Denmark Summons US Diplomat Over Greenland 'Interference' Concerns
Reports of attempted interference in Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory, have led Denmark to summon the US charge d'affaires.
COPENHAGEN: Denmark summoned the US charge d’affaires on Wednesday following reports of attempted interference in Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory that US President Donald Trump has expressed interest in acquiring for strategic and resource-related reasons.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has repeatedly stated the need for Greenland due to its security significance, without ruling out the use of force to secure it.
According to Danish public television network DR, at least three US officials close to Trump have been spotted in Nuuk, Greenland's capital, attempting to identify individuals who could be used in anti-Denmark influence campaigns.
Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen expressed concern over "foreign actors" showing interest in Greenland’s position within Denmark and stated that any interference in the Kingdom's internal affairs would be deemed unacceptable.
The majority of Greenland's population of 57,000 people have expressed a desire for independence from Denmark, as per a January poll.
However, they do not wish to become part of the US.
Both Denmark and Greenland have consistently maintained that Greenland is not for sale and that its future will be determined by its own people.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen addressed the situation seriously, noting the lack of a clear denial from the US regarding the DR report, which she considered serious.
In May, The Wall Street Journal reported that US intelligence agencies had been tasked with gathering information about Greenland's independence movement and opinions on American resource exploitation.
The report sparked an angry reaction from Frederiksen, who stated that "you cannot spy against an ally." Denmark and the US are both founding members of NATO and have recently collaborated in military conflicts such as Afghanistan and Iraq.
The DR report highlighted efforts by US officials to gather information on issues causing tension between Greenland and Denmark, including historical actions like the forced removal of Inuit children from their families and the forced contraception of at least half of all fertile Inuit women from the 1960s until 1992.
In response to the latter issue, Frederiksen presented an apology to the approximately 4,500 affected Inuit women.
She stated that while the past cannot be changed, Denmark takes responsibility and apologizes for its actions.
In March, US Vice President JD Vance's uninvited visit to Greenland was perceived as a provocation, leading him to shorten his itinerary to a one-day visit to the US Pituffik military base.
Vance criticized Denmark for neglecting Greenland's security needs.
The Arctic region has gained geostrategic importance due to its rare earth resources and melting ice caused by global warming, which opens new shipping routes.
In January, Copenhagen announced a $2-billion plan to boost its military presence in the Arctic region.
Prior to Greenland’s March 11 general election, Denmark's intelligence service expressed concern over possible foreign interference, particularly from Russia, but stated that no attempts were ever detected.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has repeatedly stated the need for Greenland due to its security significance, without ruling out the use of force to secure it.
According to Danish public television network DR, at least three US officials close to Trump have been spotted in Nuuk, Greenland's capital, attempting to identify individuals who could be used in anti-Denmark influence campaigns.
Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen expressed concern over "foreign actors" showing interest in Greenland’s position within Denmark and stated that any interference in the Kingdom's internal affairs would be deemed unacceptable.
The majority of Greenland's population of 57,000 people have expressed a desire for independence from Denmark, as per a January poll.
However, they do not wish to become part of the US.
Both Denmark and Greenland have consistently maintained that Greenland is not for sale and that its future will be determined by its own people.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen addressed the situation seriously, noting the lack of a clear denial from the US regarding the DR report, which she considered serious.
In May, The Wall Street Journal reported that US intelligence agencies had been tasked with gathering information about Greenland's independence movement and opinions on American resource exploitation.
The report sparked an angry reaction from Frederiksen, who stated that "you cannot spy against an ally." Denmark and the US are both founding members of NATO and have recently collaborated in military conflicts such as Afghanistan and Iraq.
The DR report highlighted efforts by US officials to gather information on issues causing tension between Greenland and Denmark, including historical actions like the forced removal of Inuit children from their families and the forced contraception of at least half of all fertile Inuit women from the 1960s until 1992.
In response to the latter issue, Frederiksen presented an apology to the approximately 4,500 affected Inuit women.
She stated that while the past cannot be changed, Denmark takes responsibility and apologizes for its actions.
In March, US Vice President JD Vance's uninvited visit to Greenland was perceived as a provocation, leading him to shorten his itinerary to a one-day visit to the US Pituffik military base.
Vance criticized Denmark for neglecting Greenland's security needs.
The Arctic region has gained geostrategic importance due to its rare earth resources and melting ice caused by global warming, which opens new shipping routes.
In January, Copenhagen announced a $2-billion plan to boost its military presence in the Arctic region.
Prior to Greenland’s March 11 general election, Denmark's intelligence service expressed concern over possible foreign interference, particularly from Russia, but stated that no attempts were ever detected.
