President of the United States

“ Even though information is determined to concern one or more of the criteria in Section 1 - 301, it may not be classified unless an original classification authority also determines that its unauthorized disclosure reasonably could be expected to cause at least identifiable damage to the national security. 1 - 303. Unauthorized disclosure of foreign government information or the identity of a confidential foreign source is presumed to cause at least identifiable damage to the national security. ”

“ All classified information shall be marked conspicuously to put users on notice of its current classification status and, if appropriate, to show any special distribution or reproduction restrictions authorized by this Order. 4 - 103. Controls shall be established by each agency to ensure that classified information is used, processed, stored, reproduced, and transmitted only under conditions that will provide adequate protection and prevent access by unauthorized persons. ”

“ Pursuant to the provisions of Section 1-201 of Executive Order 12065 of June 28, 1978, entitled "National Security Information", I hereby designate the following officials within the Executive Office of the President to originally classify information as "Top Secret". ”

“ Classification may not be used to conceal violations of law, inefficiency, or administrative error, to prevent embarrassment to a person, organization or agency, or to restrain competition. 1 - 602. Basic scientific research information not clearly related to the national security may not be classified. ”

“ Special access programs may be created or continued only on a specific showing that: (a) normal management and safeguarding procedures are not sufficient to limit need-to-know or access; (b) the number of persons who will need access will be reasonably small and commensurate with the objective of providing extra protection for the information involved; and (c) the special access controls balance the need to protect the information against the full spectrum of needs to use the information. ”

“ Foreign government information" means information that has been provided to the United States in confidence by, or produced by the United States pursuant to a written joint arrangement requiring confidentiality with, a foreign government or international organization of governments. 6 - 104. " National security" means the national defense and foreign relations of the United States. 6 - 105. " Declassification event" means an event which would eliminate the need for continued classification. ”

“ Agencies with primary subject matter interest shall be notified promptly of the Director's decision on such appeals and may further appeal to the National Security Council through the process set forth in Section 3 - 104. 3 - 504. Requests for declassification of classified documents originated by an agency but in the possession and control of the Administrator of General Services, pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 2107 or 2107 note, shall be referred by the Archivist to the agency of origin for processing in accordance with Section 3 - 501 and for direct response to the requestor. ”

“ Classified information that is not marked for automatic downgrading may be assigned a lower classification designation by the originator or by other authorized officials when such downgrading is appropriate. Notice of downgrading shall be provided to holders of the information to the extent practicable. Section 4. Safeguarding. 4 - 1. General Restrictions on Access. 4 - 101. No person may be given access to classified information unless that person has been determined to be trustworthy and unless access is necessary for the performance of official duties. ”