US President Donald Trump
North American President Donald Trump insisted that he intends to acquire Greenland and assured that he will do so “in a soft or hard way”, after Denmark’s refusal to sell – warning the Nordic country that occupation of the island 500 years ago means nothing.
“Just because they landed there by boat 500 years ago does not mean that the Danes own Greenland”said the North American president, to journalists at the White House, this Friday.
Donald Trump has worried allies by refusing to rule out the use of military force to take this autonomous territory, a member of NATO, from Denmark.
Trump claims that controlling this is crucial to American national security, given the growing threat posed by Russia and China in the Arctic.
“We’re going to do anything about Greenland, whether they like it or notbecause if we don’t do it, Russia or China will do it. And we will not want Russia or China as neighbors,” he said.
“We would like to make a deal wellbut if it is not done, we will have to be harder [e fazê-lo a mal]”, he added.
“We don’t want to be Americans”
The leaders of the five political parties represented in the Greenland Parliament (Inatsisartut) rebelled against Trump’s words and defended the right of the inhabitants of this autonomous Danish territory to decide their future in the face of threats from the North American President.
“The future of Greenland must be decided by Greenlanders. The task of determining the future of Greenland is carried out in dialogue with its people and on the basis of international law and the Statute of Autonomy. No other country can interfere in this”, highlighted the party leaders, in a joint statement on Friday.
The text emphasizes that this decision must be taken without pressure and without interference from other countries, and expresses the desire for an end to the contempt shown by the USA towards this Arctic island.
“We don’t want to be Americans, we don’t want to be Danish, we wants to be Greenlanders”highlights the declaration signed by the Prime Minister of Greenland, Jens-Frederik Nielsenand also endorsed by Pelle Brobergleader of Naleraq, the second largest party in Parliament and the one that demonstrated the greatest understanding towards the USA.
Greenlandic leaders reiterate that the territory is governed by international law and its Statute of Autonomy, and that its inhabitants elect their Parliament and Government, which “collaborates and will continue to collaborate with the USA and Western countries”.
A declaration urges dialogue “based on diplomacy and principles international institutions” and emphasizes that this is the path “between allies and friends”.
“We will continue to work to develop the possibilities of achieving security for our people”, the politicians emphasize in the text entitled “We are one people”.
The document was released before Donald Trump stated on Friday that he would not allow “Russia or China to occupy Greenland” and that he had decided to “do something” in relation to the Arctic island, “for better or for worse”.
Next week could be decisive
The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubiohas scheduled a meeting next week with his Danish counterpart, Lars Løkke Rasmussenand with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greenland, Vivian Motzfeldtto discuss the matter.
Trump has worried his allies by refusing to rule out the use of military force to take this autonomous territory from Denmark, a member of NATO.
NATO is working to reduce Washington’s interest in Greenland, emphasizing the measures it has taken to strengthen security in the region and NATO Secretary General, Mark Ruttespoke on Friday with the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, about this reinforcement.
The Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksenwarned that a US military attack to take western Greenland with 76 years.
The White House, although it did not rule out the military option, indicated that Trump was actively considering the purchase of the vast Arctic island, without specifying how this transaction could be carried out.
Furthermore, Donald Trump acknowledged, in an interview given on Thursday with The New York Times, that may have to choose between preserving the integrity of NATO and controlling Danish territory.
