<\/a>For immediate release
\nMay 12, 1978<\/p>\nUS GOVERNMENT REFUTES CHARGES AGAINST PEOPLES TEMPLE<\/p>\n
The U.S. Department of State has officially refuted the charges leveled by a small group of protesting relatives regarding the work of the Peoples Temple Agricultural Project, Jonestown, in Guyana, South America.<\/p>\n
An official State Department report, based upon on-site visits to the project in Guyana states: \u201cAs part of the traditional and internationally sanctioned protection services, officers of the American Embassy in Georgetwon [Georgetown], Guyana, periodically visit the People\u2019s Agricultural Temple [Peoples Temple Agricultural Project] located at Jonestown, Guyana. These officers have been free to move about the grounds and speak privately to any individuals, including persons who were believed by their family and friends to be held against their will.\u201d<\/p>\n
The report goes on to state, \u201cIt is the opinion of these officers, reinforced by conversations with local officials who deal with the Peoples Temple, that it is improbable anyone is being held in bondage. In general, people appear healthy, adequately fed and housed and satisfied with their lives on what is a large farm.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jonestown, a community of 1500 residents, regularly hosts other leading officials of the American and\u00a0 Guyanese governments, as well as prominent doctors, educators, and representatives from world-renowned news agencies. The statement of an American doctor, who heads a medical network of nearly a thousand\u00a0 physicians and specialists was: \u201cIt\u2019s mind-boggling to see how you have carved out of the jungle a community that looks just like one in the U.S. and with all the public utilities.\u201d One of several Ministers of the Guyanese Cabinet who have visited called it a stunning example of cooperation and love. The Chairman of the Guyanese Livestock Corporation [Peter Fernandes], a veterinarian who has traveled and studied world-wide, said: \u201cthe community is the purest form of cooperative living I have ever seen.\u201d Dr. De Costa, a dentist from India who founded a dental school he heads in Guyana, said the health care in Jonestown is fantastic. As an example, he said he found only two cavities after examining eighty children. He said that is unheard of.<\/p>\n
Contrary to false reports, relatives of residents of Jonestown continue to visit and are made welcome. A\u00a0 Methodist Superintendent and his wife who have two grown children in Guyana are\u00a0 visiting presently. Just returned from Guyana is a professional nurse, Mrs. Davis, whose daughter lives on the Project. Mrs. Davis is not affiliated with the Peoples Temple in any way.<\/p>\n
She issued the following statement on her return: \u201cI first saw Jonestown, South America on Sunday night April 23, 1978, and I was amazed. To see it, is to believe. To see that people can work and live together, and build such a beautiful town out of what was nothing but jungle. I saw that this town had unity, love for their fellow person and equality for all. To see children laughing, running and playing with no fear or danger for their lives. I saw the work and love that is being put into this new town. The schools, nursery, medical and nursing care was being given to one and all. Even senior citizens have a great part in this new town. They are not cast aside to sit and die, but to help teach the younger their knowledge and\u00a0 know-how that they have.<\/p>\n
\u201cJonestown is something that one must see to appreciate and to know and understand what the people are doing. It is really hard to put on paper what my eyes have seen. So I suggest before anyone makes judgment, they should try to see for themselves. Thanks to Jim Jones and his wife, I was\u00a0 welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
Charge D\u2019Affaires, new assistant to the U.N. Ambassador, Andrew Young: \u201cI am impressed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Guyana: \u201cPeace and love in action.\u201d<\/p>\n
Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Works and Transportation, Guyana: \u201ca wonderful experience, a model village community to be emulated.\u201d<\/p>\n
Head and one of the original members of the MARCO Medical Net (USA):\u00a0 \u201cIncredible, fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thirty-five schoolteachers from the McKenzie District, Guyana: \u201cThis is fantastic, beyond one\u2019s imagination,\u00a0\u00a0 miraculous, beautiful, a truly example of cooperative living.\u201d<\/p>\n
Officer in Charge of Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago, U.S. State Department: \u201cImpressive work.\u201d<\/p>\n
A writer from one of the largest news agencies in the world: \u201cIt is very, very impressive. Thank you for this opportunity, and best wishes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Head of the Guyana Livestock Corporation, and doctor of veterinary medicine: \u201cThe purest form of egalitarian society I have ever seen.\u201d<\/p>\n
British High Commissioner: \u201ca most impressive start and I wish you all success.\u201d<\/p>\n
Minister of Education, Guyana: \u201cVery impressive.\u201d (The Ministry of Education has accredited all the Jonestown school programs.)<\/p>\n
Head Dental Instructor, University of Guyana: \u201cExcellent Community Project.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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