Cable Viewer

Currently released so far... 12850 / 251,287

### Browse latest releases

2010/11 2010/12 2011/01 2011/02 2011/03 2011/04 2011/05
2010/11/28 2010/11/29 2010/11/30
2010/12/01 2010/12/02 2010/12/03 2010/12/04 2010/12/05 2010/12/06 2010/12/07 2010/12/08 2010/12/09 2010/12/10 2010/12/11 2010/12/12 2010/12/13 2010/12/14 2010/12/15 2010/12/16 2010/12/17 2010/12/18 2010/12/19 2010/12/20 2010/12/21 2010/12/22 2010/12/23 2010/12/24 2010/12/25 2010/12/26 2010/12/27 2010/12/28 2010/12/29 2010/12/30
2011/01/01 2011/01/02 2011/01/04 2011/01/05 2011/01/07 2011/01/09 2011/01/10 2011/01/11 2011/01/12 2011/01/13 2011/01/14 2011/01/15 2011/01/16 2011/01/17 2011/01/18 2011/01/19 2011/01/20 2011/01/21 2011/01/22 2011/01/23 2011/01/24 2011/01/25 2011/01/26 2011/01/27 2011/01/28 2011/01/29 2011/01/30 2011/01/31
2011/02/01 2011/02/02 2011/02/03 2011/02/04 2011/02/05 2011/02/06 2011/02/07 2011/02/08 2011/02/09 2011/02/10 2011/02/11 2011/02/12 2011/02/13 2011/02/14 2011/02/15 2011/02/16 2011/02/17 2011/02/18 2011/02/19 2011/02/20 2011/02/21 2011/02/22 2011/02/23 2011/02/24 2011/02/25 2011/02/26 2011/02/27 2011/02/28
2011/03/01 2011/03/02 2011/03/03 2011/03/04 2011/03/05 2011/03/06 2011/03/07 2011/03/08 2011/03/09 2011/03/10 2011/03/11 2011/03/13 2011/03/14 2011/03/15 2011/03/16 2011/03/17 2011/03/18 2011/03/19 2011/03/20 2011/03/21 2011/03/22 2011/03/23 2011/03/24 2011/03/25 2011/03/26 2011/03/27 2011/03/28 2011/03/29 2011/03/30 2011/03/31
2011/04/01 2011/04/02 2011/04/03 2011/04/04 2011/04/05 2011/04/06 2011/04/07 2011/04/08 2011/04/09 2011/04/10 2011/04/11 2011/04/12 2011/04/13 2011/04/14 2011/04/15 2011/04/16 2011/04/17 2011/04/18 2011/04/19 2011/04/20 2011/04/21 2011/04/22 2011/04/23 2011/04/24 2011/04/25 2011/04/26 2011/04/27 2011/04/28 2011/04/29 2011/04/30
2011/05/01 2011/05/02 2011/05/03 2011/05/04 2011/05/05 2011/05/06 2011/05/07 2011/05/08 2011/05/09 2011/05/10 2011/05/11 2011/05/12 2011/05/13 2011/05/14 2011/05/15 2011/05/16 2011/05/17 2011/05/18 2011/05/19 2011/05/20 2011/05/21 2011/05/22

### Browse by creation date

66 72 73 75 79 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 96 97 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10
1966/12
1972/02 1972/08
1973/04
1975/03
1979/08
1985/03 1985/05 1985/06
1986/05
1987/06
1988/01 1988/03 1988/07
1989/12
1990/01 1990/07 1990/08 1990/10
1991/05
1992/01 1992/03 1992/06 1992/09 1992/12
1993/01 1993/10
1994/12
1996/07 1996/11
1997/06 1997/12
2000/05 2000/06 2000/09 2000/11
2001/02 2001/03 2001/06 2001/07 2001/09 2001/10 2001/11
2002/01 2002/02 2002/03 2002/04 2002/07 2002/08 2002/09 2002/11 2002/12
2003/01 2003/02 2003/03 2003/04 2003/05 2003/06 2003/07 2003/08 2003/09 2003/10 2003/11 2003/12
2004/01 2004/02 2004/03 2004/04 2004/05 2004/06 2004/07 2004/08 2004/09 2004/10 2004/11 2004/12
2005/01 2005/02 2005/03 2005/04 2005/05 2005/06 2005/07 2005/08 2005/09 2005/10 2005/11 2005/12
2006/01 2006/02 2006/03 2006/04 2006/05 2006/06 2006/07 2006/08 2006/09 2006/10 2006/11 2006/12
2007/01 2007/02 2007/03 2007/04 2007/05 2007/06 2007/07 2007/08 2007/09 2007/10 2007/11 2007/12
2008/01 2008/02 2008/03 2008/04 2008/05 2008/06 2008/07 2008/08 2008/09 2008/10 2008/11 2008/12
2009/01 2009/02 2009/03 2009/04 2009/05 2009/06 2009/07 2009/08 2009/09 2009/10 2009/11 2009/12
2010/01 2010/02

### Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Embassy Athens Embassy Asuncion Embassy Astana Embassy Asmara Embassy Ashgabat Embassy Apia Embassy Ankara Embassy Amman Embassy Algiers Embassy Addis Ababa Embassy Accra Embassy Abuja Embassy Abu Dhabi Embassy Abidjan Consulate Auckland Consulate Amsterdam Consulate Adana American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura Embassy Buenos Aires Embassy Budapest Embassy Bucharest Embassy Brussels Embassy Bridgetown Embassy Bratislava Embassy Brasilia Embassy Bogota Embassy Bishkek Embassy Bern Embassy Berlin Embassy Belmopan Embassy Belgrade Embassy Beirut Embassy Beijing Embassy Banjul Embassy Bangkok Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan Embassy Bamako Embassy Baku Embassy Baghdad Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen Embassy Conakry Embassy Colombo Embassy Chisinau Embassy Caracas Embassy Canberra Embassy Cairo Consulate Curacao Consulate Ciudad Juarez Consulate Chennai Consulate Casablanca Consulate Cape Town Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe Embassy Dublin Embassy Doha Embassy Djibouti Embassy Dili Embassy Dhaka Embassy Dar Es Salaam Embassy Damascus Embassy Dakar Consulate Dubai
Embassy Freetown Consulate Fukuoka
Embassy Guatemala Embassy Gaborone Consulate Guayaquil Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki Embassy Harare Embassy Hanoi Consulate Ho Chi Minh City Consulate Hermosillo Consulate Hamilton Consulate Hamburg Consulate Halifax
Iran RPO Dubai Embassy Islamabad Consulate Istanbul
Embassy Jakarta Consulate Jerusalem Consulate Jeddah
Embassy Kyiv Embassy Kuwait Embassy Kuala Lumpur Embassy Kinshasa Embassy Kingston Embassy Kigali Embassy Khartoum Embassy Kathmandu Embassy Kampala Embassy Kabul Consulate Kolkata Consulate Karachi
Embassy Luxembourg Embassy Luanda Embassy London Embassy Ljubljana Embassy Lisbon Embassy Lima Embassy Lilongwe Embassy La Paz Consulate Lahore Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE Mission USNATO Mission UNESCO Embassy Muscat Embassy Moscow Embassy Montevideo Embassy Monrovia Embassy Minsk Embassy Mexico Embassy Mbabane Embassy Maputo Embassy Manila Embassy Manama Embassy Managua Embassy Malabo Embassy Madrid Consulate Munich Consulate Mumbai Consulate Montreal Consulate Monterrey Consulate Milan Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia Embassy Niamey Embassy New Delhi Embassy Ndjamena Embassy Nassau Embassy Nairobi Consulate Naples Consulate Naha
Embassy Ouagadougou Embassy Ottawa Embassy Oslo
Embassy Pristina Embassy Pretoria Embassy Prague Embassy Port Of Spain Embassy Port Louis Embassy Port Au Prince Embassy Phnom Penh Embassy Paris Embassy Paramaribo Embassy Panama Consulate Peshawar
Embassy Quito Consulate Quebec
REO Basrah Embassy Rome Embassy Riyadh Embassy Riga Embassy Reykjavik Embassy Rangoon Embassy Rabat Consulate Rio De Janeiro Consulate Recife
Secretary of State Embassy Suva Embassy Stockholm Embassy Sofia Embassy Skopje Embassy Singapore Embassy Seoul Embassy Sarajevo Embassy Santo Domingo Embassy Santiago Embassy Sanaa Embassy San Salvador Embassy San Jose Consulate Strasbourg Consulate St Petersburg Consulate Shenyang Consulate Shanghai Consulate Sapporo Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis Embassy Tripoli Embassy Tokyo Embassy The Hague Embassy Tel Aviv Embassy Tehran Embassy Tegucigalpa Embassy Tbilisi Embassy Tashkent Embassy Tallinn Consulate Toronto Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York USEU Brussels US Office Almaty US Mission Geneva US Interests Section Havana US Delegation, Secretary UNVIE Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius Embassy Vienna Embassy Vatican Embassy Valletta Consulate Vladivostok Consulate Vancouver
Embassy Windhoek Embassy Wellington Embassy Warsaw
Embassy Yerevan Embassy Yaounde
Embassy Zagreb

### Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
AE AEMR AORC APER AR AF ASEC AG AFIN AMGT APECO AS AMED AER ADCO AVERY AU AM APEC ABUD AGRICULTURE ASEAN ACOA AJ AO ABLD ADPM AY ASCH AFFAIRS AA AC ARF AFU AINF AODE AMG ATPDEA AGAO ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG AID AL AORL ADM AFSI AFSN ASUP AN AIT ANET ASIG AGMT ADANA AADP ACS AGR AMCHAMS AECL ACAO AND AUC ATRN ALOW APCS AORG AROC ACABQ AX AMEX AFGHANISTAN AZ ARM AQ ATFN AMBASSADOR ACBAQ ASEX
BR BA BRUSSELS BG BEXP BO BM BBSR BU BL BK BT BD BMGT BY BX BTIO BB BH BF BP BWC BN BTIU BIDEN BE BILAT BC
CA CJAN CASC CS CO CH CI CD CVIS CR CU CN CY CONDOLEEZZA CE CG CMGT CF CPAS CDC CW CJUS CTM CM CFED CODEL CWC CBW CAN CLMT CBC CONS COUNTERTERRORISM CIA CDG CIC COUNTER CT CNARC CACM CB CV CIDA CLINTON CHR COE CIS CBSA CEUDA COM CAC CL CACS CAPC CARSON CTR COPUOS CICTE CYPRUS COUNTRY CBE CKGR CVR CITEL CLEARANCE CARICOM CSW CITT CDB CROS
DS DJ DEFENSE DR DA DTRA DEA DHS DO DEAX DAO DCM DE DOD DOMESTIC DK DPRK DEPT DISENGAGEMENT DOE
ECON EAID EINV EFIN EG EAIR EU EC ENRG EPET EAGR ELAB ETTC ELTN EWWT ETRD EUN ER ECIN EMIN EIND ECPS EZ EN ECA ET EFIS ENGR EINVETC ECONCS ES EI ECONOMIC ELN EINT EPA ETRA EXTERNAL ESA ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EAIG EUR EK EUMEM EUREM EUC ENERG ERD EFTA ETRC ETRN EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ESENV ENNP ENVI ECINECONCS ELECTIONS ENVR ENIV ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS EFINECONCS ERNG ECUN EXIM ECONOMY EINVEFIN ETC EAP EINN EXBS ENGY ECONOMICS EIAR EINDETRD ECONEFIN EURN EDU ETRDEINVTINTCS ECIP EFIM EAIDS EREL
FJ FI FR FTA FTAA FBI FAC FM FDA FARC FAO FO FOR FMLN FISO FAS FINANCE FOREIGN FREEDOM FINR FOI
GM GG GLOBAL GR GV GA GE GH GTIP GT GZ GAERC GOI GCC GOV GY GANGS GTMO GL GF GAZA GERARD
HUMAN HO HA HK HR HU HURI HILLARY HYMPSK HSTC HEBRON HUMOR HI
IC IR IN IT ICAO IS IZ IAEA IV IIP ICRC IWC IRS IQ IMO ILC IMF ILO IF ITPHUM IL IO ID ISRAEL IACI INMARSAT IPR ICTY ICJ INDO IA IDA IBRD IAHRC ISLAMISTS IGAD ITU ITF INRA INRO INRB ITALY IBET INTELSAT ISRAELI IDP ICTR ITRA IEFIN IRC IRAQI ITPGOV ITALIAN INTERNAL INTERPOL IEA INR IZPREL IRAJ
JA JP JO JM JOSEPH JUS JAMES JOHN JOHNNIE
KPAO KCOR KCRM KSCA KTFN KU KDEM KNNP KJUS KWMN KTIP KPAL KPKO KWWMN KWBG KISL KN KGHG KOMC KSTC KIPR KFLU KIDE KSAF KSEO KBIO KHLS KAWC KUNR KIRF KGIC KRAD KV KGIT KZ KE KCIP KTIA KFRD KHDP KSEP KMPI KG KMDR KTDB KS KSPR KHIV KCOM KAID KOM KRVC KICC KBTS KSUM KOLY KIRC KDRG KCRS KNPP KSTH KWNM KRFD KVIR KLIG KFLO KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KVPR KTEX KTER KRGY KCFE KREC KR KPAONZ KIFR KOCI KBTR KGCC KACT KMRS KAWK KSAC KWMNCS KMCA KNEI KPOA KFIN KWAC KNAR KPLS KPAK KSCI KPRP KOMS KBCT KPWR KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KRIM KDDG KPRV KCGC KPAI KFSC KMFO KID KMIG KO KWMM KVRP KNSD KMOC KTBT KHSA KX KENV KCRCM KNUP KNUC KNNPMNUC KERG KTLA KCSY KTRD KJUST KCMR KRCM KCFC KCHG KREL KFTFN KDEMAF KICA KHUM KSEC KPIN KESS KDEV
LY LE LG LH LABOR LI LO LA LU LOG LTTE LAB LT
MX MARR MTCRE MNUC MASS MOPS MCAP MO MA MR MAPS MD MV MY MP ML MILITARY MEPN MARAD MDC MU MEPP MIL MAPP MZ MT MASSMNUC MK MTCR MUCN MAS MEDIA MAR MI MQADHAFI MPOS MTRE MG MRCRE MPS MW MC MASC MOPPS MTS MLS MILI MEPI MEETINGS MERCOSUR MCC MIK
NZ NL NATO NU NI NG NO NP NK NDP NPT NSF NR NAFTA NATOPREL NEW NA NE NSSP NS NSC NH NV NPA NSFO NT NW NASA NSG NORAD NATIONAL NPG NGO NIPP NZUS NC NRR NAR
OTRA OREP OPIC OIIP OAS OVIP OEXC ODIP OFDP OPDC OPRC OSCE OECD OPCW OSCI OMIG OVP OIE ON OCII OPAD OBSP OFFICIALS OES OCS OIC OHUM OTR OSAC OFDA
PGOV PREL PHUM PTER PINR PK PINS PARM PA PHALANAGE PARTY PROP PM PBTS PDEM PECON PL PE PREF PO POL PSOE PHSA PAK PY PLN PMAR PHUH PBIO PF PHUS PTBS PU PNAT POLITICAL PARTIES PCUL PGGV PAO PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PAS PGIV PHUMPREL POGOV PEL PP PINL PBT PG PINF PRL PALESTINIAN PSEPC POSTS PDOV PCI PAHO PROV POV PMIL PNR PREO PHUMPGOV PGOC POLITICS POLICY PRAM PREFA PSI PAIGH PJUS PARMS PROG PTERE PRGOV PORG PS PGOF PKFK PEPR PPA PINT PRELP PNG PFOR PUNE PGOVLO PHUMBA POLINT PGOVE
QA
RIGHTS RU RS RW RIGHTSPOLMIL RICE RUPREL RO RF RELATIONS RP RM RFE REGION REACTION REPORT RCMP RSO ROOD ROBERT RSP
SA SNAR SOCI SENV SZ SP SO SU SF SW SY SMIG SCUL SL SENVKGHG SR SN SARS SANC SHI SIPDIS SEVN SHUM SC SI STEINBERG SK SH SNARCS SPCE SNARN SG SAARC SNARIZ SWE SYR SIPRS SYRIA SEN SCRS SAN ST SSA SPCVIS SOFA
TPHY TSPL TS TRGY TU TI TBIO TH TP TZ TW TX TSPA TFIN TC TAGS TK TIP TNGD TL TV TT TINT TERRORISM TR TN TD TBID TF THPY TO TRSY TURKEY
USEU UK UG UNGA UN UNSC US UZ UY UNHRC UNESCO USTR UNDP UP UNMIK UNEP UNO UNHCR UNAUS UNCHR UNPUOS UNDC UNICEF UNCHC UNCSD USOAS UNFCYP UNIDROIT UV USUN UNCND USNC USPS USAID UE UNVIE UAE UNODC UNCHS UNFICYP UNDESCO UNC
VE VZ VT VM VAT VC VI VTPREL VN VTIZ VTEG
WHO WWARD WTRO WS WHA WIPO WEU WZ WTO WMO WA WHTI WTRQ WBG WFP WB WI WMD WITH
XM XL XV XW XS XA XR XG XB XF XD XK XY XC XZ XX XU XI XT XH XQ XE XTAG
YM YI YE YMCS
ZI ZU ZF ZR ZK ZANU ZB ZEALAND ZP ZO ZL ZOELLICK ZJ ZN ZA

### Browse by classification

CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN SECRET SECRET//NOFORN UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

### Community resources

Follow us on Twitter Check our Reddit Twitter this Digg this page Contact us on IRC

courage is contagious

### Viewing cable 09REYKJAVIK161, ICELANDIC FOREIGN MINISTER'S MEETING WITH CHARGE

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:

- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.

To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09REYKJAVIK161.

Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
09REYKJAVIK161 | 2009-09-21 09:15 | 2011-01-13 05:37 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Reykjavik

`

    VZCZCXRO0274
    PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR
    DE RUEHRK #0161/01 2640915
    ZNY CCCCC ZZH
    P 210915Z SEP 09
    FM AMEMBASSY REYKJAVIK
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4165
    INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
    RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
    RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
    RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0104

` `

    C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 REYKJAVIK 000161

    SIPDIS

    STATE FOR EUR/NB
    NSC FOR HOVENIER
    IO/UNP FOR SUN
    EUR/PGI FOR ELDRIGE
    EUR/RPM FOR WILTON
    USUN FOR DUGAN
    TREASURY FOR MEYER

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2019
    TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON UNGA NATO IC AF UK NL
    SUBJECT: ICELANDIC FOREIGN MINISTER'S MEETING WITH CHARGE
    FOCUSES ON UNGA, ICESAVE, NATO

    REF: 09 REYKJAVIK 146

    Classified By: CDA Sam Watson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

    ¶1. (C) Summary.  Charge d'Affaires (CDA) discussed a range of
    issues with Icelandic Foreign Minister Ossur Skarphedinsson
    on September 16 during his first courtesy call.  The Minister
    described his plans for the UN General Assembly.  On Icesave,
    he said that the British and Dutch had responded positively
    to some conditions that the Icelandic Parliament had added,
    but had not accepted all of them.  He confided that he had
    concerns about what would happen if the agreement had to go
    back to the Icelandic Parliament.  He also underscored
    Iceland's commitment to NATO, pledged to continue to provide
    personnel to Afghanistan and described Iceland's EU accession
    process timetable.  End summary.

    UNGA
    -----
    ¶2. (C) On the eve of his trip to the United Nations General
    Assembly, Foreign Minister Ossur Skarphedinsson candidly
    assessed Iceland's foreign relations as well as its domestic
    political situation in an initial meeting with CDA on
    September 16. While looking forward to the Trans-Atlantic
    dinner, Skarphedinsson's main UNGA priority is discussions
    with European Union member states, in part to lobby for
    Iceland's EU candidacy.  In his address to the General
    Assembly, Skarphedinsson said he would touch upon a number of
    issues including the Middle East and the High North, but
    noted that he has a propensity to speak off the cuff and may
    change the focus of his speech.  Skarphedinsson also plans to
    discuss with the IMF its review of Iceland, which has been
    postponed pending resolution of the Icesave issue.

    Icesave
    -------
    ¶3. (C) The Foreign Minister provided a frank update on the
    status of the Icesave agreement (reftel).  He said that
    Iceland recently received an informal response from the
    British and Dutch governments regarding the amendments that
    the Icelandic Parliament attached to the original Icesave
    agreement.  Under normal circumstances, he would consider the
    British and Dutch response to be a positive one in that it
    clearly demonstrated intent on their part to work with
    Iceland.  He admitted, however, that the British and Dutch
    had not accepted all of Iceland's amendments and he was
    unsure what that meant for the future of the agreement.

    ¶4. (C) Skarphedinsson said that he was meeting with Prime
    Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir later that afternoon to
    discuss the British and Dutch response in greater detail.  He
    expressed concern, however, about what would happen if the
    Icesave agreement had to go back in front of the Icelandic
    Parliament.   Calling Iceland's current political situation
    "troubled," he said it is difficult to know how other
    political parties will react should the Icesave issue come up
    again in Parliament.  Skarphedinsson noted that, while his
    Social Democratic party is unified in supporting the Icesave
    agreement, their coalition partners in the Left Green
    alliance are deeply split over the issue.  He called the head
    of the Left Green alliance, Finance Minister Steingrimur
    Sigfusson, a capable leader, but said that "he doesn't have
    full control of his party."

    ¶5. (C) Iceland's future, according to Skarphedinsson, largely
    hinges on the Icesave agreement.  He mentioned that the fate
    of potential Nordic and IMF loans, as well as Iceland's EU
    accession, all hinge on a successful completion of the
    Icesave agreement.  Skarphedinsson intends to continue with
    his dual-pronged strategy of engaging the British and Dutch
    governments and also talking to key Icelandic political
    players.  Although discussions continue on both fronts,
    Skarphedinsson did not appear particularly optimistic about a
    positive outcome.  He noted that he and the Finance Minister
    continue to discuss the agreement with their counterparts in
    The Hague and London, keeping the Prime Minister informed.
    Commenting that he normally talks to the PM several times
    daily on this issue, he said that he and Sigurdardottir have
    a close relationship forged during their decade of working
    together.  As a result he and his ministry play the dominant
    role in foreign relations, while she leads on domestic

    REYKJAVIK 00000161  002 OF 002

    matters.

    Defense Matters
    ----------------
    ¶6. (C) Skarphedinsson also spoke about defense issues
    including the closure of the Icelandic Defense Agency (IDA).
    Acknowledging the government's focus on Icesave, he
    nevertheless expressed optimism that a decision on IDA's
    future would come by year end.  Some of the IDA's duties
    would likely transfer to the Coast Guard, which falls under
    the Ministry of Justice.  He hoped, however, that most
    defense matters would remain with the MFA.  He stressed that,
    no matter how the reorganization turns out, Iceland will
    continue to uphold its NATO obligations.  When speaking of
    NATO commitments, the minister specifically stated that
    Iceland intends to take part in the Northern Viking exercise
    in 2010.  (Comment.  This information contradicts rumors we
    heard earlier that Iceland was considering postponing next
    year's Northern Viking exercise as a cost-saving measure. End
    comment.)

    ¶7. (C) The Minister said that Iceland also remains committed
    to the effort in Afghanistan.  He said that, while he
    personally has concerns about the prospects for the war in
    Afghanistan, the Icelandic government understands its
    responsibility to contribute as a NATO member.  Iceland has
    no intention, he said, of completely withdrawing its
    personnel from Afghanistan and has never even discussed it as
    an option.

    ¶8. (C) Noting the occasional activity of Russian planes in
    Iceland's air space, Skarphedinsson said he could not
    overstate the importance of the High North.  The Russians, he
    claimed, have specifically stated that the High North is a
    top strategic priority.  Skarphedinsson then, bluntly, used
    the High North discussion as an opportunity to chastise the
    U.S. for closing down the Keflavik Airbase in Iceland.  The
    decision, he said, was "a bloody mistake."  He noted that he
    understood the reasoning behind the decision and the need to
    reduce costs, but believes that the U.S. should have
    maintained some sort of presence in Iceland to protect its
    interests in the High North.

    EU Accession Process
    ---------------------
    ¶9. (C) Regarding Iceland's bid to join the EU,
    Skarphedinnsson said that everything is progressing smoothly.
     Iceland should have answers for the EU accession
    questionnaire by the EU's November 16 deadline.
    Skarphedinsson believes that this deadline was intentionally
    set to ensure that Iceland's candidacy cannot be evaluated at
    December's European Council summit.  Delaying consideration
    until spring would avoid the perception that Iceland's
    membership is fast-tracked at the expense of other
    candidates.  The most likely scenario, he opined, is that
    Iceland's membership application would be discussed at the
    March summit of the European Council and that accession
    negotiations will begin soon afterwards.

    WATSON

`