1. Declassifying the Foreign Relations Series Bringing the Official Record to light

2. Levels of Classification Top Secret: exceptionally grave damage Secret:serious damage Confidential: damage Classified Information Information that must be protected to prevent damage to National Security

3. “Declassification Review” Inter-agency process for the responsible release of sensitive information.

4. Scope of Program More than 160 volumes declassified since 1996 More than 60,000 documents; 200,000 pages of historical material 21 volumes currently in various stages of the declassification review process

5. Executive Order 13526 Classified National Security Information § 2001.37 Assistance to the Department of State. “Heads of agencies shall assist the Department of State in its preparation of the Foreign Relations of the United States (FRUS) series by facilitating access to appropriate classified materials in their custody and by expediting declassification review of documents proposed for inclusion in the FRUS.”

6. E.O. 13526: Sec. 1.4. Classification Categories (a) military plans, weapons systems, or operations; (b) foreign government information; (c) intelligence activities (including covert action), intelligence sources or methods, or cryptology; (d) foreign relations or foreign activities of the United States, including confidential sources; (e) scientific, technological, or economic matters relating to the national security; (f) United States Government programs for safeguarding nuclear materials or facilities; (g) vulnerabilities or capabilities of systems, installations, infrastructures, projects, plans, or protection services relating to the national security; or (h) the development, production, or use of weapons of mass destruction.

7. The “FRUS Law” Public Law 102-138 102d Congress SEC. 198. THE FOREIGN RELATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES HISTORICAL SERIES. (a) AMENDMENT.—The State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new title: “TITLE IV—FOREIGN RELATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES HISTORICAL SERIES” “(a) CHARTER OF THE PUBLICATION.—The Department of State shall continue to publish the ‘Foreign Relations of the United States historical series’ (hereafter in this title referred to as the ‘FRUS series’), which shall be a thorough, accurate, and reliable documentary record of major United States foreign policy decisions and significant United States diplomatic activity. “

8. Possible Declassification Decisions RIF:Release in Full DIF:Deny in Full RIP:Release in Part, “Excised”

9. Congo, Document COCO 130