CIA Releases Classified Operational Data Following New Disclosure Policy under Nazi War Crimes Disclosure Act - August 14, 2006 Press Conference
The National Archives in Washington, D.C. played host to a significant press briefing on June 6, as the Interagency Working Group (IWG) unveiled declassified CIA operational records related to Nazi and Japanese war crimes. These records have been released under the Nazi War Crimes Disclosure Act of 1998 and the Japanese Imperial Government Disclosure Act of 2000.
The briefing, attended by Senator Mike DeWine of Ohio and Representative Carolyn Maloney of New York, offered a unique opportunity to delve into the U.S. government's historical intelligence efforts concerning war criminals from World War II. The records shed light on the CIA's involvement in tracking, investigating, and sometimes facilitating the escape routes used by Nazi and Japanese officials after the war.
The IWG, a group composed of representatives from eight federal agencies and three public members, has overseen the release of approximately 8 million pages of U.S. Government records related to war criminals and crimes committed by the Nazi and Japanese Imperial Governments. These records are now open to the public at the National Archives, College Park, Maryland.
The briefing was led by Archivist of the United States Allen Weinstein and a CIA representative. Historical perspectives were presented by IWG historians Norman J.W. Goda, Richard Breitman, Timothy Naftali, and Robert Wolfe. The event was also attended by IWG Public Members Elizabeth Holtzman, Thomas Baer, and Richard Ben-Veniste.
The declassification of these records provides new transparency into the U.S. government's actions during and after the war, helping historians, researchers, and the public better understand ambiguous or controversial aspects of intelligence operations involving war criminals. It also enhances historical accountability by uncovering classified information on how the U.S. handled war crimes investigations during the Cold War era, when geopolitical considerations sometimes influenced justice processes.
In addition, the release of these documents supports ongoing research and legal inquiries into war crimes, as comprehensive intelligence archives can reveal previously unknown details about perpetrators, networks, and government decisions. The IWG has previously published one volume, U.S. Intelligence and the Nazis, and two additional volumes, Researching Japanese War Crimes: Introductory Essays and an accompanying electronic Guide to Japanese War Crimes Records are expected to be published soon.
The briefing took place in Room 105, National Archives Building, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Press Contacts for the event are Giuliana Bullard (IWG) at 703-532-1477 and Susan Cooper (National Archives) at 202-357-5300. For more information about the IWG, visit http://www.ourwebsite.gov/iwg/. The briefing started at 9:00 A.M., with a pre-set time for television/radio at 8:30 A.M. Following the briefing, the historians were available for comment.
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