| Publication |
2005.
|
| Summary/Abstract |
Denmark appeared to be caught in several difficult political dilemmas when the United States government indicated its desire to upgrade facilities at Thule Air Base in Greenland for a role in missile defence. Domestic politics and constitutional relations between Greenland and Denmark were at the heart of the problem. Would a 'Yes' to the American request inflame the movement for independence in Greenland? Would a 'No' leave Denmark, which had earlier opted out of EU defence cooperation, without strong allies? And would a democratic debate on the issue jeopardize a government policy in favour of 'Yes'? After years of consultations, debate and negotiations, approval from both the Greenland government and the Danish Parliament was obtained. Rather than being resolved, the dilemmas were bypassed. The strategic and military issues of missile defence were overshadowed when Greenland used the occasion to take one more step towards independence. In Denmark the remoteness of Thule and a sense that supreme interests are at stake limit public debate.
|