Greenland Reacts to New American Approaches
The Greenlandic government is ready to “hold concrete discussions” about American bases in Greenland, if it becomes relevant, the chairman says in an interview.
The Greenlandic government is ready to hold concrete discussions about American bases in Greenland, if it is desired by the American side.
This is stated by the chairman of the Greenlandic government, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, after it has emerged that the US has proposed in meetings with Denmark to open three new American military bases in southern Greenland. This is reported by the BBC.
“The Greenlandic government is ready to hold concrete discussions—if it becomes relevant—about how bases and other things should be implemented in Greenland, or how the increased presence in Greenland should be implemented,” says Jens-Frederik Nielsen.
Back in January, it was agreed to set up a working group between Greenland, Denmark, and the US during a meeting at the White House in Washington, DC.
According to the BBC, the US has wanted the three bases to be designated as US territory.
“We currently have an American base, Pituffik Space Base. It is framed in a base agreement and in the defense agreement. Whether it will be that structure, or whether it will be a completely different one, is something we will have to discuss specifically in the working group,” Jens-Frederik Nielsen continues.
So the Greenland government is not opposed to giving up territory to US bases?
“I am not opposed to increased defense cooperation on certain conditions that benefit us all. If you want to call it giving up territory and making a base agreement, that is what it is.
“For us, it is about taking responsibility for the security situation we find ourselves in in the world. It is of course something we take seriously. But the specifics are something we will discuss in the working group. We will not do that via the press,” he says.
Surveys in Narsarsuaq
According to the American newspaper The New York Times, the US is specifically interested in bases in the settlements of Narsarsuaq and Kangerlussuaq.
It is not known where there is interest in a possible third base.
On Tuesday, KNR was able to report that so-called “site surveys” are currently taking place. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs writes this in a written response.
Last week, there was a high-ranking visit to Narsarsuaq, including a lieutenant colonel from the US Marines.
Jens-Frederik Nielsen does not go into detail about why location surveys are being carried out.
“In a collaboration between Greenland, Denmark, and the US, some locations have been looked at. This does not mean that bases are to be opened there now, or that anything like that is about to happen.”
“Can you say something about what the location surveys will lead to?”
“There will be an announcement about it soon from the Greenlandic government. Increased military presence is something that is being discussed between the parties, and that is one of the reasons why we have the working group,” he says.
Sensational “Referendum”
Last week, something sensational also happened in Nuuk. Here, an elderly American man, Clifford E. Stanley, conducted a so-called “referendum” on whether Greenlanders want to become part of the United States.
The survey states that every Greenlander will receive $200,000 if Greenland becomes part of the United States.
According to a spokesperson from the American embassy in Copenhagen, he does not represent the American government.
KNR has learned that the Defense Intelligence Service, the Police Intelligence Service, and the President’s Department have all been aware of Clifford E. Stanley’s activities.
Jens-Frederik Nielsen, your department has known about this since February. What have been your considerations in relation to this “referendum”?
“It is true that my department has been made aware that a translation task and perhaps a print job have been ordered. The background to this has not been clear. But we have not had the impression that it came from the official USA.
“We have of course also been critical of it in relation to the fact that it could be an attempt at increased influence, which we unfortunately see from the American side in our society,” he says, adding that the department has been waiting to see “what would happen.”
According to the chairman, it is fundamentally important to be critical of people who “promise gold and green forests” for Greenland.
“We know that they are trying to influence the Greenlandic population to choose the USA,” he says.
Not a Meeting on the Calendar Yet
Next week there will be several American visitors. This time it is US Special Envoy Jeff Landry and US Ambassador to Denmark Ken Howery, who are participating in the Future Greenland conference.
This is confirmed by the American embassy in Denmark to Sermitsiaq.
According to Jens-Frederik Nielsen, it is uncertain whether he will meet with Jeff Landry.
He says that the American delegation has reached out to hold a meeting, but that it requires an agenda before he will meet with the special envoy. And he has not yet received one.
If you are going to meet, what will your message be to Jeff Landry?
“I will say what Greenland’s position is, and then I will demand respect for the Greenlandic people and Greenland’s right to act for itself. I have given that message to the ambassador, and I will give the same to a special envoy—or someone from another country for that matter—if someone comes with intentions to take over our country,” says Jens-Frederik Nielsen.
Future Greenland will take place on May 19–20 in Katuaq in Nuuk.
Source: KNR (in Danish)