C. CHAIRMAN CLEMENT J. ZABLOCKI'S MANDATE FOR AN INVESTIGATION 1. Correspondence between Hon. Clement J. Zablocki, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Department of State, and State Department materials provided to the Committee at the request of the Staff Investigative Group A. NOVEMBER 21, 1978, LETTER FROM HON. CLEMENT J. ZABLOCKI TO THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE November 21, 1978 Honorable Cyrus R. Vance Secretary of State Dear Mr. Secretary: The Members of the Committee on International Relations are deeply distressed and concerned over the tragedy which befell the mission to Guyana headed by the late Hon. Leo J. Ryan. As you know, there have been allegations that the Department of State was negligent in this affair.. In determining what steps might be taken in the wake of this matter, the Committee intends to look into all of the circumstances which might have a bearing on this tragic incident. It is, therefore, essential that the Department of State cooperate fully with the Committee in the conduct of this inquiry. Specifically, we request a copy of the following: all cable traffic between the American Embassy in Guyana and the Department of State regarding the activities of the Peoples Temple Church and its agricultural commune in Jonestown since the establishment of the facility in Guyana; and all communications on the activities of the Peoples Temple Church which the Department has received from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other government agencies. Additionally, we need answers to the following questions (unless such answers are contained in the materials requested above): 1. To what extent were the Department of State and the American Embassy in Georgetown, Guyana, aware of the potential physical danger to the Ryan Delegation of a visit by them to Jonesto (60) at advice did the Department of State and the Guyana give Congressman Ryan with respect to al violence which could arise as a result of t in view of the presence of weapons in Jonese mood of its inhabitants with respect to visits s? ce Mr. Ryan made known his intent to visit Joneshe American Embassy request the Government of rovide the delegation with security protection sistance? If not, why not, and if so, what was and extent of the response on the part of the f Guyana? t communication facilities were available to egation during the members' stay in Georgetown tuma? What special arrangements for communicaonestown, if any, were made for the Ryan delega many visits to Jonestown has the American Enn behalf of U.S. citizens' inquiries since the the settlement? What were the specific findults of these visits? Did the Embassy repreave full and complete access to the inhabitants es in Jonestown? t information does the Department of State have to the relationship between the Government of officials, and the Peoples Terple Church settlestown and its facility in Georgetown? the Department of State and/or the American Enof the presence in Jonestown of extensive quanrearms and ammunition? If so, was this informathe Ryan delegation? Did the presence of the ammunition conform to relevant Guyanese laws? action, if any, did the Government of Cuyana pect to the presence of the weapons? the activities of the Feoples Temple Church by the FBI and/or other U.S. Covernment agencies ere their findings made available to the Depart ? 9. What efforts were undertaken by the U.S. Embassy in Guyana to insure that American lives and property of the Jonestown inhabitants were adequately safeguarded? 10. Was the U.S. Embassy in Guyana aware of any reports of physical violence being directed against members of the Peoples Temple Church and, if so, was this information made available to the Department of State in Washington? 11. Was the Government of Guyana ever requested to investigate the activities of the Peoples Temple Church? not, why not? If 12. Did representatives of any U.S. Government agency interview individuals who had "defected" from the Peoples Temple Church in Guyana? If so, was this information made known to Congressman Ryan? 13. Was any consideration given to restricting the passports of potential inhabitants of Jonestown who applied for a passport for the purpose of going to Guyana pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 211a as amended? It is respectfully requested that the information sought by the Committee be submitted not later than December 1, 1978. With warm personal regards, I am CJZ: jbd Sincerely yours, ! Chairman 'R 8, 1978, INTERIM RESPONSE FROM THE DEPARTMENT TE TO THE NOVEMBER 21, 1978 LETTER FROM HON. T J. ZABLOCKI THE SECRETARY OF STATE WASHINGTON December 8, 1978 to give you an interim reply to your ovember 21 concerning the deaths of Ryan and the Peoples Temple members undertaking an exhaustive review of the events are of great complexity. I hope distressed by our need for a little antil early next week, to provide you your questions. rm regards, Sincerely, al Lance J. Zablocki, airman, Committee on International Relations, |