Mr. Liebeler.

Prior to the time that Castro came to power? Is that correct?

Mr. Bringuier.

That is correct.

Mr. Liebeler.

And did you actually practice law in Cuba?

Mr. Bringuier.

Not actually, no. I didn't practice law, because I was working, as I told you, in the criminal court, and in Havana, in Cuba, when you was employee of the criminal court, you could not practice law.

Mr. Liebeler.

Did you become a member of the bar in Cuba or do some act that is similar of becoming a member of the bar here in the United States?

Mr. Bringuier.

No; I didn't do any act to become here in United States member of bar.

Mr. Liebeler.

But in Cuba?

Mr. Bringuier.

In Cuba, yes.

Mr. Liebeler.

You actually were a member of the bar in Cuba?

Mr. Bringuier.

That is right.

Mr. Liebeler.

It is my understanding that you have been active in the Anti-Castro Movement here in New Orleans. Is that correct?

Mr. Bringuier.

That is correct.

Mr. Liebeler.

Am I correct in understanding that you left Cuba because of your feeling against the Castro regime and your opposition to that regime?

Mr. Bringuier.

That is correct. I did not believe in it, I did not agree with the Communist regime in Cuba.

Mr. Liebeler.

As a result, you left Cuba and came to the United States? Is that correct?

Mr. Bringuier.

That is correct.

Mr. Liebeler.

Has your family joined you here in the United States?

Mr. Bringuier.

Well, when I went to Argentina, I went with my wife and the three kids at that moment, and after I came to the United States alone, and 2 months later they met me here in the States. I want to explain that I am not in the States as a Cuban refugee but as an immigrant, as a resident.

Mr. Liebeler.

And as an immigrant from Cuba, or from some other ------

Mr. Bringuier.

From Cuba [producing document].

Mr. Liebeler.

You have shown me an identification card from the Department of Immigration and Naturalization, indicating that you were admitted to the United States as an immigrant on February 8, 1961. Is that correct?

Mr. Bringuier.

That is correct.
(Document returned to witness.)

Mr. Liebeler.

I am correct in understanding, am I not, that you have been involved to one degree or another in Anti-Castro activities here in New Orleans since your arrival?

Mr. Bringuier.

Yes, sir; soon after I arrived here to New Orleans, I founded a Newsletter for the Cubans with the name of Crusada. That was my first work here in New Orleans. After that I joined, at the beginning of 1962, the New Orleans Delegation of the Cuban Revolutionary Council, and I was working as Secretary of Publicity and Propaganda here in New Orleans for the Cuban Anti-Castro. That was, I believe, June or July--June 1962. After that, I resigned, and in July 1962 I was designated New Orleans delegate of the Cuban Student Directorate, and I am in that position from that time to now.

Mr. Liebeler.

Did there come a time when you met Lee Harvey Oswald?

Mr. Bringuier.

I beg your pardon?

Mr. Liebeler.

Did there come a time when you met Lee Harvey Oswald?

Mr. Bringuier.

Yes.

Mr. Liebeler.

Tell us when that was and the circumstances of the event.

Mr. Bringuier.

Well, the first day that I saw Lee Harvey Oswald was on August 5, 1963, but before we go deeper in this matter about Oswald, I think that I would like to explain to you two things that I think will facilitate the Commission to understand my feeling at that moment.

Mr. Liebeler.

That is perfectly all right. Go ahead.

Mr. Bringuier.

And you see, in August 24, 1962, my organization, the Cuban Student Directorate, carry on a shelling of Havana, and a few days later when person from the FBI contacted me here in New Orleans--his name was Warren C. de Brueys. Mr. de Brueys was talking to me in the Thompson Cafeteria.