Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, Europe, Volume V

857.9243/1–3145

The Norwegian Ministry for Foreign Affairs to the American Embassy Near the Norwegian Government in Exile, at London ⁵⁷

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and has the honour to refer to its Note of the 1st November 1943, and to the Embassy’s Note of the 7th January, 1944, concerning the installation by the United States Navy on Jan Mayen Island of a high frequency direction finder.⁵⁸

2. The Norwegian Government’s consent to the installation and operation of the station in question was given subject to i.a. the condition that “the installation and the personnel will be withdrawn from the island after, the cessation of the present hostilities.”

3. The appropriate Norwegian authorities have now suggested that they may be given the opportunity of taking over, after the cessation of the hostilities, the buildings and installations which can be used in connection with the ordinary radio-service on the island. This solution seems indeed to be the most economic and adequate both from the point of view of the United States and of Norway.

4. It would consequently be appreciated if the U.S. Navy would refrain from taking down any buildings, installations etc. on Jan Mayen Island before consultations have taken place with representatives of the Norwegian Government with the view of deciding what buildings, installations etc. the Norwegian authorities might desire to take over from the American authorities.

5. The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs would be grateful for the Embassy’s assistance in having the present proposal submitted to the United States Navy Department.

p[ro] t[empore] London , 27 January, 1945.

57. Transmitted to the Department by the Ambassador to the Norwegian Government in Exile as an enclosure to his despatch No. 14, January 31, 1945, not printed.

58. On October 26, 1943, the American Embassy had asked the permission of the Norwegian Government for installation by the United States Navy of a high frequency direction finder on Jan Mayen Island. In a note verbale dated November 1, 1943, not printed, the Norwegian Government in Exile gave their consent to such an installation manned by a small staff of American naval personnel on the following conditions:

    • “1. The installations and the personnel will be withdrawn from the Island after the cessation of the present hostilities.
    • “2. The Commanding Officer of the American unit will be subordinated to the Commanding Officer of the Norwegian garrison in questions concerning the defence of the Island.
    • “3. Only such exterritorial rights which are prescribed by international law, will be enjoyed by the American personnel.
    • “4. Full compensation will be paid by the American Authorities for any damage due to the installation or the American personnel on Jan Mayen Island.
    • “5. The American personnel will not undertake any hunting or trapping on the Island without having obtained a permit from the Norwegian Ministry of Commerce, according to the rules established by Royal Decree of June 6th, 1930.” (Oslo Embassy File, Box 76, Folder 882, Aids to Navigation.)

    On January 7, 1944, the American Chargé, Mr. Rudolf Schoenfeld, informed the Norwegian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trygve Lie, that the United States Navy Department had indicated its concurrence in the conditions. On April 6, 1944, the Norwegian Ministry for Foreign Affairs informed the American Embassy that the Norwegian Government in Exile had given its consent also to the establishment by the United States Navy of radiosonde facilities at the high frequency radio direction finder station on Jan Mayen Island (857.9243/–11–2745).