WASHINGTON, Jan 14 (INS): With a view to frustrating President Donald Trump's persistent
move to annexe Greenland, a bipartisan NATO Unity Protection Act Bill was introduced
in the US Senate on Tuesday seeking to bar the Department of Defence and the
Department of State from using funds to “blockade, occupy, annex or otherwise
assert control” over the territory of any other NATO member-State.
The Senate initiative follows another similar Bill called the No Funds for
NATO Invasion Act introduced by Rep Don Bacon (R-Neb.) and House Democrats to
preemptively block the Trump administration from acquiring the world's largest
island lying close to Canada in the North Atlantic. The Congress is a divided
House.
The Senate Bill wss authored by Democrat Jeanne Shaheen and Republican Lisa
Murkowski. “This bipartisan legislation makes clear that US taxpayer dollars
cannot be used for actions that would fracture NATO and violate our own commitments
to NATO,” Shaheen, who represents the State of New Hampshire, said in a statement.
“This Bill sends a clear message that recent rhetoric around Greenland deeply
undermines America’s own national security interests and faces bipartisan opposition
in Congress,” the Senator said.
Murkowski (Alaska) said the 32-member NATO security alliance is the “strongest
line of defence” against efforts to undermine global peace and stability. The
NATO is built on the principle that an armed attack against any one member is
an attack against all others.
Constitutional scholars argue the Bill may not be the "silver bullet" needed
to stop a determined President as legalities come only after he uses his "emergency
powers." Without a veto-proof majority (67 votes, which is not possible) , the
Act will possibly remain a "statement of intent" rather than a binding law
Denmark reaffirms sovereignty
Trump’s claim that Denmark’s title is "doubtful" contradicts the existing treaty
law called 1951 Defence Agreement as the US recognizes the sovereignty of the
Kingdom of Denmark over Greenland in the very first article. However, it allows
the US to establish and expand bases there. Denmark says therefore security
is not the issue for Trump. He wands to grab the land.
Following a week of escalating rhetoric from Trump, the Kingdom of Denmark
has signaled it is prepared to defend its territory by force. But in a characteristic
jab, Trump mocked Greenland’s current defence capabilities, describing them
as "two dog sleds," referring to the elite Sirius Dog Sled Patrol.
In Copenhagen, the response has been blunt. The Danish Defence Ministry confirmed
this week that its troops operate under a standing "shoot first" order regarding
any foreign invasion. This 1952 directive mandates that Danish forces "immediately
take up the fight" without waiting for political clearance if their territory
is breached.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the situation as a "fateful
moment," asserting that "borders cannot be changed by force." Meanwhile, Greenland’s
Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, stood firm alongside his Danish counterpart,
stating unequivocally, "We choose Denmark."
“One way or the other...”
The crisis reached a fever pitch this week when President Trump, speaking from
Air Force One, reiterated his intent to annex Greenland. "I’d love to make a
deal with them. It’s easier," Trump stated, referring to a potential purchase.
"But one way or the other, we’re going to have Greenland."
The President justified his as a national security imperative, claiming that
Russian and Chinese submarines are "all over the place" in Arctic waters.
The Hail Mary conundrum in Washington
The diplomatic focus now shifts to the White House on Wednesday, where high-stakes
talks are scheduled. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenlandic
Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt are set to meet with Secretary of State Marco
Rubio and Vice President JD Vance. While Rubio has previously suggested the
administration's focus is on a peaceful "deal," Vance who is hosting the meeting
at the White House underscores the President’s intent.
White House adviser Stephen Miller asserted in a CNN interview that Greenland
rightfully belongs to the United States.
With European leaders warning that a forced takeover would mean "the end of
NATO," the world watches to see if Wednesday’s meeting can de-escalate the rhetoric.
For now, the "large real estate deal" Trump envisions remains a geopolitical
powder keg, with Denmark's "shoot first" orders serving as a chilling reminder
that the Arctic's ice is thinner than ever.
Most of Greenland’s 57,000 residents have expressed opposition to US takeover.
A survey shows 85 percent of the residents do not wish to join the US.
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