On Wednesday, Chairman of the Greenland Government Jens-Frederik Nielsen (D) gave an interview to the program Piers Morgan Uncensored, which has millions of followers on YouTube.
Here he was interviewed by British TV host and journalist Piers Morgan, who, among other things, asked about the idea that the United States, through ongoing negotiations with Denmark/Greenland, could gain sovereignty over small areas in Greenland, where the superpower could then build military bases.
Jens-Frederik Nielsen stated in this connection that there is already an American military base in Greenland, Pituffik Air Space, under the auspices of the defense agreement from 1951, and that Greenland has never said that no more can be done within that agreement.
A red line
But as far as surrendering sovereignty over areas of Greenland is concerned, according to the Naalakkersuisut chairman, it is never an option:
- If someone tries to push us on our borders and our integrity as a country. Then I can say that is a red line for us and we will not give away an inch of our land.
- We will never give up sovereignty, says Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who also says that it will be a slippery slope for the entire world if borders and sovereignty are no longer respected.
What if Trump makes you an offer?
Piers Morgan also asks Jens-Frederik Nielsen whether it is conceivable that Donald Trump at a later date, if Greenland chooses to become independent, will offer a sum to each Greenlander of, for example, 100,000 dollars.
Jens.Frederik Nielsen rejects such a scenario:
- I don't think I would have won the election if 65 percent of the population wanted independence quickly, says Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who also points out that there is a need to build a strong foundation in the form of health, economy and so on before independence.
He reiterates that right now Greenland is choosing Denmark because they do not want to gamble with the right to self-determination, which is adopted in the Self-Government Act. He also calls it outrageous to believe that the Greenlandic people can be bought:
- Even at some point in the future, when we may have become independent, you cannot buy the Greenlandic people.
- The Greenlandic people will never say yes to dollars in exchange for giving up sovereignty. It will never happen. We are a proud people.
Calls for respectful dialogue
Jens-Frederik Nielsen emphasizes that he is ready to negotiate with the United States about stronger cooperation and partnership.
- Let us have a peaceful and respectful dialogue as two allies, was the call from Jens-Frederik Nielsen.
The entire program with Jens-Frederik Nielsen can be seen on Youtube:
