DESIGNATION OF OFFICIALS WITH CLASSIFYING AUTHORITY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP77-00389R000100080018-9
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 25, 2002
• Sequence Number: 18
• Content Type: REGULATION

Approved For Release 2002/03/28 CIA-RDP77-00389R000100080018-9
Designation of Officials
With Classifying Authority
--26 additional officials designated by the
President with classification authority.
A narrowly defined group of senior officials in 12 departments
or agencies of the Federal Government and such offices in the
Executive Office of the President as the President may designate
i.n writing are authorized to exercise Top Secret classifying authority
and exemption authority for any level of classified information.
Officials in 13 other departments or agencies can exercise Secret
classifying authority. In addition, Section 2(A) of Executive Order 11652
authorizes Government officials designated in writing by the President
to classify information Top Secret.
On the basis of specific requests, and on the recommendation of
the ICRC, 26 officials were individually designated by President
Nixon with specified classification authority. These officials are
from departments not previously having such authority under Executive
Order 11652. The President's order is attached at Appendix B,
The authority granted by the President cannot be delegated by
these officials. Moreover, the authority to exempt from the General
Declassification Schedule was withheld from the four designated
Labor Department officials. In the case of the 12 officials from the
United States Information Agency granted exemption authority, no
authority was given to classify above the Secret level.
-7-
Approved For Release 2002/03/28 : CIA-RDP77-00389R000100080018-9
 Approved For RJase 2002/03/28 : CIA-RDP77-00389RQ 0100080018-9
Establishment of Management Reporting
System
---A series of Quarterly Reports prepared
to assist the ICRC in monitoring the
classification program.
In September, Ambassador Eisenhower requested the assistance
of the Natio.nal Archives and Records Service in preparing a series of
management reports to evaluate implementation of the security classi-
fication program. Quarterly Reports in five areas have been promul-
gated as a result of this undertaki.ng. The reports are intended to
furnish the Committee with a measure of departmental progress in
achieving the goals of Executive Order 11652 and to ensure the
establishment of effective inspection, education and other programs
within the departments. The reports include
1. Report of Authorized Classifiers. A list of authorized
classifiers by name and title and totals for each classification
category.
2. Report of Classification Abuses. A report of instances of
under or overclassification, unnecessary classification, im-
proper marking or improper exemption from the General
Declassification Schedule or other occasions of classification
abuse discovered as a result of departmental inspection
programs.
3. Report of Unauthorized Disclosures. A report of instances
of communication or physical transfer of classified information
to unauthorized persons discovered by appropriate departmental
officials.
4. Report of Mandatory Declassification Review Requests.
A log-type report of declassification requests made pursuant
to Section 5 of the Order reflecting the requester, date of
request, subject matter, date and nature of departmental
action, costs and other information associated with these
requests. The purpose of this report is to ensure expeditious
and fair processing of all requests and to measure the success
of this provision of the Executive Order.
Approved For Release 2002/03/28 : Ct1 -RDP77-00389R000100080018-9
 Approved For Remise 2002/03/28: CIA-RDP77-00389 R0OM 00080018-9
5. Quarterly Summary Report. This is a statistical summary
of documents classified by a department during a quarterly re-
porting period. Departments. are also given an opportunity
to elaborate on ac compli slime nts in achieving the objectives of
Executive Order 1165Z. This report will be submitted
beginning with the April 1 to June 30 quarter.
Approved For Release 2002/03/28 : CIA-RDP77-00389R000100080018-9
 Approved For Ref se 2002/03/28 : CIA-RDP77-00389ROW 00080018-9
Education on New Classification System
--Extensive educational efforts have
been devoted to explaining the new
classification system.
--Most classified documents now reflect
the required markings - classification
category, name of classifier, declassifi-
cation schedule and declassification date.
Executive Order 11652 represents a marked departure-from the
previous Order. Extensive educational programs have bee.n carried
out in all departments and agencies to ensure that employees are
acquainted with the provisions of the Order. Emphasis is on
classifying less, assig.ning lower classification categories, indicating
the earliest possible date for declassification, and applying proper
security markings.
Departments have used seminars, lectures, briefings, movies
and TV programs. Pamphlets and posters have been distributed.
Many experts have made themselves available to industry and other
interested groups as participants in seminars, panel discussions and
lecture series. Particular emphasis has been placed upon reaching
records managers who play a key role in the handling of all documents.
Spot checks of .numerous departments indicate that most
classified documents now carry the required markings. Some excep-
tional attention has been required in a few cases. Although accurate
figures are still unavailable, it appears there has been a slowdown in
the level and volume of classified information produced by the Federal
Government. The Committee is encouraged by this picture and looks
forward to confirmation in statistics which will be reported in its
Quarterly Summary Report in June.
One disturbing trend appearing in initial surveys of classifie
documents is an overuse of exemption authority by some agencies.
When more accurate figures are available through the Quarterly
Summary Report and the data index, the Committee anticipates taking
appropriate action to ensure that exemption authority. is not applied
indiscriminately.
Approved For Release 2002/03/28 : CIA-RDP77-00389R000100080018-9
-10-
 Approved For ReJ se 2002/03/28: CIA-RDP77-00389RO4000080018-9
Implementation of Data Index
Requirement
--Detailed instructions have been issued to
guide departments in implementing the data
index requirements.
--All departments will begin implementation
of the data index for selected categories of
documents originated after December 31, 1972.
The data index is a series of manual or automated indices
maintained by all departments authorized to originate classified infor-
mation and covering selected categories of classified documents having
historical. or other permanent retention value. Each classified docu-
ment entered into the index is uniquely identified to permit retrieval
within a short period of time. Classified documents are maintained
in the index until they become declassified. In departments where
the volume of classified documents is high, the data index may
involve use of sophisticated computer equipment.
The underlying purpose of the data index is to pursue the objec-
tive of Executive Order 11652 to establish a credible and sound
security classification system, It will assist the departments in
managing their classified documents and monitoring implementation
of the Order. It will facilitate inspection as to proper marking, as-
sist in conducting periodic declassification reviews, aid in evaluating
the need for classification authority, insure better protection for
material that is classified, and facilitate public access to classified
records as they become declassified.
As classified documents are originated certain information re- .
garding the classification and contents of the document will be entered
into the data index. The following data elements will be included:
(1) classifier; (2) title or description of the document; (3) subject
matter index terms; (4) geographical area reference code; (5) date of
document; (6) classification category; (7) declassification schedule;
(8) exemption category, if any; (9) declassification date or event; and
(10) number of addressees. Certain periodic and on-call reports will
be used by the Interagency Classification Review Committee to ensure
that the purposes set forth above are achieved.
Approved For Release 2002/03/28 : CIA-RDP77-00389R000100080018-9
_11-
 Approved For Rise 2002/03/28: CIA-RDP77-00389RO i 00080018-9
The Committee is very pleased with progress in implementing
the data index requirement. It is anticipated that most departments
will proceed on schedule in successfully establishing procedures for
achieving this requirement. Within the major departments, it is
anticipated that the indices will, in phases starting on July 31, begin
coverage as follows:
State All documents received or transmitted in Washington
and entered into its Central Files.
CIA - All finished intelligence documents originated by CIA
each year.
Justice - All classified documents originated by Justice.
Defense - Specific coverage is not yet determined, "but Defense.
will build on existing systems, resulting in a number of
decentralized indices.
AEC - All Top Secret documents originated by AEC and Secret
and Confidential documents having permanent rete.ntion value.
NSC - All classified documents originated and received by
the NSC.
Approved For Release 2002/03/28 : C1A-?RbP77-00389R000100080018-9
 Approved For jRR (ease 2002/03/28 : CIA-RDP77-00389 00100080018-9
IX.
Declassification Projects
--Declassification of 28, 000, 000 pages
of documents related to World War II.
--Eleven volumes of Foreign Relations
Series published in 1972 - final volumes
of 1946, all but one for 1947.
--Declassification of 83 out of 177 requests
from June 1 to October 1, 1972 (38 pending).
Government declassification projects must be divided into
several different categories. First, Executive Order 11652
accelerated automatic declassification of classified documents carry-
ing the old Group 4 markings. Second, funds were appropriated to
the National Archives and Records Service to speed declassification
of documents from World War 11, Third, procedures were estab-
lished whereby any member of the public could initiate a request
for declassification of a classified document over 10 years old, pro-
vided the request identified the document with sufficient particularity
and was not unduly burdensome. Finally, in the Executive Order
President Nixon directed that all classified documents thirty or more
years old should be declassified unless the head of the originating
department personally determined in writing that continued protection
is required at that time and further specified the period of continued
classification. The Archivist is required to systematically review
classified documents prior to the end of the thirtieth year to ensure
compliance with this thirty year rule.
World War II Declassification. The National Archives has thus
far succeeded in declassifying just under 30 million pages of classified
material from the World War II period. (Just under 2 million of those
pages were declassified prior to implementation of Executive
Order 11652.) Attached at Appendix C is a breakdown by department.
The current National Archives declassification staff consists
of 56 people. 46 staff members are assigned to the National Archives
building and the Suitland Federal Records Center. Five positions
have been allocated to the Office of Records Management to provide
technical assistance to this Committee. Five positions are allocated
to Presidential libraries.
-13-
Approved For Release 2002/03/28 : CIA-RDP77-00389R000100080018-9
 Approved For Reliiiae 2002/03/28 : CIA-RDP77-00389R0G 00080018-9
In addition to work being done by the National Archives staff,
the following agencies have established programs to assist the
Archivist in the declassification effort.
The Army has conducted three concurrent programs: (1) Page-
by-page review of Army intelligence records by over 200 intelligence
reserve officers on two week training assignments - 110 since July 1;
(2) Survey for bulk declassification by three consultants and (3) Page-
by-page review of sensitive files identified by the consultants. The
review was carried out by 35 Adjutant General Corps reserve officers
on two week assignments. In addition, the Army assigned four
civilian employees and a clerk to coordinate the programs and to
conduct final review for the Department.
Three specialists are conducting declassification review of
Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), Combined Chiefs of Staff (GCS), and
Combined Operational records on a full time basis. One specialist
is reviewing records of Allied Force Headquarters in the Mediterra-
nean and assisting other reviewers with JCS and CCS items encountered
in other National Archives record groups, The other two staff mem-
bers are re-reviewing JCS and CCS records of the World War II
period and are reviewing some records in the 1946 - 1950 period.
Since mid-August, two civilians employed by the Air Force have
been assigned to review Air Force records pre-dating 1945. They
have reviewed records of the Office of the Air Corps and various
Army Air Corps headquarters divisions including the Plans Division
and Air Force Combat Command. They are currently reviewing the
classified correspondence files of General "Hap" Arnold.
The Navy has four officers and three clerks permanently
assigned to World War II declassification. They have supervised the
work of 91 reserve officers and enlisted men on two week active duty
assignments and a unit of eight reserve officers working one
Saturday each month since October. They have reviewed older .Chief
of Naval Operations records (containing early Office of Naval Intelli-
gence records) and some Bureau of Aeronautics records,
The Central Intelligence Agency recently assigned three former
employees of the Office of Strategic Services to begin reviewing the
records of the OSS Research and Analysis Branch.
Slightly over half of the 100 positions authorized for World
-14-
Approved For Release 2002/03/28 : CIA-RDP77-00389R000100080018-9
 Approved For R 9ase 2002/03/28 : CIA-RDP77-00389FN0100080018-9
War II declassification have been filled. Delays are experienced
because of clearances required. The hiring freeze has brought fur-
ther staff increases to a halt.
Guidelines are required to open classified documents originated
by foreign governments. This may require international initiatives
to obtain the cooperation and assistance of Archival experts from the
countries concerned.
Various agencies have proposed to declassify certain documents
but plan to replace the security markings with administrative restric-
tions. This would force the National Archives to indefinitely close
the documents to the public. This question must be explored to en-
sure that the clear intention of Executive Order 11652 is not
circumvented.
Foreign Relations Series. Since 1861 the Department of State
has published an official documentary series on the "Foreign Relations
of the United States. " In recent years this series developed a 26 year
lag between the year documents originated and their publication. In
March 1972 President Nixon directed the Secretary of State to reduce
this time lag to 20 years by 1975. In the past eight months significant
progress has been achieved toward that end.
In 1972 eleven volumes of the Series were published, including
the final volumes for the year 1946 and all but one for the year 1947.
This represents an all time record for annual output. For the first
time, a net chronological advance has been made toward the goal
of bringing the series to a twenty-year line within the next several
years.
The general volume for 1947 and two volumes for 1948 concerning
relations with Germany and Austria and those with China will be
published in the next several months. In addition papers have been
complied for six volumes for the year 1949.
Declassification Requests. 177 declassification requests were
received from June 1 to October 1, 1972. 83 were granted in full;
4 in part. 52 were denied in full and 38 were pending at the time of
the report. (Of the 52 denied, 27 were from one requester and were
not sufficiently particular to permit review.) Attached at Appendix D
is a schedule of the requests broken down by Department.
Among the requests granted were those for the release of
papers relating to the Abel-Powers exchange, the Adenauer visit to
Approved For Release 2002/03/28 :-d1A=-RDP77-00389R000100080018-9
 Approved For Rei 6e 2002/03/28 : CIA-RDP77-00389ROOW0080018-9
Moscow in 1947 and the release of the RB 47 fliers by the Soviet
Union in 1967.
Three appeals were received by the Committee at the time
this report was completed. A request for declassification of the
Gaither Report of 1957 was granted. (See attached news article at
Appendix E. ) In addition, the Committee is considering appeals for
declassification of CIA documents releted to the overthrow of
Guatemalan President Arbenz in June, 1954 and certain NSC papers
on Korea and Formosa covering the years 1949 and 1950.
The Committee recognizes that the provision of the Executive
Order dealing with specific declassification requests will not solve
the problem of large volume declassification. Nevertheless it should
be a useful tool in the hands of scholars, historians, journalists and
other students of gover.nme.nt who can focus on identifiable documents
classified ten years ago.
In order to make it effective, the Committee is particularly
concerned that all requests be handled expeditiously and at a fair
cost. Accordingly, one of the quarterly reports will furnish infor-
mation on these questions.
Approved For Release 2002/03/28 : Cj RDP77-00389R000100080018-9
 Approved For ReA&-ise 2002/03/28 : CIA-RDP77-00389R0 00080018-9
The Committee feels it can be justifiably proud of its accom-
plishments to-date.
A solid foundation is being constructed to ensure that the volume
of classified information is reduced and that automatic declassification
schedules are utilized.
Significant steps are being taken to declassify those documents
classified prior to the effective date of Executive Order 11652 on
June 1, 1972.
New procedures are being established to monitor the classifica-
tion program.
New channels are being adopted to open public access to previously
classified documents.
In short, the Committee believes President Nixon's new
Executive Order on classification is working.
Approved For Release 2002/03/28 :CIA-RDP77-00389R000100080018-9