Iceland Unhappy U.S. Pulling Defenses Out

Chron.com ^ | March 16 2006 | KRISTA MAHR/AP

[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.

[68skylark]

Iceland would be left with a small Coast Guard, which has two unarmed helicopters and an airplane.

They should arm their aircarft.

[drjimmy]

Beat me by one second!

[iPod Shuffle]

Very shortsighted decision.

[Sax]

Ah, intelligent ordinance - I like it!

[Holicheese]

The GIUK Gap is very strategic. I learned that from Tom Clancy.

[Dog]

:-)

[PeterFinn]

LOL!!!!!

[Rummyfan]

True enough when the Soviet navy was a great threat and the Greenland-Iceland-UK line had to be under constant surveillance. But the threat is elsewhere these days.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Iceland is located near vital sea lanes. Control Iceland, your well on your way to controling the north Atlantic.

That's British Empire circa 1700s thinking. Our Navy can be dispatched anywhere at the drop of a hat. We rule the waters of the world mate AAARRRGGHH!

[Theoden]

I don't like this move at all. Iceland is right smack in the middle of the North Atlantic, and IMO, is a strategic stepping stone for Europe.

If I remember correctly, Iceland only has a population of just over 250,000, and really doesn't have the manpower or money for an effective military.

Iceland is left vulnerable now, even with the US guaranteeing its defense, the first strike will be for the terrorists.

[The Great RJ]

"Iceland would be left with a small Coast Guard, which has two unarmed helicopters and an airplane."

That must put them about on par with Canada.

[Stark_GOP]

"A very strategic spot to leave undefended IMHO."
---
True. In the recent past it was used to help monitor Soviet subs entering the North Atlantic.
But since the end of the 'cold war' its value has diminished.

[ncountylee]

I've been lucky enough to have visited Iceland twice.

Not only are the people wonderful but the women are absolutely beautiful.

If I was stationed there, I would be protesting. LOL

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Read Red Storm Rising

I did. It's a work of fiction, remember?

[ElPatriota]

Good. Why in hech do we have to be the policeman of the world now that resources are limited?

[inkling]

That's British Empire circa 1700s thinking. Our Navy can be dispatched anywhere at the drop of a hat. We rule the waters of the world mate AAARRRGGHH!

Don't be too harsh. Iceland is very important when you're playing Risk.

[laconic]

Two unarmed Coast Guard ships? Now England and the Faeroe Islands can steal their cod with impunity.

[tigtog]

Agree with the estimate of Icelands strategic value, but it only becomes key if there is some navy capable of taking it. Currently, who in the world can threaten Iceland? No sense stationing troops based on Cold War realities - waste of manpower and money. The obvious next pull out would be Germany.

[Dog]

Yes I do..

[blau993]

Plus they have weirdly hot chicks up there.

If the Icelandic Airlines flight attendants are at all representative, I would say they are seriously hot chicks.