S/S–NSC
Files: Lot 63 D 351: NSC 40 Series1
Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State
(Webb) to the Executive Secretary of the National Security
Council (Lay)2
top secret
Washington, May 1,
1950.
Subject: First Progress Report on NSC 40/1,3 “The Position
of the United States With Respect to United States and North Atlantic
Security Interests in Iceland.”
NSC 40/1 was approved as Governmental
policy on August 5, 1949. It is requested that this Progress Report
dated March 15, 1950 be circulated to the members of the Council for
their information.
The Department of State has drawn up and forwarded to appropriate
implementing agencies both here and in the field a program designed to
decrease the vulnerability of the Icelandic Government to Communist
seizure of power. A copy of this program is attached. It is too early to
assess the results of this program.
The planning by the Department of Defense is now in advanced stages. When
it is completed there will be appropriate consultation between the
Departments of State and Defense on the subject of arrangements for
rapid implementation of these plans.
The need, adequacy and timeliness of the policy set forth in NSC 40/1 have not changed materially since
it was approved, but the conclusion of the North Atlantic Pact has
improved the situation.
[Enclosure]
top secret
[Washington,] November 25,
1949.
Program Designed To Decrease the Vulnerability
of the Icelandic Government to Communist Seizure of Power
(Prepared by the Department of State in Compliance with
NSC 40/1)
1. measures to stimulate icelandic
self-help
Measures to be taken by Iceland should be suggested by the American
Minister4
whose approach should be normally through informal
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confidential talks with the Foreign
Minister.5 These should take place as soon as the
Minister finds it appropriate. In his discretion he may discuss with
other Icelandic officials and with one or more of his colleagues
representing North Atlantic Pact countries. These discussions should
be informal—not a specific suggested program but an interchange of
ideas, stimulating interest among top government officials. Emphasis
should be on Icelandic action and away from supporting action by
outside interests. The measures to be considered by the Icelanders
may well include:
-
a.
- Stimulation of an informal Home Guard or defense
organization along the lines of the groups of young
Conservatives who helped the police quell the Communist
demonstrations outside the Althing last March. This might
take the form of an athletic or physical exercise
group.
-
b.
- The development of an official Icelandic
counterintelligence organization. Arrangements should be
made for our Minister to be fully informed of the
information which the Icelandic Government has concerning
Communist plans.
-
c.
- Training and equipping Icelandic guards to protect the
Keflavik Airport against sabotage. If outside financial aid
is necessary, it may be sought in MAP … according to size and character of
aid.
-
d.
- Training in U.S. police methods for a few officers of the
Icelandic police (one such official was trained in New York
this year).
2. measures affecting american personnel at
keflavik
The Minister should use appropriate means to have American personnel
at Keflavik briefed on
-
a.
- Alertness against possible sabotage,
-
b.
- Conducting themselves in such a way as to raise American
prestige in the eyes of Icelanders.
3. measures …
-
a.
- Encourage Scandinavian labor groups to send representatives to
Iceland to suggest ways of combating Communism in Icelandic
labor groups, and to secure their adherence to the new
International Labor Organization.
-
b.
- Encourage U.S. labor groups to invite and pay the expenses of
an Icelandic Labor group to visit the United States to learn
about American labor conditions. This measure may be executed by
ECA.…
-
c.
- Maintain the availability of the Keflavik airport and its
facilities and such other installations as are deemed vital by
the Department of Defense for the use of the United States and
other North Atlantic countries in the event of war by furnishing
protection against sabotage and seizure in the event of a
communist coup or an attempted invasion by an unfriendly foreign
power, such protection to be coordinated
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… and to continue only until
military forces are available to discharge this
responsibility.
-
d.
- Establish communications to furnish tactical intelligence, if
necessary under any circumstance, to U.S. assistance
forces.
4. economic measures
a. ECA
The administrator of ECA6 should be reminded by
letter that our special interest in Iceland should be borne in mind
in considering all projects for ECA
assistance to Iceland.
b. The American High Commissioner for Western
Germany7
should be instructed to lend his support to Icelandic efforts to
sell Icelandic fish to Western Germany.
5. information and education exchange
The Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs8 should review the
program of his Office for Iceland with a view to improving it.
Particular attention should be given to ways of inter-changing
students and teachers in conformity with the objectives of the
Fulbright Act and finding scholarship aids for Icelandic students to
attend American institutions. Published materials and ideas should
be supplied to Icelandic leaders to help them to combat communism
more effectively.
