It has clearly been uncomfortable for the American senators and congressmen to move around Copenhagen and experience the anger, frustration, and anxiety directed at the United States at this time.
– The conversations we have had with the Greenlandic leaders about how anxious their children are, how unhappy and insecure the entire Greenlandic people are. That is one of the things that has affected me the most about this visit.
This is what Democratic Senator Chris Coons says during an interview with Sermitsiaq, held together with Republican Senator in Alaska, Lisa Murkowski, who has been to Greenland several times and is close friends with Member of Parliament for Inuit Ataqatigiit Aaja Chemnitz.
– A few months ago there was a demonstration in Nuuk against the USA. It was the largest demonstration in Greenland's history. And against an American president. It is deeply disturbing. And to know that there has now been another demonstration in Nuuk against the USA. It worries me a lot, says Lisa Murkowski.
Respect for Danish soldiers
Chris Coons nods and adds:
– Earlier today we went to pay our respects at the memorial at Kastellet for the Danish soldiers who have served alongside American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan and many other places around the world. And it was a very emotional visit for our entire delegation because it was also a reminder of how good and loyal our allies in the Kingdom of Denmark have been for decades. That our President can now cause people to take to the streets and protest against the United States. That is something that I am really very concerned about.
There is too much at stake.
According to the two senators, however, the game is far from lost for Greenland and Denmark. Because Congress still has power, and so does the American public, who until now have not been very aware of the Greenland issue.
It has not been "top of mind" in the US, so to speak, where it has instead been about Venezuela, Columbia, Cuba and Iran. But that is changing now, they both emphasize. In addition, many Americans have experienced that taking over Greenland was perhaps not so serious. - But as more and more reports have come from the White House, more people have also begun to ask whether it is actually serious and not just loose talk, says Murkowski, who believes that President Trump's wishes to take over Greenland are so serious that it should be responded to, regardless of which party you belong to.
– This transcends party politics. There is too much at stake, she says.
Power in Congress and population
According to the two senators, Congress has as much power as the president.
In addition, there is the power of the people, which should not be underestimated. Murkowski refers to an opinion poll showing that 75 percent of the American population answers a resounding no to the United States acquiring Greenland.
– This rubs off on politicians, who are responding to the needs of voters. I think most Americans would say that there is no reason to acquire or control Greenland when we are already working together with Denmark and other partners on security in the Arctic. In addition, the Kingdom of Denmark is willing to do even more together to increase security. This cooperation must be promoted, rather than any other construction, says Murkowski.
The US has underinvested in the Arctic
According to Coons, the United States has underinvested in Arctic security in Alaska and in the US-Canadian partnership for many years and does not have the capabilities to increase security on its own.
– The US has miserably underinvested in the Arctic. We have half an icebreaker. So let's work with NATO and our Nordic partners on a concrete strategy for how to invest in increasing Arctic security and the security of Greenland. Finland knows much more about how to operate in the Arctic than the US does. They have actually fought in the Arctic, and they have a 1280-kilometer border with Russia. We should humbly consult our partners in the Arctic and find a way forward, says Coons.
A rebellion is on the way
Lisa Murkowski adds that the Arctic Council should also be mentioned in this context, as it is here that people have collaborated and supported each other on Arctic issues for years.
The two senators have no doubt that there will be an uprising in the United States against the president's desire to take over Greenland.
– I hope that there will be resounding support for Greenland and Denmark in the coming time, says Lisa Murkowski.
