In this paper we report on relativistic electron (energies of ≳2 MeV) observations using detectors onboard SAMPEX and Polar satellites. The spacecraft orbits are such that a global view of the outer zone is obtained covering a wide range of energy and pitch angle. We have examined the magnetospheric electron effects of nine magnetic cloud events identified using sensors onboard the Wind spacecraft. It is confirmed, as suspected from earlier, more limited work, that the relativistic electron flux enhancements in outer zone show a high degree of coherence that is largely independent of pitch angle, L shell and energy. Furthermore, the flux enhancements occur over a broad range of L values. The observations imply that the underlying acceleration mechanism(s) are of a global nature operating simultaneously over much of the outer zone. ¿ 1999 American Geophysical Union