ISCAP Appeal Case Number 2007-033, Third Submitted Document
Classified CIA Document on Hungary Operations Remains Secret
A historical intelligence report titled ISCAP Appeal: 2007-033 (The Clandestine Service Historical Series. Volume II. Hungary: External Operations, 1946-1965, May 1975) has had its classification affirmed by the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel (ISCAP). This document, produced by the CIA's Historical Intelligence Collection and Analysis Program (HICPA), offers a detailed account of the CIA's covert activities targeting Hungary during the early Cold War era.
Nature and Content
The document provides a comprehensive historical account of CIA covert activities, including operational details such as methods, assets, agents, and analyses of Soviet and Hungarian intelligence countermeasures. It delves into clandestine recruitment, covert communications, sabotage efforts, and attempts to influence or destabilise communist regime policies. The report sheds light on early Cold War intelligence strategies, particularly the challenges faced in penetrating the Eastern Bloc.
Reason for Affirmation as Secret After ISCAP Review
Despite a request for declassification, ISCAP affirmed the document's continued classified status due to the sensitive operational details it contains. The disclosure of such information could compromise the identities of sources and methods used by the CIA, potentially exposing intelligence tradecraft. The risk of compromise remains significant for ongoing or related intelligence programs, personnel safety, or diplomatic relations.
The exposure of undercover agents, specific techniques, or covert networks could potentially be exploited by hostile intelligence services or could deter cooperation with U.S. intelligence. Some of the material likely intersects with information about other countries or intelligence operations that remain classified. Therefore, ISCAP determined that the national security concerns outweighed the historical value of public release.
Summary
ISCAP Appeal: 2007-033 is a highly detailed CIA historical analysis of covert operations in Hungary during 1946-1965, containing sensitive operational information. Its classification was affirmed because its release would still pose a risk to national security by exposing intelligence sources, methods, and potentially current or future operational capabilities.
The document is tracked by the CIA under the number CIA EO-2006-00625. It was published in May 1975 and is currently under the custodial agency of the Central Intelligence Agency. For any information regarding this document, please contact the Information and Privacy Coordinator at the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington, DC. The ISCAP Decision for this document was made on August 1, 2013.
- The classified CIA document, ISCAP Appeal: 2007-033, provides an intricate analysis of CIA covert operations in Hungary, making it important for anyone interested in policy-and-legislation surrounding Cold War politics and general news.
- Despite its historical value, the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel (ISCAP) upheld the document's classification due to its sensitive nature, as disclosure could jeopardize national security by compromising sources, methods, and potential ongoing or future intelligence operations.
