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Iceland Unhappy U.S. Pulling Defenses Out
Chron.com ^ | March 16 2006 | KRISTA MAHR/AP

Posted on 03/16/2006 12:33:55 PM PST by knighthawk

REYKJAVIK, Iceland — The United States, which has long provided Iceland with its only military force, has decided to withdraw most of its service members and all of its fighter jets and helicopters from the country later this year, the U.S. ambassador said Thursday.

Iceland's government, which had recently offered to pay some of the cost of its defense to try to keep U.S. forces here, said it regretted the decision.

In an interview with The Associated Press, U.S. Ambassador Carol van Voorst said she and Nicholas Burns, the U.S. under secretary of state, had told Prime Minister Haldor Asgrimsson and Foreign Minister Geir H. Haarde of the unilateral decision on Wednesday.

(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: badidea; iceland; militarybases; reykjavik; stupidmove; unemployedwomen
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

Its location served a purpose during the cold war.


101 posted on 03/16/2006 1:55:03 PM PST by Proud_USA_Republican (We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good. - Hillary Clinton)
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To: SIDENET
"Cool! I was thinking more along the lines of three boobs, or something like that..."

Hey, we were snowed in two days ago and re-watched Arnold in "Total Recall" on DVD (no one wanted to go out and brush off the satellie dish). In addition to the three boobs, we love the scene were one of the Olsen twins jumps up on the bar and sprays the room with full auto fire. (OK, OK, I know it really wansn't one of the Olsen twins...)

102 posted on 03/16/2006 2:00:24 PM PST by Chinito (6990th Security Group, RC-135/Combat Apple, SEA Class of '68)
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To: Range Rover
Wow! I think I need to schedule a "fishing trip" there soon! It is almost shocking that women that beautiful don't have a Primadonna attitude. Quite a refreshing change.
103 posted on 03/16/2006 2:03:06 PM PST by MBB1984
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To: Rummyfan

That threat to the GIUK could materialize at any time. It is shortsighted IMHO to leave it open in todays world.


104 posted on 03/16/2006 2:10:02 PM PST by Jeff Head (www.dragonsfuryseries.com)
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To: knighthawk

Does this mean we have to close "The Brass Nut?"


105 posted on 03/16/2006 2:14:36 PM PST by Natty Bumppo@frontier.net (The facts of life are conservative -- Margaret Thatcher)
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To: RadioAstronomer


106 posted on 03/16/2006 2:15:34 PM PST by FOG724 (http://nationalgrange.org/legislation/phpBB2/index.php)
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To: Jambe

Our boys sure do keep some of these countries afloat.


107 posted on 03/16/2006 2:16:24 PM PST by satchmodog9 (Most people stand on the tracks and never even hear the train coming)
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To: Dog
Read Red Storm Rising

Apparently the Pentagon hasn't. Still one of my fav Clancy novels. Would have made an excellent movie. Let's hope it doesn't become a real live one.
108 posted on 03/16/2006 2:31:51 PM PST by Liberty Valance (Keep a simple manner for a happy life :o)
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To: satchmodog9
Nice, we pull troops from where they openly want us and keep them where they openly loathe us.
---
The only reason they want us is that then they don't have to defend themselves. And pay for it.
Iceland only has 300,000 people, so its home-grown defense will never be that large.
I suggest they consult with the Swiss on how to get as much as possible out of their population in the way of a defense force.
I don't know about local attitudes - do Icelanders think guns are icky? If they do, that's going to be a problem.
109 posted on 03/16/2006 2:32:00 PM PST by Cheburashka (World's only Spatula City certified spatula repair and maintenance specialist!!!)
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To: MBB1984

IcelandAir has a pretty cool offer that a few of my friends have taken advantage of:

"Icelandair has always offered cheap flights to Iceland but now only lcelandair gives you the opportunity to visit Europe's hottest destination, lceland, on your way to or from Scandinavia, Great Britain or Continental Europe for up to seven nights! And best of all, you pay NO ADDITIONAL AIRFARE!"

If I can ever get some time off, I would consider a stopover but the wife hasn't warmed to the idea. She met two of their "Air Hostesses" in Mexico and one felt the top of her Bikini was too "restrictive" - neither were wearing much fabric anyway. We were on a catamaran in the Gulf - Me, the wife, the guy who owned the boat and those two. I bet I still have bruises from where my other half kept hitting me.



110 posted on 03/16/2006 2:34:44 PM PST by Range Rover (Kerry is STILL a Fraud...Rather is the Court Jester)
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To: Sax

I think they're part of NATO.

I have nothing against Iceland, but we shouldn't have our troops over there.

US troops are in over 100 countries.

This is INSANE!


111 posted on 03/16/2006 2:36:09 PM PST by Sometimes A River (http://www.theonion.com/content/node/46031)
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To: sean327

I don't think Iceland is near any sea lanes, except those that go to Iceland.

Look at a map.


112 posted on 03/16/2006 2:38:49 PM PST by Sometimes A River (http://www.theonion.com/content/node/46031)
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To: Range Rover
No kidding...we NEED to protect them (at least the MOIST ones)...
---
You can always offer the Republic of Iceland your services as a mercenary. They might be hiring.
113 posted on 03/16/2006 2:42:40 PM PST by Cheburashka (World's only Spatula City certified spatula repair and maintenance specialist!!!)
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To: Daus
If there was one credible threat to this area... maybe. But there clearly is no rational reason to base there permanently.

By your logic, we have no rational reason for any military installations within the continental U.S.

What is the credible threat to Kansas?

Maybe you need to rethink the issue, or at least your analysis of the issue.

114 posted on 03/16/2006 2:46:18 PM PST by been_lurking
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To: BeHoldAPaleHorse
There are numerous forces that are potential belligerants in Europe...or who can threaten Europe.

Russia, while not communist now, still has vestiges of the old school there and still can exert influence not necessarily favorable to us (ie. with Iran and China). The French and or Germans could also become positioned against us. Even more likely, the Islamic threat and ultimately the Chinese threats could find their way into Europe over the years.

For any eventual contingency or eventuality, we should hold tightly and strongly to Iceland IMHO.

115 posted on 03/16/2006 2:46:30 PM PST by Jeff Head (www.dragonsfuryseries.com)
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To: Acts 2:38
US troops are in over 100 countries.

This is INSANE!

Sure cuts down on the transportation costs. Imagine if you had to pack them up and ship them out every time you needed them. The waste of time and packing materials alone would be tremendous.

116 posted on 03/16/2006 2:49:46 PM PST by been_lurking
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To: Range Rover

Do female Icelanders always stand tilted at a 45 degree angle?


117 posted on 03/16/2006 2:52:34 PM PST by Cheburashka (World's only Spatula City certified spatula repair and maintenance specialist!!!)
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To: Acts 2:38

Iceland is very strategically positioned to protect and defend...or threaten...all of the North Atlantic sea lanes. It is a very vital piece of real estate.


118 posted on 03/16/2006 2:52:45 PM PST by Jeff Head (www.dragonsfuryseries.com)
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To: been_lurking

We wouldn't have that problem if we didn't send them out all over the place to do jobs others should do.


119 posted on 03/16/2006 2:53:59 PM PST by Sometimes A River (http://www.theonion.com/content/node/46031)
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To: Jeff Head

Well since the U Boat threat is gone, maybe we should re-think our Military in Iceland policy.

We defend other countries, while thousands of illegals pour over the borders every single day.


120 posted on 03/16/2006 2:55:12 PM PST by Sometimes A River (http://www.theonion.com/content/node/46031)
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