Storia Islandese / Iceland, History Of

Scambio di note per la cessazione dell'Accordo Difensivo del 1 luglio 1941 e provvedimenti riguardo l'uso ad interim dell'aeroporto di Keflavik. Noto anche come Keflavik Agreement.
(Fonte: Archivio ambasciata statunitense, Reykjavik)

Luis G. Dreyfuss, Jr., minister of the United States in Iceland to Olafur Thors, minister for foreign affairs, 7 October 1946

Excellency:
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's note of today's date n the following terms:
"I have the honor to refer to Your Excellency's note nr. 616 dated September 19, 1946, proposing certain arrangements with regard to the termination of the defense agreement of July 1, 1941, the withdrawal of the United states Armed Forces now in Iceland, and the future use of the Keflavik airport.
"In accordance with further conversation that have been taken place between representatives of the Government of Iceland and representatives of the Government of the United States I have the honor to suggest that the proposals for an agreement between the two Governments, set forth in Your Excellency's note above mentioned be amended to read as follow:

1.    The Government of Iceland and the Government of the United States agree to the abrogation of the defense agreement of July 1, 1941, which shall terminate upon the coming into force of the present agreement.
2.    The Keflavik area and the airfields, hereinafter referred to as the airport, and all immovable installations constructed thereon by the United States will be listed in a joint Icelandic - United States inventory to be prepared concurrently with the transfer of the airport, will be transferred to the Government of Iceland. The airport shall then become the undisputed property of the Icelandic State in fulfillment of the undertakings of the government of the United States with respect thereto.
3.    The Government of the United States will withdraw as promptly as possible United States military and naval personnel now in the city of Reykjavik and during a period of 180 days commencing upon the coming into force of the present agreement will progressively withdraw all United States military and naval personnel now in Iceland.
4.    The Keflavik airport will continue to be available for use by aircraft operated by or on behalf of the Government of the United States in connection with the fulfillment of United States obligations to maintain control agencies in Germany. To this end the Government of the United States shall have the right and may, at its expense, maintain at the airport either directly or under its responsibility the services, facilities and personnel necessary for such use. The special character of the aircraft and their personnel will be respected as far as customs, immigration and other formalities are concerned. No landing fees shall be charged such aircraft.
5.    Neither the stipulation in the foregoing paragraph nor any other stipulations in this agreement shall impair the sovereign rights of the ultimate authority of the Republic of Iceland with regard to the control and operation of the airport or any construction or activities there.
6.    In connection with the operation of the airport the United States will train Icelandic personnel in airport techniques to enable Iceland to assume progressively the operation of the airport.
7.    The Government of Iceland after having consulted the Government of the United States will place in effect operational, safety, and similar rules to govern use of the airport by all aircraft
8.    The Government of Iceland and the Government of the United States will determine a mutually satisfactory formula for the equitable distribution between them of the cost of maintance and operation of the airport, provided, however, that neither Government shall be obligated to incur any expense wit regard to the maintenance and operation of the airport, which it does not deem necessary to meets its own
needs.
9.    No duty or other taxes shall be charged on material, equipment, supplies, or goods imported for the use of the Government of the United States, or its agents, under the agreement or for use of personnel in Iceland by reason of employment pursuant to the agreement. No export tax shall be charged on the removal of such articles.
10.    No personnel of the United States resident in the territory of Iceland by reason of employment pursuant to the agreement shall be liable to pay income tax on the income derived from sources outside of Iceland.
11.    Upon the termination of the present agreement the Government of the United States shall have the right to remove from the airport all moveable installations and equipment which have been constructed or provided by the United States or its agents after the date of the agreement unless by agreement such installations and equipment are bought by the Government of Iceland.
12.    The agreement shall continue in effect until the obligations of the Government of the United states to maintain control agencies in Germany shall have been fulfilled; provided, however, that at any time after the lapse of five years from the coming into force of the present agreement, either government may propose to review the agreement. In such case the two Government shall consult as soon as possible. If no agreement is reached as a result of such consultation within a period of six months from the date of original notification, either Government may at any time thereafter give notice in writing of intention to denounce the agreement which shall then terminate twelve months from the date of such notice.

Should the Government of the United State accept the amended wording set forth above, the affirmative reply of Your Excellency shall constitute, together with this note, the agreement of the two Governments in this matter."

I have the honor to inform Your Excellency that the Government of the United States accepts the agreement set out in Your Excellency's note quoted above.

Accept, excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.