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(Testimony of Richard Edward Snyder Resumed)
Mr. Snyder.
been doing some reading, and that is about as far as I got. On that subject, he simply would not be drawn out.
Representative Ford.
Did you ask him anything about his knowledge of the Russian language? Did he volunteer anything?
Mr. Snyder.
Yes; I did ask him a bit about that. He said he had been studying Russian. And, again, I had the impression---I don't recall--I may have spoken some Russian to him--but I at least formed the impression that he did not know very much Russian. I don't think he could have gotten along on his own in Russian society. I don't think he could have done more than buy a piece of bread, maybe.
Representative Ford.
Did he converse with any other member of the staff at the Embassy, to your knowledge, during the time of this first visit?
Mr. Snyder.
No, no; at this time he definitely did not. And I don't think that he did during the time I was there unless it was simply a passing word with the receptionist, or something of this sort.
But as far as I know, he had no knowledgeable conversation with anyone there.
Actually, there were only--well, when he first came there were only two officers, McVickar and myself, and at the time I left, three officers, with whom he might have talked. And it is inconceivable that either of the other two officers would have talked to him, knowing my interest in the case, or if I were not there somebody would have done so without making a memo for the file and for me of the conversation.
Representative Ford.
In retrospect, assuming the tragic events that did transpire last year didn't take place, and this circumstance was presented to you again in the Embassy in Moscow, would you handle the case any differently?
Mr. Snyder.
No; I don't think so, Mr. Ford. You mean in terms of would I have taken his renunciation? No; I think not.
Representative Ford.
In other words, you would have put him off, or stalled him off, in this first interview, make him come back again?
Mr. Snyder.
Yes; I would have.
(At this point, Mr. Dulles entered the hearing room.)
Mr. Snyder.
Particularly, since he was a minor. Normally, it would have been, I think, my practice to do this in any event, though. Obviously no two cases are alike, and the consul must decide. But particularly in the case of a minor, I could not imagine myself writing out the renunciation form, and having him sign it, on the spot, without making him leave my office and come back at some other time, even if it is only a few hours intervening.
Representative Ford.
In one of the despatches I believe you sent to Washington, you indicated that you had informed the press--I don't recall what exhibit that is.
Mr. Snyder.
I think I said, "Press informed."
Mr. Coleman.
Commission Exhibit No. 910, sir.
Representative Ford.
You say, "Press informed." Is that the same as informing the press?
Mr. Snyder.
No; this simply----
Representative Ford.
What is the difference?
Mr. Snyder.
This simply tells the Department that the press is onto the case, and that they can expect something from Moscow on it. The Department hates to be caught by surprise, they hate to read something in the newspapers before they have gotten it back home. And I am simply telling them that the Moscow press corps is aware of Oswald's presence, and that there would likely be some dispatches from the press from MoscOw on the case.
Representative Ford.
That doesn't mean the Embassy informed the press?
Mr. Snyder.
Oh, no.
Representative Ford.
How did you know the press had been informed?
Mr. Snyder.
Again right at the moment, I cannot say. At what stage--- Priscilla Johnson, I think, was one of the first to be aware of Oswald. Just how she became aware of him, and Just where I became aware of her knowledge of him, I don't quite know. But this, I think, was quite early in the game.
Representative Ford.
Was he given much attention by the press in Moscow?
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