5 FAH-4 H-800
TERMDEX
PREPUBLICATION SECURITY REVIEWS FOR FORMER OFFICIALS
(CT:RMH-30; 07-03-2024)
(Office of Origin: DT)
5 FAH-4 H-811 GENERAL
(CT:RMH-29; 04-23-2024)
a. This chapter provides guidance to Department personnel regarding former Department of State employees (including interns and externs) who seek guidance and approval from the Office of Information Programs and Services, A/GIS/IPS, for applicable national security information review prior to publication of any book, article, op-ed or OER publication. All former Department officials have a continuing responsibility not to disclose applicable classified national security information in accordance with E.O. 13526, Standard Form 312 and any other non-disclosure agreement they signed, including Intelligence Community Form 4414.
b. Former employees who held a security clearance for sensitive compartmented information (SCI) submit written material intended for publication to A/GIS/IPS via classification@state.gov in accordance with 22 CFR 9.14. Former employees who held security clearances but were never authorized to access SCI may also submit written material to classification@state.gov.
5 FAH-4 H-812 Authorities
(CT:RMH-29; 04-23-2024)
a. In accordance with 22 CFR 9.14, the pre-publication security review conducted by A/GIS/IPS is intended strictly to identify and remove any currently classified national security information. The review is neither an editorial review nor a stylistic review.
b. IPS reviews manuscripts for State Department originated information used by former State employees, for sensitive information that is classified and exempt from publication. Manuscripts are reviewed solely for classified information (i.e. in accordance with E.O. 13526, sections 1.4 (a) through (h)). The USG has a legal basis to prohibit publication of currently classified information in accordance with the Classified Information Nondisclosure Agreement (SF-312) signed by employees.
c. A/GIS/IPS staff will also review manuscripts with other FOIA exemptions in mind, particularly 5 U.S.C. 552 (b)(2) through (b)(7). Although the Department will not require former employees to delete such material from their manuscripts, it is in the interests of both the author and the Department to flag such items for the author’s awareness.
5 FAH-4 H-813 Coordination
(CT:RMH-29; 04-23-2024)
a. A/GIS/IPS will coordinate with relevant Department bureaus and offices regarding the classification status of specific material in the manuscript when necessary and depending on the agreements A/GIS/IPS has with various bureaus.
b. A/GIS/IPS will also coordinate with other Federal Departments and Agencies should material under the control of other Departments and Agencies appear in the manuscript. Please allow two weeks review time for short articles, op-eds and speeches and two months for full-length nonfiction manuscripts. These time frames are subject to change if they require referrals to other agencies.
5 FAH-4 H-814 Submissions
(CT:RMH-29; 04-23-2024)
a. If text contains track changes or comments, return the text to the sender.
b. In correspondence with authors, remind them not to share uncleared text with publishers, or anyone else without a security clearance.
c. Authors whose pieces contain information concerning other executive branch entities or the White House should be advised not to contact those agencies directly for clearance. A/GIS/IPS will coordinate all external clearances as necessary.
d. Advise authors that, for electronic submissions or general questions, they should contact classification@state.gov.
For hard copy submissions, please send your piece to:
Eric Stein, Deputy Assistant Secretary
Global Information Services
A/GIS
2201 C Street NW, Ste. 12A4OA
Washington, D.C. 20520
Current employees and non-A Bureau WAEs should contact GPA/FO as these reviews are conducted under 3 FAM 4170.