CIA releases largest-ever batch of declassified documents

From CNN Senior Producer Marty Kramer

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The CIA announced Monday the release of 5 million pages "of declassified intelligence documents" 25 years old or older to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library.

In a press statement, CIA Director George Tenet said "this is the largest release of formerly classified CIA documents ever. It reflects my commitment to be as forward-leaning as possible in releasing information that with the passage of time no longer needs to be protected."

The release included Directorate of Operations reports from 1947 through 1955 which "provide important insights on the role of intelligence in the post-World War II period," the statement said.

The CIA released "finished intelligence products" from the Directorate of Intelligence, that chronicle world events from 1947 to the 1970s.

The agency also released what it characterized as "a collection of abstracts of foreign scientific articles, ground photographs and associated reference material, the CIA's first release of motion picture film and translations of foreign language material."

The agency says the photographs released "depict, among other things, worldwide military subjects, facilities, individuals, events and geographical locations."

The released motion pictures include "a wide variety of intelligence, world affairs, and training topics."

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