MEMO: CIA FILES ON LEE HARVEY OSWALD
Originator: CIA
From: NEWMAN, JOHN M. ODENTON, MD
To: DIRECTOR, CSI/CIA
Document date: 1993-12-03 00:00:00
Document type: PAPER - TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

# DOCID-32404366

## Page 1

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104-10331-10237

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TO

TITLE

DATE

PAGES

NOTAPP

NEWMAN, JOHN M. ODENTON, MD

DIRECTOR, CSI/CIA

MEMO: CIA FILES ON LEE HARVEY OSWALD

12/03/1993

8

SUBJECTS

: JFK ASSASSINATION

NEWMAN JOHN

DOCUMENT TYPE : PAPER

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UNCLASSIFIED

RESTRICTIONS : 1A

CURRENT STATUS : RELEASED IN PART PUBLIC - RELEASED WITH DELETIONS

DATE OF LAST REVIEW

04/29/03

COMMENTS : JFK-M-16 : F10: 2000.02.10.08:52:26:233044 : 2 COPIES

OF 4-PAGE DOCUMENT. 2-PAGE ATTACHMENTS ARE PREVIOUSLY

SANITIZED DOCUMENTS.

Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination

Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107 Note).

Caself 55990 Date: 11-01-2021

[R]

ITEM IS RESTRICTED

104-10331-10237

NW 65990 Docld:32404366 Page 1

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## Page 2

-"

December 3, 1993

Memorandum for the Director,

Center for Studies in Intelligence,

Central Intelligence Agency

Attn: Mr. John Pereira

FAX: 703-243-8343

CIA HAS NO OBJECTION TO

DECLASSIFICATION AND/OR

RELEASE OF CIA INFORMATION

IN THIS DOCUMENT

Subject: CIA Files on Lee Harvey Oswald

This is to acknowledge my telecon yesterday with Dave Gries and with John

Pereira re issue of whether Oswald was ever debriefed by the Agency, and to

respond to John's request for documents which may having bearing on this

issue.

First, a point of order. It is my belief and the belief of the Agency personnel

with whom I have discussed this matter, that your files should not contain the

infamous "debrief." It strains credibility that the Agency would purposely

persist in saying there was no debrief when in fact it had a copy of it

somewhere in its extensive - if sometimes sloppy -- records system. It

would have been found by 1993. The issue is not whether you have it now;

rather it is whether it occurred in the past and was destroyed.

We can all talk, theorize and argue over what it might mean later. For now

the task at hand is simply to take all necessary steps to find out. I urge

extreme caution in stating flatly that there was no debrief until such steps

have been thoroughly exhausted. I was surprised to find out after the

FRONTLINE documentary aired, for example, that there will be some new

pieces on this subject in the not too distant future.

I attach a copy of CIA document number 435-173A, attachment, memo

dated 25 November 1963, by a "T.B.C.", whom I believe might be one Mr.

Tom Comier, possibly a former head of SR6 Branch, Soviet Russia Division,

at the time Lee Harvey Oswald returned to the US in the Summer of 1962.

T.B.C. stated he discussed the laying on of interviews with Oswald, either

while he was en route or after his arrival. Because T.B.C. made a

typographical error when he typed "1960" instead of "1962", the LISCA

foolishly dismissed the veracity of this entire document.

NVY 65990 Docld 3240436g Page 2

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## Page 3

I attach a copy of CIA document number 287-690, memo for record, dated

3 December 1963, by Mr. Birch D. O'Neal, Chief, CI/SIG, Subject: Lee

Harvey Oswald. O'Neal's memo is about polygraphing Alvarado, but it is the

reverse handwriting in the upper right hand corner that is pertinent to the

issue at hand. That handwriting appears to be: "Andy Anderson 00 on

Oswald."

I refer you to Mr. Donald Deneselya, a CIA employee in the Contacts

Division in 1962, who told the HSCA in 1978 that he read Anderson's debriof

and described its contents to his HSCA interlocutors. He will tell you today

what he has been saying for 30 years. Don Deneselya does not have a book

and shuns any publicity - it took FRONTLINE almost a year to get him to

agree to an interview on the record. He says what he says not for any

personal gain because there is none, there is only disrepute. He says it

because he remerbers reading the debrief.

If I were you, I would first have a long talk with Don. Then I would find all

surviving members of CD/0O/Support Branch. It did not take us long to

figure out that this branch interfaced with the field offices of the Contacts

Division. While this will not turn up a piece of paper, I think you will find

some answers there.

As an aside: a Mr. Roe F. Anderson was listed in the CIRA obit this summer,

and his son Richard called me after the FRONTLINE documentary aired, and

confirmed his father, a Navy officer, had worked for the CIA. I doubt if this

is our Anderson, but you might check all the same. I would appreciate a note

stating what you find out.

Sincerely,

Dr. John M. Newman

1019 Summer Hill Drive, Odenton MD, 21113

FAX (home): 410-672-7251; (H) 301-621-0576; (W) 410-859-6131

NW 65990, Docld: 32404366, Page 3

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## Page 4

REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

25 Novembor 1963.

SUBJECT:

Mr. Lee Harvey Oswald

APPROYED FOR RELEASE 1992

CIA HISTORICAL REVIEW PROGRAM

1.

It makos littlo difference now, but

had at one time an

or interost in Osrald.

As soon as I had heard Oswald's nano, I recalled

that as Chief of the 6 Branch I had discussed -somotime in Summer. 1960 --

62

2

with the then Chiof and Deputy Chiof of 'the 6 Research Section the laydng

on of interview(s) through

or other suitable channols.

At the

mamont I don't recall if this was

"discussed while Oswald and his family

wore on routo to our country of if it was after their arrival.

I renember that Oswald's unusual behavior in the USSR had struck

no from the moment I had road the first State disparch on him, and I

told my subordinatos something amounting to "Don'e push too hard to get

cho information we need, becauso this individual looks odd.

particularly interested

In the OT Oswald mighE provide on the Minero

factory in which ho had boon employed, on certain sections of the city

Itsolf, and of course we sought the usual Bl that might holp develop

target personality dossiers.

3. I was phasing into my

assignment,

8t

tho timo.

Thus, I would have loft our country shortly aftor Oswald's

arxival.

know what action developod thercaftor.

Addendum

4, As an afterthought, I rocall also that at the timo I was becoming

Increasingly Intorosted in watching dovelop a pattern that we hadidiscovered

In the course of our bio and rosearch work in 6:

the number of Soviet

womon marrying foreignors, being permitted to leave the USSR, chen eventually

divereins cheir spouses and settling down abroad without returning "homel"

I caso was anong tho first of these, and ve oventually turned:

up somothing like two dozon similar cases.

Ho established links between

some of these women and the KGB.

hecame interosted in the developing

trond no hud come across.

It was partly out of curlosity to laam if

Oswald's wife rould actually accompany him to our country, partly out of

'Interost in Oswald's own oxperionaged in the U SSR, that we showed operational.

Intelligence intorest In the farroy story.

?

т.В. С.

NW 65996 Bocid: 32484366 Page 4

STESIZLIRE :

"ON aNOHd

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## Page 5

88S0616

3 Dacember 1963

HEMORANUUL FOR THE RECORD

SUBJECT: Lee Harvey OSHALD

"FRI Requests polygraph of ALVARADo

At 1010 bours on 3 December, Mr. Papich of the FBI advised that the

Burcau had roceived a cablo last night Ixom the Logal Attacho 10

Maxico City uho 18 11 touel vith our ropresentative thera. Ho atated

that our reprosentativa had bean informed by

Nicaraguan Intelligenco Service that ALVARADO told bin,

he recanted his original story. because of fear of paysical har; that

Alvarado was boing deported from Mexico to MIcaragua on 4 December 1963)

and would be accompanied by y

& that

anaured our repre-

sentative that Alvarado rould be available for further Interview in

¡icaragua 11 the Unitad Statoe dealrad.

Mr. Papich stated that the Bureau would 1ibe to have him subjected

to a polygraph examination by this Agency and would appreciate receiving

word an soon aa poosiblo as to whother ve vill handlo the matter slace

1I we will not handle 1t tho FBI Will have to determino what other stego

might be taken to son that thia la done. I adviaed HI, Papich thus I

would check into the mattar, that I did not buor vhothor ve bod avallablu

at this time a polygraph operator who could proporly handlo this mattor

but 10 any dvent I rould lot bin low whether tais can do done.

287-690

F10

X 11512417

1427

BoN FOLA Ranger ora tHAT 1975

747 1978

MArch D. 0 Hear

Ch1o1, CI/SIO

CAN PIECE

1109 1k.25

SEX:M

/ ce:

CULODIFIGATION REVIEW

CONDUCTED ON24 MAY 1976

_IMPDET CL BY 0/2208

RECORD COPY

PROVED FOR PELEASE 1992

CIA HISTORICAL REVIELY PROGRA

3. DEC63

201-289248

NW 6599d"06cia!32404366ª Page 5

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## Page 6

2, 1

December 3, 1993

Memorandum for the Directors,

Center for Studies in Intelligencc,

Central Intelligence Agency

Attn: Mr. John Pereira

FAX: 703-243-8343

Subject: CIA Files on Lee Harvey Oswald

This is to acknowledge my telecon yesterday with Dave Gries and with John

Pereira re issue of whether Oswald was ever debriefed by the Agency, and to

respond to John's request for documents which may having bearing on this

issue.

First, a point of order. It is my belief and the belief of the Agency personnel

with whom I have discussed this matter, that your files should not contain the

infamous "debrief." It strains credibility that the Agency would purposely

persist in saying there was no debrief when in fact it had a copy of it

somewhere in its extensive - if sometimes sloppy -- records system. It

would have been found by 1993. The issue is not whether you have it now;

rather it is whether it occurred in the past and was destroyed.

We can all talk, theorize and argue over what it might mean later. For now

the task at hand is simply to take all necessary steps to find out. I urge

extreme caution in stating flatly that there was no debrief until such steps

have been thoroughly exhausted. I was surprised to find out after the

FRONTLINE documentary aired, for example, that there will be some new

pieces on this subject in the not too distant future.

1 attach a copy of CIA document number 435-173A, attachment, memo

dated 25 November 1963, by a "T.B.C.", whom I believe might be one Mr.

Tom Comier, possibly a former head of SR6 Branch, Soviet Russia Division,

at the time Lee Harvey Oswald returned to the US in the Summer of 1962.

T.B.C. stated he discussed the laying on of interviews with Oswald, either

while he was en route or after his arrival. Because T.B.C. made a

typographical error when he typed "1960" instead of "1962", the lISCA

foolishly dismissed the veracity of this entire document.

:10.1.3

NW65990 Dold:52404306 Page 6

---

## Page 7

T attach a copy of CIA document number 287-690, memo for record, dated

3 December 1963, by Mr. Birch D. O'Neal, Chief, CI/SIG, Subject: Lee

Harvey Oswald. O'Neal's memo is about polygraphing Alvarado, but it is the

reverse handwriting in the upper right hand corner that is pertinent to the

issue at hand. That handwriting appears to be: "Andy Anderson 00 on

Oswald."

I refer you to Mr. Donald Deneselya, a CIA employee in the Contacts

Division in 1962, who told the HSCA in 1978 that he read Anderson's debriof

and descrihed its contents to his HISCA interlocutors. He will tell you today

what he has been saying for 30 years. Don Deneselya does not have a book

and shuns any publicity - it took FRONTLINE almost a year to get him to

agree to an interview on the record. He says what he says not for any

personal gain because there is none, there is only disrepute. He says it

because he remembers reading the debrief.

If I were you, I would first have a long talk with Don. Then I would find all

surviving members of CD/O0/Support Branch. It did not take us long to

figure out that this branch interfaced with the field offices of the Contacts

Division. While this will not turn up a piece of paper, I think you will find

some answers there.

As an aside: a Mr. Roe F. Anderson was listed in the CIRA obit this summer,

and his son Richard called me after the FRONTLINE documentary aired, and

confirmed his father, a Navy officer, had worked for the CIA. I doubt if this

is our Anderson, but you might check all the same. I would appreciate a note

stating what you find out.

Sincerely,

Dr. John M. Newman

1019 Summer Hill Drive, Odenton MD, 21113

FAX (home): 410-672-7251; (H) 301-621-0576; (W) 410-859-6131

NVY 65990-Rocld: 32404366, Page 7

---

## Page 8

REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

25 Novombor 1963

SUBJECT: Mr. Lee Harvoy Oswald

APPROVED FOR RELEASE 1992

CIA HISTORICAL REVIEW PROGRAM

lo It makos littlo difference now, but

wu had at one time an

Of Intoroso in Oswald.

As soon as l had heard Oswald's nano, I recalled

that as Chief of che 6 Branch I had discussed «somotine in Summer. 1960

7

2

62

with the then Chlof and Doputy Chiof of the 6 Research Section the laydng

on of interview(s) through

or other suitable channols.

At the

moment I don'e rocall if this was discussed while Oswald and

his family

wore en routo to our country of if it was after their arrival.

2.

I renember that Oswald's unusual bohavior in the USSR had struck

me from the moment I had read the first State dispatch on him, and I

told my subordinatos something anounting to "Don't push too hard to get

cho information no nood, beçause this individual looks odd,"| Ne were

particularly interested

in the Ol Oswalt mighe provida on the Minsk

factory in which ho had boon employed, on certain sections of the city

Itsolf, and of courso we sought the usual Bl that might help develop

target

personality dossiers.

3. I was phasing into my l

assignment,

at

cho timo.

Thus, I would have loft our country shortly aftor Oswald's ariival.

I do not know what action developod theroaftor.

Addendum

4, As an afterthought, I rocall also that at the timo I was becoming

Incroasingly Intorosted in watching dovelop a pattern ghat we hadidiscovered

In tho courso of our bio and rosearch work in 6: the number of Sovlet

womon marrying foreigners, being pernicted to leave cho USSR, chen eventually

Thorains cheir spousas and goetling down abroad without returning "home"

caso was among the first of

up sonoching liko to dozen sinilar cases these, and we eventually turner.

Ho established links between

somo of those women and the KGB.

hecane interosted in the developing

trond no hud come across.

It was partly out of curlosity to learn if

Oswald's wife rould actually accompany him to our country, partly out of

intergen meet in earland dato USSR, chat wo shoad operat longs,

?

т.В.С.

NW 65990*00c10:324049662page 8

SHESIELIDE: "ON SNOHA

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## Page 9

METROVUGLO AL LUE MALLUNAL ANUALYES

3 December 1963

ident!

BEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD

At 1010 hours on 3 December, Mr. Papich of the FBI advised that toe

Burdau had roceived a cable last night Irom the Logal Attacha 1a

Moxico City who 18 in touch vith our ropresentative there. Ho stated

that our representativo had been infarmad by

Nicaraguan Intelligenco servico that ALVARADO told him,

of the

he recanted his orignal story because of lear of physical harm; that

and would be accompanied byl

sentative that Alvarado vould be available for further interviow in

¡icaragua 1f the Unitad Statos dontred.

Mr. Papich stated that the Bureau would 11ke to have him subjected

to a polygrapa arantration by this Agency and would appreclato receiving

word an soon sa possiblo as to unother ve vill handlo the matter since

1I we will not handle 1t the fBI vlil have to determino vhat other stepo

might be taken to san that this 13 done. I advised MI. FADICh CluE I

would check into the matter, that I did not nor vothor to bad avallablu

at this tima a polygraph operator who could proporly handlo talo mattor

but to any event I vould lot hiu bow whether tale cre do done.

287-690

BeFOLA Renter on far 7975

BÃ7 1976

-S..-

19,91

Birch D. @'Heal

Chlot, CI/910

Paris la mant

ATPATTENT

050(001,

15c114.35

SEX: M

CLASSIFICATION REVIEW

CONDUCTIO ON.

24 MAY 1976

_IMPDET OL BY 0/3208

RECORD COPY

EPPROVED FOR RELEASE 1992

CIA HISTCRICAL RETELY PROGRA

3. DEC63

201-289248

NW 659901-Docla:32404366a Rage 9

SEASILICE: ON SNOHA

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