Well, we did not at that time, and I don't think we have subsequently. But we did not at that time.
Representative Ford. Do the legal advisers to the Department know whether we have an extradition treaty now?
Mr. Chayes. We do not have an extradition treaty with the Soviet Union.
The only bilateral treaty we have with the Soviet Union, the Senate has not yet given advice and consent—but the only bilateral agreement is the consular agreement.
But so long as I am on the record here, I don't see how the extradition treaty has any bearing at all on the requirement of taking back a former American citizen who may get into trouble in the other country. That would be a matter governed by general principles of international law, and also one's own humanitarian outlook on the particular circumstance, rather than—or there could be treaty provisions perhaps, commerce and navigation, that might bear on it. But in the usual case, I think not.
Senator Cooper. May I ask a question here? It might save time.
Is there any statutory—any statute bearing on this question of renunciation?
The Chairman. Senator Cooper, we just went through that, and it has been put in evidence here, and the statute has been read and it is very simple. All he has to do is go there and renounce before a consul or State officer to satisfy the regulations and requirements of the State Department, and he is out.
Isn't that correct, generally speaking?
Mr. Chayes. Yes, sir.