Report of the President's Commission on the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy

Post-Hospital Stay and Soviet Official Interviews

Oswald was released from the hospital on October 28 and, accompanied by Rima Shirokova, was driven by Intourist car to the Hotel Berlin. After saying goodbye to Lyudmila Dmitrieva, head of the Berlin’s Intourist office, and to Roza Agafonova, he checked out of the Berlin and registered at the Metropole, a larger hotel under the same administration—a move the Soviet Government had undoubtedly directed. His visa had expired during his hospitalization, making his presence in Russia technically illegal. That day, Rima informed him that the “Pass and Registration Office” wished to discuss his future. When Oswald appeared, he was asked whether he still wanted Soviet citizenship (he confirmed that he did), provided his Marine Corps discharge papers for identification, and was told he could not expect a decision soon. He was also apparently questioned about his earlier interview with the supposed Radio Moscow reporter, leading him to conclude there had been no communication between the two sets of officials. That evening he vented his frustration to Rima.

American Embassy Citizenship Renunciation Visit

The following day, Oswald stayed near the telephone, fully dressed and ready to leave if summoned, waiting three days that seemed “like three years.” On October 31, he met Rima at noon, expressed impatience without revealing his plans, and she cautioned him to stay in his room and eat well. Shortly after she left, he took a taxi to the American Embassy and asked to see the consul. When the receptionist asked him to sign the tourist register, he laid his passport on the desk and said he had come to “dissolve his American citizenship.” Richard E. Snyder, the Second Secretary and senior consular official, was summoned and invited Oswald into his office, where Snyder’s assistant John A. McVickar was also present. Oswald declared his desire to renounce his citizenship, denounced the United States, and praised the Soviet Government. Snyder sought to learn more about Oswald’s motives and to forestall immediate action, and the interview ended when Snyder said Oswald could renounce his citizenship two days later on the following Monday. During the interview, Oswald handed Snyder a note suggesting he had studied and sought to comply with section 349 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Snyder testified that he believed Oswald would have formally renounced his citizenship immediately had he been permitted to do so.