Mr. Coleman. Would you accept my suggestion if I told you that that telegram was dated October 31 rather than the 30th?
Miss James. Yes.
Mr. Coleman. Why did you receive, obtain or see a copy of the telegram?
Miss James. To begin with, it is my function in the Department of State in the Office of Soviet Union Affairs, to handle matters relating to visas, issuance of visas and passport matters from the political angle only.
Mr. Coleman. For what area?
Miss James. For the Office of Soviet Union Affairs, and it is part of our responsibility to know what goes on in the American Embassy in Moscow, and to see how it is handled in order that we can continue our function of advising, helping and assisting so it is routine for our office to get a copy of all these telegrams. Practically every telegram that goes back and forth between the Embassy in Moscow and the Department, both ways, comes through our office.
Mr. Coleman. What did you do after you received the telegram, or saw a copy of the telegram?
Miss James. I think we took no action at that time. We read it with a great deal of interest, as we do all of this type of case of a potential defector, and a person who is an American citizen who is renouncing American citizenship is very unusual. I don't recall any action except that I know it was a source, I mean the subject of unhappy conversation in the office, to see this man carrying on this type of action.
Mr. Coleman. You knew, didn't you, that within 2 or 3 days after the telegram was received, that the State Department sent a reply to the Embassy?
Miss James. I must have seen it. I notice from the file copy I cleared it, but I don't remember that exact telegram.