[Sample B: Approval/Signature Sheet] - George Mason University

Epstein accused the Soviets of dissembling and accepted the statements of U.S.
officials without question. He noted that CIA officials testified that “Oswald was not
interviewed by any CIA officer.” Epstein found “this lapse..inexplicable.” 283 Many
conspiracy theorists would instead claim there was no lapse and of course Oswald had
been debriefed. They would argue Oswald posed as a leftist while working as a U.S.
agent. Epstein, however, argued that Oswald was a true Marxist, but may have become
disillusioned with the Soviets for not being “revolutionary enough.” 284 He then
transferred his allegiance to Cuba and sought to create a record of pro-Cuban activities in
New Orleans. Oswald’s “game” in New Orleans in support of the Fair Play for Cuba
Committee and attempts to infiltrate the anti-Castro Cuban movement “involved creating
just such a record for himself.” 285 In Mexico City, Oswald met at the Soviet embassy
with KGB agent Valery Kostikov. Epstein reported that after the assassination, Angleton
and his staff were suspicious of Oswald’s contacts with Kostikov. The author left the
door open whether the Soviets or Cubans had incited or directed Oswald to kill Kennedy.
Epstein’s book showed how researchers who believed Oswald’s leftist proclamations and
activities as genuine could raise questions about whether there was a Soviet or Cuban
conspiracy in the Kennedy assassination. Oswald the Red may have been the lone
gunman, but maybe he had help.
Many historians, however, argue that Kennedy, Khrushchev, and even Fidel
Castro sought to lessen Cold War tensions in the aftermath of the potentially catastrophic
283 Epstein, 168.
284 Epstein, 218.
285 Epstein, 218.
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