this kind he normally waited to make sure the man was serious, and also in order to normally consult the State Department.
I believe he told me at that time that the man had not come back again. And I believe that is the only recollection I have of the case at all at the time I was in Moscow.

Mr. Slawson.

And that includes any other 1962?
Ambassador THOMPSON. Yes: of course I read the press and was aware of the case when it came up in the Department. There was some discussion of it. But no knowledge that I think would bear on the case.
I recall, I think, being in Germany at the time I read in the press that he was leaving the country---leaving Moscow, that is. But I don't recall having been consulted about his application to leave.

Mr. Slawson.

Did you have any personal dealings or any knowledge of your subordinates' dealings with Marina Oswald. Lee Oswald's wife, when she applied to accompany him back to the United States in early 1961 and frequently thereafter?
Ambassador THOMPSON. None that I recall.

Mr. Slawson.

Mr. Ambassador, I wonder if you could make any comments you would like to make on the policy which Consul Snyder and others testifying for the Department of State have described in their treatment of Americans who sought to renounce their citizenship when they came to Moscow, and how these Americans were handled?
Ambassador THOMPSON. Well. I am aware that we have had cases where someone would say they wanted to renounce their citizenship and then after a few days in the Soviet Union change their minds. And while I don't recall any specific cases, I do know we have had cases of that sort.

Mr. Slawson.

Was there any particular time in your career when this sort of thing was more frequent than other times--any groups of people where it might have occurred?
Ambassador THOMPSON. Well. I know that prior to my arrival in Moscow in 1941, when I was Secretary in the Embassy, that there had been a great influx from the United States, particularly of people of Finnish origin, who had returned to the Soviet Union. I think that some of those people at least had not renounced their citizenship; they had come over there under the impression that they would receive very good treatment, and a great many of them applied subsequently to return to the United States. Bat many of them were unable to get exit visas.

Mr. Slawson.

Were those that did not give up their American citizenship usually able to return to the United States if they changed their mind?
Ambassador THOMPSON. I believe so. I know of one case of a man of Finnish origin who worked for the Embassy, and he did return to the United States. It is the one case I know of personally. I am quite sure there were some others who did get out.

Mr. Slawson.

Shifting now to the Soviet treatment of American defectors, or would-be defectors, are there any cases in your experience where you could comment on the Soviet treatment of such persons, how quickly the Russian Government made up its mind whether it wanted them for permanent residence in Russia and so on?
Ambassador THOMPSON. I think that in recent times, at least, my impression is that the Soviets, because of bad experience they have had with some people who came there to reside, and renounced their citizenship, have looked these people over and let them know that they could not remain. I think there was a case since I left the Soviet Union of that sort. I don't recall the exact particulars. But I do have the impression that they now don't automatically accept people who come and say they want to renounce their citizenship and would like to reside there.

Mr. Slawson.

Can you give the Commission any estimate on the time periods that sometimes are involved in the Soviet authorities making up their mind?
Ambassador THOMPSON. I think that there has been at least a case or two during the time I was there where it was pretty obvious that the person concerned was unstable and that the Soviets very quickly let the person know that he

« Previous | Next »

Found a Typo?

Click here

Last Update: Wed, 3 Aug 2016 21:56:34 CET