Secretary Rusk. Dean Rusk, 4980 Quebec Street, Washington, D.C.
Mr. Rankin. And you are the Secretary of State for the United States?
Secretary Rusk. That is correct.
Mr. Rankin. You have occupied that position for some time?
Secretary Rusk. Since January 22, 1961.
Mr. Rankin. In that position you have become familiar with our foreign relations and the attitude and interest in some degree of other countries that we deal with?
Secretary Rusk. Yes; within the limitations of the possibilities, it is at least my task to be as familiar as possible with those things.
Mr. Rankin. In your opinion, was there any substantial interest or interests of the Soviet Union which would have been advanced by the assassination of President Kennedy?
Secretary Rusk. I would first have to say on a question of that sort that it is important to follow the evidence. It is very difficult to look into the minds of someone else, and know what is in someone else's mind.
I have seen no evidence that would indicate to me that the Soviet Union considered that it had an interest in the removal of President Kennedy or that it was in any way involved in the removal of President Kennedy. If I may elaborate just a moment.