“Not the results we were hoping for”, says Davíð Oddsson, foreign minister, on concluding the discussions between the US and Iceland regarding the future of the Keflavík defese force. 10 Icelandic officials from three ministries met with a 15 person US delegation in Washington this week.
Mr. Oddsson said that the US delegation presented their ideas and likewise did the Icelanders. Mr. Oddsson says that there are still differences between the two parties but he puts his hopes on the next meeting planned to take place in Iceland in September.
Mr. Oddsson will not disclose the nature or the terms of the discussions. He believes disclosure is not in the best interest of further discussions. Iceland State Radio, RÚV, reports that the terms were decided last year when Oddsson met with Colin Powell, former foreign minister of the United States. At that time Mr. Powell stated that he believed that there is a need for continued air defenses in Iceland.
At that time it was decided that officials would discuss how to share the costs of the base in Keflavík.
