Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06REYKJAVIK143
2006-04-25 10:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Reykjavik
Cable title:
ICELAND: CAUTIOUS SUPPORT FOR NATO'S 'GLOBAL
how-toVZCZCXYZ0011 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHRK #0143 1151048 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 251048Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY REYKJAVIK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2717 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 0212
C O N F I D E N T I A L REYKJAVIK 000143
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/RPM:EVA SHINAGEL
USNATO FOR TOM UNDERWOOD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/24/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR NATO IC
SUBJECT: ICELAND: CAUTIOUS SUPPORT FOR NATO'S 'GLOBAL
PARTNERSHIP'
REF: A. (A) SECSTATE 56334
B. (B) USNATO 213
Classified By: AMBASSADOR CAROL VAN VOORST, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L REYKJAVIK 000143
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/RPM:EVA SHINAGEL
USNATO FOR TOM UNDERWOOD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/24/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR NATO IC
SUBJECT: ICELAND: CAUTIOUS SUPPORT FOR NATO'S 'GLOBAL
PARTNERSHIP'
REF: A. (A) SECSTATE 56334
B. (B) USNATO 213
Classified By: AMBASSADOR CAROL VAN VOORST, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) Post presented ref A points to Icelandic MFA Acting
Political Director Thordur Bjarni Gudjonsson April 24.
Gudjonsson stated that Reykjavik has not adopted a formal
position on the U.S.-UK proposal for a NATO "Global
Partnership," adding that:
-- In principle, cooperation with NATO should be open to any
like-minded country.
-- Iceland supports efforts to make partnership with NATO
more "interesting" for potential partners.
2. (C) Poloff noted ref B report that Iceland thought
"international" a more appropriate term than "global" for the
partnership, and Gudjonsson remarked that Iceland, while it
agrees with the U.S. and UK on substance, might have some
issues with our packaging. He did not elaborate.
3. (C) Comment: Judging by Gudjonsson's comments and his
government's current focus on homeland air defense, Iceland
will not make "Global Partnership" a foreign policy priority.
The GOI's consistent support for Alliance engagement with
other countries bodes well for Icelandic cooperation as we
try to realize U.S.-UK goals. On the other hand, the
'international versus global' semantic issue bespeaks
Icelandic concern, with Naval Air Station Keflavik soon to
close, that NATO not ignore core Euro-Atlantic security
issues in its pursuit of global ambitions. End comment.
van Voorst
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/RPM:EVA SHINAGEL
USNATO FOR TOM UNDERWOOD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/24/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR NATO IC
SUBJECT: ICELAND: CAUTIOUS SUPPORT FOR NATO'S 'GLOBAL
PARTNERSHIP'
REF: A. (A) SECSTATE 56334
B. (B) USNATO 213
Classified By: AMBASSADOR CAROL VAN VOORST, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) Post presented ref A points to Icelandic MFA Acting
Political Director Thordur Bjarni Gudjonsson April 24.
Gudjonsson stated that Reykjavik has not adopted a formal
position on the U.S.-UK proposal for a NATO "Global
Partnership," adding that:
-- In principle, cooperation with NATO should be open to any
like-minded country.
-- Iceland supports efforts to make partnership with NATO
more "interesting" for potential partners.
2. (C) Poloff noted ref B report that Iceland thought
"international" a more appropriate term than "global" for the
partnership, and Gudjonsson remarked that Iceland, while it
agrees with the U.S. and UK on substance, might have some
issues with our packaging. He did not elaborate.
3. (C) Comment: Judging by Gudjonsson's comments and his
government's current focus on homeland air defense, Iceland
will not make "Global Partnership" a foreign policy priority.
The GOI's consistent support for Alliance engagement with
other countries bodes well for Icelandic cooperation as we
try to realize U.S.-UK goals. On the other hand, the
'international versus global' semantic issue bespeaks
Icelandic concern, with Naval Air Station Keflavik soon to
close, that NATO not ignore core Euro-Atlantic security
issues in its pursuit of global ambitions. End comment.
van Voorst