This document was transcribed with the assistance of Nick Miller. An index of military and diplomatic abbreviations referenced in this document can be accessed here.
220142Z NOV 78
FM JSC//WASHINGTON DC//J3//
TO RULPALJ/USCINSCO QUARRY HEIGHTS CZ
[Remainder of recipients appear in pdf.]
SUBJ: JOS SITREP 002/212300Z NOV 78
A: Prime Minister Burnham of Guyana (GOG) has formed a government task force to assist us and Guyanian efforts in the northwest region at least 100 GOG defense and police personnel are now at Jonestown site of mass suicide/murder of 405 cultists. If more forces are needed three battalions could be deployed to the area. A police team and a medical team were sent in Monday to begin grave registration processing since the town was secured Monday. Efforts have been directed toward search
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and rescue operations and handling of American dead. Security officials have found small groups of survivors of the mass suicide/murder incident in the surrounding jungle. Some 400 to 602 Peoples Temple members are still believed missing. Bulk of cultists wandering in jungle are not believed to pose a threat to efforts to remove dead. Nevertheless, some survivors may be hardcore followers of Jones. Consequently, could pose a threat to security force operations. GOG forces on the scene appear adequately trained and equipped to handle security for situation at Jonestown.
B: Ground transportation within jungle area is difficult and is complicated by reportedly impassible conditions of road between Jonestown and Port Kaituma Airstrip, approximately 8 miles to south. Air support facilities in the immediate area are severely limited and latest on site information indicates that the airstrip at Matthew Ridge, 20 miles south of Port Kaituma, is not currently serviceable for C-130 operations. Timehri International, south of Georgetown, is the only airfield capable of handling C-130s and C-141s. Kaituma and Matthew Ridge airfields can support helicopters and light (illegible) aircraft only. The facilities at Joenstown are limited to jungle clearings.
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2: Friendly operations:
A: Congressman Ryan’s body was delivered to San Francisco
B: Joint Communications Support Element (JOSE) began to deploy to USCINCSO and Guyana. Provides SATCOM (satellite communications) and (illegible) capability.
C: GOG has removed night landing restrictions at Georgetown and is granting blanket diplomatic clearances. However, advance schedule notification for all flights must be provided.
D: GOG has directed that bodies be removed from Guyana as soon as possible. JTF plans to initiate removal of bodies from Jonestown on 22 Nov. Backhaul aircraft will be used ot lift bodies to Dover AFB for processing.
E: Deployment of Graves Registration Teams, medical evacuation platoons, helicopters, and associated support equipment continues
F: General information helicopters with loudspeakers may be tasked to assist in locating cult survivors in jungle near Jonestown
GDS 86
BT
#2324