FAS Note: This Department of Energy fact sheet was prepared by the Department of Energy in late 2000.

FACT SHEET

PROPOSED DECLASSIFICATION OF THE NUMBER OF NUCLEAR WARHEADS IN
THE U.S. STOCKPILE
(CURRENTLY FORMERLY RESTRICTED DATA)^*

CHRONOLOGY

1992	DOE Proposes Stockpile Declassification DoD Nonconcurs
1992	General Powell releases notional Stockpile Numbers (Shown to NSC before briefing, not coordinated with nor declassified by DOE)
1994	Joint DOE/DoD Declassification of Stockpile Numbers through 1961 (Agreement for future declassifications 1 year after retirement)
1998	DOE Proposes Stockpile Declassification through 1964 DoD Nonconcurs
2000	DOE Proposes Total Declassification of Stockpile Numbers (see Attachment) Some DoD Staff appear nonreceptive to proposal

STATUS

Expect DoD to convene working group and indicate that more time is needed to review DOE proposal

PLAYERS

DOE	Eugene E. Habiger Joseph S. Mahaley Roger K. Heusser	202-586-3345 202-586-6591 301-903-3521
DoD	Arthur L. Money J. William Leonard COL William T. Coleman	703-695-0348 703-695-2396 703-697-5568

* Requires joint DOE/DoD agreement for declassification

Attachment: May 10,2000, Letter from Habiger, DOE to Money, DoD

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Department of Energy
Washington, DC 20585

May 10, 2000

Honorable Arthur L. Money
Assistant Secretary of Defense
for Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence
6000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301-6000

Dear Mr. Money:

Currently, there is a disconnect between the Department of Energy (DOE)and the Department of Defense (DOD) over the classification of stockpile information. Our position at DOE is that, in a macro sense, this information is unclassified. DOD's position has historically been that it is classified.

I propose the declassification of total nuclear weapon stockpile quantities (past, present, and future) and subcategorization of those quantities by purpose, delivery system, and active/inactive status, but not by location, or specific weapon type. In 1992, DOE proposed the declassification of the current total number of weapons in the stockpile and certain subcategory stockpile information. At that time, DOD rejected the proposal, though in subsequent years, did agree to and approve the declassification of certain select and historical stockpile quantity information.

I appreciate your assistance in resolving this issue as quickly as possible.

Sincerely,

Eugene E. Habiger, USAF (Retired)
Director, Office of Security and Emergency Operations