335. Letter From Icelandic Prime Minister Pálsson to President Reagan1
Friendly relations between our countries have long contributed to our shared interests in economic growth and international security. The commitment of our nations to the sovereign equality and political independence of states, and to the principles of freedom and democracy, have formed the foundation of this relationship. Quite correctly, in the development and implementation of diverse domestic and international policies, each government has been mindful of legitimate concerns of the other. A profound sense of mutual confidence, without which neither government could entrust important economic and security interests to the other, has thus been preserved and deepened.
It is, therefore, a matter of the utmost concern that certain officials of your government intend to take action which would undermine2 this close relationship between our nations. That action is “certification” of Iceland under United States law for continuing a program of scientific research which necessarily involves the taking of whales.
My government regards its research program as a legitimate exercise of sovereign rights reserved to Iceland in the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, and as a positive contribution to the objectives of the International Whaling Commission (“IWC”). My government also believes that its whale research program is essential to understanding the marine environment upon which the people of Iceland are compelled to rely for their survival as a society and a State, on an island remote from world centers of population and commerce.3
My government has undertaken intensive consultations with yours, in order to continue the Icelandic research program in a manner that would be sensitive to your public opinion and your policies, while ensuring that legitimate and indispensable scientific objectives would be achieved. Based on those consultations and on a thorough review of our program, my government has decided upon a substantial reduction of the taking of whales this year, and upon a review of the program [Page 956] in future years with the aim of keeping the take of whales to the minimum necessary for achieving scientific objectives.4
My government has, further, decided to continue cooperation with other nations through the IWC, despite dissatisfaction in Iceland with the recent activities and method of work of that organization. This position has been adopted in reliance on the expectation that recommendations of the IWC at its last annual meeting5 would not provide the occasion for measures of coercion against Iceland.6
In view of my government’s extraordinary effort at accommodation with the United States on whaling for scientific purposes, and in light of Iceland’s earlier acceptance of the IWC moratorium on commercial whaling, it would be impossible for the people and Government of Iceland to understand or accept certification by the United States that Iceland is diminishing the effectiveness of the IWC.7 Rather certification would disregard the sovereign equality and political independence of Iceland, and be an unwarranted threat to the economic security of this nation. Most certainly, Icelanders could not reconcile action by the United States against their country with the good and friendly relations that have been growing between our two nations for decades and were highlighted by your visit to Iceland last October.
Mr. President, in the spirit of friendship my government has extended itself to the utmost in seeking to resolve this issue. I hope that you will ensure that the response of your government is in that same spirit. I thank you for your personal attention to this vitally important matter.
Sincerely yours,
- Source: Department of State, Dumping; Arctic; Whaling; Antarctic; Scientific Research, 1976–1987, Lot 94D419, Whaling: Iceland July 87. No classification marking.↩
- An unknown hand underlined the phrase “which would undermine” and drew a box around the word “would.”↩
- An unknown hand highlighted this paragraph.↩
- An unknown hand highlighted the phrase “my government has decided upon a substantial reduction of the taking of whales this year, and upon a review of the program in future years with the aim of keeping the take of whales to the minimum necessary for achieving scientific objectives.”↩
- See footnote 14, Document 333.↩
- An unknown hand highlighted this paragraph.↩
- An unknown hand underlined the phrase “it would be impossible for the people and Government of Iceland to understand or accept certification by the United States that Iceland is diminishing the effectiveness of the IWC.”↩