If I could show them my American passport, I am of the opinion they would give me an exit visa.
"They have at no time insisted that I take Russian citizenship. I am living here with non-permanent type papers for a foreigner.
"I cannot leave Minsk without permission, therefore I am writing rather than calling in person.
"I hope that in recalling the responsibility I have to America that you remember your's in doing everything you can to help me since I am an American citizen.
"Sincerely Lee Harvey Oswald."

Mr. Dulles.

That is addressed to the American Embassy in Moscow?

Mr. Snyder.

It is simply "Dear sirs :" As near as I can recall, it came by mail, through the Soviet mail, addressed to the Embassy.

Mr. Coleman.

Had you received a letter from Mr. Oswald at a date of December 1960, the way he mentioned in the first paragraph of his letter?

Mr. Snyder.

No, sir; we did not.

Mr. Coleman.

This is the first letter you received?

Mr. Snyder.

This is the first communication since he left Moscow.

Mr. Coleman.

I would next like to mark as Commission Exhibit No. 933 the reply which you made to Mr. Oswald, which is dated February 28, 1961.
(The document referred to was marked Commission Exhibit No. 933 for identification.)

Mr. Dulles.

When you say since he left Moscow, that was in----

Mr. Snyder.

November 1959, sir.

Mr. Dulles.

November 1959?

Mr. Snyder.

This is what we presume was the date.

Mr. Coleman.

Mr. Dulles, we have other evidence that he didn't leave until January 7, 1960.

Mr. Dulles.

The last the Embassy heard from him was in November 1959?

Mr. Snyder.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Coleman.

You have been shown Commission Exhibit No. 933. Is that a copy of a letter which you sent to Mr. Oswald?

Mr. Snyder.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Coleman.

At the same time did you inform the State Department that you had received a letter from Mr. Oswald?

Mr. Snyder.

I presume that I did.

Mr. Coleman.

I have had marked as Commission Exhibit No. 932 a Foreign Service Despatch under date of February 28, 1961, from the Embassy in Moscow to the State Department in Washington. I would like to ask you whether this is the despatch which you sent forth to the Department.
(The document referred to was marked Commission Exhibit No. 932 for identification.)

Representative Ford.

Do the records show the date that the letter from Oswald was written--yes; February 5--and received February 13. This communication is dated February 28. Is that a long or a short time in communicating with Washington?

Mr. Snyder.

I would say it is a long time.

Representative Ford.

Is there any explanation why it is a long time?

Mr. Snyder.

The only thing I could think of is simply that Moscow is a very busy office, and Mr. Oswald's case was no longer the top of my docket.

Representative Ford.

Had there been any communication with the State Department in Washington concerning the inquiries. of the mother, other than this?

Mr. Snyder.

I don't know, Mr. Ford. The only knowledge I had at the time of inquiries is what I was informed of by the Department. I presume that they informed me of all inquiries--since they could hardly act upon them themselves.

Representative Ford.

What is the date of the last inquiry by the mother as to Oswald's----

Mr. Coleman.

Sir, I think the record will show that on January 26, 1961, the mother came to the State Department and as a result of that visit, that