Mr. Belmont.

If, Mr. McCloy, during those first two interviews where we were pursuing this matter of him being a defector and his recruitment, he had lied to us, and the agent was not satisfied we would have pursued it to the bitter end. Or if during any other time information came to our attention which indicated a necessity to pursue that further we would have pursued it to the bitter end.

Mr. Mccloy.

You speak of this as a self-serving interview. Do you think that he sought the interview with you, with Mr. Quigley eventually, because he had known of the prior contacts that he had had with the FBI, and he simply wanted to keep out of trouble?

Mr. Belmont.

I don't know why he asked to see an agent. I simply do not know why.

Mr. Mccloy.

I think that is all.

Mr. Stern.

Mr. Belmont, I show you a letter marked for identification Commission Exhibit No. 834. Can you identify that for the Commission, please?
(The document referred to was marked Commission Exhibit No. 834 for identification.)

Mr. Belmont.

This is a letter dated May 4, 1964, addressed to the Commission which sets forth in summary the contents of the headquarters file on Oswald prior to the assassination.

Mr. Stern.

Do you have that file with you?

Mr. Belmont.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Stern.

Would you explain generally to the Commission what materials there are in that file that for security reasons you would prefer not to disclose?

Mr. Belmont.

The file contains the identity of some of our informants in subversive movements. It contains information as to some of the investigative techniques whereby we were able to receive some of the information which has been made available to the Commission.

Mr. Stern.

I think that is enough, Mr. Belmont, on that.

Mr. Mccloy.

You didn't have anything further to add to that, did you?

Mr. Belmont.

No.

The Chairman.

I think as to those things if it is agreeable to the other members of the Commission, we will not pursue any questioning that will call for an answer that would divulge those matters that you have just spoken of.

Mr. Belmont.

I would like to make it clear, Mr. Chairman, that-I think that is very kind of you--I would like to make it clear that Mr. Hoover has expressed a desire to be of the utmost help to the Commission, and to make any information available that will be helpful to the Commission. I think your observation is very much worthwhile.

Mr. Stern.

Mr. Belmont, have you reviewed the actual file and this letter of May 4 which summarizes each document in the file?

Mr. Belmont.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Stern.

And to your knowledge, is this an accurate summary of each piece of information in the file?

Mr. Belmont.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Stern.

The file is available to the Commission?

Mr. Belmont.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Stern.

If they want to look at any item in it?

Mr. Belmont.

Yes, sir.

The Chairman.

The file does not include that security matter that you mentioned, or does it?

Mr. Belmont.

This file is as it is maintained at the Bureau with all information in it.

The Chairman.

With all information in it?

Mr. Belmont.

Yes, sir; this is the actual file.

The Chairman.

I see.

Mr. Rankin.

Mr. Belmont, are you willing to leave the file a reasonable time in case any of the Commissioners desire to examine it personally?

Mr. Belmont.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Rankin.

We will return it.

The Chairman.

I wonder if we do want it on those conditions. If we want to get anything from it don't you think, Mr. Rankin, that we ought to make