Peoples Temple Collection; Box 7, Virtual Item 15 - Q056, Part 1 - Radio Transmissions

Digital Record

Identifier: ms-0183_7.15.56 Part 1

Staff Only

Digital Object (mixed_materials)

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Creator

Jones, Jim (Jones, James Warren) (Person)
Peoples Temple (Organization)

Summary Note

In connection with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s investigation into the assassination of U.S. Congressman LEO J. RYAN at Port Kaituma, Guyana, South America, on November 18, 1978, a tape recording was obtained. (Line deleted) furnished tape recordings of radio transmissions between Guyana and San Francisco. (Name deleted) furnished tapes to the United States State Department for relay to the FBI. (A marginal note indicates the words were deleted under Freedom of Information Act exemption b7d, "investigatory records compiled for law enforcement purposes … [and which] disclose the identity of a confidential source…") On June 5, 1979, Special Agent (SA) (name deleted) reviewed the tape numbered 1B98-2 which was found to contain the following: This recording appears to be a continuance of the tape numbered 1B98-1, and the majority of the information contained thereon appears to be coded. Decoders available at this time have not proven valuable in determining the meaning of the statements and comments on this tape. During the latter portions of the tape, an unidentified narrator explains that an important statement was received from Guyana on November 13, 1978. This was on frequency 7101 on the 40 meter band on stations WB6 MID portable 8R3 and WB6 MNH, portable 8R1. The narrator states that "Communiqué Number 1" begins with a renouncing of charges of the Concerned Relatives Group. The statement allows that a conspiracy by outside forces is underway and civil suits are forthcoming. The sender of the message from Guyana sets forth conditions under which the upcoming visit from Congressman RYAN will be acceptable to the residents of Jonestown: 1. RYAN and his staff will be accompanied by other Congressmen or representatives of third world countries. 2. MEL GREEN (phonetic), Citizens Commission Inquiry (CCI), will also come along. 3. No media or members of "Concerned Relatives" will participate. The sender of the message acknowledges that RYAN had previously refused these conditions. The residents of Jonestown had signed a statement refusing to see RYAN and members of his party. The sender put RYAN and members of his group on "official notice" that they (residents of Jonestown) will be seeking protection of the Guyana police in the event attempts are made to enter the Jonestown community. People’s Temple members charge that RYAN and those with him are planning to "misportray" Jonestown. People’s Temple residents reject any charges that they are being held against their will, and feel that they are a model community project. There is no summary or transcript of this recording, but a full index is available on the Alternative Considerations of Jonestown website.

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