Greenland lefties like Thule deal

SIKU CIRCUMPOLAR NEWS SERVICE

Last week’s deal between Denmark and Greenland, which promises Greenland a larger role in international affairs, seems to have pleased even the country’s opposition political parties.

“We are happy with the result of this agreement-in-principle,” said the head of Greenland’s left-wing Inuit Ataqatigiit Party, Josef Motzfeldt. “Now Greenland can participate, not only with respect to the Thule air base, but also with respect to other issues.”

The Democratic Party is also satisfied that Denmark seems to have made a commitment that Greenland will participate in any discussion of matters that concern Greenland. But they don’t see the deal as an automatic approval of the U.S. plans to upgrade the Thule Air Base.

“I realize that the Danish media has misunderstood that point and sees this agreement as saying ‘yes’ to missile defence, but it’s not like that,” said Per Berthelsen who leads the Democratic Party