Nordic Countries, 1973–1976
179. Memorandum From Helmut Sonnenfeldt of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Summary: Sonnenfeldt discussed Agustsson’s forthcoming visit.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 693, Country Files, Europe, Iceland, Vol. I. Secret. Sent for action. Concurred in by Richard T. Kennedy. Attached but not published is Tab A, a signed January 25 memorandum from Scowcroft to Eliot; and Tab B, a January 18 memorandum from Eliot to Kissinger. Scowcroft initialed approval of Sonnenfeldt’s recommendation on Kissinger’s behalf. Memoranda of conversation on Agustsson’s January 24 meeting with Springsteen, Andersen’s January 25 meeting with Assistant Secretary of State for Politico-Military Affairs Ronald Spiers, and Agustsson’s January 26 meeting with Rush are ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–1973, POL 7 ICE, POL ICE–US, and POL 7 ICE, respectively.
180. Memorandum From Helmut Sonnenfeldt of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Summary: Sonnenfeldt discussed U.S assistance to Iceland.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 693, Country Files, Europe, Iceland, Vol. I. Confidential. Sent for urgent action. Attached but not published is Tab A, telegram 168 from Reykjavik, February 20, on the relationship between IDF retention and volcanic disaster relief. Tab B was not attached. Kissinger initialed his approval of Sonnenfedlt’s recommendation. An undated note from Scowcroft to Sonnenfeldt reads: “Done. DOD is funding $200,000 to continue aid. DOD + State will draft an announcement of aid.” (Ibid.) On January 23, a long-dormant volcano on the island of Heimaey erupted.
181. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Nixon, Rogers, Eldjarn, Johannesson, and Agustsson discussed the Western Alliance, Iceland, the UK-Iceland fisheries dispute, and the IDF retention issue.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Special Files, Staff Member & Office Files, President’s Office Files, Memoranda for the President, Box 91, Beginning May 27 (1973). Confidential. The meeting took place in President Eldjarn’s office at the State Council House. In telegram 573 from Reykjavik, May 22, the Embassy assessed the implications of the UK-Iceland fisheries dispute, including the implications for the IDF retention issue. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–1973, POL 33–4 ICE–UK) Nixon, Rogers, and Kissinger were in Reykjavik from May 30 to June 1 to meet with Pompidou and other French officials.
182. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Summary: Kissinger discussed the U.S.-Icelandic Defense Agreement negotiations.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–242, Policy Papers, 1969–1974, NSDM–234. Secret. Sent for action. Attached but not published is Tab A, a September 20 memorandum from Rush to Nixon. Tab B is Document 183. A stamped notation on Kissinger’s memorandum indicates the President saw it. Nixon initialed his approval of Kissinger’s recommendation.
183. National Security Decision Memorandum 234
Summary: The President approved guidelines for the U.S.-Icelandic defense negotiations.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–242, Policy Papers, 1969–1974, NSDM–234. Secret. Copies were sent to the DCI and the Chairman of the JCS. The first round of negotiations was held in Washington. (Memorandum of conversation, October 4; Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330–78–0001, Iceland 092 20 Oct 73)
184. Telegram 1349/Polto 2 From the Embassy in Iceland to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy reported the first meeting of the second round of the U.S.-Iceland defense negotiations.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 693, Country Files, Europe, Iceland, Vol. I. Secret; Exdis. Sent for information to the Secretary of Defense, CINCLANT, the Mission to NATO, and COMICEDEFOR. Telegrams 1357 and 1358, both November 15, discuss the second session of the second round. (Both ibid.) A memorandum of conversation on the November 15 session is also ibid. During an October 15 to 16 visit to London, Johannesson concluded a two-year agreement with Heath that temporarily settled the UK-Iceland fisheries dispute.
185. Telegram 75494 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Iceland
Summary: The Department summarized the third round of the U.S.-Iceland defense negotiations.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 693, Country Files, Europe, Iceland, Vol. I. Secret; Exdis. Sent for information to the Mission to NATO, London, Oslo, Copenhagen, and Bonn. Drafted by Nicholas Andrews in EUR/NE; cleared by Stabler, Irving, EUR/NE, and Fry in S/S; and approved by Sisco. A memorandum of conversation on Kissinger’s April 10 meeting with Agustsson is ibid., Box 1028, Presidential/HAK Memoranda of Conversation, Memcons—1 Mar 1974–8 May 1974, HAK + Presidential (2 of 4).
186. Telegram 1209 From the Embassy in Iceland to the Department of State
Summary: Irving reported his September 2 discussion with Hallgrimsson on the U.S.-Iceland defense negotiations.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, 1974, [no film number]. Confidential; Immediate; Exdis. Sent for information to the Mission to NATO, Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm. Irving reported on his September 3 meeting with Agustsson in telegram 1216 from Reykjavik, September 3. (Ibid.) National elections held in Iceland on June 30 led to the formation of a new government headed by Hallgrimsson, who told Irving on the day before he became Prime Minister: “Our problems are over.” Irving continued, “He said he was confident that we settle the base issue amicably.” (Telegram 1185 from Reykjavik, August 28; ibid.)
187. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Ford
Summary: Kissinger discussed the successful conclusion of the U.S.-Iceland defense negotiations.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Europe and Canada, Box 7, Iceland. Confidential. Sent for information. Attached but not published is Tab A, an October 24 memorandum from Sisco to Kissinger; and Tab B. Scowcroft initialed the memorandum on Kissinger’s behalf. Ford initialed the memorandum.
188. Memorandum From Denis Clift of the National Security Council Staff to Secretary of State Kissinger
Summary: Clift discussed a proposed NSSM on U.S. policy toward Svalbard.
Source: Ford Library, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box 39, NSSM 232—U.S. Policy Toward Svalbard (Spitzbergen). Secret. Sent for action. Tab A is Document 189. Tab I was not attached. Kissinger wrote on the memorandum, “We don’t need Presidential approval.” On August 1, while in Helsinki for the CSCE Final Act signing ceremony, Kissinger met with Frydenlund and discussed North-South relations, MBFR, Spitzbergen, and Israel and the UN. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P820123–1956) In telegram 707 from Oslo, February 16, 1974, the Embassy forwarded an earlier request from Frydenlund for U.S. views on Soviets interests in north Norway and the vicinity. (Ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 698, Country Files, Europe, Norway, Vol. I (Jan 69–Apr 74)) The Department’s response is contained in telegram 43807 to Oslo, March 5. (Ibid.)
189. National Security Study Memorandum 232
Summary: The President directed a comprehensive review of U.S. policy toward Svalbard.
Source: Ford Library, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box 39, NSSM 232—U.S. Policy Toward Svalbard (Spitzbergen). Secret. Copies were sent to the Chairman of the JCS, the DCI, and the Chairman of the NSC Under Secretaries Committee.
190. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Ford
Summary: Scowcroft sought Ford’s approval of a NSDM on policy toward Svalbard.
Source: Ford Library, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box 65, NSDM 325—United States Policy Toward Svalbard (1). Secret. Sent for action. Tab A is Document 191. Attached but not published is Tab B, an undated analytical summary of the response to NSSM 232; Tab C, a map of Svalbard and the surrounding Arctic seas; and Tab II, an April 7 memorandum from Sisco to Ford forwarding the report prepared in response to NSSM 232. The April 5 report is not attached, but is ibid., Box 65, NSDM 325—United States Policy Toward Svalbard (2). A stamped notation on Scowcroft’s memorandum indicates the President saw it. Ford initialed his approval of Scowcroft’s recommendation.
191. National Security Decision Memorandum 325
Summary: The President provided guidelines for U.S. policy toward Svalbard.
Source: Ford Library, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box 65, NSDM 325—United States Policy Toward Svalbard (1). Secret. A copy was sent to the Chairman of the JCS. On May 7, Vine gave Sommerfelt an aide-mémoire outlining U.S. policy on Svalbard. (Telegram 113903 to Oslo, May 10; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, 1976, [no film number].) The text of the aide-mémoire is contained in telegram 114779 to Paris, May 17. (Ibid.) In an October 23 memorandum to Kissinger, Hartman reported on bilateral consultations between Vine and the Norwegians, the West Germans, the British, and the French on Svalbard. (Ibid., Records of the Office of the Counselor, Helmut C. Sonnenfeldt, 1955–1977, Entry 5339, Box 10, POL 2 Norway) The CIA intelligence survey was completed in May 1977 and is entitled “Soviet Presence in the Svalbard Region,” GC 77–10074J. (Central Intelligence Agency, Office of the Deputy Director for Intelligence, Job 78B02822A, Box 1, Svalbard—Norway)
192. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Kissinger, Frydenlund, and U.S. and Norwegian officials discussed bilateral and multilateral issues.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of the Office of the Counselor, Helmut C. Sonnenfeldt, 1955–1977, Entry 5339, Box 10, POL 2 Norway. Confidential; Nodis. The meeting took place in Frydenlund’s office. Kissinger was in Oslo from May 20 to 22 to attend a NATO Ministerial meeting and also met with Prime Minister Odvar Nordli, as well as with Defense Minister Rolf Hansen; memoranda of conversation on both May 22 meetings are ibid.
193. Memorandum From the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs (Lowenstein) to Secretary of State Kissinger
Summary: Lowenstein suggested a U.S. show of support for Norway in the Svalbard matter.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of the Office of the Counselor, Helmut C. Sonnenfeldt, 1955–1977, Entry 5339, Box 10, POL 2 Norway. Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Don Donchi in EUR/NE on November 3. Sent through Sonnenfeldt. Lowenstein did not initial the memorandum and an unknown hand crossed out the approval and disapproval lines at the bottom of the memorandum, but the proposed attached telegram was sent as telegram 275619 to Oslo, November 9. (Ibid.) On December 8, while in Brussels for a NATO Ministerial meeting, Frydenlund gave Kissinger a letter dated December 8 expressing appreciation for the latter’s message, as well as for bilateral consultations on Svalbard. (Memorandum of conversation, December 8; ibid., Records of Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Entry 5403, Box 19, NODIS Memcons, Dec. 1976)