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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. XI - Page 185« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Virginia H. James)

Mr. Coleman.
Miss JAMES. It says, it is addressed to the American Embassy in Moscow and refers to this request for an advisory opinion--
Mr. Coleman.
It has typed thereon: SOV, Miss James. You signed it, didn't you?
Miss JAMES. No; this was the Visa Office telegram, and in fact I didn't initial
that telegram. It has my name on it, but Mr. Owen initialed it.
Mr. Coleman.
Does it have your name?
Miss JAMES. It has my name typed on it, but Mr. Owen initialed it.
Mr. Coleman.
On October 3, 1961, a cable was sent to the Embassy in Moscow having something to do with Oswald. Would you indicate for the record what the cable said?
Miss JAMES. As I understand it, the cable authorized the American Embassy in Moscow to issue a visa to Mrs. Oswald if when she appeared there was nothing against her otherwise derogatory, and the cable also indicated that her membership in the Trade Union would not affect the issuance of a visa, that such membership did not indicate that she was a Communist.
Mr. Coleman.
Now, the cable or the copy that I have seen indicates that it was typed by you, at least your name appears on it.
Miss JAMES. No; it was drafted by the Visa Office, drafted by V. Smith, typed by initials RLC, signed in the Visa Office by Frank L. Auerbach, and sent to the Soviet Desk, Office of Soviet Union Affairs, for clearance, typed "SOV. Miss James" and in parentheses "(in substance),. and I apparently was out that day and it has Mr. Owen's initials on it, and there is another initial which I don't identify, but mine are not on that.
Mr. Coleman.
But to the best of your recollection you never saw that or had anything to do with it?
Miss JAMES. Never saw that cable, but I was aware that they approved it.
Mr. Coleman.
Had there been some discussion of the operation memorandum of August 28, 1961, Commission Exhibit No. 944, in your office as to whether Mrs. Marina Oswald was eligible for a nonquota immigrant visa?
Miss JAMES. I don't recall ,any special detailed discussion, except that this was a case, an unusual case, which we would be interested in following.
Mr. Coleman.
Were you the one in the office who had the initial contact with the INS, in connection with the waiver of section 243 (g)?
Miss JAMES. As I recall, I had no contact with INS at that time. I never remember discussing these cases directly with INS. Our conversations were all with the Visa Office.
Mr. Coleman.
You dealt directly with the Visa Office?
Miss JAMES. Yes.
Mr. Coleman.
IS Mr. Crump in your office?
Miss JAMES. I was going to say I dealt with Mr. Crump in the Visa Office at that time.
Mr. Coleman.
But he is not in your office?
Miss JAMES. No; he was in the Visa Office, now assigned abroad.
Mr. Coleman.
Did you know that the Visa Office had made a request of INS to get it to, (1) determine whether Mrs. Oswald was eligible to come into the country, and, (2) whether it would waive the section 243(g) provision? I just asked you, Miss James, what you knew. When was ,the first time you knew that--
Miss JAMES. When Mr. Crump told me that INS had approved the petition of the husband but had not approved the request for waiver of section No. 243 (g).
Mr. Coleman.
Prior to that time, you had nothing to do with the visa request or the section 243(g) waiver?
Miss JAMES. No; I don't recall having anything to do with it.
Mr. Coleman.
Do you recall--
Miss JAMES. As I recall, it was a surprise to me that it was refused.
Mr. Coleman.
But you had nothing to do with the first petition?
Miss JAMES. No.
Mr. Coleman.
You weren't the one that sent the petition from the Department of State to INS?
Miss JAMES. No; that is routine visa work.
Mr. Coleman.
Do you recall when Mr. Crump informed you that INS had refused to grant the waiver under section 243 (g)?
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