(Testimony of )
Mr. Rankin.
so that although it may be voluminous it might have some material of interest to the Commission or its staff.
Representative Ford.
I think it would be particularly pertinent as far as the Soviet Union or any of the bloc countries or Cuba, anything in this area that could be pulled together and included in the record, which I think wound be very helpful.
Secretary RUSK. All right, sir.
Representative Ford.
I have the recollection that some people have alleged that Castro either prior to or subsequent to the assassination, made some very inflammatory speech involving President Kennedy. Do you have any recollection of that?
Secretary RUSK. I don't have a recollection of a speech specially related to time. He has made more than his share of inflammatory speeches about this country and its leaders. But I will be glad to furnish the Commission a schedule of his speeches, and the character of these speeches and the texts if we have them during this period.
Representative Ford.
There was one that I vaguely recall, either prior to or subsequent to the assassination that some people construed to be directed specifically at President Kennedy, and I think if there was such a speech that the Commission ought to have it and it ought to be analyzed by the staff and by the Commission.
Secretary RUSK. We will be very glad to look into that and furnish you with speeches made during this period or during a substantial part of the period on both sides of the November 22 date.
I gather the Commission has Mr. Danielle's interview with Mr. Castro on the subject. You have the published report of that.
Mr. Dulles.
Was that the long interview with Castro?
Secretary RUSK. Yes; that was as close to any reflection of a thing that he might have said personally about this that went beyond the kind of broadcast speeches you referred to that I have seen, but----
Mr. Dulles.
Do you have that available?
Secretary RUSK. We certainly can get it.
Mr. Dulles.
It was in the press I guess at the time. Maybe you have a fuller copy than we have.
Secretary RUSK. Yes; it was a rather extensive interview.
Mr. Chayes.
I think the staff has it already.
Secretary RUSK. I see.
Mr. Rankin.
I think Commissioner Ford is referring to that speech of Mr. Castro which is sometimes called the slip-of-the-tongue speech that referred in a way that may have some implications in it. I think that might help you to identify it, Mr. Secretary.
Secretary RUSK. It might be well for me, just to complete the sense of the atmosphere, to accompany that with the timing and the nature of statements and speeches that were being made on our side as a part of this continuing rather acrimonious discourse with Cuban leadership. But I will provide full information on this.
Mr. Rankin.
We would appreciate it so it would give a complete picture.
Secretary RUSK. Yes.
Representative Ford.
Do I understand now, Mr. Rankin, that what the Secretary provides will be put in the record as exhibits?
Mr. Rankin.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to offer to do that if that is satisfactory, as a part of this record.
The Chairman.
Yes, sir; it might be admitted.
Representative Ford.
There is one question that I think ought to be cleared up, you mentioned Mr. Mann who was our Ambassador at Mexico at that time. The way the record stands now it could be construed by somebody who wanted to so construe it that the country in which he served us was involved in what he was reporting. I think it ought to be made clear that is not the case.
Secretary RUSK. That is absolutely correct, sir. We never had the slightest view that Mexico was involved in this. The problem, the question arose because Mr. Oswald had been in Mexico, and was known to have been in touch with some
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