Mr. Mamantov.

are the actual members of the Communist Party, and to become, they have to gain reward. I mean, they have to be advanced by the individual deed.

Mr. Belin.

About what percent are members of the Communist Party?

Mr. Mamantov.

Are you asking her at that time when she left or what it is now?

Mr. Belin.

Both.

Mrs. Gravitis.

At that time there were approximately 2 million, which is 1 percent, approximately. And I have read recently that there are approximately 5 or more million people members.

Mr. Belin.

But she doesn't know of her own knowledge?

Mr. Mamantov.

She read. She said that she read recently also that there are approximately 20 million of the communistic youth members, or members of the communistic youth organization.

Mrs. Gravitis.

If you don't belong to that organization, you cannot get education. You cannot advance in your educational system.

Mr. Belin.

Did Marina Oswald say whether she was a Communist?

Mrs. Gravitis.

She said that when she got married she was expelled from the communistic youth organization, which in Russia is called Komsomol.

Mr. Belin.

Did she say why she was expelled?

Mrs. Gravitis.

Because she married an American. I understood that this was the reason why she was expelled. And I asked how did they allow you to leave the Soviet Union. When you are expelled, they considered them as enemies of the people, and they don't give them permission even to work, a working permit. And they don't give those people also the free education or scholarship.

Mr. Belin.

When you are expelled from the Communist movement, does this affect whether or not you get out of the country?

Mrs. Gravitis.

I don't know. I think it wouldn't help.

Mr. Belin.

Did Marina Oswald say anything else about her husband?

Mrs. Gravitis.

No.

Mr. Belin.

Did she say much about the people that she knew here in Dallas, Tex.?

Mrs. Gravitis.

She said that many Russians helped her and Americans here in this vicinity helped her. She said that she wouldn't like to meet with the Russians any more.

Mr. Belin.

Why not?

Mrs. Gravitis.

Because Russians are asking too many questions. I feel that because she got tired of being questioned all the time.

Mr. Belin.

Did Marina Oswald say whether or not she would take any work here?

Mr. Mamantov.

They haven't talked on this particular subject. However, mother's interpretation is that she couldn't work because she has a small child. She talked only about her husband who didn't have work and they didn't have an automobile.

Mr. Belin.

Didn't have an automobile?

Mrs. Gravitis.

That's correct.

Mr. Belin.

Did her husband know how to drive?

Mrs. Gravitis.

I don't know.

Mr. Belin.

Did she say anything about her husband as a photographer?

Mrs. Gravitis.

Yes; he would like to obtain a job as a photographer. And I understood that he was in Oak Cliff a photographer, and when he went to New Orleans, he continued to look for a job as a photographer.

Mr. Belin.

Did Marina Oswald say anything about what her husband did or had done in Russia and where he had gone?

Mrs. Gravitis.

No; only that he was in Minsk and then Leningrad so much. I didn't ask her any more questions.

Mr. Belin.

Could he travel in Russia?

Mrs. Gravitis.

I don't know.

Mr. Belin.

What kind of living accommodations did Lee Harvey Oswald have in Russia? A house, or an apartment, or what?

Mrs. Gravitis.

She said that in Leningrad they had a room, and she

Mrs. Gravitis.

731-225 O---vol.IX----10