The 1959 Telegraph Regulations of the International Telecommunications Union (as of the Geneva conference) included the provision that for telegrams crossing national boundaries,
The sender of a telegram in secret language must produce the code from which the text or part of the text or the signature of the telegram is compiled if the office of origin or the Administration to which this office belongs asks him for it. This provision should not apply to Government telegrams.
CCITT Recommendation F.4 (1988) later expanded this to be
If requested by the origin Administration, the sender of a telegram in secret language must produce the code or identify the dictionary language used in drafting the telegram. Administrations may also require the sender to produce a translation of the telegram into plain language or a language acceptable to the Administration. This provision shall not apply to government telegrams.
Copyright 1999-2009 Mark Wahl. All rights reserved.