The forthcoming agreement between Denmark and the United States will not make the people of Greenland feel safer. On the contrary, it will cement the military build-up in the Arctic and increase the risk that Greenland will become a front line in a conflict between great powers.
The people of Greenland do not have the same interests as the United States, NATO or the Danish government. When the Danish Prime Minister, with the support of the Danish Parliament, speaks and acts on behalf of the entire Realm without equal involvement of the people of Greenland, a colonial power structure is perpetuated.
Greenlanders and Danes need the same things: welfare, security and a clean environment. Billions spent on military build-up and war could instead be invested in healthcare, education, welfare and the protection of nature.
At the same time, the great powers’ interest in Greenland is also about control over the country’s strategic location and natural resources.
Whether it is American or Chinese capital does not change the fundamental problem: the people of Greenland themselves must have decisive influence over the country’s resources and future.
Greenland already bears the legacy of decades of American military presence and pollution. Experience shows that a military presence does not automatically mean security, nor does it guarantee that the damage will be cleaned up afterwards.
The Communist Party of Denmark calls for solidarity with the people of Greenland and for opposition to further militarization of the Arctic.
Only socialism can secure peace.
SolidNet.org
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