[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 31, Number 16 (Monday, April 24, 1995)]
[Pages 634-651]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Executive Order 12958--Classified National Security Information

April 17, 1995

    This order prescribes a uniform system for classifying, 
safeguarding, and declassifying national security information. Our 
democratic principles require that the American people be informed of 
the activities of their Government. Also, our Nation's progress depends 
on the free flow of information. Nevertheless, throughout our history, 
the national interest has required that certain information be 
maintained in confidence in order to protect our citizens, our 
democratic institutions, and our participation within the community of 
nations. Protecting information critical to our Nation's security 
remains a priority. In recent years, however, dramatic changes have 
altered, although not eliminated, the

[[Page 635]]

national security threats that we confront. These changes provide a 
greater opportunity to emphasize our commitment to open Government.
    Now, Therefore, by the authority vested in me as President by the 
Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby 
ordered as follows:

Part 1  Original Classification

    Section 1.1. Definitions. For purposes of this order:
    (a) ``National security'' means the national defense or foreign 
relations of the United States.
    (b) ``Information'' means any knowledge that can be communicated or 
documentary material, regardless of its physical form or 
characteristics, that is owned by, produced by or for, or is under the 
control of the United States Government. ``Control'' means the authority 
of the agency that originates information, or its successor in function, 
to regulate access to the information.
    (c) ``Classified national security information'' (hereafter 
``classified information'') means information that has been determined 
pursuant to this order or any predecessor order to require protection 
against unauthorized disclosure and is marked to indicate its classified 
status when in documentary form.
    (d) ``Foreign Government Information'' means:
      (1) information provided to the United States Government by a 
      foreign government or governments, an international organization 
      of governments, or any element thereof, with the expectation that 
      the information, the source of the information, or both, are to be 
      held in confidence;
      (2) information produced by the United States pursuant to or as a 
      result of a joint arrangement with a foreign government or 
      governments, or an international organization of governments, or 
      any element thereof, requiring that the information, the 
      arrangement, or both, are to be held in confidence; or
      (3) information received and treated as ``Foreign Government 
      Information'' under the terms of a predecessor order.
    (e) ``Classification'' means the act or process by which information 
is determined to be classified information.
    (f) ``Original classification'' means an initial determination that 
information requires, in the interest of national security, protection 
against unauthorized disclosure.
    (g) ``Original classification authority'' means an individual 
authorized in writing, either by the President, or by agency heads or 
other officials designated by the President, to classify information in 
the first instance.
    (h) ``Unauthorized disclosure'' means a communication or physical 
transfer of classified information to an unauthorized recipient.
    (i) ``Agency'' means any ``Executive agency,'' as defined in 5 
U.S.C. 105, and any other entity within the executive branch that comes 
into the possession of classified information.
    (j) ``Senior agency official'' means the official designated by the 
agency head under section 5.6(c) of this order to direct and administer 
the agency's program under which information is classified, safeguarded, 
and declassified.
    (k) ``Confidential source'' means any individual or organization 
that has provided, or that may reasonably be expected to provide, 
information to the United States on matters pertaining to the national 
security with the expectation that the information or relationship, or 
both, are to be held in confidence.
    (l) ``Damage to the national security'' means harm to the national 
defense or foreign relations of the United States from the unauthorized 
disclosure of information, to include the sensitivity, value, and 
utility of that information.
    Sec. 1.2. Classification Standards. (a) Information may be 
originally classified under the terms of this order only if all of the 
following conditions are met:
      (1) an original classification authority is classifying the 
      information;
      (2) the information is owned by, produced by or for, or is under 
      the control of the United States Government;
      (3) the information falls within one or more of the categories of 
      information listed in section 1.5 of this order; and
      (4) the original classification authority determines that the 
      unauthorized dis- 

[[Page 636]]

    closure of the information reasonably could be expected to result in 
damage to the national security and the original classification 
authority is able to identify or describe the damage.
    (b) If there is significant doubt about the need to classify 
information, it shall not be classified. This provision does not:
      (1) amplify or modify the substantive criteria or procedures for 
      classification; or
      (2) create any substantive or procedural rights subject to 
      judicial review.
    (c) Classified information shall not be declassified automatically 
as a result of any unauthorized disclosure of identical or similar 
information.
    Sec. 1.3. Classification Levels. (a) Information may be classified 
at one of the following three levels:
      (1) ``Top Secret'' shall be applied to information, the 
      unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to 
      cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security that the 
      original classification authority is able to identify or describe.
      (2) ``Secret'' shall be applied to information, the unauthorized 
      disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause serious 
      damage to the national security that the original classification 
      authority is able to identify or describe.
      (3) ``Confidential'' shall be applied to information, the 
      unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to 
      cause damage to the national security that the original 
      classification authority is able to identify or describe.
    (b) Except as otherwise provided by statute, no other terms shall be 
used to identify United States classified information.
    (c) If there is significant doubt about the appropriate level of 
classification, it shall be classified at the lower level.
    Sec. 1.4. Classification Authority. (a) The authority to classify 
information originally may be exercised only by:
      (1) the President;
      (2) agency heads and officials designated by the President in the 
      Federal Register; or
      (3) United States Government officials delegated this authority 
      pursuant to paragraph (c), below.
    (b) Officials authorized to classify information at a specified 
level are also authorized to classify information at a lower level.
    (c) Delegation of original classification authority.
      (1) Delegations of original classification authority shall be 
      limited to the minimum required to administer this order. Agency 
      heads are responsible for ensuring that designated subordinate 
      officials have a demonstrable and continuing need to exercise this 
      authority.
      (2) ``Top Secret'' original classification authority may be 
      delegated only by the President or by an agency head or official 
      designated pursuant to paragraph (a)(2), above.
      (3) ``Secret'' or ``Confidential'' original classification 
      authority may be delegated only by the President; an agency head 
      or official designated pursuant to paragraph (a)(2), above; or the 
      senior agency official, provided that official has been delegated 
      ``Top Secret'' original classification authority by the agency 
      head.
      (4) Each delegation of original classification authority shall be 
      in writing and the authority shall not be redelegated except as 
      provided in this order. Each delegation shall identify the 
      official by name or position title.
    (d) Original classification authorities must receive training in 
original classification as provided in this order and its implementing 
directives.
    (e) Exceptional cases. When an employee, contractor, licensee, 
certificate holder, or grantee of an agency that does not have original 
classification authority originates information believed by that person 
to require classification, the information shall be protected in a 
manner consistent with this order and its implementing directives. The 
information shall be transmitted promptly as provided under this order 
or its implementing directives to the agency that has appropriate 
subject matter interest and classification authority with respect to 
this information. That agency shall decide within 30 days whether to 
classify this information. If it is not clear

[[Page 637]]

which agency has classification responsibility for this information, it 
shall be sent to the Director of the Information Security Oversight 
Office. The Director shall determine the agency having primary subject 
matter interest and forward the information, with appropriate 
recommendations, to that agency for a classification determination.
    Sec. 1.5. Classification Categories.
    Information may not be considered for classification unless it 
concerns:
    (a) military plans, weapons systems, or operations;
    (b) foreign government information;
    (c) intelligence activities (including special activities), 
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; or
    (g) vulnerabilities or capabilities of systems, installations, 
projects or plans relating to the national security.
    Sec. 1.6. Duration of Classification. (a) At the time of original 
classification, the original classification authority shall attempt to 
establish a specific date or event for declassification based upon the 
duration of the national security sensitivity of the information. The 
date or event shall not exceed the time frame in paragraph (b), below.
    (b) If the original classification authority cannot determine an 
earlier specific date or event for declassification, information shall 
be marked for declassification 10 years from the date of the original 
decision, except as provided in paragraph (d), below.
    (c) An original classification authority may extend the duration of 
classification or reclassify specific information for successive periods 
not to exceed 10 years at a time if such action is consistent with the 
standards and procedures established under this order. This provision 
does not apply to information contained in records that are more than 25 
years old and have been determined to have permanent historical value 
under title 44, United States Code.
    (d) At the time of original classification, the original 
classification authority may exempt from declassification within 10 
years specific information, the unauthorized disclosure of which could 
reasonably be expected to cause damage to the national security for a 
period greater than that provided in paragraph (b), above, and the 
release of which could reasonably be expected to:
      (1) reveal an intelligence source, method, or activity, or a 
      cryptologic system or activity;
      (2) reveal information that would assist in the development or use 
      of weapons of mass destruction;
      (3) reveal information that would impair the development or use of 
      technology within a United States weapons system;
      (4) reveal United States military plans, or national security 
      emergency preparedness plans;
      (5) reveal foreign government information;
      (6) damage relations between the United States and a foreign 
      government, reveal a confidential source, or seriously undermine 
      diplomatic activities that are reasonably expected to be ongoing 
      for a period greater than that provided in paragraph (b), above;
      (7) impair the ability of responsible United States Government 
      officials to protect the President, the Vice President, and other 
      individuals for whom protection services, in the interest of 
      national security, are authorized; or
      (8) violate a statute, treaty, or international agreement.
    (e) Information marked for an indefinite duration of classification 
under predecessor orders, for example, ``Originating Agency's 
Determination Required,'' or information classified under predecessor 
orders that contains no declassification instructions shall be 
declassified in accordance with part 3 of this order.
    Sec. 1.7. Identification and Markings. (a) At the time of original 
classification, the following shall appear on the face of each 
classified document, or shall be applied to other classified media in an 
appropriate manner:
      (1) one of the three classification levels defined in section 1.3 
      of this order;

[[Page 638]]

      (2) the identity, by name or personal identifier and position, of 
      the original classification authority;
      (3) the agency and office of origin, if not otherwise evident;
      (4) declassification instructions, which shall indicate one of the 
      following:
        (A) the date or event for declassification, as prescribed in 
            section 1.6(a) or section 1.6(c); or
        (B) the date that is 10 years from the date of original 
            classification, as prescribed in section 1.6(b); or
        (C) the exemption category from declassification, as prescribed 
            in section 1.6(d); and
      (5) a concise reason for classification which, at a minimum, cites 
      the applicable classification categories in section 1.5 of this 
      order.
    (b) Specific information contained in paragraph (a), above, may be 
excluded if it would reveal additional classified information.
    (c) Each classified document shall, by marking or other means, 
indicate which portions are classified, with the applicable 
classification level, which portions are exempt from declassification 
under section 1.6(d) of this order, and which portions are unclassified. 
In accordance with standards prescribed in directives issued under this 
order, the Director of the Information Security Oversight Office may 
grant waivers of this requirement for specified classes of documents or 
information. The Director shall revoke any waiver upon a finding of 
abuse.
    (d) Markings implementing the provisions of this order, including 
abbreviations and requirements to safeguard classified working papers, 
shall conform to the standards prescribed in implementing directives 
issued pursuant to this order.
    (e) Foreign government information shall retain its original 
classification markings or shall be assigned a U.S. classification that 
provides a degree of protection at least equivalent to that required by 
the entity that furnished the information.
    (f) Information assigned a level of classification under this or 
predecessor orders shall be considered as classified at that level of 
classification despite the omission of other required markings. Whenever 
such information is used in the derivative classification process or is 
reviewed for possible declassification, holders of such information 
shall coordinate with an appropriate classification authority for the 
application of omitted markings.
    (g) The classification authority shall, whenever practicable, use a 
classified addendum whenever classified information constitutes a small 
portion of an otherwise unclassified document.
    Sec. 1.8. Classification Prohibitions and Limitations. (a) In no 
case shall information be classified in order to:
      (1) conceal violations of law, inefficiency, or administrative 
      error;
      (2) prevent embarrassment to a person, organization, or agency;
      (3) restrain competition; or
      (4) prevent or delay the release of information that does not 
      require protection in the interest of national security.
    (b) Basic scientific research information not clearly related to the 
national security may not be classified.
    (c) Information may not be reclassified after it has been 
declassified and released to the public under proper authority.
    (d) Information that has not previously been disclosed to the public 
under proper authority may be classified or reclassified after an agency 
has received a request for it under the Freedom of Information Act (5 
U.S.C. 552) or the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), or the mandatory 
review provisions of section 3.6 of this order only if such 
classification meets the requirements of this order and is accomplished 
on a document-by-document basis with the personal participation or under 
the direction of the agency head, the deputy agency head, or the senior 
agency official designated under section 5.6 of this order. This 
provision does not apply to classified information contained in records 
that are more than 25 years old and have been determined to have 
permanent historical value under title 44, United States Code.
    (e) Compilations of items of information which are individually 
unclassified may be classified if the compiled information reveals an 
additional association or relationship that:
      (1) meets the standards for classification under this order; and

[[Page 639]]

      (2) is not otherwise revealed in the individual items of 
      information.
As used in this order, ``compilation'' means an aggregation of pre-
existing unclassified items of information.
    Sec. 1.9. Classification Challenges. (a) Authorized holders of 
information who, in good faith, believe that its classification status 
is improper are encouraged and expected to challenge the classification 
status of the information in accordance with agency procedures 
established under paragraph (b), below.
    (b) In accordance with implementing directives issued pursuant to 
this order, an agency head or senior agency official shall establish 
procedures under which authorized holders of information are encouraged 
and expected to challenge the classification of information that they 
believe is improperly classified or unclassified. These procedures shall 
assure that:
      (1) individuals are not subject to retribution for bringing such 
      actions;
      (2) an opportunity is provided for review by an impartial official 
      or panel; and
      (3) individuals are advised of their right to appeal agency 
      decisions to the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel 
      established by section 5.4 of this order.

Part 2  Derivative Classification

    Sec. 2.1. Definitions. For purposes of this order: (a) ``Derivative 
classification'' means the incorporating, paraphrasing, restating or 
generating in new form information that is already classified, and 
marking the newly developed material consistent with the classification 
markings that apply to the source information. Derivative classification 
includes the classification of information based on classification 
guidance. The duplication or reproduction of existing classified 
information is not derivative classification.
    (b) ``Classification guidance'' means any instruction or source that 
prescribes the classification of specific information.
    (c) ``Classification guide'' means a documentary form of 
classification guidance issued by an original classification authority 
that identifies the elements of information regarding a specific subject 
that must be classified and establishes the level and duration of 
classification for each such element.
    (d) ``Source document'' means an existing document that contains 
classified information that is incorporated, paraphrased, restated, or 
generated in new form into a new document.
    (e) ``Multiple sources'' means two or more source documents, 
classification guides, or a combination of both.
    Sec. 2.2. Use of Derivative Classification. (a) Persons who only 
reproduce, extract, or summarize classified information, or who only 
apply classification markings derived from source material or as 
directed by a classification guide, need not possess original 
classification authority.
    (b) Persons who apply derivative classification markings shall:
      (1) observe and respect original classification decisions; and
      (2) carry forward to any newly created documents the pertinent 
      classification markings. For information derivatively classified 
      based on multiple sources, the derivative classifier shall carry 
      forward:
        (A) the date or event for declassification that corresponds to 
            the longest period of classification among the sources; and
        (B) a listing of these sources on or attached to the official 
            file or record copy.
    Sec. 2.3. Classification Guides. (a) Agencies with original 
classification authority shall prepare classification guides to 
facilitate the proper and uniform derivative classification of 
information. These guides shall conform to standards contained in 
directives issued under this order.
    (b) Each guide shall be approved personally and in writing by an 
official who:
      (1) has program or supervisory responsibility over the information 
      or is the senior agency official; and
      (2) is authorized to classify information originally at the 
      highest level of classification prescribed in the guide.
    (c) Agencies shall establish procedures to assure that 
classification guides are reviewed and updated as provided in directives 
issued under this order.

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Part 3  Declassification and Downgrading

    Sec. 3.1. Definitions. For purposes of this order: (a) 
``Declassification'' means the authorized change in the status of 
information from classified information to unclassified information.
    (b) ``Automatic declassification'' means the declassification of 
information based solely upon:
      (1) the occurrence of a specific date or event as determined by 
      the original classification authority; or
      (2) the expiration of a maximum time frame for duration of 
      classification established under this order.
    (c) ``Declassification authority'' means:
      (1) the official who authorized the original classification, if 
      that official is still serving in the same position;
      (2) the originator's current successor in function;
      (3) a supervisory official of either; or
      (4) officials delegated declassification authority in writing by 
      the agency head or the senior agency official.
    (d) ``Mandatory declassification review'' means the review for 
declassification of classified information in response to a request for 
declassification that meets the requirements under section 3.6 of this 
order.
    (e) ``Systematic declassification review'' means the review for 
declassification of classified information contained in records that 
have been determined by the Archivist of the United States 
(``Archivist'') to have permanent historical value in accordance with 
chapter 33 of title 44, United States Code.
    (f) ``Declassification guide'' means written instructions issued by 
a declassification authority that describes the elements of information 
regarding a specific subject that may be declassified and the elements 
that must remain classified.
    (g) ``Downgrading'' means a determination by a declassification 
authority that information classified and safeguarded at a specified 
level shall be classified and safeguarded at a lower level.
    (h) ``File series'' means documentary material, regardless of its 
physical form or characteristics, that is arranged in accordance with a 
filing system or maintained as a unit because it pertains to the same 
function or activity.
    Sec. 3.2. Authority for Declassification. (a) Information shall be 
declassified as soon as it no longer meets the standards for 
classification under this order.
    (b) It is presumed that information that continues to meet the 
classification requirements under this order requires continued 
protection. In some exceptional cases, however, the need to protect such 
information may be outweighed by the public interest in disclosure of 
the information, and in these cases the information should be 
declassified. When such questions arise, they shall be referred to the 
agency head or the senior agency official. That official will determine, 
as an exercise of discretion, whether the public interest in disclosure 
outweighs the damage to national security that might reasonably be 
expected from disclosure. This provision does not:
      (1) amplify or modify the substantive criteria or procedures for 
      classification; or
      (2) create any substantive or procedural rights subject to 
      judicial review.
    (c) If the Director of the Information Security Oversight Office 
determines that information is classified in violation of this order, 
the Director may require the information to be declassified by the 
agency that originated the classification. Any such decision by the 
Director may be appealed to the President through the Assistant to the 
President for National Security Affairs. The information shall remain 
classified pending a prompt decision on the appeal.
    (d) The provisions of this section shall also apply to agencies 
that, under the terms of this order, do not have original classification 
authority, but had such authority under predecessor orders.
    Sec. 3.3. Transferred Information. (a) In the case of classified 
information transferred in conjunction with a transfer of functions, and 
not merely for storage purposes, the receiving agency shall be deemed to 
be the originating agency for purposes of this order.
    (b) In the case of classified information that is not officially 
transferred as described in paragraph (a), above, but that originated in 
an agency that has ceased to exist and for

[[Page 641]]

which there is no successor agency, each agency in possession of such 
information shall be deemed to be the originating agency for purposes of 
this order. Such information may be declassified or downgraded by the 
agency in possession after consultation with any other agency that has 
an interest in the subject matter of the information.
    (c) Classified information accessioned into the National Archives 
and Records Administration (``National Archives'') as of the effective 
date of this order shall be declassified or downgraded by the Archivist 
in accordance with this order, the directives issued pursuant to this 
order, agency declassification guides, and any existing procedural 
agreement between the Archivist and the relevant agency head.
    (d) The originating agency shall take all reasonable steps to 
declassify classified information contained in records determined to 
have permanent historical value before they are accessioned into the 
National Archives. However, the Archivist may require that records 
containing classified information be accessioned into the National 
Archives when necessary to comply with the provisions of the Federal 
Records Act. This provision does not apply to information being 
transferred to the Archivist pursuant to section 2203 of title 44, 
United States Code, or information for which the National Archives and 
Records Administration serves as the custodian of the records of an 
agency or organization that goes out of existence.
    (e) To the extent practicable, agencies shall adopt a system of 
records management that will facilitate the public release of documents 
at the time such documents are declassified pursuant to the provisions 
for automatic declassification in sections 1.6 and 3.4 of this order.
    Sec. 3.4. Automatic Declassification. (a) Subject to paragraph (b), 
below, within 5 years from the date of this order, all classified 
information contained in records that (1) are more than 25 years old, 
and (2) have been determined to have permanent historical value under 
title 44, United States Code, shall be automatically declassified 
whether or not the records have been reviewed. Subsequently, all 
classified information in such records shall be automatically 
declassified no longer than 25 years from the date of its original 
classification, except as provided in paragraph (b), below.
    (b) An agency head may exempt from automatic declassification under 
paragraph (a), above, specific information, the release of which should 
be expected to:
      (1) reveal the identity of a confidential human source, or reveal 
      information about the application of an intelligence source or 
      method, or reveal the identity of a human intelligence source when 
      the unauthorized disclosure of that source would clearly and 
      demonstrably damage the national security interests of the United 
      States;
      (2) reveal information that would assist in the development or use 
      of weapons of mass destruction;
      (3) reveal information that would impair U.S. cryptologic systems 
      or activities;
      (4) reveal information that would impair the application of state 
      of the art technology within a U.S. weapon system;
      (5) reveal actual U.S. military war plans that remain in effect;
      (6) reveal information that would seriously and demonstrably 
      impair relations between the United States and a foreign 
      government, or seriously and demonstrably undermine ongoing 
      diplomatic activities of the United States;
      (7) reveal information that would clearly and demonstrably impair 
      the current ability of United States Government officials to 
      protect the President, Vice President, and other officials for 
      whom protection services, in the interest of national security, 
      are authorized;
      (8) reveal information that would seriously and demonstrably 
      impair current national security emergency preparedness plans; or
      (9) violate a statute, treaty, or international agreement.
    (c) No later than the effective date of this order, an agency head 
shall notify the President through the Assistant to the President for 
National Security Affairs of any specific file series of records for 
which a review or assessment has determined that the information within 
those file series almost invariably falls within one or more of the 
exemption

[[Page 642]]

categories listed in paragraph (b), above, and which the agency proposes 
to exempt from automatic declassification. The notification shall 
include:
      (1) a description of the file series;
      (2) an explanation of why the information within the file series 
      is almost invariably exempt from automatic declassification and 
      why the information must remain classified for a longer period of 
      time; and
      (3) except for the identity of a confidential human source or a 
      human intelligence source, as provided in paragraph (b), above, a 
      specific date or event for declassification of the information.
The President may direct the agency head not to exempt the file series 
or to declassify the information within that series at an earlier date 
than recommended.
    (d) At least 180 days before information is automatically 
declassified under this section, an agency head or senior agency 
official shall notify the Director of the Information Security Oversight 
Office, serving as Executive Secretary of the Interagency Security 
Classification Appeals Panel, of any specific information beyond that 
included in a notification to the President under paragraph (c), above, 
that the agency proposes to exempt from automatic declassification. The 
notification shall include:
      (1) a description of the information;
      (2) an explanation of why the information is exempt from automatic 
      declassification and must remain classified for a longer period of 
      time; and
      (3) except for the identity of a confidential human source or a 
      human intelligence source, as provided in paragraph (b), above, a 
      specific date or event for declassification of the information. 
      The Panel may direct the agency not to exempt the information or 
      to declassify it at an earlier date than recommended. The agency 
      head may appeal such a decision to the President through the 
      Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. The 
      information will remain classified while such an appeal is 
      pending.
    (e) No later than the effective date of this order, the agency head 
or senior agency official shall provide the Director of the Information 
Security Oversight Office with a plan for compliance with the 
requirements of this section, including the establishment of interim 
target dates. Each such plan shall include the requirement that the 
agency declassify at least 15 percent of the records affected by this 
section no later than 1 year from the effective date of this order, and 
similar commitments for subsequent years until the effective date for 
automatic declassification.
    (f) Information exempted from automatic declassification under this 
section shall remain subject to the mandatory and systematic 
declassification review provisions of this order.
    (g) The Secretary of State shall determine when the United States 
should commence negotiations with the appropriate officials of a foreign 
government or international organization of governments to modify any 
treaty or international agreement that requires the classification of 
information contained in records affected by this section for a period 
longer than 25 years from the date of its creation, unless the treaty or 
international agreement pertains to information that may otherwise 
remain classified beyond 25 years under this section.
    Sec. 3.5. Systematic Declassification Review. (a) Each agency that 
has originated classified information under this order or its 
predecessors shall establish and conduct a program for systematic 
declassification review. This program shall apply to historically 
valuable records exempted from automatic declassification under section 
3.4 of this order. Agencies shall prioritize the systematic review of 
records based upon:
      (1) recommendations of the Information Security Policy Advisory 
      Council, established in section 5.5 of this order, on specific 
      subject areas for systematic review concentration; or
      (2) the degree of researcher interest and the likelihood of 
      declassification upon review.
    (b) The Archivist shall conduct a systematic declassification review 
program for classified information: (1) accessioned into the National 
Archives as of the effective date of this order; (2) information 
transferred to the

[[Page 643]]

Archivist pursuant to section 2203 of title 44, United States Code; and 
(3) information for which the National Archives and Records 
Administration serves as the custodian of the records of an agency or 
organization that has gone out of existence. This program shall apply to 
pertinent records no later than 25 years from the date of their 
creation. The Archivist shall establish priorities for the systematic 
review of these records based upon the recommendations of the 
Information Security Policy Advisory Council; or the degree of 
researcher interest and the likelihood of declassification upon review. 
These records shall be reviewed in accordance with the standards of this 
order, its implementing directives, and declassification guides provided 
to the Archivist by each agency that originated the records. The 
Director of the Information Security Oversight Office shall assure that 
agencies provide the Archivist with adequate and current 
declassification guides.
    (c) After consultation with affected agencies, the Secretary of 
Defense may establish special procedures for systematic review for 
declassification of classified cryptologic information, and the Director 
of Central Intelligence may establish special procedures for systematic 
review for declassification of classified information pertaining to 
intelligence activities (including special activities), or intelligence 
sources or methods.
    Sec. 3.6. Mandatory Declassification Review. (a) Except as provided 
in paragraph (b), below, all information classified under this order or 
predecessor orders shall be subject to a review for declassification by 
the originating agency if:
      (1) the request for a review describes the document or material 
      containing the information with sufficient specificity to enable 
      the agency to locate it with a reasonable amount of effort;
      (2) the information is not exempted from search and review under 
      the Central Intelligence Agency Information Act; and
      (3) the information has not been reviewed for declassification 
      within the past 2 years. If the agency has reviewed the 
      information within the past 2 years, or the information is the 
      subject of pending litigation, the agency shall inform the 
      requester of this fact and of the requester's appeal rights.
    (b) Information originated by:
      (1) the incumbent President;
      (2) the incumbent President's White House Staff;
      (3) committees, commissions, or boards appointed by the incumbent 
      President; or
      (4) other entities within the Executive Office of the President 
      that solely advise and assist the incumbent President is exempted 
      from the provisions of paragraph (a), above. However, the 
      Archivist shall have the authority to review, downgrade, and 
      declassify information of former Presidents under the control of 
      the Archivist pursuant to sections 2107, 2111, 2111 note, or 2203 
      of title 44, United States Code. Review procedures developed by 
      the Archivist shall provide for consultation with agencies having 
      primary subject matter interest and shall be consistent with the 
      provisions of applicable laws or lawful agreements that pertain to 
      the respective Presidential papers or records. Agencies with 
      primary subject matter interest shall be notified promptly of the 
      Archivist's decision. Any final decision by the Archivist may be 
      appealed by the requester or an agency to the Interagency Security 
      Classification Appeals Panel. The information shall remain 
      classified pending a prompt decision on the appeal.
    (c) Agencies conducting a mandatory review for declassification 
shall declassify information that no longer meets the standards for 
classification under this order. They shall release this information 
unless withholding is otherwise authorized and warranted under 
applicable law.
    (d) In accordance with directives issued pursuant to this order, 
agency heads shall develop procedures to process requests for the 
mandatory review of classified information. These procedures shall apply 
to information classified under this or predecessor orders. They also 
shall provide a means for administratively appealing a denial of a 
mandatory review request, and for notifying the requester of the right 
to appeal a final agency

[[Page 644]]

decision to the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel.
    (e) After consultation with affected agencies, the Secretary of 
Defense shall develop special procedures for the review of cryptologic 
information, the Director of Central Intelligence shall develop special 
procedures for the review of information pertaining to intelligence 
activities (including special activities), or intelligence sources or 
methods, and the Archivist shall develop special procedures for the 
review of information accessioned into the National Archives.
    Sec. 3.7. Processing Requests and Reviews. In response to a request 
for information under the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act of 
1974, or the mandatory review provisions of this order, or pursuant to 
the automatic declassification or systematic review provisions of this 
order:
    (a) An agency may refuse to confirm or deny the existence or 
nonexistence of requested information whenever the fact of its existence 
or nonexistence is itself classified under this order.
    (b) When an agency receives any request for documents in its custody 
that contain information that was originally classified by another 
agency, or comes across such documents in the process of the automatic 
declassification or systematic review provisions of this order, it shall 
refer copies of any request and the pertinent documents to the 
originating agency for processing, and may, after consultation with the 
originating agency, inform any requester of the referral unless such 
association is itself classified under this order. In cases in which the 
originating agency determines in writing that a response under paragraph 
(a), above, is required, the referring agency shall respond to the 
requester in accordance with that paragraph.
    Sec. 3.8. Declassification Database. (a) The Archivist in 
conjunction with the Director of the Information Security Oversight 
Office and those agencies that originate classified information, shall 
establish a Governmentwide database of information that has been 
declassified. The Archivist shall also explore other possible uses of 
technology to facilitate the declassification process.
    (b) Agency heads shall fully cooperate with the Archivist in these 
efforts.
    (c) Except as otherwise authorized and warranted by law, all 
declassified information contained within the database established under 
paragraph (a), above, shall be available to the public.

Part 4  Safeguarding

    Sec. 4.1. Definitions. For purposes of this order: (a) 
``Safeguarding'' means measures and controls that are prescribed to 
protect classified information.
    (b) ``Access'' means the ability or opportunity to gain knowledge of 
classified information.
    (c) ``Need-to-know'' means a determination made by an authorized 
holder of classified information that a prospective recipient requires 
access to specific classified information in order to perform or assist 
in a lawful and authorized governmental function.
    (d) ``Automated information system'' means an assembly of computer 
hardware, software, or firmware configured to collect, create, 
communicate, compute, disseminate, process, store, or control data or 
information.
    (e) ``Integrity'' means the state that exists when information is 
unchanged from its source and has not been accidentally or intentionally 
modified, altered, or destroyed.
    (f) ``Network'' means a system of two or more computers that can 
exchange data or information.
    (g) ``Telecommunications'' means the preparation, transmission, or 
communication of information by electronic means.
    (h) ``Special access program'' means a program established for a 
specific class of classified information that imposes safeguarding and 
access requirements that exceed those normally required for information 
at the same classification level.
    Sec. 4.2. General Restrictions on Access. (a) A person may have 
access to classified information provided that:
      (1) a favorable determination of eligibility for access has been 
      made by an agency head or the agency head's designee;
      (2) the person has signed an approved nondisclosure agreement; and
      (3) the person has a need-to-know the information.

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    (b) Classified information shall remain under the control of the 
originating agency or its successor in function. An agency shall not 
disclose information originally classified by another agency without its 
authorization. An official or employee leaving agency service may not 
remove classified information from the agency's control.
    (c) Classified information may not be removed from official premises 
without proper authorization.
    (d) Persons authorized to disseminate classified information outside 
the executive branch shall assure the protection of the information in a 
manner equivalent to that provided within the executive branch.
    (e) Consistent with law, directives, and regulation, an agency head 
or senior agency official shall establish uniform procedures to ensure 
that automated information systems, including networks and 
telecommunications systems, that collect, create, communicate, compute, 
disseminate, process, or store classified information have controls 
that:
      (1) prevent access by unauthorized persons; and
      (2) ensure the integrity of the information.
    (f) Consistent with law, directives, and regulation, each agency 
head or senior agency official shall establish controls to ensure that 
classified information is used, processed, stored, reproduced, 
transmitted, and destroyed under conditions that provide adequate 
protection and prevent access by unauthorized persons.
    (g) Consistent with directives issued pursuant to this order, an 
agency shall safeguard foreign government information under standards 
that provide a degree of protection at least equivalent to that required 
by the government or international organization of governments that 
furnished the information. When adequate to achieve equivalency, these 
standards may be less restrictive than the safeguarding standards that 
ordinarily apply to United States ``Confidential'' information, 
including allowing access to individuals with a need-to-know who have 
not otherwise been cleared for access to classified information or 
executed an approved nondisclosure agreement.
    (h) Except as provided by statute or directives issued pursuant to 
this order, classified information originating in one agency may not be 
disseminated outside any other agency to which it has been made 
available without the consent of the originating agency. An agency head 
or senior agency official may waive this requirement for specific 
information originated within that agency. For purposes of this section, 
the Department of Defense shall be considered one agency.
    Sec. 4.3. Distribution Controls. (a) Each agency shall establish 
controls over the distribution of classified information to assure that 
it is distributed only to organizations or individuals eligible for 
access who also have a need-to-know the information.
    (b) Each agency shall update, at least annually, the automatic, 
routine, or recurring distribution of classified information that they 
distribute. Recipients shall cooperate fully with distributors who are 
updating distribution lists and shall notify distributors whenever a 
relevant change in status occurs.
    Sec. 4.4. Special Access Programs. (a) Establishment of special 
access programs. Unless otherwise authorized by the President, only the 
Secretaries of State, Defense and Energy, and the Director of Central 
Intelligence, or the principal deputy of each, may create a special 
access program. For special access programs pertaining to intelligence 
activities (including special activities, but not including military 
operational, strategic and tactical programs), or intelligence sources 
or methods, this function will be exercised by the Director of Central 
Intelligence. These officials shall keep the number of these programs at 
an absolute minimum, and shall establish them only upon a specific 
finding that:
      (1) the vulnerability of, or threat to, specific information is 
      exceptional; and
      (2) the normal criteria for determining eligibility for access 
      applicable to information classified at the same level are not 
      deemed sufficient to protect the information from unauthorized 
      disclosure; or
      (3) the program is required by statute.
    (b) Requirements and Limitations. (1) Special access programs shall 
be limited to programs in which the number of persons who will have 
access ordinarily will be reasonably

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small and commensurate with the objective of providing enhanced 
protection for the information involved.
      (2) Each agency head shall establish and maintain a system of 
      accounting for special access programs consistent with directives 
      issued pursuant to this order.
      (3) Special access programs shall be subject to the oversight 
      program established under section 5.6(c) of this order. In 
      addition, the Director of the Information Security Oversight 
      Office shall be afforded access to these programs, in accordance 
      with the security requirements of each program, in order to 
      perform the functions assigned to the Information Security 
      Oversight Office under this order. An agency head may limit access 
      to a special access program to the Director and no more than one 
      other employee of the Information Security Oversight Office; or, 
      for special access programs that are extraordinarily sensitive and 
      vulnerable, to the Director only.
      (4) The agency head or principal deputy shall review annually each 
      special access program to determine whether it continues to meet 
      the requirements of this order.
      (5) Upon request, an agency shall brief the Assistant to the 
      President for National Security Affairs, or his or her designee, 
      on any or all of the agency's special access programs.
    (c) Within 180 days after the effective date of this order, each 
agency head or principal deputy shall review all existing special access 
programs under the agency's jurisdiction. These officials shall 
terminate any special access programs that do not clearly meet the 
provisions of this order. Each existing special access program that an 
agency head or principal deputy validates shall be treated as if it were 
established on the effective date of this order.
    (d) Nothing in this order shall supersede any requirement made by or 
under 10 U.S.C. 119.
    Sec. 4.5. Access by Historical Researchers and Former Presidential 
Appointees. (a) The requirement in section 4.2(a)(3) of this order that 
access to classified information may be granted only to individuals who 
have a need-to-know the information may be waived for persons who:
      (1) are engaged in historical research projects; or
      (2) previously have occupied policy-making positions to which they 
      were appointed by the President.
    (b) Waivers under this section may be granted only if the agency 
head or senior agency official of the originating agency:
      (1) determines in writing that access is consistent with the 
      interest of national security;
      (2) takes appropriate steps to protect classified information from 
      unauthorized disclosure or compromise, and ensures that the 
      information is safeguarded in a manner consistent with this order; 
      and
      (3) limits the access granted to former Presidential appointees to 
      items that the person originated, reviewed, signed, or received 
      while serving as a Presidential appointee.

Part 5  Implementation and Review

    Sec. 5.1. Definitions. For purposes of this order: (a) ``Self-
inspection'' means the internal review and evaluation of individual 
agency activities and the agency as a whole with respect to the 
implementation of the program established under this order and its 
implementing directives.
    (b) ``Violation'' means:
      (1) any knowing, willful, or negligent action that could 
      reasonably be expected to result in an unauthorized disclosure of 
      classified information;
      (2) any knowing, willful, or negligent action to classify or 
      continue the classification of information contrary to the 
      requirements of this order or its implementing directives; or
      (3) any knowing, willful, or negligent action to create or 
      continue a special access program contrary to the requirements of 
      this order.
    (c) ``Infraction'' means any knowing, willful, or negligent action 
contrary to the requirements of this order or its implementing 
directives that does not comprise a ``violation,'' as defined above.

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    Sec. 5.2. Program Direction. (a) The Director of the Office of 
Management and Budget, in consultation with the Assistant to the 
President for National Security Affairs and the co-chairs of the 
Security Policy Board, shall issue such directives as are necessary to 
implement this order. These directives shall be binding upon the 
agencies. Directives issued by the Director of the Office of Management 
and Budget shall establish standards for:
      (1) classification and marking principles;
      (2) agency security education and training programs;
      (3) agency self-inspection programs; and
      (4) classification and declassification guides.
    (b) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall 
delegate the implementation and monitorship functions of this program to 
the Director of the Information Security Oversight Office.
    (c) The Security Policy Board, established by a Presidential 
Decision Directive, shall make a recommendation to the President through 
the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs with 
respect to the issuance of a Presidential directive on safeguarding 
classified information. The Presidential directive shall pertain to the 
handling, storage, distribution, transmittal, and destruction of and 
accounting for classified information.
    Sec. 5.3. Information Security Oversight Office. (a) There is 
established within the Office of Management and Budget an Information 
Security Oversight Office. The Director of the Office of Management and 
Budget shall appoint the Director of the Information Security Oversight 
Office, subject to the approval of the President.
    (b) Under the direction of the Director of the Office of Management 
and Budget acting in consultation with the Assistant to the President 
for National Security Affairs, the Director of the Information Security 
Oversight Office shall:
      (1) develop directives for the implementation of this order;
      (2) oversee agency actions to ensure compliance with this order 
      and its implementing directives;
      (3) review and approve agency implementing regulations and agency 
      guides for systematic declassification review prior to their 
      issuance by the agency;
      (4) have the authority to conduct on-site reviews of each agency's 
      program established under this order, and to require of each 
      agency those reports, information, and other cooperation that may 
      be necessary to fulfill its responsibilities. If granting access 
      to specific categories of classified information would pose an 
      exceptional national security risk, the affected agency head or 
      the senior agency official shall submit a written justification 
      recommending the denial of access to the Director of the Office of 
      Management and Budget within 60 days of the request for access. 
      Access shall be denied pending a prompt decision by the Director 
      of the Office of Management and Budget, who shall consult on this 
      decision with the Assistant to the President for National Security 
      Affairs;
      (5) review requests for original classification authority from 
      agencies or officials not granted original classification 
      authority and, if deemed appropriate, recommend Presidential 
      approval through the Director of the Office of Management and 
      Budget;
      (6) consider and take action on complaints and suggestions from 
      persons within or outside the Government with respect to the 
      administration of the program established under this order;
      (7) have the authority to prescribe, after consultation with 
      affected agencies, standardization of forms or procedures that 
      will promote the implementation of the program established under 
      this order;
      (8) report at least annually to the President on the 
      implementation of this order; and
      (9) convene and chair interagency meetings to discuss matters 
      pertaining to the program established by this order.
    Sec. 5.4. Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel. (a) 
Establishment and Administration.
      (1) There is established an Interagency Security Classification 
      Appeals Panel

[[Page 648]]

      (``Panel''). The Secretaries of State and Defense, the Attorney 
      General, the Director of Central Intelligence, the Archivist of 
      the United States, and the Assistant to the President for National 
      Security Affairs shall each appoint a senior level representative 
      to serve as a member of the Panel. The President shall select the 
      Chair of the Panel from among the Panel members.
      (2) A vacancy on the Panel shall be filled as quickly as possible 
      as provided in paragraph (1), above.
      (3) The Director of the Information Security Oversight Office 
      shall serve as the Executive Secretary. The staff of the 
      Information Security Oversight Office shall provide program and 
      administrative support for the Panel.
      (4) The members and staff of the Panel shall be required to meet 
      eligibility for access standards in order to fulfill the Panel's 
      functions.
      (5) The Panel shall meet at the call of the Chair. The Chair shall 
      schedule meetings as may be necessary for the Panel to fulfill its 
      functions in a timely manner.
      (6) The Information Security Oversight Office shall include in its 
      reports to the President a summary of the Panel's activities.
    (b)  Functions. The Panel shall:
      (1) decide on appeals by persons who have filed classification 
      challenges under section 1.9 of this order;
      (2) approve, deny, or amend agency exemptions from automatic 
      declassification as provided in section 3.4 of this order; and
      (3) decide on appeals by persons or entities who have filed 
      requests for mandatory declassification review under section 3.6 
      of this order.
    (c) Rules and Procedures. The Panel shall issue bylaws, which shall 
be published in the Federal Register no later than 120 days from the 
effective date of this order. The bylaws shall establish the rules and 
procedures that the Panel will follow in accepting, considering, and 
issuing decisions on appeals. The rules and procedures of the Panel 
shall provide that the Panel will consider appeals only on actions in 
which: (1) the appellant has exhausted his or her administrative 
remedies within the responsible agency; (2) there is no current action 
pending on the issue within the federal courts; and (3) the information 
has not been the subject of review by the federal courts or the Panel 
within the past 2 years.
    (d) Agency heads will cooperate fully with the Panel so that it can 
fulfill its functions in a timely and fully informed manner. An agency 
head may appeal a decision of the Panel to the President through the 
Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. The Panel will 
report to the President through the Assistant to the President for 
National Security Affairs any instance in which it believes that an 
agency head is not cooperating fully with the Panel.
    (e) The Appeals Panel is established for the sole purpose of 
advising and assisting the President in the discharge of his 
constitutional and discretionary authority to protect the national 
security of the United States. Panel decisions are committed to the 
discretion of the Panel, unless reversed by the President.
    Sec. 5.5. Information Security Policy Advisory Council. (a) 
Establishment. There is established an Information Security Policy 
Advisory Council (``Council''). The Council shall be composed of seven 
members appointed by the President for staggered terms not to exceed 4 
years, from among persons who have demonstrated interest and expertise 
in an area related to the subject matter of this order and are not 
otherwise employees of the Federal Government. The President shall 
appoint the Council Chair from among the members. The Council shall 
comply with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 
App. 2.
    (b) Functions. The Council shall:
      (1) advise the President, the Assistant to the President for 
      National Security Affairs, the Director of the Office of 
      Management and Budget, or such other executive branch officials as 
      it deems appropriate, on policies established under this order or 
      its implementing directives, including recommended changes to 
      those policies;

[[Page 649]]

      (2) provide recommendations to agency heads for specific subject 
      areas for systematic declassification review; and
      (3) serve as a forum to discuss policy issues in dispute.
    (c) Meetings. The Council shall meet at least twice each calendar 
year, and as determined by the Assistant to the President for National 
Security Affairs or the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
    (d) Administration.
      (1) Each Council member may be compensated at a rate of pay not to 
      exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay in 
      effect for grade GS-18 of the general schedule under section 5376 
      of title 5, United States Code, for each day during which that 
      member is engaged in the actual performance of the duties of the 
      Council.
      (2) While away from their homes or regular place of business in 
      the actual performance of the duties of the Council, members may 
      be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
      subsistence, as authorized by law for persons serving 
      intermittently in the Government service (5 U.S.C. 5703(b)).
      (3) To the extent permitted by law and subject to the availability 
      of funds, the Information Security Oversight Office shall provide 
      the Council with administrative services, facilities, staff, and 
      other support services necessary for the performance of its 
      functions.
      (4) Notwithstanding any other Executive order, the functions of 
      the President under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as 
      amended, that are applicable to the Council, except that of 
      reporting to the Congress, shall be performed by the Director of 
      the Information Security Oversight Office in accordance with the 
      guidelines and procedures established by the General Services 
      Administration.
    Sec. 5.6. General Responsibilities. Heads of agencies that originate 
or handle classified information shall: (a) demonstrate personal 
commitment and commit senior management to the successful implementation 
of the program established under this order;
    (b) commit necessary resources to the effective implementation of 
the program established under this order; and
    (c) designate a senior agency official to direct and administer the 
program, whose responsibilities shall include:
      (1) overseeing the agency's program established under this order, 
      provided, an agency head may designate a separate official to 
      oversee special access programs authorized under this order. This 
      official shall provide a full accounting of the agency's special 
      access programs at least annually;
      (2) promulgating implementing regulations, which shall be 
      published in the Federal Register to the extent that they affect 
      members of the public;
      (3) establishing and maintaining security education and training 
      programs;
      (4) establishing and maintaining an ongoing self-inspection 
      program, which shall include the periodic review and assessment of 
      the agency's classified product;
      (5) establishing procedures to prevent unnecessary access to 
      classified information, including procedures that: (i) require 
      that a need for access to classified information is established 
      before initiating administrative clearance procedures; and (ii) 
      ensure that the number of persons granted access to classified 
      information is limited to the minimum consistent with operational 
      and security requirements and needs;
      (6) developing special contingency plans for the safeguarding of 
      classified information used in or near hostile or potentially 
      hostile areas;
      (7) assuring that the performance contract or other system used to 
      rate civilian or military personnel performance includes the 
      management of classified information as a critical element or item 
      to be evaluated in the rating of: (i) original classification 
      authorities; (ii) security managers or security specialists; and 
      (iii) all other personnel whose duties significantly involve the 
      creation or handling of classified information;
      (8) accounting for the costs associated with the implementation of 
      this order,

[[Page 650]]

      which shall be reported to the Director of the Information 
      Security Oversight Office for publication; and
      (9) assigning in a prompt manner agency personnel to respond to 
      any request, appeal, challenge, complaint, or suggestion arising 
      out of this order that pertains to classified information that 
      originated in a component of the agency that no longer exists and 
      for which there is no clear successor in function.
    Sec. 5.7. Sanctions. (a) If the Director of the Information Security 
Oversight Office finds that a violation of this order or its 
implementing directives may have occurred, the Director shall make a 
report to the head of the agency or to the senior agency official so 
that corrective steps, if appropriate, may be taken.
    (b) Officers and employees of the United States Government, and its 
contractors, licensees, certificate holders, and grantees shall be 
subject to appropriate sanctions if they knowingly, willfully, or 
negligently:
      (1) disclose to unauthorized persons information properly 
      classified under this order or predecessor orders;
      (2) classify or continue the classification of information in 
      violation of this order or any implementing directive;
      (3) create or continue a special access program contrary to the 
      requirements of this order; or
      (4) contravene any other provision of this order or its 
      implementing directives.
    (c) Sanctions may include reprimand, suspension without pay, 
removal, termination of classification authority, loss or denial of 
access to classified information, or other sanctions in accordance with 
applicable law and agency regulation.
    (d) The agency head, senior agency official, or other supervisory 
official shall, at a minimum, promptly remove the classification 
authority of any individual who demonstrates reckless disregard or a 
pattern of error in applying the classification standards of this order.
    (e) The agency head or senior agency official shall:
      (1) take appropriate and prompt corrective action when a violation 
      or infraction under paragraph (b), above, occurs; and
     (2) notify the Director of the Information Security Oversight 
      Office when a violation under paragraph (b)(1), (2) or (3), above, 
      occurs.

Part 6  General Provisions

    Sec. 6.1. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall 
supersede any requirement made by or under the Atomic Energy Act of 
1954, as amended, or the National Security Act of 1947, as amended. 
``Restricted Data'' and ``Formerly Restricted Data'' shall be handled, 
protected, classified, downgraded, and declassified in conformity with 
the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and 
regulations issued under that Act.
    (b) The Attorney General, upon request by the head of an agency or 
the Director of the Information Security Oversight Office, shall render 
an interpretation of this order with respect to any question arising in 
the course of its administration.
    (c) Nothing in this order limits the protection afforded any 
information by other provisions of law, including the exemptions to the 
Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act, and the National Security 
Act of 1947, as amended. This order is not intended, and should not be 
construed, to create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, 
enforceable at law by a party against the United States, its agencies, 
its officers, or its employees. The foregoing is in addition to the 
specific provisos set forth in sections 1.2(b), 3.2(b) and 5.4(e) of 
this order.
    (d) Executive Order No. 12356 of April 6, 1982, is revoked as of the 
effective date of this order.
    Sec. 6.2. Effective Date. This order shall become effective 180 days 
from the date of this order.
                                            William J. Clinton
The White House,
April 17, 1995.

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 2:04 p.m., April 18, 
1995]

Note: This Executive order was published in the Federal Register on 
April 20.

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