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