Records of the
Central Intelligence Agency
(Record Group 263)
Files released in response to the Nazi War Crimes Disclosure Act and the Japanese Imperial Government Disclosure Act
Notice to Researchers in Records Released under the Nazi War Crimes Disclosure Act and the Japanese Imperial Government Records Act
The Nazi War Crimes and Japanese Imperial Government Records Interagency Working Group (IWG), in implementing the Nazi War Crimes Disclosure Act and the Japanese Imperial Government Records Act, has taken the broadest view in identifying records that may be responsive to the Acts. Information relevant to the Acts is often found among files related to other subjects. In order to preserve the archival integrity of the files, the IWG and the National Archives and Records Administration, where possible, have released entire files together, not just those items related to Nazi or Japanese war criminals, crimes, persecution, and looted assets. These records may relate to persons who are war criminals, former Axis personnel who are not war criminals, victims of war crimes or persecution, or civilian or military personnel investigating Nazi activities; the records may also include mention of, or information about, persons having no connection to these activities.
CIA Name and Subject Files released under the war crimes disclosure acts fall into two groups; (1) those released prior to February 2005 that were the result of the CIA’s initial effort and in accordance with then current CIA release guidance and (2) those compiled after the extension of the acts in February 2005 that were released in accordance with a significantly reduced restrictive release policy, One part of the second release entailed the re-review of materials previously withheld and resulted in the release of more information on the same individuals and subjects. In addition, the CIA expanded its searches on names and subjects greatly expanding the number of files and tripling the volume of the collection.
First Release
CIA Name Files and Subject Files compiled by the Central Intelligence Agency in response to the Disclosure Acts. These files are comprised of documentation from several CIA filing systems and are organized under the names of 788 individuals and subjects found in response to many thousands of search terms and subject matter guidance provided to the Agency by the IWG. The approximately 60,000 pages provide information on wartime crimes; on the postwar search for, contact with, and intelligence use of war criminals and Nazi collaborators; and new information on the workings of U. S. intelligence during the Cold War.
Second Release
CIA Name Files and Subject Files compiled by the Central Intelligence Agency in response to the Disclosure Acts. These files are comprised of documentation from several CIA filing systems and are organized under the names of approximately 1100 individuals and subjects. These files include biographical sketches, correspondence, reports, memorandums, message, telegrams, publications, clippings, dispatches, translations, transcripts, legislative records, legal documents, statements, lists, and other records. Many of the records relate to people in one or both of two categories: Axis personnel accused of committing war crimes, or of belonging to criminal organizations, during World War II; and former Axis personnel who were used by the U. S. as intelligence sources during the Cold War.
Both releases include documentation relating to people who were never accused of war crimes or of belonging to criminal organizations, but who may have been associated with war crimes as victims, witnesses, investigators, sources, or officials.
Researchers seeking release of information withheld by agencies from these files should submit a Freedom of Information or other request directly to the National Archives Access/FOIA LICON (NWCTF).
