But as I say, I couldn't say for sure, but I don't remember, I don't think of any reason that would have caused a delay of this kind unless it had been that she didn't come in. I think it is too bad that I didn't date this note, but I guess I didn't.
Mr. Coleman. Can we infer from Commission Exhibit No. 959 that you must have seen Mr. Oswald on July 11, 1961?
Mr. McVickar. Yes; I think this would be a safe assumption, but I don't remember anything about it, and it could have been a very routine thing you see, because the way the work was arranged was that Consul Snyder as the officer in charge handled our matters relating to citizenship, and I handled matters relating to visas, and this was a visa matter and he could very well have asked that I take Mr. Oswald's oath on this petition in behalf of his wife, and it might have a very pro forma thing. But I honestly don't remember this incident; but this sort of thing is never done unless the person is present, unless both signing parties are present.
So it would seem to me that this man must have appeared to me and signed this thing and said that it was his legal act, and then I certified to that.
Mr. Dulles. By both signing parties you only mean Oswald and the notary or whoever certifies to it?
Mr. McVickar. I being the notary in this case you see. But the beneficiary, Mrs. Oswald, did not have to be present for this thing.
Mr. Coleman. There is a possibility she was present?
Mr. McVickar. Well, I think it is possible; but I rather doubt it frankly, and I doubt it on the basis of what I have said before, that I think I recall seeing in the record that she was not present, and that I don't see why this whole procedure would't have gone through much more quickly if she had been, that is all.
Mr. Coleman. You keep on referring to the fact that you recall seeing this in the record. Could you tell me where you saw it, please?
Mr. McVickar. Well, I can try to find it. I think the best thing would be if I looked at the Moscow official file. Is that right here? Okay; well, maybe I can find it. Is that all right if I take a minute to look through these papers?