Office of Special Counsel (WikiLeaks)
| Tracking # |
FO-14-0643 |
| Submitted | Nov. 27, 2013 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Alexa O'Brien
November 27, 2013
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter constitutes a request under the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”), 5 U.S.C. § 552, and is submitted on behalf of journalist Alexa O’Brien.
I seek any and all documents in the Office of Special Counsel’s possession that pertain to the WikiLeaks website or organization from January 2006 to the present date.
I am a “representative of the news media” for fee waiver purposes. See Project on Military Procurement v. Department of the Navy, 710 F. Supp. 362, 363, 365 (D.C.D. 1989). My work has been published in The Cairo Review of Global Affairs, Guardian UK, Salon, and featured by PBS Frontline, On The Media and Public Radio International. Based on my status as a “news media” requester, I am entitled to receive the requested record with only duplication fees asserted. Further, because disclosure of this information will “contribute greatly to the public understanding of the operation or activities of the government,” duplication fees should be waived.
There is a compelling need for the requested documents such that expedited processing is appropriate. I am engaged in disseminating information. There exists an urgent need to inform the public concerning actual or alleged Federal Government activity. As 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(E)(ii)(I) provides, I will anticipate your determination on our request within ten (10) calendar days.
I requests that in the event that access to any of the requested records is denied pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 552(b), I be provided with all non-exempt portions which are reasonably segregable. I further request that you describe the deleted material in detail and specify the statutory basis for the denial as well as your reasons for believing that the alleged statutory justification applies in this instance. Please separately state your reasons for not invoking your discretionary powers to release the requested documents. Such statements will be helpful in deciding whether to appeal an adverse determination, and in formulating arguments in case an appeal is taken. I reserve my right to appeal the withholding or deletion of any information and expect that you will list the office and address were such an appeal can be sent.
I requests that documents responsive to this request be provided to me in electronic format on a CD-ROM.
Thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this request.
Sincerely,
Alexa O’Brien
From: Request, Foia
MuckRock News (ATTN: Alexa O’Brien)
DEPT MR 9309
Post Office Box 55819
Boston, MA 02205-5819
Re: Freedom of Information Act Request FO-14-0643
Dear Ms. O’Brien:
This letter acknowledges that the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) received your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request (seeking information pertaining to WikiLeaks) on November 27, 2013. Your request has been assigned tracking number FO-14-0643. Please refer to this tracking number in future communications with OSC regarding this request.
In your letter, you requested expedited processing. Since you have not met the criteria for expedited processing pursuant to OSC’s FOIA regulations, 5 CFR Part 1820.4(c), I must deny your request for expedited processing. You have the right to appeal this determination under the FOIA. Any such appeal must be made in writing and sent to OSC’s General Counsel at the address shown at the top of this letter or by email to FOIAappeal@osc.gov. The appeal must be received by the Office of General Counsel within 45 days of the date of this letter.
OSC will respond to your FOIA request under its standard procedure, which is to categorize FOIA requests in two tracks, “simple” and “complex.” We then generally process the requests in the order in which they were received within each category. After an initial review, we have placed your request in the complex track.
Furthermore, your FOIA request presents “unusual circumstances” as described in the FOIA because the records you requested require consultation with other components within OSC or with another federal agency and it will take time to consult with them. Such unusual circumstances allow agencies to extend the time needed to complete the processing of a request beyond 20 working days. You may wish to consider narrowing the scope of your request to limit the number of potentially responsive items or to arrange for an alternative time frame for processing your request.
If you have any questions or wish to discuss your request, you may contact OSC’s FOIA Officer, Christopher Kurt, by telephone at 202-254-3716, or by e-mail at ckurt@osc.gov.
Sincerely,
/s/
Kenneth Hendricks
Associate General Counsel
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 27, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #FO-14-0643.
Thank you for your help.
From: Request, Foia
Ms. O'Brien,
Your request currently stands at approximately 132 out of 143 pending FOIA requests. OSC generally processes requests in the order they were received. OSC anticipates making a determination regarding this request by August 29, 2014.
Sincerely,
Christopher Kurt
FOIA/Privacy Act Officer
U.S. Office of Special Counsel
Tel: (202) 254-3716
Fax: (202) 254-3711
NOTE: The information contained in this e-mail message, including any attached files, is intended only for the recipient(s) to whom it is addressed. This message contains information that is sensitive, confidential, and/or protected by the attorney work product, law enforcement, deliberative process, or other privilege. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient(s) is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the material from your computer system.
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From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 27, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #FO-14-0643.
Thank you for your help.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 27, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #FO-14-0643.
Thank you for your help.
From: Request, Foia
Per my response of 1/9/14, OSC will attempt to respond to this request by August 29, 2014.
Chris Kurt
-------------------------------
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 27, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #FO-14-0643.
Thank you for your help.
From: Request, Foia
Ms. O'Brien,
Please see my response of Jan. 9, 2014.
Christopher Kurt
-----------------------------
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 27, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #FO-14-0643.
Thank you for your help.
From: Request, Foia
Ms. O'Brien,
Again, please see my response of Jan. 9, 2014.
Christopher Kurt
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 27, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #FO-14-0643.
Thank you for your help.
From: Request, Foia
Ms. O'Brien,
Your request now stands at number 107 of approximately 225 pending requests. OSC’s new estimate for a response is February 13, 2015.
Christopher Kurt
-
~WRD000
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 27, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #FO-14-0643.
Thank you for your help.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 27, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #FO-14-0643.
Thank you for your help.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 27, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #FO-14-0643.
Thank you for your help.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 27, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #FO-14-0643.
Thank you for your help.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 27, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #FO-14-0643.
Thank you for your help.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 27, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #FO-14-0643.
Thank you for your help.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 27, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #FO-14-0643.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 27, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #FO-14-0643.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 27, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #FO-14-0643.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 27, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #FO-14-0643.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 27, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #FO-14-0643.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Request, Foia
Dawn, here is that 1 email that you said you could not locate in the FOIA inbox that was unread.
Tarik
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~WRD000
From: Office of Special Counsel
U.S. OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL 1730 M Street, N.W., Suite 218 Washington, DC 20036-4505 (202) 804-7000
June 17, 2018 Ms.Alexa O'Brien Muckrock News Department MR 9309P.O. Box 55819 Boston,MA 02205-5819 ViaEmail:
requests@muckrock.com Re: Freedom of Information Act and/or PrivacyAct Request #FO-14-0643 Dear Ms. O'Brien: Please be advised that your Freedom of Information Act(FOIA) and/or Privacy Act request to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC)has been in the request queue pending processing. We acknowledge and apologize for the delay in processing your request due to OSC's FOIA backlog; however, we are committed to communicating with requesters. After an initial review when it wasreceived, your request was placed in our “Complex” track for FOIArequests. (OSC categorizes its FOIArequests in three tracks, “simple,” “complex,” and “expedited.” We then generally process the requests in theorder in which they were received within each category). Becauseyour request is Complex and it has been a long time since you made therequest, OSC would like to confirm that you are still seeking the recordsrequested. If you find that you no longer need the requested records,please advise BY REPLY EMAIL stating that you longer wish to have yourrequest processed. We will administratively close your request at that time. Ifyou remain interested in the records, please advise BY REPLY EMAILstating that you wish to have your request processed. You may wish toconsider narrowing the scope of your request, which will allow us to provide aresponse more quickly. Ifyou wish to speak with someone directly, you may contact the FOIA PublicLiaison, at 202-804-7000. Ifwe do not receive a response to this message within 30 working days, we will administratively close your request. Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to hearingfrom you soon! Thank you,
Office of the Clerk
U.S. Office of Special Counsel 1730 M. St, NW Washington, DC 20036 foiarequest@osc.gov Attachment
June 17, 2018 Processing Update Confirmation
***************************** OSC FOIARequest # FO-14-0643
*
I, Alexa O'Brien would like OSC to continue processing my FOIA request (#FO-14-0643) in its order in the queue. I understand that my request may still take some time to complete.
*
I, Alexa O'Brien, give my consent to OSC to withdraw my FOIA request (#FO-14-0643). I understand that the requested records will not be processed.
*
I, Alexa O'Brien would like to narrow the scope of my initial FOIA request (#FO-14-0643) currently pending in OSC's queue. Please consider the narrowed scope as follows: _________________________ _________________________ Signature Date Please mail this signed form to the Office of the Clerk at the address at the top of this letter within 30 days of thedate of this letter. You may also faxthe signed form to (202) 254-5151 or scan and email it to FOIArequest@osc.gov Please keep acopy for your records.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 27, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #FO-14-0643.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Office of Special Counsel
U.S. OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL 1730 M Street, N.W., Suite 218 Washington, DC 20036-4505 (202) 804-7000 July 18, 2018
Ms. Alexa O'Brien Muckrock News Department MR 9309 P.O. Box 55819 Boston, MA 02205-5819 Via Email: requests@muckrock.com Re: Freedom of Information Act and/or Privacy Act Request (#FO-14-0643) Dear Ms. O'Brien: I am writing in response to your request for a status update of your pending request with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC).
Your request is 6 of 231 pending request in our processing queue. OSC generally processed request on a first come first serve basis. If you have any questions, would otherwise like to discuss your request, or you require dispute resolution services, please feel free to contact Mahala Dar, OSC’s Chief FOIA Officer and acting FOIA Public Liaison, at mdar@osc.gov or at (202) 804-7000. Please reference the above-noted tracking number if you call or write. Additionally, you may contact the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) at the National Archives and Records Administration to inquire about the FOIA mediation services they offer. [1] With kind regards, /s/ Tarik Ndongo FOIA Team Office of the Clerk
[1] You can reach OGIS by mail at Office of Government Information Services (OGIS), National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, Room 2510, College Park, MD, 20740-6001; by email at ogis@nara.gov ; by fax at 202-741-5769; or by telephone at 202-741-5770 or toll-free at 1-877-684-6448.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 27, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #FO-14-0643.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Office of Special Counsel
U.S. OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL 1730 M Street, N.W., Suite 218 Washington, DC 20036-4505 (202) 804-7000 August 19, 2018
Ms. Alexa O'Brien Muckrock News Department MR 9309 P.O. Box 55819 Boston, MA 02205-5819 Via Email: requests@muckrock.com Re: Freedom of Information Act and/or Privacy Act Request (#FO-14-0643) Dear Ms. O'Brien: I am writing in response to your request for a status update of your pending request with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC).
Your request is 3 of 149 pending request in our processing queue. OSC generally processed request on a first come first serve basis. If you have any questions, would otherwise like to discuss your request, or you require dispute resolution services, please feel free to contact Mahala Dar, OSC’s Chief FOIA Officer and acting FOIA Public Liaison, at mdar@osc.gov or at (202) 804-7000. Please reference the above-noted tracking number if you call or write. Additionally, you may contact the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) at the National Archives and Records Administration to inquire about the FOIA mediation services they offer. [1] With kind regards, /s/ Tarik Ndongo FOIA Team Office of the Clerk
[1] You can reach OGIS by mail at Office of Government Information Services (OGIS), National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, Room 2510, College Park, MD, 20740-6001; by email at ogis@nara.gov ; by fax at 202-741-5769; or by telephone at 202-741-5770 or toll-free at 1-877-684-6448.
From: Office of Special Counsel
Dear Ms. O'Brien,
I am following up with you regarding your FOIA request. I am in the process of doing a final review of the records. Please confirm that the timeframe of your request is January 1, 2006 to November 27, 2013 (the date we received your request in our office).
Thank you,
Katie Baker
Attorney
U.S. Office of Special Counsel
1730 M Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036-4505
(202) 804-7024
NOTICE: This message and any attachments may contain information that is sensitive, confidential, or legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify the sender and delete this email from your system; you should not copy, use, or disclose its contents. Thank you for your cooperation.
From: Office of Special Counsel
Hello Ms. O'Brien,
I am following up with you again regarding your FOIA request. I have a few questions for you. Do you have any time tomorrow to discuss?
Thank you,
Katie Baker
From: Office of Special Counsel
U.S. OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL 1730 M Street, N.W., Suite 218 Washington, DC 20036-4505 (202) 804-7000 September 9, 2018
Ms. Alexa O'Brien Muckrock News Department MR 9309 P.O. Box 55819 Boston, MA 02205-5819 [CUSTOMFIELD23] [CUSTOMFIELD24] Via Email: requests@muckrock.com (mailto:requests@muckrock.com) Re: Freedom of Information Act and/or Privacy Act Request (#FO-14-0643) Dear Ms. O'Brien: I am writing in response to your request for a status update of your pending request with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC).
OSC generally processed request on a first come first serve basis. Your request is being reviewed by a final review attorney. We anticipate release within the next two weeks. If you have any questions, would otherwise like to discuss your request, or you require dispute resolution services, please feel free to contact me at mdar@osc.gov or at (202) 804-7000. Please reference the above-noted tracking number if you call or write. Additionally, you may contact the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) at the National Archives and Records Administration to inquire about the FOIA mediation services they offer. [1] Thank you, /s/ Mahala Dar Clerk Office of the Clerk
[1] You can reach OGIS by mail at Office of Government Information Services (OGIS), National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, Room 2510, College Park, MD, 20740-6001; by email at ogis@nara.gov ; by fax at 202-741-5769; or by telephone at 202-741-5770 or toll-free at 1-877-684-6448.
From: Office of Special Counsel
Ms. O'Brien,
Please contact me at your earliest convenience. I have questions regarding your FOIA request.
Thank you,
Katie
From: Office of Special Counsel
Ms. O'Brien,
I am writing to inform you that, without further guidance from you, we have interpreted the timeframe of your request to be from January 1, 2006 to November 27, 2013 (the date we received your request in our office).
Thank you,
Katie Baker
From: Office of Special Counsel
Dear Ms. O'Brien,
Please see the attached final release letter and records regarding FOIA Request FO-14-0643. You will receive a total of seven (7) separate emails with responsive records. Feel free to contact me with any questions and/or concerns.
Thank you,
Mahala
-------
Mahala Dar, Esq.
Clerk of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel
U.S. Office of Special Counsel
1730 M Street, N.W., Suite 311
Washington, DC 20036-4505
(202) 804-7056 (direct dial)
mdar@osc.gov<mailto:mdar@osc.gov> (email)
[Image result for office of special counsel]
NOTICE: This message and any attachments may contain information that is sensitive, confidential, or legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify the sender and delete this email from your system; you should not copy, use, or disclose its contents. Thank you for your cooperation.
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image003
From: Office of Special Counsel
Dear Ms. O'Brien,
Part 2.
Thank you,
Mahala
-------
Mahala Dar, Esq.
Clerk of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel
U.S. Office of Special Counsel
1730 M Street, N.W., Suite 311
Washington, DC 20036-4505
(202) 804-7056 (direct dial)
mdar@osc.gov<mailto:mdar@osc.gov> (email)
[Image result for office of special counsel]
NOTICE: This message and any attachments may contain information that is sensitive, confidential, or legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify the sender and delete this email from your system; you should not copy, use, or disclose its contents. Thank you for your cooperation.
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image002
From: Office of Special Counsel
Dear Ms. O'Brien,
Part 3.
Thank you,
Mahala
-------
Mahala Dar, Esq.
Clerk of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel
U.S. Office of Special Counsel
1730 M Street, N.W., Suite 311
Washington, DC 20036-4505
(202) 804-7056 (direct dial)
mdar@osc.gov<mailto:mdar@osc.gov> (email)
[Image result for office of special counsel]
NOTICE: This message and any attachments may contain information that is sensitive, confidential, or legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify the sender and delete this email from your system; you should not copy, use, or disclose its contents. Thank you for your cooperation.
-
image003
From: Office of Special Counsel
Dear Ms. O'Brien,
Part 4.
Thank you,
Mahala
-------
Mahala Dar, Esq.
Clerk of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel
U.S. Office of Special Counsel
1730 M Street, N.W., Suite 311
Washington, DC 20036-4505
(202) 804-7056 (direct dial)
mdar@osc.gov<mailto:mdar@osc.gov> (email)
[Image result for office of special counsel]
NOTICE: This message and any attachments may contain information that is sensitive, confidential, or legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify the sender and delete this email from your system; you should not copy, use, or disclose its contents. Thank you for your cooperation.
-
image002
From: Office of Special Counsel
Dear Ms. O'Brien,
Part 5.
Thank you,
Mahala
-------
Mahala Dar, Esq.
Clerk of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel
U.S. Office of Special Counsel
1730 M Street, N.W., Suite 311
Washington, DC 20036-4505
(202) 804-7056 (direct dial)
mdar@osc.gov<mailto:mdar@osc.gov> (email)
[Image result for office of special counsel]
NOTICE: This message and any attachments may contain information that is sensitive, confidential, or legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify the sender and delete this email from your system; you should not copy, use, or disclose its contents. Thank you for your cooperation.
-
image002
From: Office of Special Counsel
Dear Ms. O'Brien,
Part 6.
Thank you,
Mahala
-------
Mahala Dar, Esq.
Clerk of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel
U.S. Office of Special Counsel
1730 M Street, N.W., Suite 311
Washington, DC 20036-4505
(202) 804-7056 (direct dial)
mdar@osc.gov<mailto:mdar@osc.gov> (email)
[Image result for office of special counsel]
NOTICE: This message and any attachments may contain information that is sensitive, confidential, or legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify the sender and delete this email from your system; you should not copy, use, or disclose its contents. Thank you for your cooperation.
-
image003
From: Office of Special Counsel
Dear Ms. O'Brien,
Part 7.
Thank you,
Mahala
-------
Mahala Dar, Esq.
Clerk of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel
U.S. Office of Special Counsel
1730 M Street, N.W., Suite 311
Washington, DC 20036-4505
(202) 804-7056 (direct dial)
mdar@osc.gov<mailto:mdar@osc.gov> (email)
[Image result for office of special counsel]
NOTICE: This message and any attachments may contain information that is sensitive, confidential, or legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify the sender and delete this email from your system; you should not copy, use, or disclose its contents. Thank you for your cooperation.
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image003
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