Mr. Rankin.

Can you tell us what you observed about him that caused you to think he was different?

Mrs. Oswald.

At least his imagination, his fantasy, which was quite unfounded, as to the fact that he was an outstanding man. And then the fact that he was very much interested, exceedingly so, in autobiographical works of outstanding statesmen of the United States and others.

Mr. Rankin.

Was there anything else of that kind that caused you to think that he was different?

Mrs. Oswald.

I think that he compared himself to these people whose autobiographies he read. That seems strange to me, because it is necessary to have an education in order to achieve success of that kind. After he became busy with his pro-Cuban activity, he received a letter from somebody in New York, some Communist---probably from New York---I am not sure from where from some Communist leader and he was very happy, he felt that this was a great man that he had received the letter from.
You see, when I would make fun of him, of his activity to some extent, in the sense that it didn't help anyone really, he said that I didn't understand him, and here, you see, was proof that someone else did, that there were people who understood his activity.
I would say that to Lee---that Lee could not really do much for Cuba, that Cuba would get along well without him, if they had to.

Mr. Rankin.

You would tell that to him?

Mrs. Oswald.

Yes.

Mr. Rankin.

And what would he say in return?

Mrs. Oswald.

He shrugged his shoulders and kept his own opinion. He was even interested in the airplane schedules, with the idea of kidnaping a plane. But I talked him out of it.

Mr. Rankin.

The airplane schedules from New Orleans?

Mrs. Oswald.

New Orleans---but---from New Orleans leaving New Orleans in an opposite direction. And he was going to make it turn around and go to Cuba.

Mr. Rankin.

He discussed this with you?

Mrs. Oswald.

Yes.

Mr. Rankin.

When did his Fair Play for Cuba activity occur---before or after he lost his job?

Mrs. Oswald.

After he lost his job. I told him it would be much better if he were working, because when he didn't work he was busy with such foolishness.

Mr. Rankin.

What did he say about that?

Mrs. Oswald.

Nothing. And it is at that time that I wrote a letter to Mrs. Paine telling her that Lee was out of work, and they invited me to come and stay with her. And when I left her, I knew that Lee would go to Mexico City. But, of course, I didn't tell Mrs. Paine about it.

Mr. Rankin.

Had he discussed with you the idea of going to Mexico City?

Mrs. Oswald.

Yes.

Mr. Rankin.

When did he first discuss that?

Mrs. Oswald.

I think it was in August.

Mr. Rankin.

Did he tell you why he wanted to go to Mexico City?

Mrs. Oswald.

From Mexico City he wanted to go to Cuba--perhaps through the Russian Embassy in Mexico somehow he would be able to get to Cuba.

Mr. Rankin.

Did he say anything about going to Russia by way of Cuba?

Mrs. Oswald.

I know that he said that in the embassy. But he only said so. I know that he had no intention of going to Russia then.

Mr. Rankin.

How do you know that?

Mrs. Oswald.

He told me. I know Lee fairly well--well enough from that point of view.

Mr. Rankin.

Did he tell you that he was going to Cuba and send you on to Russia?

Mrs. Oswald.

No, he proposed that after he got to Cuba, that I would go there, too, somehow.
But he also said that after he was in Cuba, and if he might go to Russia, he would let me know in any case.

Mr. Rankin.

Did he discuss Castro and the Cuban Government with you?