----------------------------Original message----------------------------
I've been reading Victor Chan's remarkable *Tibet Handbook* (Chico,
California: Moon Publications, 1994), which is an encyclopedic guide to
that country's history, culture, and geography.  In reading it I came
across a curious note in the preface (p. 19): "The topographical maps in
this work are based on relatively up-to-date, large scale maps (1:250,000)
published by the US Department of Defense.  Known as Joint Operations
Graphic (JOG) Series 1501, they are quasi-classified and difficult to
obtain."
 
I'll say they're difficult to obtain.  I've called the US Defense Mapping
Agency and various other agencies, and I'm unable to discover how to get my
very own quasi-classified maps of the various Asian countries that interest
me!
 
however, as I understand it, a document is either classified or it isn't -
there's no such thing as "quasi-classified."  If "JOG Series 1501" maps
appear in a popular travel guide, they must not be classified, I reckon.
Hence my question: where can I obtain large scale topo maps (JOG or other)
of the countries that interest me?  I'm particularly interested in maps of
various Indonesian islands.  Can any of you help a fledgling cartomaniac?
 
Thanks very much.  My apologies if this topic has been discussed recently -
I'm a new resubscriber to MAPS-L.
 
                Herb Jellinek