840.20/2–849: Telegram
The Minister in Iceland (Butrick) to the Secretary of State
53. While at Foreign Office on another matter, Foreign Minister informed me late this afternoon that Iceland wishes to be informed before hand of any invitation to participate in North Atlantic treaty so that it can time formal indication. He also stated that he was not sure that Iceland would wish to participate. I expressed great surprise and stated that this seemed to be an abrupt change from what I had previously been led to believe, particularly mentioning public statements of Prime Minister1 and Oliver Thors.2 He said nevertheless that conditions in Iceland had changed considerably and that the neutrality movement had gained great impetus and the government is not now sure of its position. I have not consulted Prime Minister.
It is true that opposition to the pact has been expertly whipped up, principally by the Communists, on the basis that stationing of foreign troops in Iceland would through contact destroy Icelandic culture. This popular theme had wide acceptance and recently there has been a gradual shift to a neutrality theme. This, as has been reported, was discounted by presumably informed political observer, perhaps too much. That there is considerable opposition to the pact, as it is generally understood, is true, but in view of the fact that the stationing of troops in Iceland in peace time is not contemplated, I had felt that a great part of this opposition would melt away and this had evidently previously been the opinion of Foreign Minister.
While statement of the Foreign Minister must be given great weight, it is barely possible that he is attempting to maneuver Iceland into bargaining position.