(Testimony of Robert Edward Oswald Lee Resumed)
Mr. Jenner.
the mental state of Lee Harvey Oswald at the time he went to Russia in the very early days, and bring it to your attention immediately.
Mr. Dulles.
What is the date of this?
Mr. Mckenzie.
November 8, 1959, sir.
Mr. Dulles.
Proceed, if you will.
Mr. Mckenzie.
Do you mind if I read it, Mr. Jenner, and saving his voice a little bit?
Mr. Jenner.
No.
Mr. Mckenzie.
This I believe is the second letter that Robert received from Russia after he had sent a telegram to Lee telling him what a mistake he had made, and this is the contents of the letter. "November 8, 1959. Dear Robert:
"Well, what shall we talk about? The weather perhaps? Certainly you do not wish me to speak of my decision to remain in the Soviet Union and apply for citizenship here since I am afraid you would not be able to comprehend my reasons.
"You really don't know anything about me. Do you know, for instance, that 1 have waited to do this for well over a year? Do you know that I" then there is a parenthesis and some Russian printing which I presume to be Russian and the parenthesis is closed, "speak a fair amount of Russian which I have been studying for many months? I have been told that I will not have to leave the Soviet Union if I did not care to. This then is my decision. I will not leave this country, the Soviet Union under any conditions. I will never return to the United States which is a country I hate. Some day perhaps soon and then again perhaps in a few years I will become a citizen of the Soviet Union, but it is a very legal process in any event. I will not have to leave the Soviet Union and I will never leave.
"I received your telegram and I was glad to hear from you. Only one word bothered me. The word 'mistake' I assume mean that I have made a 'mistake.' It is not for you to tell me this. You cannot understand my reasons for this very serious action. I will not speak to anyone from the United States over the telephone since it might be tapped by the Americans. If you wish to correspond with me you can write to the below address, but I really don't see what we could talk about. If you want to send me some money that I can use but I do not expect to be able to pay it back."
Then it is signed "Lee", and then over to the left-hand side on the bottom of the page it says, "Lee Harvey Oswald, Metropole Hotel, Room 233, Moscow, USSR," and then underneath some writing in Russian, which I take to be Russian, which is scratched out.
Mr. Jenner.
Thank you.
Mr. McKenzie, you have stated that this was the second letter that had been received by Mr. Robert Oswald following Lee Harvey Oswald's taking up residence in Russia. Is that correct, Mr. Oswald?
Mr. Mckenzie.
I said it is the second or third letter. I don't know exactly.
Mr. Oswald.
I believe, sir, it is the first letter, if I may have a moment here.
Mr. Jenner.
I thought it was the first.
Mr. Mckenzie.
There is one other letter here from Santa Ana, Calif.
Mr. Jenner.
That was earlier.
Mr. Oswald.
This was the first letter Lee had written to me from Russia.
Mr. Dulles.
Could you refresh my memory as to the date of his arrival in Russia?
Mr. Oswald.
October 13.
Mr. Dulles.
October 13.
Mr. Oswald.
1959.
Mr. Dulles.
And this was----
Mr. Jenner.
November 8.
Mr. Dulles.
November 8. He had been there about 3 weeks.
Mr. Oswald.
The first time I was aware he was in Russia was on Halloween Day 1959, October 31.
Mr. Dulles.
Thank you.
Mr. Jenner.
My attention is arrested to that portion of the letter in which
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