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C. OCTOBER 17, 1978, LETTER FROM HON. LEO J. RYAN TO

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Enclosed for your information is

a copy of a letter which I sent to
Members inviting them to accompany me
to Guyana in order to comply with the
guidelines of the House International
Relations Committee.

LJR:EAF
Encl.

Sincerely yours,

LEO J RYAN

OCT 2 Sk

COMMITTEE ON

D. OCTOBER 18, 1978, LETTER FROM HON. LEO J. RYAN TO

HON. WILLIAM S. BROOMFIELD

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I am presently making plans to travel to Guyana on November 13 through 19 for the purpose of investigating the conditions under which approximately 1,200 American citizens live in the nation of Guyana. Many are residents of the San Francisco Bay area. At least some of them are alleged to be held against their will by the leader of a group which refers to itself as the "People's Temple". The pastor is the Reverend Jim Jones.

There may or may not be irregularities in connection with federal assistance such as social security checks. Parents and former members of the religious sect have asked me to look into the matter and have made accusations against the leader, Mr. Jones.

I have requested permission to visit Guyana, and am in need of at least one other Member of Congress to accompany me in order to comply with the guidelines of the House International Relations Committee. I am very anxious to be in compliance with those guidelines, especially since this trip will include others besides the usual congressional staff. We hope to take at least one newsman, one medical doctor, and other experts to assist in assessing the situation on the plantation presently controlled by the People's Temple. Obviously, since planning for such a trip must begin early, I would appreciate a reply as soon as possible.

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E. OCTOBER 18, 1978, LETTER FROM HON. LEO J. RYAN TO
HON. CLEMENT J. ZABLOCKI

October 18, 1978

The Honorable Clement Zablocki

Chairman, Committee on International Relations
2170 Rayburn HOB
Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. Chairman:

In compliance with your request that I solicit other members of the Committee to accompany me on the proposed fact finding mission to Guyana, I am pleased to report that the Honorable Edward Derwinski would like to join me on the study trip. As circumstances and time permit, we would like to visit other countries in the gezaral vicinity on the return trip home.

With your approval, both Ed and I would like to have the assistance of two staff members from the Committee to accompany us on the trip-Jim Schollaert for the Majority and Tom Snceton for the Minority.

Your cooperation and assistance is greatly appreċċated and I look forward to your guidance and recommendations.

Sincerely yours,

LJR:JS

LEO J. RYAN

Member of Congress

F. OCTOBER 24, 1978, LETTER FROM HON. CLEMENT J. ZABLOCKI TO HON. LEO J. RYAN

CLEMENT J. ZABLOCKI, WIS., CHAIRMAN

LUTION.C.

DANTE B. FASCELL, FLA.
CHARLES C. DIGGS, JR., MICH,

PA.

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ROBERT N. C.
DONALD M. FRASER, T
OS. ROSENTHAL, N.Y.
BENJAMIN
LEE M.

H. HAMILTON, IND.
LESTER L. WOLFF, N.Y.
JONATHAN B. BINGHAM, N.Y.
GUS YATRON, PA.

MICHAEL HARRINGTON, MASS.

LEO J. RYAN, CALIF.

CARDISS COLLINS, ILL.

STEPHEN J. SOLARZ, N.Y.

HELEN S. MEYNER, NJ.

DOM BONKER, WASH.

GERRY E. STUDDS, MASS.

ANDY IRELAND, FLA.

DONALD J. PEASE, OHIO

ANTHONY C. BEILENSON, CALIF.

WYCHE FOWLER, JR., GA.

E (KINA) DE LA GARZA, TEX.
GEORGE E. DANIELSON, CALIF.
JOHN J. CAVANAUGH, NIDA.

WILLIAM S. BROOMFIELD, MICH.
EDWARD J. DERWINSKI, ILL.
PAUL FINDLEY, ILL.

JOHN H. BUCHANAN, JR., ALA.
J. HERBERT SURKE, FLA.

CHARLES W. WHALEN, JR., ONIO
LARRY WINN, JR., KANS,
BENJAMIN A. GILMAN, N.Y.
TENNYSON GUYER, OHIO
ROBERT J. LAGOMARSINO, CALIE
WILLIAM F. GOODLING, PA.
JOEL PRITCHARD, WASH.

JOHN J. BRADY, JR.
CHIEF OF STAFF

Congress of the United States
Committee on International Relations
House of Representatives
Washington, B.C 20515

October 24, 1978

Honorable Leo J. Ryan
137 Cannon House Office
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Leo:

Your request of October 18 for authorization for you and Congressman Derwinski to conduct a study mission to Guyana during the period November 13-19 is hereby approved.

I have advised the staff to assist in arranging your per diem and transportation expenses.

With best wishes, I remain

CJZ:1gi

Sincerely yours,

Сё

Chairman

2. Correspondence between Hon. Leo J. Ryan and the U.S. Embassy in Guyana, Jim Jones, and Mark Lane

A. NOVEMBER 1, 1978, LETTER FROM HON. LEO J. RYAN TO JIM JONES

November 1, 1978

Reverend Jim Jones

People's Temple

Box 893

Mission Village, Guyana

South America

Dear Rev. Jones:

In recent months my office has been visited by constituents who are relatives of members of your church and who expressed anxiety about mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters who have elected to assist you in the development of your church in Guyana.

I have listened to others who have told me that such concerns are exaggerated. They have been supportive of your church and your work. Your effort, involving so many Americans from a single U.S. geographic location is unique. In an effort to be responsive to these constituents with differing perspectives and to learn more about your church and its work, I intend to visit Guyana and talk with appropriate government officials. I do so as a part of my assigned responsibilities as a Member of the House Committee on International Relations. Congressman Ed Derwinski (R-Il1), also a member of the committee and staff members of the committee will be accompanying me.

While we are in Guyana, I have asked our Ambassador, John Burke, to make arrangements for transportation to visit your church and agricultural station at Jonestown. It goes without saying that I am most interested in a visit to Jonestown, and would appreciate whatever courtesies you can extend to our Congressional delegation.

Please consider this letter to be an open and honest request to you for information about your work which has been the center of your life and purpose for so many years. In the interest of simplifying communications, it will only be necessary for you to respond to Ambassador John R. Burke at the American Embassy in Georgetown. Since the details of our trip are still being arranged, I am sure the Ambassador and his staff will be able to keep you informed.

I look forward to talking with you either in Jonestown or Georgetown.

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