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Greenland looks to US in quest for independence
AFP ^ | 09/26/04

Posted on 09/26/2004 6:08:24 PM PDT by nypokerface

NUUK, Greenland (AFP) - After 25 years of internal autonomy, the icy Danish territory of Greenland has set its sights on true independence, hoping that talks on the modernization of a US military base on the island may have helped nudge it closer to its goal.

Greenland, which became a Danish colony in 1721, aspires to "before the 300th anniversary of the colonialization ... be capable of becoming master of its own destiny," deputy prime minister of Greenland Josef Motzfeldt told AFP.

Greenlanders have long felt that along with Denmark, the US, with its military base at Thule in the northwestern part of the island, has too much say over their internal affairs.

Following an agreement on the modernization of the base last month however, Greenlanders have begun seeing the superpower across the Atlantic as a potential ally in their quest for self-determination.

"It was (US Secretary of State) Colin Powell who demanded that we sit at the negotiating table during the (ongoing) overhaul of the 1951 Danish-American Defense Treaty concerning Greenland, to the great surprise of Denmark's foreign minister," Motzfeldt said.

"Washington recognizes us as an equal partner, which is not yet the case with Denmark," he added, pointing out that US President George W. Bush after taking power in 2001 had even sent a letter requesting closer cooperation on the Thule base and other issues directly to Greenland's local government, and not, as tradition dictates, through Copenhagen.

While Copenhagen has resisted allowing Greenland full independence, it has agreed to an "autonomy commission", made up of both Danish and local politicians, which is currently looking into the thorny issue of handing over sovereignty to the island when it comes to justice, foreign policy, and its mineral and oil resource management.

That could come in handy, since authorities on the island hope the recent discovery of valuable minerals like gold and diamonds, along with promethean promises of oil exploration and rising tourism, will help propel the territory into economic independence and thereby also boost its chances for political self-determination.

Authorities on the island are now preparing to take a decisive -- and painful -- step on their road to independence: squeezing out from under "Big Brother" and saying adios to the approximately three billion kroner (494 million dollars, 403 million euros), or 57 percent of Greenland's total 2005 budget, still paid for by Copenhagen.

"That is our ultimate objective. It will call for hard work, sweat and tears, but the Greenlanders are ready, I think, to pay the price. We want to be recognized as an independent nation, as a sovereign people to be respected," Motzfeldt said.

Over the past quarter century, Greenland with its 57,000 inhabitants, 50,000 of whom are indigenous Inuits, has undergone drastic change, transforming from a community of hunters and fishermen to a modern industrialized society.

But while the quick transformation has brought with it positive development and the island's very own university, Greenland has also increasingly been plagued by social problems like alcoholism, domestic abuse, other violence and suicide.

It is of course uncertain whether true independence would help Greenland shake off its problems, and many of the island's inhabitants worry that bowing too low to US requests on the Thule base, which served as a key listening post during the Cold War, and which is now considered an essential part of Washington's plans for a controversial missile defense program, could cause additional headaches.

"But we haven't said 'yes' to the use (of modernized radar installations) in this missile defense system, which would call for new negotiations," Motzfeldt told AFP.

Greenland, he insisted, does not want to find itself against its will in the midst of new global tensions.

The question is whether the island can afford to go against the US on this issue, and thus risk losing the strongest ally it has in its quest for independence.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: anniversary; denmark; geopolitics; greenland; inuits; netherlands
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1 posted on 09/26/2004 6:08:24 PM PDT by nypokerface
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To: nypokerface
Well, I think Greenland faces a choice.

It can join the coalition of the willing....or cast it's lot amongst the evil doers.

2 posted on 09/26/2004 6:12:03 PM PDT by billorites (freepo ergo sum)
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To: Modernman

Alcoholism in Greenland? With all there is to do?? I'm shocked!


3 posted on 09/26/2004 6:17:08 PM PDT by BroncosFan (NJ 2005: Schundler for Governor)
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To: nypokerface

There are lots of ptarmigans in Greenland. They will be glad to join America.


4 posted on 09/26/2004 6:17:36 PM PDT by Ptarmigan (Proud rabbit hater and killer)
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To: Ptarmigan

I understand Ptarmigans taste like chicken?


5 posted on 09/26/2004 6:21:17 PM PDT by donozark (I fought at the Battle of Kimchi Ridge. The gas...the gas...it was HORRIBLE!)
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To: donozark

Yes, they do. How do you know that? By the way, ptarmigan is related to chicken, quail, and pheasant.


6 posted on 09/26/2004 6:22:01 PM PDT by Ptarmigan (Proud rabbit hater and killer)
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To: Ptarmigan


Wow - Greenland, maybe even Iceland, as US military allies.

That'll help me sleep better at night (sarcasm).


7 posted on 09/26/2004 6:23:56 PM PDT by Gary - Peters (Kerry Insecure to relinquish Congressional Job.)
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To: Gary - Peters

Greenland is one of the coldest places on earth.


8 posted on 09/26/2004 6:25:07 PM PDT by Lori675
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To: Ptarmigan

Ungava Bay visitor.


9 posted on 09/26/2004 6:26:59 PM PDT by donozark (I fought at the Battle of Kimchi Ridge. The gas...the gas...it was HORRIBLE!)
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To: nypokerface
Following an agreement on the modernization of the base last month however, Greenlanders have begun seeing the superpower across the Atlantic as a potential ally in their quest for self-determination.

Hmmmm .. I always thought we were on the same side of the Atlantic as Greenland? This statement either confuses me or shows that this writer needs a geography lesson.

10 posted on 09/26/2004 6:29:02 PM PDT by AgThorn (Go go Bush!! But don't turn your back on America with "immigrant amnesty")
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11 posted on 09/26/2004 6:30:37 PM PDT by AgThorn (Go go Bush!! But don't turn your back on America with "immigrant amnesty")
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To: nypokerface
My experience as an arctic explorer on the Greenland icecap in the early 60's here.
 
 

12 posted on 09/26/2004 6:33:15 PM PDT by Lokibob (All typos and spelling errors are mine and copyrighted!!!!)
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To: billorites

this where we sent junior sonar officers who "lost the towed array".....or Adak AK....just joking....


13 posted on 09/26/2004 6:35:29 PM PDT by Sub-Driver (Unelect All NJ Politicians....)
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To: Lori675

No, my first wife Theresa was.


14 posted on 09/26/2004 6:35:58 PM PDT by Gary - Peters (Kerry Insecure to relinquish Congressional Job.)
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To: nypokerface
Breaking news...Latest election news from the Greenland Gazette.

The Greenland Independence Movement (GIM) is currently locked in take-no-prisoners snowball fight to the death with the Movement for Greenland Independence (MFGI) and the Independent Greenland Front (IGF). A fringe group, the Greenland Greens for Polar Bears (GGFPB) has also joined in the fray. Unfortunately reports from the area are not available as Ace Reporter, Inni-Inni Inuit is unable to be found. A tactical response search and rescue team of slay dogs is ready to go into the battle-zone soon and the local constabulary has been called to try and bring order to the situation.

Voting results will no doubt be forthcoming shortly.
15 posted on 09/26/2004 6:36:11 PM PDT by Bandaneira (The Third Temple/House for All Nations/World Peace Centre...It wont be an Igloo !...)
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To: Lokibob

Very funny..... Any fresh vegetables to eat? Or just frozen stuff?


16 posted on 09/26/2004 6:44:48 PM PDT by dennisw (Gd is against Amelek for all generations.)
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To: nypokerface

Duhhhh . . . ain't I the dummy. I didn't know Greenland wasn't independent. But if you're gonna be a part of a European country . . . Denmark is better than most. If my memory serves me right, Denmark is in Iraq with us. They've gotta have a few gonads anyway.


17 posted on 09/26/2004 6:54:07 PM PDT by geedee (Who is more foolish, the child afraid of the dark, or the man afraid of the light?)
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To: billorites

Denmark has been a strong ally, with troops and political support. Small countries next to big countries, like to have a big friend.


18 posted on 09/26/2004 7:05:24 PM PDT by Jabba the Nutt (Michael Moore: Will lie for food and I stay busy!)
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To: dennisw

Everything frozen. It was the longest year of my life.


19 posted on 09/26/2004 7:12:29 PM PDT by Lokibob (All typos and spelling errors are mine and copyrighted!!!!)
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To: Bandaneira
A tactical response search and rescue team of slay dogs is ready to go...

I'm thinkin' "slay dogs" wouldn't be a lot of help on a search and rescue team... : )

20 posted on 09/26/2004 7:21:35 PM PDT by TxPhysicist (Police response is 15 minutes, mine is about 15 seconds -- does that make me a first responder?)
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