National Security Archive

February 10, 2005 5:11 AM

George Washington University's National Security Archive carries a collection of declassified US documents and articles on Saddam Hussein; Mexico, Cuba and other Latin American countries; Nixon's meeting with Elvis; the CIA and Nazi war criminals; etc.
posted by plep (8 comments total)

Some interesting stuff there. One I found quite interesting was a briefing note for Rumsfelds visit to Iraq in 1984, specifically paragraph 7:

Iraq is confused by our means of pursuing our stated objectives in the region, whether in combatting Khomeini, in Lebanon, in Syria, or with friends such as Jordan, Egypt and Isreal. In each case, Iraqi officials have professed to be at a loss to explain our actions as measured against our stated objectives. As with our CW statement, their temptation is to give up rational analysis and retreat to the line that US policies are basically anti-Arab and hostage to the desired of Isreal.

Is this indicative of a flaw in US foreign policy in the Middle East (sending mixed messages) or a slight contempt for their Arab counterparts ("their tempation is to give up rational analysis...")? It certainly shows the potential for Iraqui misjudgement in 1990.

Regardless, it's very interesting to see diplomatic cables such as these. My father is a career diplomat, and while I've never been privy to his work, I imagine it is similar to this.
posted by smcniven at 6:28 AM on February 10, 2005

That's like a pretty and not-too-controversial version of John Young's Cryptome.
posted by lowlife at 6:30 AM on February 10, 2005

Of course, this is where I went for my fact finding mission concerning Noriega Vs. Rock n Roll .
posted by Sellersburg/Speed at 6:45 AM on February 10, 2005

Cheers, plep - that Elvis/Nixon archive is a classic ...
posted by carter at 8:38 AM on February 10, 2005

Nice find, plep.....
posted by Pressed Rat at 8:39 AM on February 10, 2005

FYI: the National Security Archive predates the web by a number of years.
posted by dhartung at 7:49 PM on February 10, 2005

Wow. Elvis had really horrible handwriting. Also, I would think tha the would be able to afford better stationery than "American Airlines : In Flight" paper, but I suppose when your main concern is "helping the country out," being classy is entirely secondary.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 5:43 AM on February 11, 2005

*I would think that he.

(I would also think that I would be able to type. Clearly, I would be wrong.)
posted by grapefruitmoon at 5:44 AM on February 11, 2005