811.0145/6–1545

Memorandum by Mr. John H. Morgan, Acting Chief, Division of Northern European Affairs, to Mr. Eugene H. Dooman, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State ( Dunn )

Mr. Dooman: With reference to the proposed declaration of policy concerning coastal fisheries discussed with the Icelandic Minister, Mr. Thor Thors, on May 15,54 Mr. Thors today informed me that he had just received a cable from his Government stating that while it was in agreement with the general principles of the new policy there were [Page 1512] certain details with regard to its application which the Icelandic Government was not sure without further study were favorable to Icelandic interests. The Government, therefore, desired to discuss this matter further with Mr. Thors on his return to Iceland. Mr. Thors is flying to Reykjavik on June 21 and hopes that it may be possible to give us a definitive answer by the end of the month. He states the cable received by him did not specify the details concerning which the Icelandic Government has doubts.

Mr. Thors stated that in the circumstances he did not intend to address a note to the Department on the subject at this time but that if Mr. Dooman had any suggestions or wished to discuss the matter further he was, of course, at Mr. Dooman’s disposal.

John H. Morgan
  1. Memorandum of conversation not printed.