WASHINGTON - The CIA on Tuesday declassified 5 million pages of intelligence documents that included reports chronicling world events from 1947 to the 1970s.
''This is the largest release of formerly classified CIA documents ever,'' said Director George Tenet. ''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 documents are being released to the National Archives and Records Administration and the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library.
The declassification includes Directorate of Operations reports from 1947 through 1955 that provide insight into the role of intelligence in the post-World War II era. It also includes material from the CIA related to the creation, organization and anticipated role of the agency.
Also included are ground photography materials, film, and satellite photography reports.