CPs - State
| Tracking # |
F-2022-08010 |
| Submitted | May 5, 2022 |
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Communications
From: AJ Vicens
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
any memos, emails, text messages, images or other material that reference the "Belarusian Cyber Partisans," or the "Cyber Partisans," between the dates of Sept. 20, 2020 and May 5, 2022.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
AJ Vicens
From: U.S. Department of State
Thank you for filing your FOIA request online on 5/6/2022. Here is a review of your request.
The records I request can be described as follows:
To Whom It May Concern:Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:any memos, emails, text messages, images or other material that reference the "Belarusian Cyber Partisans," or the "Cyber Partisans," between the dates of Sept. 20, 2020 and May 5, 2022.The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.Sincerely,AJ VicensUpload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
The time period of my request is from 09/20/2020 to 05/05/2022
I am An individual seeking information for personal use and not for commercial use.
I am willing to pay $25 for my request.
My additional comments are as follows:
N/A
Contact Information
Mr. AJ Vicens
MuckRock News DEPT MR 128558
411A Highland Ave
Somerville, Massachusetts 02144-2516
P: (617)299-1832
F: N/A
requests@muckrock.com
From: U.S. Department of State
**THIS EMAIL BOX IS NOT MONITORED, PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.** Mr.Vicens: This email responds to yourMay 6, 2022, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. § 552) request received by the U.S. Department of State,Office of Information Programs and Services on May 6, 2022, regarding all records - memos, emails, text messages, images or other material that reference the "Belarusian Cyber Partisans," or the "Cyber Partisans." (Date Range for Record Search: From 9/20/2020 To 5/5/2022). This Office assigned your request the subject reference number. This Office denies your request, as currently written, because itdoes not reasonably describe the records sought. request mustreasonably describe the Department records that are sought to enable Departmentpersonnel to begin a search for responsive records. Such details may include the subject,timeframe, names of any individuals involved, a contract number (ifapplicable), and reasons why the requester believes the Department may haverecords regarding the subject of the request. See 22 CFR 171.4(b). If you are not satisfied with thisOffice’s determination in response to your request, you may administrativelyappeal to: Appeals Officer, Office of InformationPrograms and Services, U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street, NW, Room B266,Washington, D.C. 20520; or facsimile at 202-485-1718. Your appeal must be postmarked orelectronically transmitted within 90 days of the date of this email. If you have any questionsregarding your request, please contact our FOIA Requester Service Center or ourFOIA Public Liaison by email at FOIAstatus@state.gov or telephone at 202-261-8484. Additionally, youmay contact the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) at theNational Archives and Records Administration to inquire about the FOIAmediation services they offer. Thecontact information for OGIS is as follows: Office of Government InformationServices, National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road-OGIS,College Park, Maryland 20740-6001, email at ogis@nara.gov; telephone at202-741-5770; toll free at 1-877-684-6448; or facsimile at 202-741-5769. Sincerely, J.Turman, for Kellie N. Robinson Chief, Requester Liaison Division (Acting) FOIA Program Manager/FOIA Public Liaison U.S. Department of State Office of Information Programs and Services **THIS EMAIL BOX IS NOT MONITORED, PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.**
From: AJ Vicens
Appeals Officer
Office of Information Programs and Services
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW, Room B266, Washington, D.C., 20520
I would like to appeal the letter I received saying that my FOIA request "does not reasonably describe the records sought." The denial — issued just five days after my request was submitted — noted that "the request must reasonably describe the Department records that are sought to enable Department personnel to begin a search for responsive records. Such details may include the subject, timeframe, names of any individuals involved ... "
My request asked for any records related the "Belarusian Cyber Partisans," or the "Cyber Partisans," which refers to a narrow and specific group and/or subject. I also specifically asked for "any records - memos, emails, text messages, images or other material," which seems to be a clear and reasonable description of possible search options.
Therefore I believe that I very narrowly constructed my request to a limited number of records that would relate to the stated subject. It is inappropriate for this agency to issue such a letter so quickly after receiving the request. Please instruct the FOIA officers to complete a search for records before making such a determination.
In the spirit of good faith, the only thing I neglected to add was a time frame. Please search for material dated between Jan. 1, 2020 and May 11, 2022.
Thank you,
AJ Vicens
From: U.S. Department of State
None
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