In either event, the issuance or renewal would have been done by the Embassy, by me.
Mr. Coleman. The problem, Mr. Dulles, is the existing passport he had, by its term, would expire September 1961, is that correct?
Mr. Snyder. Yes, sir.
Mr. Coleman. And you felt he would not be able to get out of the Soviet Union prior to September 1961, and therefore his existing passport would have to be renewed?
Mr. Snyder. I don't recall offhand what the purpose of renewing the passport at that time was. There was no prospect of his leaving the Soviet Union at that time, and probably not for quite some time to come, in my estimation, and based upon my experience with other cases he would have required his passport, and I presume this is why I was returning it to him.
Mr. Coleman. On July 10, 1961, you did two things with respect to the passport. First, you returned to him his old passport, isn't that correct?
Mr. Snyder. I think I did. I might reread my despatch and see.
Mr. Coleman. And, second, you accepted his application for renewal of the passport.
Mr. Snyder. Yes; my mind is clear on that. Yes; I recall now.
Mr. Coleman. When you returned to him his old passport, you first stamped the old passport.