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FG 355 (Cabinet Committee to Combat Terrorism) (White House Central Files: Subject Files)

Abstract

These Presidential historical materials are in the custody of the National Archives and Records Administration under the provisions of Title I of the Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act of 1974 (44 U.S.C. 2111 note), and implementing regulations. In accordance with the act and regulations, archivists reviewed the file group to identify private or personal as well as non-historical items. Such items, if found, have been withdrawn for return to the individual with primary proprietary or commemorative interest in them.

Materials covered by this act have been archivally processed and are described in this finding aid. Items that are security classified or otherwise restricted under the act and regulations have been removed and placed in a closed file. A Document Withdrawal Record (NA Form 14021) has been placed in the front of each folder describing each withdrawn item. Employees of the National Archives will review periodically the unclassified portions of closed materials for the purpose of opening those which no longer require restrictions. Classified documents may be reviewed for declassification under authority of Executive Order 13526 in response to Mandatory Review Request (NA Form 14020) submitted by the researcher.

  • Linear measurement of materials:   < 2 in.
  • Number of pages:   154
Organizational Note

A presidential memorandum, from President Richard M. Nixon established the Cabinet Committee to Combat Terrorism on September 25, 1972. It was a Cabinet-level advisory committee that was abolished by a National Security Council memorandum dated September 16, 1977, which set up a working group on terrorism.

The Cabinet Committee was established to consider the most effective means by which to prevent terrorism in the United States and abroad, to take the lead in establishing procedures to ensure that the federal government could take appropriate action swiftly and  to effectively respond to acts of terrorism. The Committee coordinated such activities as the collection of intelligence worldwide and the physical protection of U.S. personnel. The Committee was established to consider the most effective means by which to protect installations abroad, to foreign diplomats and diplomatic installation in the United States; to evaluate such programs and activities and made recommendations for their implementation; devise procedures for reacting swiftly and effectively to acts of terrorism that occur, and to made recommendations to the Director, Office of Management and Budget concerning funding for these activities..

The Committee was composed of the Secretary of State, who served as chairperson, Secretary of the Treasury,  Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Transportation, the Attorney General, the Ambassador to the United Nations, director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Assistant to the President for National Security affairs and the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Scope and Content Note

The records consist of correspondence, memorandums, executive orders and press releases. Primary correspondents include the President and White House staff Peter M. Flanigan, Henry Kissinger, Virginia Knauer, John Ehrlichman, Herbert Klein, Brent Scowcroft, Richard T. Kennedy and David Parker.

The terms "Executive" [Ex] and "General" [Gen] are used before the code FG 355 to identify the source of the materials within a specific file. The files designated [Ex] are communications between national, foreign, state and local governments and their agencies, members of Congress and other prominent people. Files designated [Gen] are communications between government officials and private citizens, institutions and other private interests.