Ambassador Thompson. I believe that is right, on compassionate grounds.
Senator Cooper. Are you familiar with the testimony about a loan that was made to the Oswalds in order to help them get back to the United States?
Ambassador Thompson. I have read in the press that they had received the normal loan.
Senator Cooper. Can you say anything about that as a practice of the American Government?
Ambassador Thompson. I only know that in general where a citizen wishes to return to the United States and doesn't have the means to do so, that we frequently do assist them. This goes back many years. But I haven't been myself concerned in this for probably 25 years, or even more.
Senator Cooper. But is it the practice that if a determination has been made that the individual is an American citizen, therefore entitled to what protections are given to American citizens, if necessary, loans will be made to assist them to return to the United States? Is that about the basis of the policy?
Ambassador Thompson. That is correct; yes, sir.
Senator Cooper. I think that is all I have.
Mr. Dulles. Did you have any conversations at any time while you were Ambassador or after you returned to the United States with any Soviet official with regard to the Oswald case?
Ambassador Thompson. I discussed with the Soviet Ambassador the desire of the Commission to receive any documentation that they might have available, but I did not in any way discuss the case itself, nor did the Soviet official with whom I talked.