(2019-0899-F) John Bass and Kosovo

4 folders, approximately 59 pages

This collection contains records related to John Bass and the former Yugoslavia. This collection consists of records from the National Security Council’s Cable, Email, and Records Management System. The collection dates from April 1998 to December 1999.

The materials in FOIA 2019-0899-F are a selective body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related material. The researcher submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for records related to John Bass and the former Yugoslavia. Specifically, the researcher requested a subject line search using the terms: Kosovo, Kosovo Liberation Army, Macedonia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Yugoslavia, Serbia, Serbia-Montenegro, NLA, National Liberation Army, Ali Ahmeti, Skopje, Southern Serbia, Presevo Valley, and UCPMB. Records to be opened are from the National Security Council’s Cable, Email, and Records Management System. The collection dates from April 1998 to December 1999. Ambassador John R. Bass is a career United States diplomat. Bass started at the U.S. Department of State in 1988. In 1998, he was named as a special assistant for Eurasian and European Affairs to Deputy Secretary of State, Strobe Talbott. In 2000, Bass was named as Chief of Staff for Talbott’s office. Following the Clinton administration Bass has served as Executive Secretary of the U.S. Department of State and as Ambassador to Georgia, Turkey, and Afghanistan. Bass is originally from New York state and a graduate of Syracuse University. Following nomination by President Biden, in December 2021, Bass took office as Under Secretary of State for Management. Records responsive to this FOIA case include cables declassified by the Department of State related to meetings regarding Kosovo held by Deputy Secretary Talbott. A significant number of records in this collection remain closed for national security reasons.

Electronic Records

Records that are responsive to this FOIA request were found in these collection areas—Clinton Presidential Records: NSC Cable, Email, and Records Management Systems. Staff and Office files were maintained at the folder level by staff members within their individual offices and document all levels of administration activity.

Collection is open to all researchers. Access to Clinton Presidential Records is governed by the Presidential Records Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. Chapter 22, as amended) and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552, as amended) and therefore records may be restricted in whole or in part in accordance with legal exemptions.

Official records of William Jefferson Clinton’s presidency are housed at the Clinton Presidential Library and administered by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) under the provisions of the Presidential Records Act (PRA).

Staff Archivist, 2022. Previously restricted materials are added as they are released.

The following is a list of documents and folders processed in response to FOIA 2019-0899-F:
Box 1
Clinton Presidential Records: NSC Cable, Email, and Records Management System
NSC Cables
Jan 1997-Dec 1998 [OA/ID 520000]
[John Bass…]
[04/10/1998-11/25/1998]
Jan 1999-Dec 2000 [OA/ID 530000]
[John Bass…]
[03/24/1999-05/01/1999]
NSC Emails
Exchange-Record (Sept 97-Jan 01) [OA/ID 620000]
[John Bass…]
[08/31/1998]
Exchange-Non-Record (Mar 97-Jan 01) [OA/ID 630000]
[John Bass…]
[12/10/1999]