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Iceland to join Europe

After millennia of being divided between North America and Europe, Iceland has finally decided to officially join with its neighbours to the east.

“With the Americans leaving Keflavik, there are very few ties still binding us to America,” says Prime Minister Halldor Asgrimsson. “I think that it is time for Iceland to move into the future and decide its final resting place in the world. I believe that Europe is that place.”

Geologist Gudny Gudmundsdottir agrees. “If you look at Iceland from a tectonical perspective, it has spent most if not all of its existence ‘fence-sitting’ between the two continents. We are trying to have our cake and eat it too, one might say, but at some point a decision must be made.”

A recent poll showed that 68% of Icelanders are either in favour or strongly in favour of the plan. There are critics of the plan, however. “I question the motivation of our government in making this decision,” says environmental activist Ossur Sigurdsson. “Do they actually believe that this is the best choice for Iceland and its environment or are they simply making a grab for warmer weather? These are the kinds of questions that Icelanders must ask themselves when they consider the issue.”

BBC News, Friday, April 1, 2005, 10:59 GMT 11:59 UK