You're always hearing people say USA has military presence in X amount of countries. Well now that number will be one less, USA is pulling it's military out of Iceland after 65 years. An interesting detail is locals are upset about it, because many local businesses made their money selling stuff to the americans, and some businesses will suffer.
(translated from
http://www.svd.se/dynamiskt/utrikes/did_13770230.asp)
The last of the military has left Iceland.
Iceland is now one of very few countries without a permanent military presence. On saturday USA finished the emptying of it's military air base at Keflavik.
- Everybody has left, said Albert Jonsson, one of Prime Minister Geir Haarde's co-workers, on saturday afternoon.
As recently as the beginning of the 90s, Keflavik had a population of 6 000 people, whereof nearly 3 000 were US military. More recently, a group of 60 people have been situated at the base.
According to Jonsson, it has not been decided what will now happen with the area.
USA reported this spring that it would stop its military presence in Iceland after 65 years, a decision that created anger and worry on the island. Many locals employed in the area will lose their jobs, and Iceland will now be left without any military defense.
USA has taken on the task of defending Iceland should danger arise. The details of this arangement are secret.
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Topic: US Military leaves iceland (Read 686 times)