Agreement between the United States and Iceland for the termination of the defense agreement of July 1, 1941

[Under the terms of the agreement between the United States and Iceland regarding the defense of Iceland by United States forces, effected on July 1, 1941, United States forces were to withdraw from Iceland immediately on the conclusion of the war. For text of the agreement, see Department of State Executive Agreement Series No. 232; for documentation on the agreement, see Foreign Relations, 1941, volume II, pages 776 ff. On October 1, 1945, following exchanges with the Icelandic Government earlier in the year, the United States proposed the basis for negotiation of a new agreement that would make military facilities in Iceland available for the joint use of Iceland and the United States after the termination of the war. Assurances were given to the Icelandic Government that any rights granted to the United States under such an agreement would be exercised with full regard and respect for Icelandic sovereignty and independence. The United States proposals were also made known to the British, Soviet, Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian Governments. In November 1945 the Icelandic Government informed the United States Government that it was not ready to enter negotiations on the basis of the United States proposals. Exchanges were resumed in 1946 and resulted in the agreement of October 7, 1946, between Iceland and the United States for the termination of the defense agreement of July 1, 1941, and for provision for the interim use of Keflavik airport by United States forces. For text of the agreement of October 7, 1946, effected by an exchange of notes of that date, see Department of State, Treaties and Other International Acts Series No. 1566. Documentation on the exchanges and negotiations eventuating in this agreement is included in the files of the Department of State, particularly under file number 859A.20.]