(Testimony of Richard Edward Snyder)
Mr. Coleman.
inquiry of February 1, 1961, went forward, making the inquiry. It has already been put in as an exhibit.
Representative Ford.
This is the trouble not keeping copies available. It is a little difficult to follow the sequence.
Mr. Coleman.
It is Commission Exhibit No. 930.
Representative Ford.
This document, Commission Exhibit No. 930, shows what, as far as you are concerned, Mr. Snyder?
Mr. Snyder.
Well, it shows an interest by Oswalds mother in his whereabouts.
Representative Ford.
As of what date, and where?
Mr. Snyder.
It says that Mrs. Oswald called at the Department of State on January 26, 1961; she personally called at the Department to inquire about her son.
Representative Ford.
And that was communicated to the Embassy in Moscow?
Mr. Snyder.
Yes, sir.
Representative Ford.
When was it received in the Embassy in Moscow?
Mr. Snyder.
Well, this doesnt show the date of receipt, but it was sent on February 1, and was received within a week of that time.
Representative Ford.
And according to the records, the letter written by Oswald on February 5, 1961, which was received---was received February 13, 1961.
Mr. Snyder.
Yes.
Representative Ford.
And this document, Commission Exhibit No. 933, shows a reply was given February 28, is that correct?
Mr. Snyder.
I think that is correct, sir.
Mr. Dulles.
Does that mean it took 8 days to go from Minsk to Moscow?
Mr. Snyder.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Dulles.
Isnt that an unusually long time?
Mr. Snyder.
Well, not too much of that time is transit time.
Mr. Dulles.
That is what I was getting at.
Representative Ford.
It also shows it took 15 days to get out of the American Embassy.
Mr. Snyder.
You must remember that in my eyes, as the officer on the spot, Mr. Oswald had no claim to prior action from the Embassy among other cases. And although the consular officer attempts to be as impersonal as he can about these things, in matter of fact it is very difficult to be entirely impersonal.
Mr. Oswald had no claim to any unusual attentions of mine, I must say.
I think that the letter from Oswald from the Metropole Hotel to the Embassy took something like 3 days or 4 days.
Representative Ford.
What does that mean to you? Does that mean that his correspondence was intercepted?
Mr. Snyder.
There was no question about that, Mr. Ford?
Representative Ford.
Intercepted by Soviet authorities?
Mr. Snyder.
Oh, yes; this has been known for years.
Representative Ford.
Common practice?
Mr. Snyder.
Oh, yes; every embassy there knows the system, and operates within it. All mail from or to a foreign embassy in Moscow goes to a separate section of the Moscow Post Office, called the international section, and this is the screening office for all mail to and from any embassy.
Representative Ford.
As far as you know, is that still the process today?
Mr. Snyder.
I am sure it is, sir. The essentials of the Soviet State havent changed.
Senator COOPER. May I ask a few questions?
I have been examining these exhibits which have been introduced. The first one I have looked at is Exhibit No. 908, which refers to Lee Harvey Oswalds call at the Embassy and your interview with him.
Mr. Dulles.
Is that from Moscow to Washington, the State Department?
Senator COOPER. Yes; it is your interview with Oswald.
Mr. Snyder.
Yes, sir; that is right.
Senator COOPER. In this he states that he applied for a Soviet tourist visa in Helsinki on October 14. He applied for citizenship by letter to the Supreme Soviet on October 16, in Moscow. And your report to the State Department
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