significant military plans or intelligence operations; and compromise of significant scientific or technological developments relating to national security.

(3) Confidential. Information may be classified "Confidential" if its unauthorized disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause damage to the national security. Except as otherwise provided by statute, no other terms shall be used to identify classified information. Terms or phrases such as "For Official Use Only" or "Limited Official Use" shall not be used to identify national security information. No other term or phrase shall be used in conjunction with these national security information designations, such as "Secret Sensitive" or "Agency Confidential" to identify national security information.

(b) Foreign government information. If classified by the foreign government, the information shall either retain its original classification or be assigned a U.S. classification designation which will ensure a degree of protection at least equivalent to that required by the entity that furnished the information. If not given a specific classification by the foreign government, the information will be assigned an appropriate classification dependent on the sensitivity of the subject matter and the degree of damage its unauthorized disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause to the national security. Classification designations assigned by the U.S. agency shall be marked on the foreign government information in accordance with the provisions of § 9.12.

§ 9.6 Requirements for classification.

With the exception of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, these regulations are the only basis for classifying information in the agencies named herein. To be eligible for classification, information must meet the two following requirements:

(a) First, it must deal with one of the following criteria:

(1) Military plans, weapons, or operations;

(2) The vulnerabilities or capabilities of systems, installations, projects, or plans relating to the national security;

(3) Foreign government information;

(4) Intelligence activities (including special activities), or intelligence sources or methods;

(5) Foreign relations or foreign activities of the United States;

(6) Scientific, technological, or economic matters relating to the national security;

(7) U.S. Government programs for safeguarding nuclear materials or facilities;

(8) Cryptology;

(9) Confidential sources; or

(10) Other categories of information that are related to the national security and that require protection against unauthorized disclosure as determined by the President or by agency heads or other officials who have been delegated original classification authority by the President. In the Department of State, the DAS/CDC, as the senior official, shall recommend such other categories of information to the Secretary. Any determination made under this subsection shall be reported promptly to the Director of ISOO.

(b) Second, an official with original classification authority must determine that the unauthorized disclosure of the information, either by itself or in the context of other information, reasonably could be expected to cause damage to the national security. Unauthorized disclosure of foreign government information, the identity of a confidential foreign source, or intelligence sources or methods is presumed to cause damage to the national security.

(c) Certain information which would otherwise be unclassified may require classification when combined or associated with other classified or unclassified information. Classification on this basis shall be supported by a written explanation that, at a minimum, shall be maintained with the file or record copy of the information.

§ 9.7 Classification authority.

(a) In the Department of State authority for original classification of information as "Top Secret" may be exercised only by the Secretary of State and those officials delegated this authority in writing, by position or by name, by the Secretary or the DAS/

CDC, as the senior official, on the basis of their frequent need to exercise such authority. Normally these will not be below the level of Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Department; or Chief of Mission, Charge d'Affairs, or principal officer at an autonomous consular post overseas.

(b) Authority for original classification of information as "Secret" may be exercised by officials with Top Secret authority, the Administrator of AID, and the Director of USIA. This authority may be delegated to such subordinate officials as the senior official in the Department, the administrator of AID or the Director of USIA may designate in writing, by position or by name, on the basis of their frequent need to exercise such authority. Normally, these will not be below the level of office director, section head (in a mission abroad), country public affairs officer, or equivalent.

(c) Authority for original classification of information as "Confidential" may be exercised by officials with Top Secret or Secret classification authority, and the President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation; and may be delegated to such subordinate officials as the senior official in the Department, the Administrator of AID, the Director of USIA, or the President of OPIC may designate in writing, by position or by name, on the basis of their frequent need to exercise such authority.

(d) Delegated original classification authority at any level may not be redelegated.

(e) In the absence of an authorized classifier, the person designated to act for that official may exercise the classifying authority.

(f) In the Department of State the Classification/Declassification Center, and in AID and USIA the Office of Security, shall maintain a current listing, by classification designation, of the positions or officials carrying original classification authority. The listing shall be reviewed as needed to ensure that such delegations have been held to a minimum, and that officials so designated have a continuing need to exercise such authority.

$9.8 Limitations on classification.

A reference to classified documents which does not directly or indirectly disclose classified information may not be classified or used as a basis for classification.

$9.9 Duration of classification.

(a) Information shall be classified for as long as is required by national security considerations. When it can be determined, a specific date or event for declassification shall be set by the original classification authority at the time the information is originally classified.

(b) Information classified under predecessor orders that is not subject to automatic declassification or that is marked for review before declassification shall remain classified until reviewed for declassification.

(c) Automatic declassification determinations under predecessor orders shall remain valid unless the classification is extended by an authorized official of the originating agency. These extensions may be by individual documents or categories of information. The agency shall be responsible for notifying holders of the information of such extensions as soon as possible. The authority to extend the classification of information subject to automatic declassification under predecessor orders is limited to those officials who have classification authority over the information and are designated in writing to have original classification authority at the level of the information to remain classified. Any decision to extend this classification on other than a document-by-document basis shall be reported to the Director of the ISOO.

$9.10 Derivative classification.

(a) Derivative classification is made by a person, not necessarily having original classification authority, based on an originally classified document or as directed by a classification guide. The derivative classifier may be one who reproduces, extracts, restates, paraphrases, or summarizes classified materials, or applies markings in accordance with source material or a classification guide.

(b) Derivative classifiers must respect original classification markings. Only if the derived document, by means of paraphrasing, excising, etc., has clearly lost the original grounds for classification, may its original classification be removed or lowered.

(c) Subject to paragraph (b) of this section, markings on derivatively classified material, including declassification instructions, shall be carried forward from the original material, or shall be as directed by the classification guide.

§ 9.11 Derivative classification guides. (a) Agencies with original classification authority shall prepare classification guides to facilitate the proper and uniform derivative classification of information, except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section.

(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 who directs and administers the information security program; and

(2) Is authorized to classify information originally at the highest level of classification prescribed in the guide.

(c) Classification guides shall, at a minimum:

(1) Identify or categorize the elements of information to be protected;

(2) State which classification level applies to each element or category of information; and

(3) Prescribe declassification instructions for each element or category of information in terms of (i) a period of time, (ii) the occurrence of an event, or (iii) a notation that the information shall not be automatically declassified without the approval of the originating agency.

(d) Classification guides shall be reviewed at least every two years and updated as necessary. Each agency shall maintain a list of its classification guides in current use.

(e) Agency heads may, for good cause, grant and revoke waivers of the requirement to prepare classification guides for specified classes of documents or information. In the Department of State, the DAS/CDC, as senior

official, shall make recommendations to the Secretary concerning such waivers. In AID, the Inspector General shall make recommendations to the Administrator concerning such waivers. In USIA, the Director of the Office of Public Liaison shall make recommendations to the Director concerning such waivers. The Director of ISOO shall be notified of any waivers. The decision to waive the requirement to issue classification guides for specific classes of documents or information should be based, at a minimum, on an evaluation of the following factors:

(1) The ability to segregate and describe the elements of information;

(2) The practicality of producing or disseminating the guide because of the nature of the information;

(3) The anticipated usage of the guide as a basis for derivative classification; and

(4) The availability of alternative sources for derivatively classifying the information in a uniform manner.

§ 9.12 Identification and markings.

Except in extraordinary circumstances as as provided in section 1.5(a) of the Order, or as indicated herein, the marking of paper documents shall not deviate from the following prescribed formats. These markings shall also be affixed to material other than paper documents, or the originator shall provide holders or recipients of the information with written instructions for protecting the information. These markings include one of the three (3) classification levels defined in §9.5, the identity of the original classification authority (except as noted under paragraph (b)(ii) of this section) the agency and office of origin (except as noted under paragraph (b)(ii) of this section) and the date or event for declassification or the notation "Originating Agency's Determination Required" (OADR).

(a) Classification level. The markings "Top Secret," "Secret," and "Confidential" are used to indicate: That information requires protection as national security information under the Order; the highest level of classification contained in a document; and the classification level of each page and, in

abbreviated form, each portion of a document.

(1) Overall marking. The highest level of classification of information in a document shall be marked in such a way as to distinguish it clearly from the informational text. These markings shall appear at the top and bottom of the outside of the front cover (if any), on the title page (if any), on the first page, and on the outside of the back cover (if any).

(2) Page marking. Each interior page of a classified document shall be marked at the top and bottom either according to the highest classification of the content of the page, including the designation "UNCLASSIFIED" when it is applicable, or with the highest overall classification of the document.

(3) Portion-marking. Agency heads may waive the portion marking requirement for specified classes of documents or information only upon a written determination that (i) there will be minimal circulation of the specified documents or information and minimal potential usage of these documents or information as a source for derivative classification determination; or (ii) there is some other basis to conclude that the potential benefits of portion marking are clearly outweighed by the increased administrative burdens. Unless this requirement has been waived, each portion of a document, including subjects and titles, shall be marked by placing a parenthetical designation immediately preceding or following the text to which it applies. The symbols "(TS)" for Top Secret, "(S)" for Secret, "(C)" for Confidential, and “(U)" for Unclassified shall be used for this purpose. If the application of these symbols is not practicable, the document shall contain a statement sufficient to identify the information that is classified and the level of such classification, and the information that is not classified. If all portions of a document are classified at the same level, it may be marked with a statement to that effect, e.g., "Confidential-Entire Text." If a subject or title requires classification, an unclassified identifier may be assigned to facilitate reference.

(A) For the Department of State, the Secretary has waived the portion

marking requirement for the following classes of documents under section 2001.5(a)(3)(i) of the Directive-documents which will have minimal circulation and minimal potential usage as a source for derivative classification:

(1) Documents containing Top Secret information;

(2) Action/informational memoranda prepared for Assistant Secretaries and above;

(3) Instructions to posts and negotiating delegations;

(4) In-house research studies; and

(5) Inter and intra-office memoranda. (B) The Secretary has also waived the portion marking requirement for documents, both telegraphic and nontelegraphic, containing foreign government information, under section 2001.5(a)(3)(ii) of the Directive.

(4) Omitted markings. Information assigned a level of classification under predecessor orders shall be considered as classified at the level of classification despite the omission of other required markings. Omitted markings may be inserted on a document by the officials specified in section 3.1(b) of the Order.

(b) Classification authority. If the original classifier is other than the signer or approver of the document, the identity shall be shown as "CLASSIFIED BY" ("identification of original classification authority").

(c) Agency and office of origin. If the identity of the originating agency and office is not apparent on the face of the document, it shall be placed below the "CLASSIFIED BY” line.

(d) Declassification and downgrading instructions. Declassification and, as applicable, downgrading instructions shall be shown as follows:

(1) For information to be declassified automatically on a specific date or event: "DECLASSIFY ON: (date)" or "DECLASSIFY ON: (description of event)".

(2) For information not to be automatically declassified: "DECLASSIFY ON: Originating Agency Determination Required or OADR".

(3) For information to be downgraded automatically on a specific date or upon occurrence of a specific event: "DOWNGRADE ΤΟ (classification

level) ON (date or description of event)".

(e) Special markings-(1) Transmittal documents. A transmittal document shall indicate on its face the highest classification of any information transmitted by it. It shall also include the following or similar instructions:

(i) For an unclassified transmittal document: "Unclassified When Classified Enclosure is Removed;" or

(ii) For classified transmittal document: "Upon Removal of Attachments This Document Is (classification level of the transmittal document standing alone)."

(2) Restricted Data or Formerly Restricted Data. Restricted Data and Formerly Restricted Data information shall be marked in accordance with regulations issued under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended.

(3) Intelligence sources or methods. Documents that contain information relating to intelligence sources or methods shall include the following markings unless otherwise prescribed by the Director of Central Intelligence: "WARNING NOTICE-INTELLIGENCE SOURCES OR METHODS INVOLVED."

(4) Foreign government information (FGI). Documents that contain FGI shall include either the marking "FOREIGN GOVERNMENT INFORMA

TION", or a marking that otherwise indicates that the information is foreign government information. If the fact that information is foreign government information must be concealed, the marking shall not be used and the document shall be marked as if it were wholly of U.S. origin.

(5) Electrically transmitted information (messages, cables). National security information that is transmitted electrically shall be marked as follows:

(i) The highest level of classification shall appear before the first line of text;

(ii) A "Classified By" line is not required; i.e., name and office of classifier may be omitted; and

(iii) The duration of classification shall appear as follows:

(A) For information to be declassified automatically on a specific date or event: "DECL: (date)" or "DECL: (description of event)."

(B) For information not to be automatically declassified which requires the originating agency's determination: "DECL: OADR."

(C) For information to be automatically downgraded: "DNG (abbreviation of classification level to which the information is to be downgraded and date or description of event on which downgrading is to occur).”

(iv) Portion marking shall be as prescribed in paragraph (a)(3) of this section.

(v) Special markings as prescribed in section 2001.5(e) 2, 3, & 4 of the Directive shall appear after the marking for the highest level of classification. These include:

(A) Restricted Data or Formerly Restricted Data: Electrically transmitted information containing Restricted Data or Formerly Restricted Data shall be marked in accordance with regulations issued under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended.

(B) Information concerning intelligence sources and methods; “WNINTEL,” unless proscribed by the Director of Central Intelligence.

(C) Foreign government information: "FGI" or a marking that otherwise indicates that the information is foreign government information. If the fact must be concealed, the marking shall not be used and the message shall be marked as if it were wholly of U.S. origin.

(vi) Paper copies of electrically transmitted messages shall be marked as provided in paragraph (a) through (e) of this section.

(6) Changes in classification markings. When a change is made in the level or the duration of classified information, all holders of record shall be promptly notified. Holders shall alter the markings to conform to the change, citing the authority for it. If the remarking of large quantities of information is unduly burdensome, the holder may attach a change of classification notice to the storage unit in lieu of the marking action otherwise required. Items withdrawn from the collection for purposes other than transfer for storage shall be marked promptly in accordance with the change notice.