Outgoing cables must be prepared using a format with a 10 or 12 pitch, and a courier or OCR font. Cables must be prepared in capitals, and not exceed the maximum of 69 characters per line, and 21 lines per page.
NOTE: A WordPerfect macro is available through the Telecommunication Center (TCC) at 202-482-4128 to help in preparing cables on a PC using 8 ½ " x 11" plain bond paper.
The preparation of a CD-310/CD310A formatted cable without the use of an automated macro is to be completed as follows:
1. PAGE PAGES Block: The first two digit number in this field is always "01", the second two digit number indicates the total number of pages in the message. The two digit numbers must be listed as 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, etc..
2. CLASSIFICATION Block: Type either Unclassified, Confidential, Secret or Top Secret. For information on classification, contact the Office of Security at 202-482-6229.
3. E/O. 12958 Block: This Executive Order designates message decontrol procedures. For unclassified messages type N/A. For classified messages, the entries are either "DECL:' meaning declassify, or "DNG:" meaning downgrade followed by a date (MM/DD/YY). The completed block should appear like the following example: DECL: 02/18/09.
4. DATE Block: Enter the current date (MM/DD/YY).
5. CLASSIFIED BY Block: Leave blank for unclassified. For classified, type the last and first name of the official authorized to classify the message. If in doubt, contact the Office of Security at 202-482-6229.
6. DRAFTER'S PHONE NUMBER Block: Enter drafters office phone number.
7. DRAFTED BY Block: Type the drafter's office symbols, first initial, last name, and write the drafter's initials in the (DRAFTED BY:) Block, on the right side of the CD-310.
8. APPROVED BY Block: Type the approving person's office symbols, first initial, last name, and write the approval official's initials in the (APPROVED BY:) Block, on the right side of the CD-310 Form..
9. CLEARANCES Block: Type the office symbols, first initial and last names of the clearing officers. Use as many of the four available blocks as appropriate, and write the clearing officers initials in the (CLEARANCE) Blocks, on the right side of the CD-310. NOTE: All ITA originated cables must indicate either "MAC" (Market Access and Compliance) or "NCR" (No Clearance Required) approval in clearance block 4.
10. TO Block: Type the first Action Addressee adjacent to the (TO) letters beginning on the right side of the dotted line. Each succeeding Action addressee will be typed on separate lines, also beginning on the right side of the dotted line. If the nature of the information contained in the cable or its time sensitivity requires faster than routine delivery, the action precedence designator PRIORITY, (meaning rapid action and prompt delivery), or IMMEDIATE (meaning extremely urgent) may be used to expedite the transmission and delivery. The precedence designator should always follow the addressee(s), separated by one space. In the event the cable is of routine precedence, no designator is required.
11. INFO ADDRESSEES: Type INFO on the right side of the dotted line, immediately after the last action addressee line. A separate line will be used for each addressee, and the precedence will be determined using the same criteria as with the action precedence designators in paragraph 10 above. The precedence designator(s) will also follow the addressee separated by one space. The precedence for an INFO addressee must always be the same or lower than that of an ACTION addressee, and in the event the precedence is routine, no designator is required.
12. CAP: Line: Start each line with the letters "CAP:"at the far left margin lined up under the word "TO". List the Caption one space to the right of the colon (:). Captions indicate special instructions such as specifically intended recipients. If the cable is determined to be SENSITIVE in nature by the originator, the word SENSITIVE will be stated on the last CAP line. A maximum of 6 captions are authorized on a cable.
13. TAGS: Line: Type "TAGS:" at the far left margin lined up under the word CAP:. Type appropriate TAGS starting one space to the right of the colon(:). Tags are State Department Subject, Geo-political or Program designators that aid in message distribution. Refer to State Department publication 5FAH-3 or contact the Telecommunications Center (TCC) at 202-482-4128 for additional information.
14. SUBJECT: Line: Type "SUBJECT:" at the far left margin under TAGS. List the subject, starting one space to the right of the colon(:). Type the subject, describing the cable as concisely as possible.
15. REF: Line: If the new cable is in reference to previous cables(s), Type "REF:" at the far left margin. Begin one space to the right of the colon(:), separating each reference by commas, type the Post and Cable Number of each cable referred to. (Ex: REF: STATE 45216, PARIS 002345, BRUSSELS 00254).
16. CLASSIFIED BY: Line: The reason for classification should be derived from section 1.5 of the Executive Order 12958. This statement should be unnumbered and precede the summary paragraph or paragraph one, whichever is applicable. Example: (C) Classified by John Doe, Program Manager ESS reason 1.5 (A). In addition, all classified outgoing cables must have notations at the beginning of each paragraph consisting of the first letter of the classification desired, i.e., (TS) Top Secret, (S) Secret, (C) Confidential, (SBU) Sensitive But Unclassified or (U) Unclassified.
17. Text Line: The cable text will always follow the SUBJECT:, or REF:, or CLASSIFIED BY: lines, if used. Type the text starting at the far left margin, (to the right of the solid line. If the message is longer than one paragraph, number each consecutively. Note: if message is longer than one page, use Message Continuation Sheet (CD-310A)
18. ORIGIN: Line: This line consist of the Cable Code, Organization, and Name of sender. It will always follow the last line of text, indented 15 spaces from the left margin, and inclosed in brackets. (e.g. (ORIGIN: 3140/OCSD/JWILLIS)
Once the properly completed cable has been cleared and approved, it should be taken to the TCC in room 6840 for transmission. Unclassified cables can be send to the TCC via e-mail at: outgoing_cable@ita.doc.gov.
For additional information contact: Jerry Willis during regular business hours or the TCC Shift Supervisor after business hours at 202-482-4128.
