072210Z DEC 78
FM US SECRET SERVICE HQS WASHDC (ID-FII)
TO RUESON/AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN
INFO RUEHC/DEPARTMENT OF STATE
RUEHFB/DIRECTOR FBI
BT
UNCLAS CITE USSS 1135
FILE: CO-2-78978
SUBJECT: ASSASSINATION THREAT AGAINST PRESIDENT/VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
REFERENCE IS MADE TO USSS NO. 1125 DATED 12/4/78.
NUMEROUS PRESENT AND FORMER PEOPLES TEMPLE MEMBERS CURRENTLY IN THE UNITED STATES HAVE BEEN INTERVIEWED BY THE UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE AND FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. IT IS THE STRONG OPINION OF THE SECRET SERVICE THAT SEVERAL KEY MEMBERS CURRENTLY IN GUYANA MUST BE INTERVIEWED TO PROPERLY ASSESS THE DEGREE OF DANGER THAT THIS GROUP MAY PRESENT TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THE PERSONS PROTECTED BY THIS SERVICE.
IT IS THEREFORE REQUESTED THAT EMBASSY MAKE CONTACT WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF GUYANA AND REQUEST THE SECRET SERVICE BE ALLOWED TO INTERVIEW:
LARRY LAYTON
CHARLES BEIKMAN
TIM CARTER
MICHAEL CARTER
MICHAEL PROKES
AND ANY OTHER PEOPLES TEMPLE SURVIVORS WHO MAY PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING THE POTENTIAL THREAT TO OUR PROTECTEES. IT IS PROPOSED THAT THESE INTERVIEWS TAKE PLACE ON OR ABOUT 12/13/78 GEORGETOWN.
AS I INDICATED IN REFERENCED TWX, IN MAKING THIS REQUEST TO THE GUYANESE OFFICIALS, IT SHOULD BE POINTED OUT THAT THE SECRET SERVICE DOES NOT IN ANY WAY INTENDED TO INTERFERE WITH THEIR INVESTIGATION OR JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS. THE SERVICE HAS NO OBJECTION TO GUYANESE OFFICIALS OR ANYONE ELSE THAT THEY DESIRE BEING PRESENT DURING THESE INTERVIEWS.
PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS REQUEST NO LATER THAT [THAN] 12/11/78.
EOT