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The Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel (ISCAP) was established by executive order 12958 (section 5.4) to perform three primary functions: Interagency Security Classification
Appeals Panel
- to rule on appeals from government employees who challenged agency classification policies
- to approve, deny, or amend agency exemptions from automatic declassification requirements
- to rule on appeals from members of the public who have filed requests for mandatory declassification.
In performing the latter function, the ISCAP has overturned a large majority of the agency classification decisions that it has considered, rendering "mandatory declassification review" an increasingly attractive alternative to the Freedom of Information Act. At the same time, ISCAP provides a measure of internal executive branch oversight of classification and declassification policies.
The ISCAP is comprised of representatives of the Departments of State, Defense, Justice, NSC, CIA and NARA. The ISOO Director serves as executive secretary. The Chair of ISCAP is William H. Leary, Senior Director for Records and Access Management, NSC.
ISCAP Communiques
- Highlights of ISCAP Activities, January - December 2002, released March 25, 2003.
- Highlights of ISCAP Activities, October 1999 - September 2000, released October 11, 2000.
- Highlights of ISCAP Activities, May 1998 - September 1999, released 16 February 2000
- Highlights of ISCAP Activities, May 1997 - April 1998, released 26 August 1998
- Highlights of ISCAP Activities, May 1996 - April 1997
Speeches
- Remarks of Roslyn A. Mazer, Chair, ISCAP, at the Freedom Forum on National FOI Day, March 16, 1999
- Remarks of Roslyn A. Mazer, Chair, ISCAP, at the Fourth Annual Intelligence Community Information and Classification Management Conference, November 2, 1998
- Remarks of Roslyn A. Mazer, Chair, ISCAP, March 6, 1998
Other
- CIA Views "the Ravnitzky Case" on Presidential Intelligence Briefs, internal CIA memo, May 6, 2002
- DoJ Office of Legal Counsel Opinion on ISCAP Jurisdiction over CIA Classification Decisions, October 5, 1999
- Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel Bylaws, as amended and republished, April 2004.
- ISCAP official web site.