ICELAND: CONSIDERING RESPONSE TO PROPOSAL FOR TERRORIST

C O N F I D E N T I A L REYKJAVIK 000275 SIPDIS DEPT FOR CA/P/IP, EUR/NB E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/21/2018 TAGS: ASEC CMGT CVIS PTER PGOV PREL IC SUBJECT: ICELAND: CONSIDERING RESPONSE TO PROPOSAL FOR TERRORIST SCREENING INFORMATION EXCHANGE PURSUANT TO HSPD-6 REFS: A) State 101569 B) Thompson email 10/29/08 Classified By: Amb. Carol van Voorst for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) A/DCM and ConOff delivered Ref A demarche and model document to Ministry for Foreign Affairs Desk Officer for the U.S. (and Deputy Chief of the Defense Department) Audunn Atlason and MFA Defense Department First Secretary Ingibjorg Petursdottir on November 21. Emboffs also referred to Department briefing for Icelandic Minister of Justice Bjarnason in Washington on October 29 (Ref B). ¶2. (C) Atlason noted the MFA's receipt of the demarche and said the Ministry would coordinate the Icelandic government response. He echoed MOJ Bjarnason's sentiment that the 2006 U.S.-Iceland Joint Understanding would be a useful framework for an agreement to exchange terrorist screening information. Atlason said he was not sure whether a December visit by a USG interagency team would be feasible, but that the MFA would work to provide post with an answer as soon as possible. He added that the MFA would be appreciative of further information on which Visa Waiver Program countries have already concluded such agreements. van Voorst