Central Foreign Policy File (CFPF), 1973-1979

On July 1, 1973, the Department began phasing in a new central recordkeeping system. Records were no longer arranged by subject. Documents were indexed using an automated tool with most telegrams being stored electronically and hard-copy documents (beginning January 1, 1974) being stored on microfilm but indexed electronically.  Because the documents are not arranged by subject, users must rely on the electronic tools to locate documents of interest.

You may gain access to the declassified telegrams (dating through 1979) and declassified index information (dating through 1979) about the microfilmed documents on the National Archives website. Paper copies of the declassified documents on the microfilm (through 1979) are available for use at the National Archives at College Park.

Central file records dating from January 1, 1980 and later remain in the custody of the Department of State. Researchers must file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request directly with the Department to request access to records in their custody.

More information about the records is in this FAQ. Given the complexity of the recordkeeping system, researchers are strongly advised to read the FAQ before beginning use of the records.  Additional finding aids are available in the Research Room at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

Released Telegrams (Access Demand)

Subsequent to the initial release of telegrams in the Central Foreign Policy File, additional telegrams have been released in whole or in part under Freedom of Information ACT (FOIA) requests, Mandatory Declassification Requests, and other mechanisms.  In order to make those telegrams accessible to all researchers, the National Archives has taken steps to make available the texts of two types of telegrams, the text of which will not be found among the online Central Foreign Policy File (CFPF) records through the Access to Archival Databases (AAD) website:

          (a) previously classified or otherwise restricted telegrams released in whole or in part in response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests or to Mandatory Declassification Requests (MDR); and

          (b) unclassified and "Limited Official Use" telegrams the text of which is missing from the electronic database and have been printed out from the microfilm in response to a specific request.

The spreadsheet below includes metadata about the released documents as well as links to the images.    

          (1) Message Reference Number (MRN).  The unique identifier assigned by the Department of State to each incoming and outgoing telegram.  Due to the numbering convention, this number may not include the full name of the Foreign Service Post where the telegram originated.  This is also the link to the document image.

          (2) Date.  This is displayed in a DD/MM/YYYY format.

          (3) From.  The full name of the Foreign Service Post that originated a telegram.  Messages originating in the Department of State are listed as from "State."

          (4) To.  The full name of the Foreign Service Post to which a telegram is directed.  If there are multiple addressees, only the primary addressee is listed.  Messages addressed to the Department of State are listed as "State."

          (5) Subject.  Taken from the subject line of the telegram.  Withheld text is indicated by "redacted".

          (6) Film Number.  The citation for the telegram on the microfilm of telegrams.  This information is used in document citations in the series Foreign Relations of the United States.

          (7) Status.  Telegrams marked with an "F" are released in full and those marked with a "P" are released with redactions.

          (8) Reason.  A notation of the reason for the redaction on those documents only partially released.  If a document is released in full, this will be blank.

How do I cite records found on this spreadsheet?

The NARA publication “Citing Records in the National Archives of the United States” General Information Leaflet Number 17 provides general information on citing records. NARA recommends that citations include the series title "Central Foreign Policy Files, 1973-1979", an indication of the subset of that series (in this case "Released Telegrams (Access Demand)"), and the record group title "Record Group 59, General Records of the Department of State" with additional information as noted below:

More specifically, citations to individual telegrams should include identifying information such as date, to, from and the Document Number (also known as the Message Reference Number [MRN]) as found in the message attributes.  The MRN can be found on every telegram and is noted on the spreadsheet.  The citation may also include a note in brackets containing the date on which the records were retrieved online through the Catalog or the foreign affairs web pages. 

The following is a model note:

Embassy Amman to Department of State, Telegram 03088, September 6, 1976, 1976AMMAN03088, Central Foreign Policy Files, 1973-79/Released Telegrams (Access Demand), RG 59: General Records of the Department of State, National Archives (accessed June 28, 2018).

Where can I get more information about the Released Telegrams (Access Demand)?

Questions should be addressed to the Archives II Reference, Research Rooms and Augmented Processing Branch (RR2R) at: The National Archives at College Park, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001 or by email at archives2reference@nara.gov