Cablegate: Icelandic Mfa Requests All U.S. Records On Halldor

VZCZCXYZ0002
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRK #0179 2331704
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 201704Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY REYKJAVIK
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3770

UNCLAS REYKJAVIK 000179

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

FOR EUR/NB DESK OFFICER STEPHEN WHEELER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OPDC IC
SUBJECT: ICELANDIC MFA REQUESTS ALL U.S. RECORDS ON HALLDOR
LAXNESS

Refs: A) State 77490
B) Klopfenstein-Peterson emails 7/31 and 8/01/08
C) Reykjavik 025

1. (SBU) Upon receipt of ref A note, Icelandic Ministry for Foreign
Affairs Political Director Greta Gunnarsdottir responded with
several questions about the scope of Department's archival review
and the possibility of extending the review to other USG agencies'
archives (ref B). Post subsequently received the diplomatic note
para. 2 reiterating those questions and requesting a formal
response. Text of dip
note follows.

2. (U) (Begin Text)

08/11/2008
Ref.: UTN07120142/34.O.010

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland presents its compliments
to the Embassy of the United States of America and with reference to
the latter's Note of 25 July 2008 has the honour to acknowledge the
receipt of 13 documents concerning Mr. Halldor Kiljan Laxness and
would like to convey its appreciation for the attention the Embassy
has given the matter.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs would, however, like to inform, the
Embassy that Mr. Halldor Kiljan Laxness's descendants have
reiterated their interest in receiving further information
pertaining to Mr. Laxness in U.S. Government files originating in
the years 1947 - 1957, especially the following documents: Case
Control No. 200404239, Segment FBI001A01, Document Number 000001 B3
INA, Document Number 000009 B3 INA and Document Number 000010 B1
25X1 B3 INA as well as previously requested documents from the
Department of Homeland Security: Case Number: NYC2005005448 Appeal
Number NYC2005000761. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland
would be grateful for the further assistance of the Embassy of the
United States of America in fulfilling the remainder of the family's
request.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportunity
to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America and
assurance of its highest consideration.
(End Text)

3. (SBU) Action Request: Post is appreciative of Department
efforts to date and would be grateful for further assistance to
provide a prompt response to this diplomatic note.

VAN VOORST

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