Embassy News 2006
Op-ed article published March 31 in Icelandic daily Morgunblaðið
A Strengthened Partnership for the 21st Century
By U.S. Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns
For nearly 60 years, the United States, Iceland, and our NATO Allies have worked to defeat common threats. Over time, our military deployments and foreign policies have evolved to meet those threats, and we now live in a transatlantic community with more freedom than ever before.
The announcement earlier this month that the U.S. intends to end the practice of permanently stationing U.S. combat forces in Iceland does not change that cooperation and common purpose. Together, our countries support the cause of freedom and work together to defend it. We coordinate security policies at NATO, we stand together in Afghanistan, and we are sustaining our bilateral defense relationship to ensure that we continue to meet our mutual goal: to provide protection and security for the Icelandic and American peoples. This will continue unchanged.
When President Bush decided to end the permanent stationing of significant U.S. military forces in Iceland, he did so after much reflection and in light of two important geo-strategic realities. The first is that Iceland and the U.S. no longer face a credible conventional military threat in Iceland or its surrounding area.
The Cold War is truly over; the United States and Iceland can take pride in this fact, as it reflects the success of our bilateral and NATO alliances, as well as the expansion of freedom in Europe. The second consideration – extremely significant and urgent – is that we live in a world of new threats, including terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We cannot let down our guard, but we can no longer depend for our common safety solely on the static forces that protected us against the threats of the last century.
It is understandable that the people of Iceland have questions and concerns regarding security once there is no longer a permanent U.S. military presence in Iceland. The United States will continue to meet our longstanding responsibility, under the 1951 Defense Agreement, to defend Iceland, and will do so with mobile, fast, modern forces located in the U.S. and elsewhere. The U.S. ability to defend Iceland against military threat will remain intact, and our commitment stands firm.
The United States is ready to work with the Government of Iceland to address those questions and concerns as we discuss the details of how the United States is prepared to defend Iceland in accordance with the Defense Agreement, as well as consider new ways for our two countries to address contemporary security challenges.
To that end, a team of U.S. experts from the State and Defense Departments are meeting with their counterparts in Reykjavik on March 31 to discuss the military defense of Iceland and to explore ways to expand and intensify our broader security relationship, both bilaterally and at NATO. We look forward to the opportunity to present our views and to hear directly the initiatives and proposals of Iceland.
The redeployment of remaining U.S. forces from Iceland is part of a larger world-wide transformation of the U.S. military. The U.S. has withdrawn over a half million troops from Europe and Asia since 1991, reflecting positive changes in the international security environment as well as firm and quick response capabilities. Some have been redeployed to bases in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, or elsewhere in response to current requirements. Others have been returned to bases in the U.S., from which they can deploy rapidly as needed, even as dozens of other bases in the U.S have been closed for greater efficiency.
As part of this transformation, the U.S. has invested in more aircraft, ships, and equipment to enable us to move more forces more swiftly than ever before. Throughout this process, our guiding objective remains the same: to maintain the best position for the defense of our Allies, our friends, and ourselves.
It is vital that our two countries, together with our NATO Allies and friends, address vigorously the threats we face in the 21st century. These new threats are not solely military in nature, and require new security arrangements: port and container security, tough measures for sound border controls, law enforcement cooperation, and other areas in which we are already working constructively together.
We can explore still more ways to improve our efforts to address the full range of threats we face. Iceland has already demonstrated its resolve to take on important roles in this new security situation. Icelanders have served with multinational coalitions in Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan to secure and strengthen new democracies. The United States appreciates those contributions, just as we know our friends in Iceland appreciate our contribution to global stability and security.
The overall relationship between Iceland and the United States is broader and more vibrant than ever. Year by year we grow closer and more connected in the areas of investment, trade, scientific research, cultural ties, and travel. The foundation of this wide array of cooperation and partnership is our common belief in freedom and democracy. We must continue to act to improve our ability to protect and defend both our countries, as we have for more than half a century. The United States truly values our alliance, partnership, and friendship with Iceland and seeks to continue strengthening our ties.