US desire to control Greenland unchanged, military expansion on negotiation agenda
Greenland's Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen announced that negotiations with the US are ongoing regarding the expansion of US military presence in the Arctic territory, and the US's intent to acquire or control Greenland has not diminished.
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Copenhagen, May 12 (CNA) — Greenland's Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen stated today that increasing the US military presence in this Arctic territory is part of ongoing negotiations with the United States, and the US's intention to own or control Greenland remains unchanged.
According to Reuters, US President Donald Trump's assertion that the US must acquire or control this semi-autonomous Danish territory has caused tensions among the US, Greenland, and Denmark, and has also created波动 (volatility) within NATO.
Nielsen told reporters in Copenhagen, "One of the initial issues was their belief that we were not doing enough in terms of national security and regional surveillance, so security issues and expanding military presence in Greenland became part of the negotiations."
To ease tensions, Greenland, Denmark, and the United States agreed earlier this year to high-level diplomatic talks to resolve the crisis, but the results of the negotiations have not yet been announced.
Regarding Trump's desire to gain control of Greenland, Nielsen said, "This intention has not disappeared, and we need to reach some agreement in the negotiations. I am positive that we can find a solution."
The BBC reported today that US officials have indicated in negotiations plans to establish three new bases in southern Greenland. A source said Washington had proposed designating these facilities as sovereign US territory.
Nielsen said, "We currently have a defense agreement with the United States that allows for the establishment of more bases." He added that the existing defense framework could serve as a basis for expansion, but other arrangements could also be explored.
Greenland has repeatedly expressed its willingness to strengthen military and commercial cooperation with the United States, including mineral resource development, but its sovereignty is non-negotiable.
Currently, the US has only one base in Greenland, the Pituffik Space Base in the northwest, compared to around 17 facilities with thousands of personnel in 1945.
General Gregory Guillot, commander of US Northern Command, first disclosed plans for the three new bases in his testimony to the US Senate in March.
Media reports indicate two possible locations are Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland and Kangerlussuaq in southwestern Greenland, both former US military bases with existing airport runways and port facilities. The third location has not yet been announced.
Trump's envoy, Jeff Landry, is expected to visit Greenland next week to attend a commercial conference on the large Arctic island with a population of 57,000. It has not yet been confirmed whether he will meet with Greenlandic politicians. (Compiler: Hsu Ruey-cheng) 1150513
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According to Reuters, US President Donald Trump's assertion that the US must acquire or control this semi-autonomous Danish territory has caused tensions among the US, Greenland, and Denmark, and has also created波动 (volatility) within NATO.
Nielsen told reporters in Copenhagen, "One of the initial issues was their belief that we were not doing enough in terms of national security and regional surveillance, so security issues and expanding military presence in Greenland became part of the negotiations."
To ease tensions, Greenland, Denmark, and the United States agreed earlier this year to high-level diplomatic talks to resolve the crisis, but the results of the negotiations have not yet been announced.
Regarding Trump's desire to gain control of Greenland, Nielsen said, "This intention has not disappeared, and we need to reach some agreement in the negotiations. I am positive that we can find a solution."
The BBC reported today that US officials have indicated in negotiations plans to establish three new bases in southern Greenland. A source said Washington had proposed designating these facilities as sovereign US territory.
Nielsen said, "We currently have a defense agreement with the United States that allows for the establishment of more bases." He added that the existing defense framework could serve as a basis for expansion, but other arrangements could also be explored.
Greenland has repeatedly expressed its willingness to strengthen military and commercial cooperation with the United States, including mineral resource development, but its sovereignty is non-negotiable.
Currently, the US has only one base in Greenland, the Pituffik Space Base in the northwest, compared to around 17 facilities with thousands of personnel in 1945.
General Gregory Guillot, commander of US Northern Command, first disclosed plans for the three new bases in his testimony to the US Senate in March.
Media reports indicate two possible locations are Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland and Kangerlussuaq in southwestern Greenland, both former US military bases with existing airport runways and port facilities. The third location has not yet been announced.
Trump's envoy, Jeff Landry, is expected to visit Greenland next week to attend a commercial conference on the large Arctic island with a population of 57,000. It has not yet been confirmed whether he will meet with Greenlandic politicians. (Compiler: Hsu Ruey-cheng) 1150513
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