Mr. Chayes. I couldn't say. I couldn't say because I don't have any experience in it against which to measure it. As I reviewed the file it seemed to me to be a fairly normal kind of a file for a matter of this kind. When I say "this kind" I don't mean other defectors because I have never seen any of that.
But the reporting seemed full enough, and the response came back in time. But they didn't seem to be accelerated. There were always adequate supporting memorandums indicating consultation within the Department on broad enough basis.
Representative Ford. How long did it take from the actual time that he made the application in Moscow until it was finally approved?
Mr. Chayes. He made the application on——
Mr. Coleman. This is the passport?
Representative Ford. Yes; in Moscow.
Mr. Coleman. He made it July 11, 1961. At that time Mr. Snyder returned to him his existing passport. The new passport, namely the one he got to travel back to the United States, was not issued until May 1962.
Mr. Chayes. Yes.
Mr. Coleman. Though the instruction that it could be issued was submitted, sent forward to the Embassy, certainly by the end of 1961.
Mr. Chayes. Yes; they were submitted subject to the Embassy being satisfied on certain points.