740B.5/2–2751: Telegram
The Minister in Iceland (Lawson) to the Secretary of State 1
150. For Assistant to Secretary of Air Mitchell from negotiating team. Refer Lawson messages, letters [telegrams] 1442 and 146,3 February 21, and 23 and Deptel 134, February 264.
Encouraging progress made meeting Foreign Minister 26th5. Believe only major problems remaining are duration and payment for claims, possibly civil air also. Regarding duration Foreign Minister emphasizes that assurance given Iceland by US before signing NAT that no forces would be stationed here in peace time presents problem re Althing reaction even though people recognize situation has since changed. Believes acceptance impossible for full NATO term without unilateral termination right. Considers that termination right would not be exercised unless Communist controlled government in power which not in prospect and which would present entirely new picture. Preliminary NATO consultation means that Iceland must propose termination to NATO defense committee six months before giving termination notice. This proposed by Foreign Minister who believes that if, as appears probable, NATO defense committee unanimously recommended against termination, exercise of right would be extremely difficult for Iceland. Team recognizes question presents policy problem involving other negotiations which team cannot judge. If that problem were not presented team would recommend acceptance Lawson proposal as modified by Foreign Minister proposal for NATO reference. Team feels that if US [Page 495] is prepared to accept any duration less than NAT term Lawson proposal as so modified is preferable to specific shorter period such as four years. Keflavik experience indicates specific termination date might invite political pressure against renewal. Lawson concurs. Team agrees with Lawson view that suggestion Deptel 134 unacceptable to Iceland. Report on claims provision may be expected promptly.
- Relayed to the Chief of Staff of the Army, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Commander of the Military Air Transport Service, Chief of Naval Operations, and Commander in Chief, Atlantic, for information.↩
- Supra.↩
- Lawson reported in this telegram that the Foreign Minister insisted that Iceland had the right to authorize any increases over 3,900 men and “refused point-blank consider duration agreement for duration NAT”. (740B.5/2–2351) In answer, telegram 140 to Reykjavik, March 2, instructed Lawson to “make every effort obtain acceptance text sense Deptel 134.” (740B.5/3–151)↩
- Telegram 134 transmitted the following wording to be used as the basis for discussion: “This agreement shall remain in force until the NAT Council shall determine that the requirement for the facilities and their utilization or any part thereof no longer exists. Either party shall have the right to request a review by the Council of this requirement in the light of NAT defense plans.” (740B.5/2–2351)↩
- Lawson transmitted a memorandum of his conversation with the Foreign Minister on February 26 as an enclosure to despatch 386 from Reykjavik, March 5. In it he quoted the Foreign Minister as saying that “if the United States says that this increased figure (7,800 troops) is now absolutely necessary, Iceland will probably accept, as it does not want to be a weak link in the chain of defense.” (740B.5/3–551)↩