The White Falcon - 07.01.1994, Qupperneq 3

future of U.S. forces
#The U.S./Iceland “Agreed
in Iceland
Minute”
Editors note: the following is a word-for-word transcription of the
understanding signed Jan. 4,1994, in Reykjavik by Deputy Secretary
of Defense Dr. William J. Perry and Iceland's Minister for Foreign
Affairs Jdn Baldvin Hannibalsson.
Given the significant changes in the security environment in
Europe and in the North Atlantic caused by the end of the Cold War,
and in accordance with the bilateral Defense Agreement of 1951, the
United States Government and the Government of Iceland have
consulted about appropriate force levels at Keflavik for the defense
of Iceland. The following understanding has been reached:
1. The United States reaffirms its commitment to the 1951 bilateral
Defense Agreement.
2. Iceland affirms that the United States and allied forces should
remain in Iceland at the Keflavfk base.
3. The United States, on behalf of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization and in accordance with its responsibilities under the
North Atlantic Treaty, reaffirms its commitment to make arrange-
ments regarding the defense of Iceland subject to the conditions set
forth in the North Atlantic Treaty and in the 1951 bilateral Defense
Agreement.
4. For the defense of Iceland and in view of the defense of the North
Atlantic Treaty Area, Iceland will provide such facilities in Iceland as
Me mutually agreed to be necessary, in accordance with the 1951
H itcral Defense Agreement.
^5. Both nations affirm their commitment to close, mutual consul-
tations on security issues, both bilaterally and within NATO, as the
United States and the Alliance adapt to new, post-Cold War security
requirements.
6. The Governments of Iceland and the United States believe that
recent developments in world affairs make possible an adjustment in
military forces to fulfill their common security and defense respon-
sibilities. Therefore, in accordance with the defense commitment of
the United States to Iceland, as stated in paragraph 3, Iceland and the
United States have reached the following understanding:
- to reduce the number of fighter aircraft, but to retain a minimum
of four, in order to retain an active air defense capability based in
Iceland;
- to maintain at Keflavik the capability and infrastructure for the
operation of fighter aircraft;
- to maintain the search and rescue squadron;
- to maintain the Naval Air Station;
- to maintain the Iceland Air Defense System;
- to continue the biennial Northern Viking series of exercises;
- to cease operations at two small naval units, at a time agreed by
both Governments.
7. Both sides agree to make their best efforts to reduce the cost of
operation of the Keflavik base.
8. The two governments will re-initiate consultations with a view
to reviewing and reaching joint conclusions regarding the terms of
this understanding at the end of a two-year period starting 1 January
1994. Before the end of this period, the two governments will
undertake to explore opportunities for Iceland to assume enhanced
responsibilities in the search and rescue area.
RADM Haskins speaks out on talks during interview
The following is a summary of Rear Adm.
Haskins' opening remarks followed by his
interview with CW04 Tom Jones on NBS,
January 4,1994.
“We have told the community about the
ongoing consultations dealing with force
structure in the past. It was senseless to
speculate until we had come up with a final-
ized version.
The actual discussions concerning the fu-
ture of the base started nearly one-and-a-half
years ago, both here and in Washington. Our
aim was to come up with both short and long-
term changes for the base.”
The consultations prove that a strong rela-
tionship still exists between the Government
of Iceland and the United States Govern-
ment. The purpose behind the consultations
is the changing world scene. There are reduc-
kns in armed forces and base closings hap-
iling worldwide. By having the talks, we
aid determine what the force structure in
Iceland should be.
Our short-term emphasis is essentially a
mutual agreement on force structure for the
next two years. The Air Force will begin
reducing the number of F-15s, from 12 to a
minimum of four aircraft for an active air
defense.
In addition, the 56th Rescue Squadron will
remain in its entirety. We will be looking into
ways to enhance the search and rescue capa-
bilities of Iceland.
On the Navy side, the Naval Security Group
Activity will cease its mission in March of
this year. The command will be leaving by
the June time frame.
The 1951 agreement remains as strong as
ever. This week’s agreement lays to rest
speculations that the base in Iceland will go
away.”
CW04 Tom Jones - “Looking at it from
the base perspective, if the fighters will be
going down from 12 to a minimum of four,
you’re still going to have to require all the
support functions that the Air Force provides,
namely maintenance and personnel. So in
many respects, we’re not seeing significant
changes here on the NATO base, are we?”
Rear Adm. Michael Haskins - “That’s
very true and I think it’s important for people
to understand that. In terms of maintaining
an active air defense with a minimum of four
aircraft, it’s difficult to say what kinds of
reductions in terms of specific numbers we’ll
see.
Q - “You said Iceland would maintain its
strategic value to the United States due to its
geographic location. Did that have a big play
in all the discussions?”
A - “Absolutely. I think one of the things
that was stated time and again was the fact
that Iceland continues to be in a strategic
position, not just geographically, but as a
transatlantic link between the U.S. and Eu-
rope.”
Continued on page 4
January 7,1994
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