Memorandums About Acceleration of Publication of "Foreign Relations of the United States" Series.

Memorandum for the Secretary of State:

SUBJECT: Acceleration of Publication of "Foreign Relations" Series

The official documentary series "Foreign Relations of the United States," published by the Department of State, has for many years provided the American public with an indispensable perspective on our Nation's history. The materials now being published, however, relate to the events of 1946, and I think that in the interests of a better informed public the length of time between event and publication should be shortened. Accordingly, I ask that, without impairing the quality and comprehensive nature of the series, you immediately institute a program to reduce this time lag to 20 years. Your objective should be to make this reduction within the next 3 years and to keep the publication point at 20 years from then on.

In order to achieve this goal in the most expeditious manner, I am today instructing the Secretary of Defense, the Director of Central Intelligence, and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs to cooperate fully with you in collecting and declassifying the appropriate materials to the maximum extent consistent with the requirements of national security.

RICHARD NIXON

Memorandum for:

The Secretary of Defense

The Director of Central Intelligence

The Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs

SUBJECT: Acceleration of Publication of "Foreign Relations" Series

I have today instructed the Secretary of State to institute a program to reduce the time lag of the official documentary series "Foreign Relations of the United States," published by the Department of State, from 26 to 20 years.

The Department of State, in carrying out this instruction, will be seeking the assistance of your department or agency in the collection and declassification of the material in question. I ask that you cooperate fully with the Secretary of State to meet the above objectives in the most expeditious manner and to the maximum extent consistent with the requirements of national security.

RICHARD NIXON