Senator Cooper. Did the State Department have any policy, other than reference to the State Department, as to the approval of such applications?
Ambassador Thompson. I believe our practice is that whenever we are convinced that the man is serious, and knows what he is doing, that this is allowed to take place—the renunciation is accepted.
Senator Cooper. Is there a policy or practice of attempting to determine whether the person is serious, or whether the person might change his or her mind after the original renunciation application?
Ambassador Thompson. Yes; that is correct. Because, as I said earlier, there have been cases where people have changed their minds in a very few days. Also, there is always the possibility that someone might be temporarily of unsound mind or some other reason, why it would need to be ascertained that they were aware of what they were doing.
Senator Cooper. There is also in evidence a letter, or a dispatch from the Embassy to the Department of State, dated May 26, 1961, signed for the Ambassador by Edward L. Freers, minister counselor. This dispatch deals with the application of Oswald to secure a renewal of his passport. Were you out of Moscow at that time?
Ambassador Thompson. What was the date, sir?
Senator Cooper. May 26, 1961.
Ambassador Thompson. I believe I was in Moscow at that time. I took a trip within the Soviet Union from May 10 to 14, 1961, but I believe I was there on May 9.
Senator Cooper. Then these dispatches, they were sent in your name, or by someone for the Ambassador?
Ambassador Thompson. Yes; but I don't recall having been shown them.