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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. V - Page 357« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Bernice Waterman)

Representative Ford.
And there was no indication that actually he intended to do that. He apparently derived some kind of satisfaction from his appearing at the Embassy with an ambiguous statement. But there was nothing there to show that he actually had an intention of renouncing his citizenship under the law.
Representative Ford.
I must differ with you. That first statement that he submitted was not very ambiguous.
Miss WATERMAN. Well, I think probably he made several. But, in any event--he----
Representative Ford.
I do think I ought to read what he said on October 31.
Miss WATERMAN. Yes; I believe I recall that.
Representative Ford.
Here is a letter or a statement in Lee Harvey Oswald's handwriting, which says:
"I, Lee Harvey Oswald, do hereby request that my present citizenship in the United States of America be revoked.
"I have entered the Soviet Union for the express purpose of applying for citizenship in the Soviet Union, through the means of naturalization.
"My request for citizenship is now pending before the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R.
"I take these steps for political reasons. My request for the revoking of my American citizenship is made only after the longest and most serious considerations.
"I affirm that my allegiance is to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics." Signed, "Lee Harvey Oswald."
I don't think that is very ambiguous.
Miss WATERMAN. Well, perhaps not. But the procedure was explained to him, and he, as I recall, took no interest in completing any forms to make his renunciation of American citizenship official.
Representative Ford.
The only question that I raise, Miss Waterman, is in light of this evidence, your statement that there is available no information and/or evidence to show that Mr. Oswald has expatriated himself under the pertinent laws of the United States----
Miss WATERMAN. I think that is correct. I think the statement is correct.
Representative Ford.
That is a very technical response, or technical statement. I think there was evidence that he had placed before Government officials his desire to renounce his citizenship.
Mr. Coleman.
Did anyone advise you or instruct you that you should make the adjudication that you made as reflected in the August 18, 1961, memorandum, or is this a decision that you made after you had reviewed the file?
Miss WATERMAN. Well, I made the decision and prepared the communication which went through my superiors, and they apparently agreed with me.
Mr. Coleman.
Can you, by looking at the file, particularly the document marked X-27, which is the Operations Memorandum dated August 18, 1961, tell us what superior reviewed the memorandum before it went forth to the Embassy?
Miss WATERMAN. Yes; the initials there, HFK, are Mr. Kupiec, who was my area chief, and I believe that up at the top, on the second line of the Operations Memorandum, opposite "Department of State" I believe that those were the initials of Mr. White, who was in charge of the Foreign Operations Division. And then this was also cleared in our Legal Division.
Now, that would not be for citizenship purposes, but it would be there for reference.
Mr. Coleman.
And who was CHS?
Miss WATERMAN. That is the same person you mentioned awhile ago, Mr. Seeley.
Mr. Coleman.
Then as a result of determining that there was no evidence or information showing that Mr. Oswald had expatriated himself, you then indicated that the passport of Mr. Oswald could be renewed, is that correct?
Miss WATERMAN. Yes.
Representative Ford.
May I ask a question here, Mr. Coleman?
Referring again to the memorandum of August 18, 1961, the first paragraph, where you say, "We concur in the Conclusion of the Embassy that there is available no information and/or evidence to show that Mr. Oswald has expatriated
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