Mr. Liebeler.

Did he indicate to you a general comprehension and understanding of that type of machinery?

Mr. Ballen.

I am not that familiar technically with the equipment myself to have gone into any explicit detail, but I mentioned different types of machinery, the M-4, blueprint machines, Repco continuous cameras, and he said yes, he could operate all those machines.

Mr. Liebeler.

Did you have any discussion concerning his wife, Marina?

Mr. Ballen.

No.

Mr. Liebeler.

Did you ever meet Marina?

Mr. Ballen.

No.

Mr. Liebeler.

Do you speak Russian?

Mr. Ballen.

No.

Mr. Liebeler.

Did Oswald ever tell you that he had been in the hospital when he was in the Soviet Union?

Mr. Ballen.

No.

Mr. Liebeler.

Other than the fact that he stated that life in the Soviet Union was very boring, did he indicate to you any reason for his return to the United States?

Mr. Ballen.

Yes; he said that he had gone there to find out what this thing was like. He wanted to find it out for himself. He found out, and now was the time to come back, and that coming back he was running into all the prejudices of the people here who were washing him off because he had taken this plunge and gone on his own initially to the U.S.S.R.

Mr. Liebeler.

Did you know at that time that he had attempted to renounce his citizenship?

Mr. Ballen.

I did not know it, and he did not say anything that would have suggested that. You must bear in mind, he came to me to look for a job.

Mr. Liebeler.

Did he mention the name of the city in which he was employed and lived in the Soviet Union?

Mr. Ballen.

He probably did, and I can't really recall it. I read so much in the newspaper, I don't know on that what is my own memory and what I have read in the newspaper.

Mr. Liebeler.

You have read in the newspaper that he lived and was employed in the city of Minsk?

Mr. Ballen.

That is correct. I would have thought that he would have---my memory is this. He told me he was in a community outside of Minsk. That is my best memory, but it is not too good.

Mr. Liebeler.

Did he tell you what kind of living quarters he had while in the Soviet Union?

Mr. Ballen.

No; I didn't ask him.

Mr. Liebeler.

Did he tell you anything about meeting and marrying his wife when he was in the Soviet Union?

Mr. Ballen.

No.

Mr. Liebeler.

As far as his return to the United States is concerned, you previously testified that you asked Oswald how he managed to leave Russia, and he said it was just a matter of sticking with the bureaucrats. Did he specify hostility towards the bureaucrats or any resentment?

Mr. Ballen.

Yes; just in the sense that these were fellows who made life uncomfortable and detracted from the personal freedom of the human being.

Mr. Liebeler.

Did he have that attitude toward both the American and Russian authorities? Do you remember any specific conversation relating to possible resentment of the United States?

Mr. Ballen.

No; I do not.

Mr. Liebeler.

Do you remember that he did indicate to you that the Americans were just as much responsible for delaying his return as Russia?

Mr. Ballen.

No; I wouldn't have gotten that feeling; no.

Mr. Liebeler.

You got the feeling that it was primarily the Russians who had delayed his return, is that correct?

Mr. Ballen.

Well, it was a matter of working then through these bureaucrats and the American bureaucrats. This would be his reaction.

Mr. Liebeler.

Would you say he expressed more resentment of the American bureaucracy or the Russian bureaucracy, or were they about the same?