Atlantica - 01.07.2004, Side 94

Atlantica: Backed by 30,000 protesters,
President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson refused to
sign a controversial media bill that would’ve
regulated who could own a media company.
Never in the history of Iceland has a president,
a primarily ceremonial position, exercised this
veto power. What effect will this veto have on
the nature of power in Icelandic politics?
Brynhildur Ólafsdóttir: It has, of course, per-
manently changed the nature of the presidency
and might in the end lead to the abolishment of
all political powers from the president. It
remains to be seen whether it will have any
other short-term political repercussions such
as destabilizing the government.
Atlantica: You won an award for your inves-
tigative piece on the American Navy Base in
Keflavík. What revelations did you make in
order to win such a prize?
BÓ: It told the story of how the US government
unilaterally notified the Icelandic government
that it would withdraw the four remaining fight-
er aircrafts from Keflavik airbase,
thereby leaving the country
virtually defenceless,
according to the
Icelandic government's
own estimation. This
touchy message
came from the Bush
administration dur-
ing a very sensitive
political time in Iceland or only a week before
the general elections last year. I broke the
story in June when the Icelandic government
had been re-elected. They had managed to
keep the issue secret for almost two months.
Atlantica: What's the most pressing issue
Icelanders will be facing in the next 10 years?
BÓ: The preservation of our wonderful country,
both our pristine and unique nature and also
the equally unique fact that, if you are lucky
enough to be born in Iceland, only your own
limitations can stop you from becoming whoev-
er you want.
Atlantica: If you could change one thing about
Icelanders, what would it be?
BÓ: Icelanders are hospitable, curious and
stubborn, tend to be mildly depressed and
drink too much. Icelanders are a bit like the
Icelandic weather and I wouldn't change them
at all.
Atlantica: The number of tourists
visiting Iceland each year
now outnumbers the coun-
try's entire population.
Why has Iceland
become such a pop-
ular tourist destina-
tion?
BÓ: The word got out that in Iceland you can
combine two things: wandering around in
unspoiled nature and party hard.
Atlantica: What's your favourite spot in
Reykjavík and why?
BÓ: Generally, I prefer the countryside to
Reykjavík, especially in the summertime, but
the old graveyard by Sudurgata is a great spot
to think.
Atlantica: If friends from abroad were to visit
Iceland for the first time, where would you take
them?
BÓ: To Snaefellsnes for a multi-activity experi-
ence: snow-mobiling, whale watching, horse-
back riding and, of course, hiking in my home-
town Grundarfjordur with its spectacular
mountains. I would also take them on the chal-
lenging but unbelievably rewarding hike
between Nupsstadaskogur and Skaftafell. And
lastly we would snuggle and party with all the
ridiculously drunk Icelanders in Thorsmork.
Atlantica: Finish this sentence: the one thing
that would make Iceland a better place to live
is...
BÓ: ...less wind.
Compiled by Edward Weinman.
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92 A T L A N T I C AL I Q&A
The Atlantica
INQUIS IT ION
Awarded the prize for best investigative news piece, broad-
cast journalist Brynhildur Ólafsdóttir has taken on a new role:
motherhood. Atlantica magazine caught up with Channel 2’s
top newswoman while she was on maternity leave.
066 I-site ATL 404 22.6.2004 17:55 Page 92