Reykjavík mayor Jón Gnarr plans to make Iceland’s capital a military-free zone before he leaves office in the spring. According to Jón, foreign military ships docked in Reykjavík could be targeted by terrorists, visir.is reports.
Photo: Páll Stefánsson/Iceland Review.
Jón, who celebrated his 47th birthday yesterday, said that he wanted to make Reykjavík the peace capital of the world.
“There is a real possibility that someone gets the idea of carrying out a terrorist attack here. I don’t think we should take that risk,” he said.
Jón has managed to reduce the number of military aircraft arrivals to the country in recent years. According to Isavia, 21 military aircrafts landed in Reykjavík in 2012, down from 54 in 2011.
When asked whether restricting access of military ships and aircraft would result in a reduction in revenue for the city, Jón said he did not think so.
Jón mentioned that both Bono and Russell Brand, recent visitors to Reykjavík, support the idea of a military-free Reykjavík, something which Jón has been a strong advocate of since taking office.
ZR
