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