- Armament in the Arctic does not serve Greenland's security

Among the 15,700 participants in the demonstration march from Town Hall Square to the American Embassy in Copenhagen was 85-year-old Steen Folke.

– I have just returned from a fantastic demonstration, where good speeches and thousands of Greenlandic flags became a very strong manifestation of the unity between Greenland and Denmark, says Steen Folke when we spoke with him Saturday afternoon.

Steen Folke is a board member of Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke, which organized the demonstration together with the Inuit community association, the national organization Uagut and the citizens' initiative "Hands off Kalaallit Nunaat". However, his involvement in Greenland dates back to the 1970s, when he, as a member of parliament, elected by the Left Socialists, was a member of the Danish/Greenlandic Home Rule Commission.

“It was very moving that so many people with Danish and Greenlandic ancestry were gathered, and the unequivocal support for Greenland testifies to a great commitment and warm feelings in Denmark,” says Steen Folke about the demonstration.

– But is it useful?

– Yes, I think so, because the demonstrations in Copenhagen and many other cities are being noticed. In Greenland, in Denmark, in our neighboring countries and even in the USA. Of course, Donald Trump will not change his mind because of a demonstration in Copenhagen, but there are other American politicians who are influenced by the popular opposition to the president's plans to take over Greenland. They can easily see that it is not about a dog sled or two, but about a people's legitimate right to self-determination.

From low tension to conflict

Donald Trump does not rule out using military force to gain control of Greenland, but Steen Folke finds an American attack unrealistic.

– It's not going to happen. After all, there are limits to what even Trump can do, because an occupation requires Congress's cooperation. Steen Folke, on the other hand, is very concerned about a massive military buildup in the Arctic.

– For decades, the Greenlandic population has wanted to maintain the Arctic as a low-voltage area; a wish that is supported by Denmark and not least the USA, which has reduced its military presence in Greenland to a single base in Pituffik. Now the tone is completely different. Now, there is a need to arm and militarize for 42 billion kroner, states Steen Folke.

– The armament will probably end with a stronger American presence in Greenland, and we invite the USA to the table ourselves. Denmark is prepared to meet the Americans' wishes for increased security in the Arctic, including a renegotiation of the 1951 defense agreement. Greenland is not for sale, but open for business, especially in the commercial and raw materials areas. ’’Quote Danish armament and a greater American presence are in no way desirable for Greenland. Steen Folke Naalakkersuisoq's Minister of Foreign Affairs Vivian Motzfeldt is photographed together with Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen on the deck of the inspection ship and together with Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen in Washington, but Steen Folke believes that even more attention should be paid to the Greenlanders:

– The Greenlandic voice has not been sufficiently heard in this matter, neither in Greenland nor in Denmark.

Inatsisartut appeals over lack of information from Naalakkersuisut, which is conducting negotiations with Denmark in a very closed space. Some Greenlanders are also insecure about the Arctic Command headquarters in Nuuk as a possible bomb target. The Danish government has taken over because the balance of power between Naalakkersuisut and the government is unbalanced.

– My concern is that even with equal cooperation, the government has played out the game, the information and the entire apparatus, which Greenland of course has a hard time matching. It is therefore incredibly important that there is broader participation in Greenland; of course with Inatsisartut, but also with the population, who must participate in the debate about their future on an informed basis, says Steen Folke.

He bases his concern on his own experiences from the Home Rule Commission in the 1970s.

– Formally it was an equal commission with seven Danish and seven Greenlandic members, but the chairman Isi Foighel with the Greenland Ministry's head of department, Erik Hesselbjerg, as a prompter, played a decisive role. Therefore, the home rule system became the way the Danes wanted it, not least in the issue of the subsoil, says Steen Folke.

Follow the diplomatic trail

Steen Folke is co-founder of the organization "No to Armament - Yes to Sustainable Security Policy".

– How can this title be transferred to Greenland in a time of American threats and an airlift bringing soldiers and military equipment to Greenland?

– It makes sense to upgrade inspection ships around Greenland so that they can actually sail, but it is dangerous to militarize Greenland so that the country becomes an even more important piece in the game of the great powers, says Steen Folke.

– When we talk about sustainable security policy, we must take into account the legitimate interests of the other party, including Russia, which Trump addresses as a security threat in the Arctic. But armaments in the Arctic do not serve Greenland's security, and instead Greenland must follow the diplomatic path to restore the Arctic as a low-tension area. It is important to maintain contact with both the Americans and the Russians; for example, in the Arctic Council, which is one of the few meeting places where countries can talk about detente and shared responsibility for the vulnerable Arctic environment.

The Arctic Council worked from 1996 on environmental protection, climate, sustainable development and the rights of indigenous peoples, but after Russia's attack on Ukraine, the council was put on hold in 2022.

– As soon as it is possible in any way to lift the suspension of Russia, the country, which after all covers half of the Arctic area, must be reinstated as a full member of the Arctic Council, believes Steen Folke.