The United States of America and Denmark are conducting intensive discussions about the possible expansion of the American military presence in Greenland, it was confirmed by several sources familiar with the negotiations.
According to American and Danish officials, the talks have made significant progress in recent months.
According to information from diplomatic circles, Washington is considering opening three new military bases in the south of Greenland, an autonomous territory that belongs to Denmark.
These negotiations come after earlier statements by US President Donald Trump, who caused stormy reactions when he said that the US should “own” Greenland in order to prevent the spread of Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic.
Back in January, Trump said that the American takeover of Greenland could happen “in an easier or a harder way.”
The White House has confirmed that the administration is in talks with Denmark and Greenland authorities, but the details have not been officially disclosed. A White House official told the BBC that negotiations were “going in the right direction” and that there was optimism about a possible deal.
Danish authorities have previously said they are ready to discuss an additional US military presence in Greenland, and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that communication between the two countries is ongoing.
According to sources close to the negotiations, the American side proposed an agreement whereby the three new military bases would have the status of sovereign US territory.
The bases are planned to be located in the south of Greenland, with the main focus on monitoring possible Russian and Chinese naval activities in the North Atlantic, between Greenland, Iceland and Great Britain.
However, the final agreement has not yet been reached, and the number of planned bases could be changed during the negotiations. One of the possible locations is Narsarsuaq, where an American military base and a small airport used to be located.
Analysts believe that other bases could also be located in locations that already have basic infrastructure such as ports and airports, which would make construction costs significantly lower.
Diplomatic activities are led by Michael Needham of the State Department, who is trying to reconcile Trump’s demands with Denmark’s obligations related to territorial sovereignty.
The 1951 agreement gives the US broad access to military action in Greenland, but any new expansion must be approved by the Danish government.
Arctic security experts say that Denmark has so far never refused a US request to strengthen its military presence in the territory.
(Vijesti.ba)
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