Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06REYKJAVIK364
2006-09-29 16:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Reykjavik
Cable title:
ICELAND DEFENSE: TECHNICAL AGREEMENT TO CLOSE U.S. BASE SIGNED
how-toVZCZCXRO5131 PP RUEHAST DE RUEHRK #0364 2721656 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 291656Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY REYKJAVIK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2988 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY INFO RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO PRIORITY 0262 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 0233 RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY 0036 RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS REYKJAVIK 000364
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/NB, EUR/ERA, P (BAME),L/PM
DOD FOR USD EDELMAN, OSD/RA (COSTA, CLINE),OSD/P (KELSO,
HURSCH)
OSLO FOR DATT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PREL EAIR MASS IC
SUBJECT: ICELAND DEFENSE: TECHNICAL AGREEMENT TO CLOSE U.S. BASE SIGNED
REF: REYKJAVIK 357
UNCLAS REYKJAVIK 000364
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/NB, EUR/ERA, P (BAME),L/PM
DOD FOR USD EDELMAN, OSD/RA (COSTA, CLINE),OSD/P (KELSO,
HURSCH)
OSLO FOR DATT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PREL EAIR MASS IC
SUBJECT: ICELAND DEFENSE: TECHNICAL AGREEMENT TO CLOSE U.S. BASE SIGNED
REF: REYKJAVIK 357
1. (SBU) Summary: Iceland's Foreign Minister signed the
bilateral "Technical Agreement" on the closure of Naval Air
Station Keflavik (NASKEF),as well as an agreement amending
the classified annexes to the 1951 U.S.-Iceland defense
agreement, at 1236 GMT on 29 September. The last U.S.
military personnel assigned to NASKEF are scheduled to depart
Iceland at 1730 GMT on 30 September, seen off by the U.S.
Ambassador and Embassy staff, Icelandic officials,
NATO-member ambassadors, and local media. End Summary.
2. (SBU) Following on the 26 September announcement by PM
Haarde of the conclusion of defense negotiations with the
U.S. (reftel),Foreign Minister Valgerdur Sverrisdottir on 29
September signed the "Technical Agreement" covering the
withdrawal of U.S. forces and the return of agreed areas to
the GOI. (DoD U/S Edelman had earlier signed the documents
in Washington.) The Minister also signed a document amending
certain provisions of the 1951 U.S.-Iceland defense agreement
as well as its annexes and technical schedules, some of which
were classified per the GOI's 1951 request. (On 26 September
post received a diplomatic note from the MFA requesting that
all defense agreements between the U.S. and Iceland be
declassified; we have forwarded to EUR/NB for action.)
3. (SBU) Later on September 29, NASKEF Commanding Officer
Captain Mark Laughton and MFA officials completed the
exchange of documents related to the handover or lease of
USG-owned NASKEF equipment essential to continued operations
at Keflavik Airport. On the evening of 29 September, Navy
Security will hand over responsibility for the base to the
Keflavik District Police, who will protect its facilities
while a new public corporation (reftel) considers a growing
number of proposals for their use.
4. (SBU) Captain Laughton and the remaining U.S. military
personnel assigned to Naval Air Station Keflavik are
scheduled to depart Iceland by Navy C-9 at 1730 GMT on 30
September, seen off by the U.S. Ambassador and Embassy staff,
Icelandic officials, NATO-member ambassadors, and local
media.
van Voorst
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/NB, EUR/ERA, P (BAME),L/PM
DOD FOR USD EDELMAN, OSD/RA (COSTA, CLINE),OSD/P (KELSO,
HURSCH)
OSLO FOR DATT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PREL EAIR MASS IC
SUBJECT: ICELAND DEFENSE: TECHNICAL AGREEMENT TO CLOSE U.S. BASE SIGNED
REF: REYKJAVIK 357
1. (SBU) Summary: Iceland's Foreign Minister signed the
bilateral "Technical Agreement" on the closure of Naval Air
Station Keflavik (NASKEF),as well as an agreement amending
the classified annexes to the 1951 U.S.-Iceland defense
agreement, at 1236 GMT on 29 September. The last U.S.
military personnel assigned to NASKEF are scheduled to depart
Iceland at 1730 GMT on 30 September, seen off by the U.S.
Ambassador and Embassy staff, Icelandic officials,
NATO-member ambassadors, and local media. End Summary.
2. (SBU) Following on the 26 September announcement by PM
Haarde of the conclusion of defense negotiations with the
U.S. (reftel),Foreign Minister Valgerdur Sverrisdottir on 29
September signed the "Technical Agreement" covering the
withdrawal of U.S. forces and the return of agreed areas to
the GOI. (DoD U/S Edelman had earlier signed the documents
in Washington.) The Minister also signed a document amending
certain provisions of the 1951 U.S.-Iceland defense agreement
as well as its annexes and technical schedules, some of which
were classified per the GOI's 1951 request. (On 26 September
post received a diplomatic note from the MFA requesting that
all defense agreements between the U.S. and Iceland be
declassified; we have forwarded to EUR/NB for action.)
3. (SBU) Later on September 29, NASKEF Commanding Officer
Captain Mark Laughton and MFA officials completed the
exchange of documents related to the handover or lease of
USG-owned NASKEF equipment essential to continued operations
at Keflavik Airport. On the evening of 29 September, Navy
Security will hand over responsibility for the base to the
Keflavik District Police, who will protect its facilities
while a new public corporation (reftel) considers a growing
number of proposals for their use.
4. (SBU) Captain Laughton and the remaining U.S. military
personnel assigned to Naval Air Station Keflavik are
scheduled to depart Iceland by Navy C-9 at 1730 GMT on 30
September, seen off by the U.S. Ambassador and Embassy staff,
Icelandic officials, NATO-member ambassadors, and local
media.
van Voorst