[NY Post] Trump wants to buy Greenland, again, after claiming US could take back ownership of Panama

Former Trump adviser: If Denmark can’t defend Greenland, let US buy it to ‘become part of Alaska’

https://thehill.com/policy/internat...viser-robert-obrien-denmark-greenland-alaska/

 

I think folks aren't giving Greenlandic desire for independence a fair shake

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenlandic_independence#:~:text=Greenland has representatives in Copenhagen,referendum among the Greenlandic people.

excerpt:

Greenland's present population are predominantly Inuit descended from the Thule people who migrated from the North American mainland in the 13th century AD, gradually colonizing the island.

***
In 2008, Greenland's citizens approved the Greenlandic self-government referendum with a 75% vote in favor of a higher degree of autonomy.[18] Greenland took control of law enforcement, the coast guard, and the legal system. The official language changed from Danish to Greenlandic on 21 June 2009, Greenland national day.[19] The act gives control of foreign relations of Greenland to the island in trade and other areas it is responsible for. Greenland has representatives in Copenhagen, Brussels, Reykjavik, and Washington, D.C.[20]

As part of the self-rule law of 2009 (section §21), Greenland can declare full independence if they wish to pursue it, but it would have to be approved by a referendum among the Greenlandic people.[21] A poll in 2016 showed that there was a clear majority (64%) for full independence among the Greenlandic people,[22]but a poll in 2017 showed that there was a clear opposition (78%) if it meant a fall in living standards.[23]

***
Greenland's former prime minister, Kuupik Kleist, has repeatedly expressed the need to diversify Greenland's economy, which mainly relies on fishery, tourism and a substantial annual block grant from the Danish state.[24][25] The block grant equals about two-thirds of Greenland's government budget[26] or about one-quarter of the entire GDP of Greenland.[27] Economic stability is seen as a basis for full political independence from Denmark.[28] When Kim Kielsen was reelected with a strong majority as the leader of the largest Greenlandic pro-independence party Siumut in 2017, observers considered it a win for the "slow-independence" faction instead of the "now-independence" faction.[23] (His opponent, Vittus Qujaukitsoq, had argued for independence even if it meant losing the large annual block grant from the Danish state.)[29]During a debate in the Danish Parliament (which also includes members from Greenland) in 2018, Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke said that Greenland needs to make it clear if they wish to remain a part of the Kingdom or become independent.[30] If Greenland were to become an independent country, the annual block grant from Denmark to Greenland would cease.[30]

In 2008, independence campaigners touted the year 2021 (the 300th anniversary of Danish colonial rule) as a date for potential independence.[31]

In 2023, a commission tasked with drafting a constitution for an independent Greenland presented its proposal.[32] In February 2024, the island officially declared that independence is the goal for Greenland.[33]

Polling
A poll in 2016 showed that there was a clear majority (64%) for full independence among the Greenlandic people.[22]

A 2019 poll showed that 67.8% of Greenlanders support independence from Denmark sometime in the next two decades.[34]​

recall:

Given that Biden wanted to forgive $175 billion in student loan debt for the good of the realm, the U.S. could just as easily dedicate a similar amount and give each Greenlander $3 million apiece, which would take care of the concern about a drop in living standards.

The U.S. could take over the block grant responsibilities for Greenland's governmental budget, re-establish its protectorate role, and finally return Greenland's Inuit residents back to their North American roots and get them out from under the thumb of Danish oppression.

win-win-win

 

Rights expert urges Denmark and Greenland to examine colonial legacy’s impact

https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/02/1133382

Rights expert urges Denmark and Greenland to examine colonial legacy’s impact

Denmark and Greenland must address the negative impact of a colonial legacy that has led to structural and systemic racial discrimination against the indigenous Inuit community, an independent expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council said on Friday.

The development would represent a key measure to tackle past injustices and create a more inclusive society, said UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, José Francisco Cali Tzay, in a statement at the end of a 10-day visit to the two countries.


Inuit people comprise nearly 90 per cent of the population of Greenland, an autonomous dependent territory of Denmark that was a colony up until 1953.

They still face barriers to fully enjoying their human rights, according to Mr. Cali Tzay.

Women forcibly sterilized
“I was particularly appalled by the testimonies of Inuit women who reported that Danish healthcare providers had inserted intrauterine devices (IUDs) without their knowledge or consent. Some of them were as young as 12 years old," he said.

Mr. Cali Tzay recalled reports of Inuit women living in Denmark whose children had been taken from them without their knowledge and consent and placed in Danish foster care.

He urged Denmark to review its procedures for assessing out-of-home care for Inuit children and address structural bias within care services.

Abuse, poverty and suicide
Meanwhile, Greenland still faces numerous social challenges that relate to poverty and lack of adequate housing, appropriate quality education and scarce mental health support, he added.

“Around 20 percent of children in Greenland are estimated to have been exposed to violence and sexual abuse,” he said, adding that the country has one of the highest suicide rates in the world.

During his mission, the Special Rapporteur observed a lack of established mechanisms to implement the Inuit people’s right to free, prior, and informed consent, including when allocating tourism concessions, implementing business projects, and adopting legislative and administrative acts in Greenland.

Consult Inuit people
“I urge Greenland's government to consult with the Inuit people whose traditional livelihoods will be directly affected by plans to expand mining, tourism and infrastructure,’’ the UN expert said.

He also hailed Greenland's extensive self-governance as “an inspiring example of an indigenous self-government in practice and a peaceful process towards self-determination for Indigenous peoples worldwide.’’


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