Why US doesnt need to take over Greenland and how it already has military access there
Even as US President Donald Trump's talk of a Greenland "takeover" draws criticism, Washington already enjoys sweeping military access to the Arctic island under a decades-old defence pact with Denmark. The agreement allows the US to operate bases and conduct military activity across Greenland, making a purchase unnecessary and reinforcing that the island's future rests with its people, who largely oppose any takeover.
New Delhi: Envoys of Denmark and Greenland in Washington have launched a vigorous campaign to ask US lawmakers and senior Trump administration officials to reconsider the president’s call for a ‘takeover’ of the strategic Arctic island. US President Donald Trump has said that Greenland is essential to America's security, describing it as a critical outpost in the Arctic region.
Even as Trump's 'takeover' rhetoric draws public attention and criticism, it is to be learnt that the US already has extensive military access to Greenland. There is no need for the US to buy the island or resort to drastic steps to protect its strategic position.
What does the 1951 pact say?
This stems from a defence agreement signed in April 1951 between the US and Denmark. Denmark colonised Greenland more than 300 years ago and still monitors certain affairs, although the island now largely governs itself.
The 1951 pact allows the US to "construct, install, maintain, and operate” military bases across Greenland. The US can "house personnel” and "control landings, takeoffs, anchorages, moorings, movements, and operation of ships, aircraft, and waterborne craft”. The deal allows the US operate militarily across the island without any restrictions.
Currently, the US has a single base in a remote part of Greenland — the Pituffik Space Base — which keeps tabs on missiles crossing the North Pole. Legally, the agreement permits wider operations.
How did the deal come into being?
The agreement was inked during the Second World War when German forces occupied Denmark. Following this, Denmark's ambassador in Washington got wary. He signed a defence deal with the US to safeguard Greenland from Nazi Germany and ensure that it's not occupied by Adolf Hitler's men. The German forces had set up weather stations on the island to help their war effort. However, later, US forces removed them and built multiple bases.
At the height of the Cold War, the US operated a number of bases and radar sites in Greenland. Most of these were shut down after ease in tensions. The US continued to operate one base, the one that exists currently.
The pact was updated in 2004. The deal now includes Greenland's semi-autonomous government. The update requires the US to consult Denmark and Greenland before making "any significant changes” to military activity. It also affiurms Greenland's status as "an equal part of the Kingdom of Denmark”.
Can US buy Greenland?
The US (read Donald Trump) has reportedly expressed its willingness to offer amounts ranging from USD 10,000 to USD 100,000 to Greenlanders in a bid to pull the country away from Denmark and bring it closer to Washington. Trump knows he can't buy Greenland which has a population of nearly 57,000 and is rich in minerals, legally.
Denmark has no authority to sell Greenland. Greenlanders have the right to choose their own future, and most oppose a US takeover. Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has emphatically said: "Our country is not for sale.” However, this doesn't take away the sway that US holds due to the 1951 agreement.