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Everything posted by Michael Clark
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Gaeton Fonzi and the Veciana Allegations
Michael Clark replied to W. Tracy Parnell's topic in JFK Assassination Debate
September 20, 1963: Ruth visits the Oswalds, and it is decided that Marina will return to Irving with Ruth for the birth of the baby. September 23, 1963: Ruth and Marina leave for Irving. September 24, 1963: Eric Rogers, a neighbor, sees LHO running to catch a bus. September 25, 1963: LHO collects his unemployment check of $33. Later, he catches a bus bound for Houston. Late that night, he places a phone call to Horace Twiford, an official of the Texas Socialist Labor Party. http://jfkassassination.net/parnell/chrono.htm -
Gaeton Fonzi and the Veciana Allegations
Michael Clark replied to W. Tracy Parnell's topic in JFK Assassination Debate
Paul, is that date one of those things that you just made-up, or is it a mistake? -
Wynne and Vicki, Southland Center 1963
Michael Clark replied to Andrej Stancak's topic in JFK Assassination Debate
Bumped for Wynne. -
Information on Patrick Dean
Michael Clark replied to Don Jeffries's topic in JFK Assassination Debate
Testimony Of Patrick T. Dean : Vol. V, p. 254 The President's Commission reconvened at 2 p.m. (Chairman Warren presiding and Mr. Dulles present.) The CHAIRMAN - All right, gentlemen. Do you have a statement? Mr. RANKIN - Sergeant Dean asked if he couldn't appear before the Commission and testify. We took his deposition in Dallas, and he asked, when he signed his deposition, whether he couldn't appear personally, so we are permitting him to do this. The CHAIRMAN - We are very happy to have you, Sergeant. Will you raise your right hand and be sworn, please? You solemnly swear the testimony you are about to give before the Commission shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God? Mr. DEAN - I do. The CHAIRMAN - Be seated, please. Mr. Rankin, you may examine the witness. Mr. RANKIN - Sergeant, will you give us your name, your address, please? Mr. DEAN - Patrick T. Dean. I live at 2822 Nicholson Drive in Dallas. Mr. RANKIN - Are you connected with the police department in Dallas? Mr. DEAN - Yes, sir. Mr. RANKIN - What is your position? Mr. DEAN - I am a sergeant on patrol. Mr. RANKIN - How long have you been an official in the police department? Mr. DEAN - Eleven and a half years. Mr. RANKIN - Will you tell us briefly any training or experience you have had? Mr. DEAN - Well, I worked as a patrolman for 5 years. Then I was promoted to sergeant and remained in the patrol division. I have since been in the patrol division the rest of the time. Mr. RANKIN - You have given us your deposition, have you not, Sergeant? Mr. DEAN - Yes, sir. Mr. RANKIN - And is that correct and true as far as anything you know? Mr. DEAN - Yes, sir. Mr. RANKIN - Is there any part of it that you want to change or correct or modify? Mr. DEAN - No, sir; I feel the main reason I wanted to appear before the Commission was about the 20 or 25 minutes that was off the record that I feel I would like the Commission to have on the record, and this is between Mr. Griffin and I. He was the original one who started my deposition. Mr. RANKIN - Well, do you want to tell that at this time? First, is there anything about what you said on the record that was not correct? Mr. DEAN - No, sir. Mr. RANKIN - And the truth? Mr. DEAN - No, sir. Well, Mr. Griffin had questioned me about 2 hours, or maybe a little longer. There was no problems at all, no difficulties. And after that length of time, a little over 2 hours, Mr. Griffin desired to get off the record, and he advised the court reporter that he would be off the record and he could go smoke a cigarette or get a Coke, and he would let him know when he wanted him to get back on the record. Well, after the court reporter left, Mr. Griffin started talking to me in a manner of gaining my confidence in that he would help me and that he felt I would probably need some help in the future. My not knowing what he was building up to, I asked Mr. Griffin to go ahead and ask me what he was going to ask me. He continued to advise me that he wanted me to listen to what he had to say before he asked me whatever question he was going to ask me. I finally told him that whatever he wanted to ask me he could just ask me, and if I knew I would tell him the truth or if I didn't know, I would tell him I didn't know. Mr. Griffin took my reports, one dated February 18, the subject of it was an interview with Jack Ruby, and one dated November 26, which was my assignment in the basement. He said there were things in these statements which were not true and, in fact, he said both these statements, he said there were particular things in there that were not true, and I asked him what portions did he consider not true, and then very dogmatically he said that, "Jack Ruby didn't tell you that he entered the basement via the Main Street ramp." And, of course, I was shocked at this. This is what I testified to, in fact, I was cross-examined on this, and he, Mr. Griffin, further said, "Jack Ruby did not tell you that he had thought or planned to kill Oswald two nights prior." And he said, "Your testimony was false, and these reports to your chief of police are false." So this, of course, all this was off the record. I told Mr. Griffin then this shocked me, and I told him it shocked me; that I couldn't imagine what he was getting at or why he would accuse me of this, and I asked him, and Mr Griffin replied he didn't or he wasn't at liberty to discuss that particular of it with me, and that he wasn't trying to cross-examine me here, but that under cross- examination he could prove that my testimony was false, and that is when I told Mr. Griffin that these are the facts and I can't change them. This is what I know about it. I quoted Ruby just about verbatim, and since he didn't believe me, and I was saying they were true, we might as well terminate the interview. Mr. Griffin then got back on the record, or before he did get back on the record, he said, "Well now, Sergeant Dean, I respect you as a witness, I respect you in your profession, but I have offered my help and assistance, and I again will offer you my assistance, and that I don't feel you will be subjecting yourself to loss of your job," or some words to that effect, "If you will go ahead and tell me the truth about it." I again told Mr. Griffin that these were the facts and I couldn't change them, so with that we got back on the record. Mr. RANKIN - Did you ask Mr. Griffin to ever put this part that was off the record on the record? Mr. DEAN - No, sir; I didn't. Mr. RANKIN - Why didn't you at that time? Mr. DEAN - Well, now the discussion was, I said, "Mr. Griffin, I have waived my rights for an attorney, of which I don't feel like I need one." I still don't feel like I need one. The CHAIRMAN - And you do not need one either Sergeant. Mr. DEAN - True. The CHAIRMAN - You will get along all right. Mr. DEAN - Thank you. I said, "I have come over here with the idea of giving you all the information that I have." In fact, I had some additional information that I had gotten the night before, and it was a call that I had received from some man in Victoria, Canada, who said he had a reel of movie film that he had taken of the assassination. I got this man's name, where he called from, had the police department in Victoria check to crisscross the number, and I gave him the name well, all the information as to where the call had originated from, his name, also this man's attorney, he had given me his name, and I told him that the reason the man had called, had called especially for me at the police department, was that he had a reel of movie film that he had taken the day of the assassination and that these or the camera was on the President at the time of the assassination, and he described to me the position as to where he was, which was across and in trajectory of the line of fire, and that he felt that in addition to the assassination that he had gotten the School Book Depository. I told Mr. Griffin at the time that I had told this man--I can't remember his name, the FBI has gotten it, and at the time I gave it to Mr. Griffin, I told this man on the telephone from Victoria that night that he should send these things, this film, that he said wasn't developed, to the Warren Commission. He said, that is when he told me that he had contacted his attorney in Victoria and that his attorney's name was Batter, and he spelled it for me, B-a-t-t-e-r, and his attorney had advised him not to send this information to the Warren Commission but to contact someone in Dallas and send it to them. This man told me that he had read something about my testimony and that he asked me would it be all right for him to send it to me, and I told him, "Yes," and I said I was supposed to go back to the Warren Commission and he could send it to me, and I would make it available for them. This was just additional information that I told Mr. Griffin that I was---this is an example---- I was there to help them in any way I could. Mr. RANKIN - Now, the differences in your testimony that Mr. Griffin was discussing with you off the record, you have gone into that in detail on the record, haven't you, in your deposition? Mr. DEAN - Yes; I believe I have, about how Ruby entered the basement or how he told me how he entered the basement. Also that he had thought two nights prior when he saw Lee Oswald on a showup stand with a sarcastic sneer on his face is when he decided if he got the chance he would kill him. This was the thing that I testified in court about. I was cross-examined in court. Mr. RANKIN - And you have explained all that in your deposition, haven't you? Mr. DEAN - I believe so; I am not certain. Mr. RANKIN - And did he ask you about why you didn't have your--this information about his planning to shoot Oswald the night before, or on the Friday---- Mr. DEAN - Now, are you asking did Mr. Griffin ask me why I didn't---- Mr. RANKIN - Why you didn't put it in your February--in your statement before the February 18 one? Mr. DEAN - Yes, sir; I believe he did, and I explained to him this wasn't the subject--the subject of that November 26 report was my assignment. I didn't put any of the conversation as to what Mr. Sorrels and I talked to Mr. Ruby about. I did put at the closing paragraph, I think, and I have a copy of it here, that my main concern was how he got into the basement and how long he had been there because I was in charge of the security of the basement. Mr. RANKIN - So you didn't put it in your prior reports? Mr. DEAN - No, sir; this was later on. Chief Curry--I think probably it was February 18---and I think I probably wrote it that day, called me to his office and asked me had I heard all the interview of Ruby and Sorrels, and I told him that I did, and he asked me could I remember it pretty well, and I said, "Yes, I believe I can remember most all of it," and that is when Chief Curry told me that, he said, "Well, you are going to have to testify to it because Mr. Sorrels can't because he says he didn't warn Mr. Ruby when he was questioning him. Well, this was fine with me. I wrote the report. This was February 18. Mr. RANKIN - Did you tell Mr. Griffin at that time that you thought it was unimportant or had some other reason for not including it? Mr. DEAN - I believe that I told him that the investigation, the focal point, was as to how he got into the basement. There was an officer, and I knew who the officer was, I assigned him there myself, and I felt this was more of a part of the investigation in which it was investigated--Officer R. E. Vaughan was investigated as to whether or not he let Ruby into the basement or saw him in the basement, and, of course, he was cleared of this. I know of no--the only information I passed on about that was when Jack Ruby told me how he entered. I told my superiors and then they carried it on from there as far as the investigation. Mr. RANKIN - And about his planning to shoot him prior to the day that---- Mr. DEAN - Now, this wasn't--the only time that I put that in the report was February 18. Mr. RANKIN - Yes; did you explain to Mr. Griffin in your prior testimony why you didn't put it in? Mr. DEAN - I believe that I did; I am not sure. Mr. RANKIN - Do you want to add anything to that, just anything that you wanted, to the Commission? The CHAIRMAN - Do you recall whether you were asked that specific question or not, Sergeant? May I ask, Mr. Rankin, was he asked that question, and did he answer it? Mr. RANKIN - I have to look at the record to be sure. Mr. Chief Justice, in answer to your question, he was asked about what was the first time that he had given this information and if this was the date. He was not asked for any explanation as to why he didn't give it at any earlier time. The CHAIRMAN - Then we can't blame him if he didn't answer why. Mr. RANKIN - No; I just wanted to find out if he wanted to add anything at this time that would complete the record. The CHAIRMAN - Yes; all right. Mr. DEAN - Well, my main concern has been in some way this got out to the papers. The only thing I told the papers was that I can't give any statement. I said I have no comment, and I feel that the accusation started with my denial because I haven't had an opportunity to deny it. The story came out in the papers and it has been on the radio several times, and, in fact, several times since the original, some weeks or so after the paper learned of it of the so-called rift, as they put it. They had the one side of it that he accused me of lying. He didn't use the word "lie," he just said, "These are false statements, and when you testified in court you testified falsely." He didn't use the word "lying," and a lot of papers have since then used the word "lying." I feel like the accusation is a lot stronger than my denial because I haven't denied it. I haven't made any statement at all to press or radio or any news media. I just told them it will have to come from the Warren Commission or some other source. Mr. RANKIN - What I was asking, Sergeant, was whether there is anything that you would like to tell the Commission or add to your testimony about why it wasn't in the earlier statement prior to February 18 that you haven't already told us. Mr. DEAN - Well, I don't think I would like if I could, I would like to know why Mr. Griffin had accused me of perjury. Of course, this is something for you people to know, but I just--he wouldn't discuss it with me. The CHAIRMAN - Well, Sergeant, I want to say to you that, of course, without knowing what your conversation was with Mr. Griffin, I have never talked to Mr. Griffin about this. I didn't know that you had this altercation with him, but I want to say this: That so far as the jurisdiction of this Commission is concerned and its procedures, no member of our staff has a right to tell any witness that he is lying or that he is testifying falsely. That is not his business. It is the business of this Commission to appraise the testimony of all the witnesses, and, at the time you are talking about, and up to the present time, this Commission has never appraised your testimony or fully appraised the testimony of any other witness, and furthermore, I want to say to you that no member of our staff has any power to help or injure any witness. So, so far as that conversation is concerned, there is nothing that will be binding upon this Commission. Mr. DEAN - Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN - But, as I say, I don't know what your conversation was with Griffin, but I am just telling you as to what the limitations of the members of our staff are. Mr. DEAN - Yes, sir; thank you. That is about all I had. Mr. RANKIN - That is all I have, Mr. Chief Justice. The CHAIRMAN - Well, thank you, Sergeant, for coming and feeling as you do, I am glad you had the frankness to come and talk to the Commission, and offer to testify concerning it. Mr. DEAN - Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity. The CHAIRMAN - All right, Sergeant. Mr. DEAN - Thank you. It is nice to have met you. Mr. RANKIN - Waggoner, do you want to take the stand for a minute about that conversation? The CHAIRMAN - You are going to ask the General about it? Have you been sworn? -
Phone lines, Crafard, and Senator at the Carousel
Michael Clark replied to Michael Clark's topic in JFK Assassination Debate
The Carousel was as-central-as-central-gets to downtown Dallas. -
1963, Heroin, Cocaine, and the assassination
Michael Clark replied to Michael Clark's topic in JFK Assassination Debate
Not so much. Coca Cola, er, I mean, coca plants are limited, or, historically, have been limited to equatorial South America. Heroin, in Asia. The question arises, why is marijuana, which can be grown anywhere, listed among opiates, and cocaine, as class 1 narcotics? -
Phone lines, Crafard, and Senator at the Carousel
Michael Clark replied to Michael Clark's topic in JFK Assassination Debate
Out at the fair grounds? Copper phone lines have limits. Copper is a semi-precious metal. Phone hubs (Central Offices) are designed to reduce the lengths of copper phone lines. -
Phone lines, Crafard, and Senator at the Carousel
Michael Clark replied to Michael Clark's topic in JFK Assassination Debate
There had to be an operative in the basement of the TSBD, working the phone lines, where Buell Frazier decided to have his lunch, alone, after his president had been assassinated. -
Phone lines, Crafard, and Senator at the Carousel
Michael Clark replied to Michael Clark's topic in JFK Assassination Debate
Copper wires would support connections from Dealy Plaza, through the Carouse Lounge, out-to, say, The Southland Center; but, a line to DC, Chicago or New Orleans would have to go through a Central Office Switched Circuit. I am thinking that that was a call for which Larry Crafards call was a cover. (that's a poorly constructed sentence, I will work to fix it) -
****edit.... I changed the thread title from "Telecommunications and the Assassination" Telecommunications were necessarily a part of the Dallas coup de ta. Jack Ruby's Carousell Lounge occupied the lot that is now the HQ of the major carrier of that region. i am looking to research the history of that "lot", here, in this thread. Larry Crafard, a Carousel employee, according to his WC testimony, spent more than 4 hours talking to a girl who had called the Carousel Lounge, on the night of November 22, inquiring about a job. According to his testimony, she was leaving Dallas, on a bus, first thing in the morning, for (as they say), parts unknown. Why would she be calling about a job at 11PM on 11-22-63? Is the current telecom building a central telco interchange? Was the Carousel Lounge, back in '63, a hub; a jumble of telco lines? **** edit. a related thread .....
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1963, Heroin, Cocaine, and the assassination
Michael Clark replied to Michael Clark's topic in JFK Assassination Debate
Money killed JFK. I don't know enough about Harriman and drugs in '62. But I definitely gravitate towards money. -
Greatest Live Performance
Michael Clark replied to John Simkin's topic in News, events and member notices
This is the song I meant to share with you. It leads into I Bid You Goodnight. Check out the last few minutes of this "Not Fade-away" -
George, there are more choices than you offer. Namely, while the world believed that the DPD was in possession of a Mauser, a Manlicher was flown to DC, where it was fired into a water tank, the bullet recovered, and both flown back to Dallas. CE399 was then enterered into evidence as the stretcher bullet. This would explain why the SS agents could not identify the 6.5mm MC bullet as the bullet recovered at Parkland. I am not saying that this happened, I just saying that your either/or proposal is missing one or many "or"s. Cheers, Michael
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Bill Simpich's State Secret
Michael Clark replied to William Kelly's topic in JFK Assassination Debate
Paul, I am amused to see that you say that you are in agreement with Mr. Simpich. What is amusing is that he does not even make the claim with which you profess agreement. Mr. Simpich simply notes how a particular entry was rendered on a document. That document does not even make the claim that you make. Mr. Simpich's comments, with which you profess agreement, below: "I think Bright is important. Whether or not Oswald was a spy - and I think he was, at least in his own mind - Marina and June got to go to the USA with him, while the State Dept lent him some money, and meanwhile the military took away his honorable discharge so he was broke and completely manipulable - the CI crowd was manipulating his records. From Chapter 1 of my book: "WB" (William Bright) told the registry to "index page 7", which is the page in the Fain memo that has an inaccurate hand-written description of Oswald as “CIT: USSR, Res. Moscow, USSR, ex-U.S. Marine, who upon his discharge from Marine Corps, Sept 59 traveled to USSR and renounced his U.S. citizenship.” Marguerite Oswald never said that Oswald was a Soviet citizen – only that Oswald had “apparently sought Soviet citizenship”. See how these notes from Fain’s memo were preserved on this index card; however the clerk accurately fixed the writing to say that Oswald traveled “to renounce his US citizenship” rather than “renounced his US citizenship”. The claim that Oswald was a Soviet citizen, however, was not corrected. Did Bright write the note himself? Based on a quick review of the meager amount of Bright’s handwriting that is available, I can’t rule it out yet. This inaccurate handwritten description was on the same page as the physical description as "5 foot 10, 165 lbs, light brown wavy hair, blue eyes".[ 27 ] Now, if anyone turned from the index card to page 7 of Fain’s memo, the reader would immediately see Oswald’s inaccurate physical description. The FBI’s version of page 7 does not include the handwritten description. It’s also possible that page 7 was indexed specifically for the “5 foot 10, 165 pounds” description, the handwriting was added later, and the index card was created last. In either case, Bright had now successfully shoehorned the Webster-like description of Oswald into the CIA’s indexing system. Thanks to Bright focusing on this particular page to be indexed – rather than another page that did accurately describe Oswald’s citizenship status - the CIA now had quick access to an inaccurate description of Oswald’s citizenship status and an inaccurate physical description of Oswald." Although I appreciate that Paul Trejo likes my hypothesis, I should add that we don't agree on a host of issues and Paul's views are frequently not mine. For example, I don't think that Morales "went rogue". Secondly, whether Morales was even involved with Mexico City is simply a hypothesis. I based it on the likelihood that it would have been an AMOT inside the intercept station that manipulated the "voice of Oswald and Duran", or the transcript itself. If the Oswald character actually spoke terrible Russian and terrible English as a couple of the records indicate, the one who did the impersonation was probably a native Spanish speaker. Again, just a hypothesis. I think a better conversation is whether there was a split (based on social class and personal ideologies) between Angleton, Scott, Goodpasture and Phillips on one hand, and Harvey, Morales, Rip Robertson, and their Mafia buddies on the other. If Carl Oglesby was here, he would describe Dick Helms and Allen Dulles as "the Yankees", and what I've described below as a "split within the Cowboys". Resolving my question about a possible split doesn't resolve who led the forces against JFK, but this type of discussion sheds more light than heat. Bill" ----------------------------- Cheers, Michael -
I am seeing Climate-Change deniers changing their tune. Many are saying that Climate-Change is happening. Of course they are wavering between how it is being caused and whether anything can be done about it.
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Jim, that is, perhaps, disingenuous. To say that when she first met Lee she thought he was from a Baltic state, and then say that, years later, she believed that he was born in the USSR, is implying something that you may not have intended. Did Marina, years later, believe that Lee was born in the USSR?
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The Diary of Lee Harvey Oswald
Michael Clark replied to Michael Clark's topic in JFK Assassination Debate
Below is an excerpted section of LHO's diary that contradicts several of Paul Trejo's oft-repeated claims. Paul Trejo wrote: "Also, the fact that LHO never surrrendered his US passport -- smart move. Also, the fact that LHO enjoyed benefits like the newest apartment complex in Minsk, and additional monthly payments from the Red Cross. Also, the fact that LHO never applied for Soviet citizenship. Very smart. Also, the fact that LHO refused to join the Communist Party there -- though continually invited. Also smart." Regards, --Paul Trejo" 3-29-17 "Bill Simpich's State Secrets" thread And from the same thread, yesterday... "Bill, I agree that Oswald was a spy -- in his own mind. I also agree that Oswald never renounced his US citizenship, nor applied for USSR citizenship, nor joined any Communist Party while in the USSR, or the USA. Regards, --Paul Trejo" Also, Paul claimed (above) that: " Also, the fact that LHO refused to join the Communist Party there -- though continually invited. Also smart." There is no indication that LHO: - Refused to join the Communist Party - Was asked to join the Communist Party - And it goes without saying that he was never "continually invited". Below, one can see that: -Lee did surrender his passport -Lee did renounce his US Citizenship -Lee did request Soviet citizenship. ------------------------------ Diary of LHO: Oct.16. Arrive from Helsinki by train ;am met by Intourest Repre.and in car to Hotel "Berlin". Reges. as. "studet" 5 day Lux .tourist. Ticket.) Meet my Intorist guied Rimma Sherikova I explain to her I wish to appli. for Rus.citizenship. She is flabber;assed, but aggrees to help. She checks with her boss, main officeIntour;than helps me add.a letter to Sup.Sovit asking for citizenship, mean while boss telephone passport & visa office and notifies them about me. Oct.31. I make my dision. Getting passport at 12"00 I meet and talk with Rimma for a few minutes she says:stay in your room and eat well, I don't tell her about what I intend to do since I know she would not approve. After she leaves I wait a few minutes and than I catch a taxi, "American Embassy" I say. 12"30, I arrive American Embassy, I walk in and say to the receptionist `I would like to see the Consular" she points at a large lager and says"if you a tourist please register". I take out my American passport and lay it o the desk. "I have come to dissolve my American citizenship. I saymatter-of-factly she rises and enters the office of Richard Snyder American Head Consular in Moscow at that time. He invites me to sit r down. He finishes a letter he is typing and then asks what he can do for me. I tell him I have dicided to take Soviet citizenship and would like to leagly dissolve my U .S.citizenship. His assitant (now Head Consular) McVickers e looks up from his work . Snyder serys- takes down personall Information, Jan.5. ........I wrote my brother & mother letters in which I said "I do not wish to every contact you again." Iam defining a new life and I don't wand any part of the old". July - I decided to take my two week vacation and travel to Moscow (without police permission) to the American Embassy to see about getting my US passport back." (This excerpt comes from a different document and may not appear be exactly rendered from the document in the first post.") -
The "Historic Diary" Warren Commission Exhibit 24 Vol 16, Pg 94-105 Note: In the interest of clarity and legibility, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization have been corrected in certain cases. Historic Diary 30 From Oct. 16 1959 Arrival--Leaving 1959 1st Page Oct 16. Arrive from Helsinki by train; am met by Intourist Representative and in car to Hotel "Berlin." Register as "student" 5 day Lux tourist ticket. Meet my Intourist guide Rima Sherikova. I explain to her I wish to apply for Russian citizenship. She is flabbergasted, but agrees to help. She checks with her boss, main office Intour, then helps me address a letter to Supreme Soviet asking for citizenship, meanwhile boss telephones passport & visa office and notifies them about me. Oct. 17 - Rima meets me for Intourist sightseeing, says we must continue with this, although I am too nervous. She is "sure" I'll have an answer soon. Asks me about myself and my reasons for doing this. I explain I am a communist, etc. She is politely sympathetic but uneasy now. She tries to be a friend to me. She feels sorry for me. I am something new. Sun Oct. 18. My 20th birthday, we visit exhibit in the morning and in the afternoon The Lenin-Stalin tomb. She gives me a present, book "Idiot" by Dostoevsky. Oct. 19. Tourism. Am anxious since my visa is good for five days only and still no word from authorities about my request. Oct. 20. Rima in the afternoon says Intourist was notified by the pass & visa department that they want to see me. I am excited greatly by this news. Oct. 21 (morning). Meeting with single official. Balding stout, black suit fairly good English, asks what do I want? I say Soviet citizenship. He ask why I give vague answers about "Great Soviet Union." He tells me "USSR only great in Literature," wants me to go back home. I am stunned; I reiterate. He says he shall check and let me know whether my visa will be (extended it expires today). Eve. 6.00 Receive word from police official. I must leave country tonight at 8.00 P.M. as visa expires. I am shocked!! My dreams! I retire to my room. I have $100. left. I have waited for 2 years to be accepted. My fondest dreams are shattered because of a petty official; because of bad planning. I planned too much! 7.00 P.M. I decide to end it. Soak wrist in cold water to numb the pain. Then slash my left wrist. Then plug wrist into bathtub of hot water. I think "when Rima comes at 8 to find me dead, it will be a great shock." Somewhere, a violin plays, as I 31 DIARY 2nd Page Oct. 21 (con):watch my life whirl away. I think to myself, "how easy to die" and a sweet death, (to violins). About 8.00, Rima finds my unconscious (bathtub water a rich red color). She screams (I remember that) and runs for help. Ambulance comes, am taken to hospital where five stitches are put in my wrists. Poor Rima stays by my side as interpreter (my Russian is still very bad) far into the night. I tell her, "go home" (my mood is bad) but she stays, she is "my friend" She has a strong will. Only at this moment I notice she is pretty. Oct. 22. Hospital. I am in a small room with about 12 others (sick persons), 2 orderlies, and a nurse. The room is very drab as well as the breakfast. Only after prolonged (2 hours) observation of the other patients do I realize I am in the Insanity ward. This realization disquiets me. Later in afternoon, I am visited by Rima. She comes in with two doctors. As interpreter, she must ask me medical question, "Did you know what you were doing?" Answer "yes." "Did you blackout?" "No," etc. I then complain about poor food. The doctors laugh. Apparently this is a good sign. Later they leave, I am alone with Rima (amongst the mentally ill). She encourages me and scolds me. She says she will help me get transferred to another section of Hospital (not for insane) where food is good. Oct. 23. Transferred to ordinary ward, (airy, good food) but nurses suspicious of me) they know). Afternoon. I am visited by Rosa Agafonova of the hotel tourist office, who asks me about my health. Very beautiful, excellent English, very merry and kind. She makes me very glad to be alive. Later Rima vists Oct. 24 Hospital Routine. Rima visits me in afternoon. Oct. 25. " " Oct. 26 An elderly American at the hospital grow suspicious about me for some reason. Because at Embassy I told him I had not registered as most tourist and I am, in general, evasive about my presence in Moscow and at hospital. Afternoon Rima visits. Oct. 27 Stiches are taken out by doctor with "dull" scissor. Wed. Oct 28. Morning. Leave hospital in Intourist car with Rima for Hotel "Berlin." Later I change hotels to "Metropole." All clothes packed, and money from my room (to the last kopeck) returned, as well as watch, ring. Ludmilla Dimitrova (Intourist office head) and Rosa invite me to come and sit and talk with them anytime. I get lonesome at new hotel. They feel sorry for me. 32 DIARY 3rd page Oct. 28(con.) Rima notifies me that pass & registration office wishes to see me about my future. Later Rima and car pick me up and we enter the offices to find four officials waiting for me (all unknown to me). They ask how my arm is, I say O.K. They ask "Do you want to go to your homeland." I say no I want Soviet citizen. I say I want to reside in the Soviet Union. They say they will see about that. Than they ask me about the lone official with whom I spoke in the first place (apparently he did not pass along my request at all but thought to simply get rid of me by not extending my Soviet visa at the time I requested it). I describe him (they make notes). What papers do you have to show who and what you are? I give them my discharge papers from the Marine Corps. They say wait for our answer. I ask how long? Not soon. Later Rima comes to check on me. I feel insulted and insult her. Oct 29. Hotel Room 214. Metropole Hotel. I wait. I worry. I eat once, stay next to phone, worry. I keep fully dressed Oct. 30. Hotel Room I have been in hotel three days; it seems like three years. I must have some sort of a showdown! Oct. 31. I make my decision. Getting passport at 12:00, I meet and talk with Rima for a few minutes. She says: stay in your room and eat well. I don't tell her about what I intend to do, since I know she would not approve. After she leaves, I wait a few minutes and than I catch a taxi, "American Embassy" I say. At 12:30, I arrive American Embassy. I walk in and say to the receptionist, "I would like to see the Consular." She points at a large ledger and says, "If you are a tourist please register." I take out my American passport and lay it in the desk, "I have come to dissolve my American citizenship," I say matter-of-factly. She rises and enters the ofice of Richard Snyder American Head Consular in Moscow at that time. He invites me to sit down. He finishes a letter he is typing and then ask what he can do for me. I tell him I have decided to take Soviet citizenship and would like to legally dissolve my U.S. citizenship. His assistant (Now Head Consular) McVickers looks up from his work. Snyder takes down personal infornation, asks questions, 33 1959 His. Diary Page 4 Sat Oct 31. (continued) warns me not to take any steps before the soviets except me, says I am a "fool", and says the dissolution papers are a long time in preparing. (In other words refuses to allow me at that time to dissolve U.S. citizenship.) I state, "my mind is make up. From this day forward I consider myself no citizen of the U.S.A." I spend 40 minutes at the Embassy before Snyder says, "now unless you wish to expound on your marxist beliefs you can go." "I wish to dissolve U.S. citizenship." Not today, he says in effect. I leave Embassy, elated at this showdown. Returning to my hotel, I feel now my energies are not spent in vain. I'm sure Russians will accept me after this sign of my faith in them. 2:00 a knock. A reporter by the name of Goldstene wants an interview. I'm flabbergasted. "How did you find out?" "The Embassy called us," he said. I send him away. I sit and realize this is one way to bring pressure on me. By notifying my relations in U.S. through the newspapers, although they would say "it's for the public record." A half hour later another reporter, Miss Mosby, comes. I answer a few quick questions after refusing an interview. I am surprised at the interest. I get phone call from "Time" at night, a phone call from the States. I refuse all calls without finding out whose it from. I feel non-depressed because of the attention. 10:00 I retire. Nov. 1 - More reporters, 3 phone calls from brother & mother, now I feel slightly exhilarated, not so lonely. Nov- 2-15 Days of utter loneliness. I refuse all reports phone calls. I remain in my room; I am racked with dysentery. Nov 15 - I decide to give an interview. I have Miss Mosby's card so I call her. She drives right over. I give my story, allow pictures. Later, story is distorted, sent without my permission, that is: before I ever saw and OKed her story. Again I feel slightly better because of the attention. Nov. 16. A Russian official comes to my room, asks how I am. Notifies me I can remain in USSR 'til some solution is found with what to do with me. It is comforting news for me. 34 Diary Page 5 Nov 17 - Dec. 30 I have bought myself two self-teaching Russian Language Books. I force myself to study 8 hours a day. I sit in my room and read and memorize words. All meals I take in my room. Rima arranged that. It is very cold on the streets, so I rarely go outside at all. For this month and a-half, I see no one, speak to no-one, except every now and then Rima, who calls the ministry about me. Have they forgotten?, During December I paid no money to the hotel, but Rima told Hotel I was expecting a lot of money from USA. I have $28. left. This month I was called to the passport office and met 3 new officials who asked me the same questions I answered a month before. They appear not to know me at all. Dec 31. New Years eve, I spend in the company of Rosa Agafonova at the Hotel Berlin. She has the duty. I sit with her until past midnight. She gives me a small "Boratin" clown for a New Years present. She is very nice. I found out only recently she is married, has small son who was born crippled; that is why she is so strangely tender and compelling. Jan 1 - 4 No change in routine. Jan 4. I am called to passsport office and finally given a Soviet document, not the soviet citizenship as I so wanted, only a Residence document, not even for foreigners but a paper called, "for those without citizenship." Still I am happy. The official says they are sending me to the city of "Minsk." I ask, "is that in Siberia?" He only laughs. He also tells me that they have arranged for me to receive some money through the Red Cross to pay my hotel bills and expenses. I thank the gentlemen and leave later in the afternoon. I see Rima. She asks, "are you happy?" "Yes." Jan.5. I go to Red Cross in Moscow for money with Interpreter (a new one). I receive 5000 rubles, a huge sum!! Later in Minsk I am to earn 70 rubles a month at the factory. Jan.7. I leave Moscow by train for Minsk, Belorussia. My hotel bill was 2200 rubles and the train ticket to Minsk 150 rubles so I have a lot of money & hope. I wrote my brother & mother letters in which I said, "I do not wish to ever contact you again. I am beginning a new life and I don't want any part of the old." 35 Diary Minsk. Page 6 Jan 7. Arrive in Minsk, met by 2 women Red Cross workers. We go to hotel "Minsk." I take room and meet Rosa and Stellina, two persons from Intourist in hotel who speak English. Stellina is in 40's, nice, married, young child. Rosa about 23, blond, attractive, unmarried, excellent English. We attract each other at once. Jan 8. I meet the city mayor, comrade Shrapof, who welcomes me to Minsk, promises a rent-free apartment "soon," and warns me about "uncultured persons" who sometimes insult foreigners. My interpretor Roman Detkof Head For. Tech Institute next door. Jan. 10.The day to myself I walk through city; very nice. Jan. 11.I visit Minsk radio factory where I shall work. There I meet Argentinian Immigrant Alexander Ziger. Born a Polish Jew, immigrated to Argentinia in 1938 and back to Polish homeland (now part of Belorussia) in 1955, speaks English with American accent; he worked for American company in Argentinia. He is Head of a Department, a qualified Engineeer, in late 40's, mild mannered, likable. He seems to want to tell me something. I show him my temporary documents and say soon I shall have Russian citizenship. Jan 13 - 16 I work as a "checker" metal worker, pay: 700 rubles a month, work very easy. I am learning Russian quickly. Now, everyone is very friendly and kind. I meet many young Russian workers my own age. They have varied personalities. All wish to know about me, even offer to hold a mass meeting so I can say. I refuse politely. At night I take Rosa to the theater, movie, or opera almost every day. I'm living big and am very satisfied. I receive a check from the Red Cross every 5th of the month "to help." The check is 700 rubles. Therefore, every month I make 1400 rubles, about the same as the Director of the factory! Ziger observes me during this time. I don't like: picture of Lenin which watches from its place of honour and physical training at 11.-11.10 each morning (compulsary) for all (shades of H.G. Wells!!). March 16. I receive a small flat, one-room kitchen-bath near the factory (8 min. walk) with splendid view from 2 balconies of the river, almost rent free (60 rubles a month). It is a Russian's dream. March 17 - April 31 - Work. I have lost contact with Rosa after my house moving. I meet Pavel Golavacha, a young man my age, friendly, very intelligent, a excellent radio technician. His father is Gen. Golovacha Commander of Northwestern Siberia, twice hero of USSR in W.W.II. 29 Diary Page 7 May 1 - May Day came as my first holiday of all factories, etc, closed. After spectacular military parade, all workers parade past, reviewing stand waving flags and pictures of Mr. K., etc. I follow the American custom of marking a holiday by sleeping in in the morning. At night I visit with the Ziger's daughters at a party thrown by them. About 40 people came, many of Argentinian origin. We dance and play around and drink until 2 a.m. when party breaks up. Leonara Ziger oldest daughter, 26, formally married, now divorced, a talented singer. Anita Ziger, 20, very gay, not so attractive but we hit it off. Her boyfriend, Alfred, is a Hungarian chap, silent, and brooding, not at all like Anita. Ziger advises me to go back to U.S.A. Its the first voice of opposition I have heard. I respect Ziger; he has seen the world. He says many things and relates many things I do not know about the U.S.S.R. I begin to feel uneasy inside, it's true! June-July Summer months of green beauty; pine forest very deep. I enjoy many Sundays in the environments of Minsk with the Zigers who have a car, "mos-vick." Alfred always goes along with Anita, Leonara seems to have no permenant boyfriend but many admirers. She has a beautiful Spanish figure, long black hair, like Anita. I never pay much attention to her; she's too old for m. She seems to dislike my lack of attention for some reason. She is high strung. I have become habituated to a small cafe, which is where I dine in the evening. The food is generally poor and always exactly the same menu in any cafe, at any point in the city. The food is cheap and I don't really care about quality after three years in the U.S.M.C. Aug-Sept As my Russian improves, I become increasingly conscious of just what sort of a society I live in. Mass gymnastics, compulsary after work meeting, usually political information meeting. Compulsary attendence at lectures and the sending of the entire shop collective (except me) to pick potatoes on a Sunday, at a State collective farm. A "patriotic duty" to bring in the harvest. The opinions of the workers (unvoiced) are that it's a great pain in the neck. They don't seem to be especially enthusiastic about any of the "collective" duties, a natural feeling. I am increasingly aware of the presence, in all things, of Lebizen, shop party secretary, fat, fortyish, and jovial on the outside. He is a no-nonsense party regular. 28 Diary Page 8 Oct. The coming of Fall, my dread of a new Russian winter, are mellowed in splendid golds and reds of fall in Belorussia. Plums, peaches, apricots, and cherries abound for these last fall weeks. I am a healthy brown color and stuffed with fresh fruit (at other times of the year unobtainable). Oct 18 My 21st birthday sees Rosa, Pavel, Ella at a small party at my place. Ella, a very attractive Russian Jew I have been going walking with lately, works at the radio factory also. Rosa and Ella are jealous of each other. It brings a warm feeling to me. Both are at my place for the first time. Ella and Pavel both give ashtrays (I don't smoke); we have a laugh. Nov. Finds the approach of winter now. A growing loneliness overtakes me in spite of my conquest of Ennatachina, a girl from Riga, studying at the music conservatory in Minsk. After an affair which lasts a few weeks, we part. Nov 15 In Nov. I make the acquaintance of four girls rooming at the For. Ian. dormitory in room 212. Nell is very interesting, so is Tomka, Tomis and Alla. I usually go to the institute dormitory with a friend of mine who speaks English very well. Eraich Titov is in the fourth year at the medical institute. Very bright fellow. At the dormitory we 6 sit and talk in English. Dec 1 I am having an light affair with Nell Korobka. Jan 1 New Years I spend at home of Ella German. I think I'm in love with her. She has refused my more dishonorable advances. We drink and eat in the presence of her family in a very hospitable atmosphere. Later I go home drunk and happy. Passing the river homeward, I decide to propose to Ella. Jan. 2 After a pleasant hand-in-hand walk to the local cinema, we come home, standing on the doorstep I propose. She hesitates, then refuses, my love is real but she has none for me. Her reason besides lack of love; I am American and someday might be arrested simply because of that example Polish Intervention in the 20's led to the arrest of all people in the Soviet Union of polish origin. "You understand the world situation. There is too much against you and you don't even know it." I am stunned. She snickers at my awkwardness. In turning to go (I am too stunned to think!) I realize she was never serious with me but only exploited my being an American in order to get the envy of the other girls who consider me differed from the Russian Boys. I am miserable! 27 DIARY Page 9 Jan 3. I am miserable about Ella. I love her but what can I do? It is the state of fear which was always in the Soviet Union. Jan 4. One year after I received the residence document I am called in to the passport office and asked if I want citizenship (Russian). I say no simply extend my residential passport to agree and my document is extended until Jan 4, 1962. Jan-4-31 I am starting to reconsider my desire about staying. The work is drap, the money I get has nowhere to be spent. No nightclubs or bowling alleys, no places of recreation except the trade union dances. I have have had enough. Feb. 1st Make my first request to American Embassy, Moscow, for reconsidering my position, I stated, "I would like to go back to U.S." Feb. 28th I receive letter from Embassy. Richard E. Snyder stated, "I could come in for an interview any time I wanted." March 1-16 I now live in a state of expectation about going back to the U.S. I confided in Ziger. He supports my judgement but warns me not to tell any Russians about my desire to return. I understand now why. March 17 - I and Erich went to trade union dance. Boring, but at the last hour I am introduced to a girl with a French hair-do and red-dress with white slipper. I dance with her, then ask to show her home. I do, along with 5 other admirers. Her name is Marina. We like each other right away. She gives me her phone number and departs home with a not-so-new friend in a taxi. I walk home. March 18-31- We walk. I talk a little about myself, she talks alot about herself. Her name is Marina N. Prusakova. Apr. 1st-30 We are going steady and I decide I must have her. She puts me off so on April 15, I propose. She accepts. April 31 After a 7 day delay at the marriage bureau because of my unusual passport, they allow us to register as man & wife. Two of Marinas girlfriends act as bridesmaids. We are married at her aunts home. We have a dinner reception for about 20 friends and neighbors who wish us happiness (in spite of my origin and accent), which was in general disquieting to any Russian since foreigners are very rare in the Soviet Union, even tourist. After an evening of eating and drinking in which uncle Wooser started a fight and the fuse blow on an overloaded circuit, we take our leave and walk the 15 minutes to our home. We lived near each other. At midnight we were home. 26 DIARY Page 10 1st May Day 1961 Found us thinking about our future. In spite of fact I married Marina to hurt Ella, I found myself in love with Marina. May - The transition of changing full love from Ella to Marina was very painful, especially as I saw Ella almost every day at the factory but as the days and weeks went by, I adjusted more and more my wife mentally. I still hadn't told my wife of my desire to return to US. She is madly in love with me from the very start, boat rides on Lake Minsk, walks throughout the parks, evening at home, or Aunt Valia's place mark May. June - A continuence of May, except that we draw closer and closer and I think very little now of Ella. In the last days of this month, I reveal my longing to return to America. My wife is slightly startled. But then encourages me to do what I wish to do. July - I decided to take my two week vacation and travel to Moscow (without police permission) to the American Embassy to see about getting my U.S. passport back and make arrangements for my wife to enter the U.S. with me. July 8 - I fly by plane to Minsk on a il-20. 2 hrs 20m later, after taking a tearful and anxious parting from my wife, I arrive in Moscow. Departing by bus from the airfield, I arrive in the center of the city. Making my way through heavy traffic, I don't come in sight of the embassy until 3:00 in the afternoon. It's Saturday, what if they are closed? Entering I find the offices empty but manage to contact Snyder on the phone (since all embassy personel live in the same building). He comes down to greet me shake my hand. After interview he advises me to come in first thing Mon. (see - July 8 -13.) July 8. Interview July 9 receive passport; call Marina to Moscow also. July 14. I and Marina return to Minsk. July 15. Marina at work, is shocked to find out there every know she entered the U.S. embassy. They were called at her place of work from some officials in Moscow. The bosses hold a meeting and give her a strong browbeating. The first of many indoctrinations. 25 DIARY 11rd Page July 15 - Aug. 20 We have found out which blanks and certificates are necessary to apply for a exit visa. They number about 20 papers; birth certificates, affidavits, photos, etc. On Aug 20th, we give the papers out. They say it will be 3 1/2 months before we know whether they'll let us go or not. In the meantime, Marina has had to stade 4 different meetings at the place of work held by her Boss's at the direction of "someone" by phone. The young communist league headquarters also called about her and she had to go see them for 1 1/2 hrs. The purpose (expressed) is to dissuade her from going to the U.S.A. Net effect: make her more stubborn about wanting to go. Marina is pregnant, we only hope that the visas come through soon. Aug 21-Sept 1 - I make expected trips to the passport & visa office, also to ministry of foreign affairs in Minsk, also ministry of Internal affairs, all of which have a say in the granting of a visa. I extracted promises of quick attention to US. Sept-Oct 18. No word from Min. (They'll call us). Marina leaves Minsk by train on vacation to the city of Khar'kov in the Urals to visit an aunt for 4 weeks. During this time I am lonely but I an Erich go to the dances and public places for entertainment. I haven't done this in quite a few months now. I spend my birthday alone at the opera watching my favorite, "Queen of Spades." I am 22 years old. Nov-2 Marina arrives back, radiant, with several jars of preserves for me from her aunt in Khar'kov. Nov-Dec. Now we are becoming annoyed about the delay. Marina is beginning to waver about going to the US. Probably from the strain and her being pregnant, still we quarrel and so thing are not too bright, especially, with the approach of the hard Russian winter. Dec 25 - Xmas Day, Tues. Marina is called to the passport & visa office. She is told we have been granted Soviet exit visas. She fills out the completing blank and then comes home with the news. It's great (I think!). New Years, we spend at the Zigers at a dinner party at midnight attended by 6 other persons. Jan. 4. I am called to the passport office since my Residential passport expires today. Since I now have a US. in my possession I am given a totally new residential pass called, "Pass for Forin," and since they have given US permission to leave, and know we shall, good to July 5, 1962. 24 DIARY Page 12 Jan 15. Feb. 15. Days of cold Russian winter. But we feel fine. Marina is supposed to have baby on March 1st. Feb 15 - Dawn. Marina wakes me. It's her time. At 9:00 we arrive at the hospital. I leave her in care of nurses and leave to go to work. 10:00 Marina has a baby girl. When I visit the hospital at 5:00 after work I am given news. We both wanted a boy. Marina feels well, baby girl O.K. Feb. 23 Marina leaves hospital. I see June for first time. Feb. 28 I go to register (as proscribed by the law) the baby. I want her name to be June Marina Oswald but those bureaucrats say her middle name must be the same as my first. A Russian custom support by a law. I refuse to have her name written as "June Lee." They promise to call the city ministry (city hall) and find out in this case since I do have a U.S. passport. Feb. 29. I am told nobody knows what to do exactly, but everyone agrees "Go ahead and do it, "Po-Russki." Name: June Lee. March. The last commications are exchanged by myself and Embassy. Letters are always arriving from my mother and brother in the U.S. I have still not told Erich, who is my oldest existing acquaintance, that we are going to the State. He's o.k. but I'm afraid he is too good a young communist league member, so I'll wait 'til last minute. March 24-Marina quits her job in the formal fashion. March 26. - I receive a letter from Immigration and Naturalization service at San Antonio, Texas, that Marina has had her visa petition to the U.S. (Approved!!) The last document. Now we only have to wait for the U.S. Embassy to receive their copy of the approval so they can officially give the go ahead. March 27 I receive a letter from a Mr. Phillips (a employer of my mother, pledging to support my wife in case of need).
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