Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Greenland’s Quest for Autonomy and the Political Dynamics Surrounding the Thule Air Base

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Influence of Sub-state Actors on National Security

Part of the book series: Springer Polar Sciences ((SPPS))

  • 463 Accesses

Abstract

The principal goal of this chapter is to empirically and inductively answer the main topic of the volume, the influence of sub-state actors on national security, by focusing on the correlation between Greenland’s quest for autonomy and the political dynamism regarding Thule Air Base. The important points the author wishes to make in this chapter are that during the negotiations on the radar upgrade and the transformation of Thule Air Base into an outpost in the U.S. missile defense shield Greenland on the surface maintained a negative stance towards the continuation of Thule Air Base while, in fact, arguing on the premise that the base would stay, and that, through the continued existence of the base and its transformation into a missile defense outpost, Greenland was attempting to increase its say in diplomatic and military matters. In contrast with that, to Denmark the Thule problem posed the question of neglect and responsibility - Denmark found itself in a situation where it had to take a visible, concrete approach toward Greenland and conduct negotiations while constantly trying to keep the political cost down. The attitude of Denmark to deal with the wishes of its sub-state actor Greenland with flexibility and compromise was a pervasive leitmotif in the discussions regarding the missile defense shield.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    Immediately after German forces invaded Denmark, Henrik Kauffmann, believing that “now that Denmark cannot function, it is my duty as a plenipotentiary ambassador to protect it,” at his own discretion concluded the above agreement, permitting the stationing of U.S. troops in Greenland. Brun, Eske. “Grønlands Administration i Adskillelsens Aar”. Det Grønlandske Selskabs Aarsskrift 1946. København: Ejnar Munksgaards Forlag: 36. Since concluding the agreement was Kauffmann’s private decision, the document lost effect on the 12th of the same month, but was later ratified on 16 May 1945, after Denmark was liberated from Germany. Other than Kaufmann, the 1941 agreement was signed by the US Secretary of State Corden Hull. Forslag til Rigsdagsbeslutning i Anledning af den i Washington den 9. April 1941 / Forslag til Rigsdagsbeslutning i Anledning af den i Washington den 9. April 1941 undertegnede Overenskomst mellem Danmark og Amerikas Forenede Stater om Grønlands Forsvar. Grønland under den kolde krig –Bilag: 13–23.

  2. 2.

    However, the functioning of Narsarsuaq, which served as a base for refueling on the air route back to Britain during counterattacks on Germany is often seen as an exception to this principle.

  3. 3.

    According to a report by the international law expert Ole Spiermann, there were 27 households. Spiermann, Ole O. 2004, Hingitaq 53, Qajutaq Petersen, and Others v. Prime Minister’s Office (Qaanaaq Municipality and Greenland Home Rule Government Intervening in Support of the Appellants).” The American Journal of International Law. Vol.98, No.3: 572–578.

  4. 4.

    About the exposure of the clean-up workers to radiation, the way the accident was handled, the BBC report which claimed that one of the four nuclear warheads carried by the B-52 bomber that had been reported as recovered, was actually still missing, as well as later empirical research results and the lawsuit before the European Court of Human Rights.

  5. 5.

    H.C. Hansen-papiret. Meddelelse (uformel) fra H.C. Hansen til den amerikanske ambassadør Val Peterson. 16. november 1957. UM 105.D.1.a. Hansen, in a private, unofficial letter dated 16 November 1957, regarded as top secret and later termed the “H.C. Hansen document” (H. C. Hansen-papiret), starts by emphasising that he is writing “on a strictly personal basis” and goes on to say: “I do not think that your remarks require any comments from my side (Jeg tror ikke, at Deres bemærkninger giver anledning til nogen kommentarer fra min side)” – an unclear position that can be interpreted both ways.

  6. 6.

    Ulrik Pram Gad, personal message, 18 May 2017.

  7. 7.

    Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 22. mødedag, onsdag den 9. april 2003, Dagsordenspunkt 13–1 (kl.13:59-). Hans Enoksen, Landsstyreformanden, Siumut. Inatsisartuts samlinger Efterårssamling 2002. 1. mødedag, fredag den 20. september 2002, Dagsordenspunkt 1 Åbningstale. Jonathan Motzfeldt, Landsstyreformanden, Siumut.

  8. 8.

    Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 6. mødedag, tirsdag den 11. marts 2003, Punkt12, Udenrigspolitisk Redegørelse. Hans Enoksen, Landsstyreformand, Siumut.

  9. 9.

    Inatsisartuts samlinger Efterårssamling 2001. 02FM/01.25.01–35 Beslutningsforslag om ændring af den dansk-amerikanske forsvarsaftale af 1951. Fra Maliinannguaq Markussen Mølgaard, Inuit Ataqatigiit. d. 20. august 2001.

  10. 10.

    Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 7. mødedag, onsdag den 12. marts 2003, kl.13:00–18:00. Anthon Frederiksen, ordfører, Kandidatforbundet.

  11. 11.

    Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 6. mødedag, tirsdag den 11. marts 2003, Punkt12, Udenrigspolitisk Redegørelse. Kuupik Kleist, ordfører, Inuit Ataqatigiit.

  12. 12.

    Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2002 Svarnotat 2. beh. (Efterårssamling 2001. 02FM/01.25.01–35 Beslutningsforslag om ændring af den dansk-amerikanske forsvarsaftale af 1951. Fra Maliinannguaq Markussen Mølgaard, Inuit Ataqatigiit. d. 20. august 2001).

  13. 13.

    Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 7. mødedag, onsdag den 12. marts 2003, kl.13:00–18:00. Jensigne Berthelsen, ordfører, Atassut.

  14. 14.

    Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 6. mødedag, tirsdag den 11. marts 2003, Punkt12, Udenrigspolitisk Redegørelse. Hans Enoksen, Landsstyreformand, Siumut.

  15. 15.

    Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 7. mødedag, onsdag den 12. marts 2003, kl.13:00–18:00. Hans Enoksen, Landsstyreformand, Siumut.

  16. 16.

    Ulrik Pram Gad, personal message, 18 May 2017.

  17. 17.

    Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 6. mødedag, tirsdag den 11. marts 2003, Punkt12, Udenrigspolitisk Redegørelse. Hans Enoksen, Landsstyreformand, Siumut.

  18. 18.

    Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 1. mødedag, tirsdag den 4. marts 2003, kl.13:00–18:00. Aqqaluk Lynge, ordfører, Inuit Ataqatigiit. Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 6. mødedag, tirsdag den 11. marts 2003, Punkt12, Udenrigspolitisk Redegørelse. Jørgen Wæver-Johansen, ordfører, Siumut.

  19. 19.

    Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 7. mødedag, onsdag den 12. marts 2003, kl.13:00–18:00. Hans Enoksen, Landsstyreformanden, Siumut.

  20. 20.

    Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 22. mødedag, onsdag den 9. april 2003, Dagsordenspunkt 13–1 (kl.13:59-). Per Berthelsen, ordfører, Demokraterne.

  21. 21.

    Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 7. mødedag, onsdag den 12. marts 2003, kl.13:00–18:00. Kuupik Kleist, ordfører, Inuit Ataqatigiit.

  22. 22.

    Enoksen was clearly talking not about a partial modification but “a new agreement”, which can be taken to mean that he was aspiring for the formulation of an entirely different agreement or for a large revision. Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 6. mødedag, tirsdag den 11. marts 2003, Punkt12, Udenrigspolitisk Redegørelse. Hans Enoksen, Landsstyreformand, Siumut.

  23. 23.

    Inatsisartuts samlinger Efterårssamling 2002. 02EM/01.25.01–96 Spørgsmål til Landsstyret om miljøundersøgelser af det forurenede område omkring Thule Air Base. Fra Mads Peter Grønvold. den 30. juli 2002. Inatsisartuts samlinger Efterårssamling 2002. Svarnotat, den 30. september 2002 (02EM/01.25.01–96 Spørgsmål til Landsstyret om miljøundersøgelser af det forurenede område omkring Thule Air Base. Fra Mads Peter Grønvold. den 30. juli 2002).

  24. 24.

    Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 6. mødedag, tirsdag den 11. marts 2003, Punkt12, Udenrigspolitisk Redegørelse. Kuupik Kleist, ordfører, Inuit Ataqatigiit.

  25. 25.

    Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 6. mødedag, tirsdag den 11. marts 2003, Punkt12, Udenrigspolitisk Redegørelse. Per Berthelsen, ordfdører, Demokraterne.

  26. 26.

    Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 22. mødedag, onsdag den 9. april 2003, Dagsordenspunkt 13–1 (kl.13:59-). Hans Enoksen, Landsstyreformanden, Siumut.

  27. 27.

    Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 6. mødedag, tirsdag den 11. marts 2003, Punkt12, Udenrigspolitisk Redegørelse. Hans Enoksen, Landsstyreformand, Siumut.

  28. 28.

    Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 22. mødedag, onsdag den 9. april 2003, Dagsordenspunkt 13–1 (kl.13:59-). Hans Enoksen, Landsstyreformanden, Siumut.

  29. 29.

    To borrow Enoksen’s words, what was important for the realization of Greenland’s aspiration to take a chair at the table negotiating the 1951 defense agreement was the change in the U.S. understanding of that agreement. The U.S., although stressing that the agreement was the optimal framework for the operation of Thule Air Base, recognized the need for its amendment, i.e., for the amendment of the way Greenland had been treated since 1951. Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2002 Svarnotat 2. beh. (Efterårssamling 2001. 02FM/01.25.01–35 Beslutningsforslag om ændring af den dansk-amerikanske forsvarsaftale af 1951. Fra Maliinannguaq Markussen Mølgaard, Inuit Ataqatigiit. d. 20. august 2001). Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 6. mødedag, tirsdag den 11. marts 2003, Punkt 12, Udenrigspolitisk Redegørelse. Hans Enoksen, Landsstyreformand, Siumut.

  30. 30.

    Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 22. mødedag, onsdag den 9. april 2003, Dagsordenspunkt 13–1 (kl.13:59-). Hans Enoksen, Landsstyreformanden, Siumut.

  31. 31.

    Forespørgsel nr.F29: Forespørgel til statsministeren og udenrigsministeren: Hvad kan statsministeren og udenrigsministeren oplyse om den danske regerings holdning til missilskjoldprojektet, herunder til den amerikanske regerings anmodning om at inddrage Thuleradaren i forbindelse med missilskjoldprojektet? Den 29. april 2003. Kl.15:40.

  32. 32.

    Ibid. Kl.16:45.

  33. 33.

    Ibid. Kl.17:45.

  34. 34.

    Ibid. Kl.15:45.

  35. 35.

    Ibid. Kl.15:50.

  36. 36.

    Forespørgsel nr.F29. Op. cit. Kl.17:30.

  37. 37.

    Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 6. mødedag, tirsdag den 11. marts 2003, Punkt12, Udenrigspolitisk Redegørelse. Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 7. mødedag, onsdag den 12. marts 2003, kl.13:00–18:00. Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 22. mødedag, onsdag den 9. april 2003, Dagsordenspunkt 13–1 (kl.13:59-).

  38. 38.

    Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 22. mødedag, onsdag den 9. april 2003, Dagsordenspunkt 13–1 (kl.13:59-). Kuupik Kleist, Inuit Ataqatigiit.

  39. 39.

    Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 7. mødedag, onsdag den 12. marts 2003, kl.13:00–18:00. Johan Lund Olsen, ordfører, Inuit Ataqatigiit.

  40. 40.

    Here it should be noted that hunting and fishing can be viewed not only as concrete practices, but also as means of representing the identity of one’s ethnic group.

  41. 41.

    They are groups of people or the descendants of groups of people who originally inhabited the areas occupied by Europeans at the time European powers were making incursions into “the New World”, or who were forcibly removed from their original living environment due to such incursions.

  42. 42.

    They are groups of people or the descendants of groups of people who are not able to enjoy their original life style due to a colonial status, or some other inferior social or legal status.

  43. 43.

    A historical continuity exists in the sense that they are the descendants of the original inhabitants.

  44. 44.

    Groups and individual members of groups who regard themselves as indigenous people.

  45. 45.

    Behind this view is the notion that, aside from the “visible indigenous people” who have been recognized as such, there are also “latent indigenous people”, who have not yet been recognized as indigenous or have the potential to become visible in the future.

  46. 46.

    Inatsisartuts samlinger Forårssamling 2003. 7. mødedag, onsdag den 12. marts 2003, kl.13:00–18:00. Kuupik Kleist, ordfører, Inuit Ataqatigiit.

  47. 47.

    The coalition of the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party, formed in November 2001, was especially determined to promote the politics of consideration and respect for Greenland. See Archer, C.: 139.

  48. 48.

    We take the view that when the gap between these two items is small, that is, when the central government can achieve both of the above two goals without any conditions attached, the political cost is low, while, on the other hand, the political cost is high when the realization of those goals is accompanied by the exertion of some sort of coercive force or influence.

  49. 49.

    Joint statement of the Danish government and Greenland’s self-rule government on the participation of Greenland in diplomatic and security policies. May 14, 2003.

  50. 50.

    Aftalememorandum mellem Kongeriget Danmarks Regering (Inklusive Grønlands Landsstyre) og Amerikas Forenede Staters Regering Vedrørende brug af Søndre Strømfjords Luftfartsanlæg, Kulusuk Flyveplads og Andre Forhold i forbindelse med de Forenede Staters Militære Aktiviteter i Grønland. Lovtidende 1991. København: udenrigsministeriet (den 19. september 1991).

  51. 51.

    Interview with Adam Worm, 31 July 2017 at the Representative Office of the Greenland Home-Rule Government in Copenhagen.

  52. 52.

    Ibid.

  53. 53.

    The declaration was not signed in the Qaanaaq area where the Thule base is located, nor in the capital of Greenland Nuuk or the capital of Denmark Copenhagen, but in the village of Itilleq, which is where Greenland’s Prime Minister Hans Enoksen was born. It is believed that this was a strategic choice in Denmark’s attempts to give a concrete shape to its respect for Greenland’s intentions. See Dragsdahl 2005b.

  54. 54.

    Interview with Adam Worm on 31 July 2017 at the representative office of the Greenland home-rule government in Copenhagen.

  55. 55.

    Forespørgsel nr.F60: Hvad kan regeringen oplyse om status i forhandlingerne mellem på den ene side Danmark og Grønland og på den anden side USA vedrørende en eventuel opgradering af Thule-radaren?. Den 26. maj 2004.

  56. 56.

    The issues referred to here are: 1. the question of the missile defense, 2. the upgrade of the Thule base, 3. the updating of the 1951 defense agreement in relation to that, and 4. technical and economic (financial) cooperation with the US and others relating to the fields of diplomacy and security.

  57. 57.

    Forespørgsel nr.F29. Op. cit. Kl.18:20.

  58. 58.

    Forespørgsel nr.F29. Op. cit. Kl.16:15.

  59. 59.

    Forespørgsel nr.F29. Op. cit. Kl.18:35.

  60. 60.

    Interview with Adam Worm on 31 July 2017 at the representative office of the Greenland home-rule government in Copenhagen.

  61. 61.

    Forespørgsel nr.F29. Op. cit. Kl.16:00.

  62. 62.

    Forespørgsel nr.F60. Op. cit.

  63. 63.

    Ibid. Kl.11.00.

  64. 64.

    Annex I Joint Declaration by The Government of the United States of America and The Government of the Kingdom of Denmark, including the Home Rule Government of Greenland, on Economic and Technical Cooperation. August 6, 2004, Igaliku.

  65. 65.

    In that sense, it could be said, the cost of refusing the U.S. request regarding the base is gradually diminishing for Greenland.

  66. 66.

    Forespørgsel nr.F60. Op. cit. Kl.9.55.

  67. 67.

    Ibid. Kl.10.40.

  68. 68.

    Ibid. Kl.9.15.

  69. 69.

    Ibid. Kl.10.55.

  70. 70.

    Ibid. Kl.10.35.

  71. 71.

    Ibid. Kl.10.40.

  72. 72.

    Ibid. Kl.10.35.

  73. 73.

    Ibid. Kl.10.40.

  74. 74.

    Ibid. Kl.11.00.

  75. 75.

    Similar to the Itilleq Declaration, as the place of signing the agreement, Igaliku village, the birthplace of Greenland’s politician Josef Motzfeldt, one of the signees, was chosen.

  76. 76.

    U.S. Department of State. Remarks at the Signing Ceremony with Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller and Greenland Deputy Premier Josef Motzfeldt. Igaliku, Greenland. August 6, 2004.

  77. 77.

    However, opening the base for civilian use only is not realistic because the maintenance cost (for example the cost of runway maintenance) in that case would be too high.

  78. 78.

    The contract was transferred from Greenland Contractors, a firm propped up by Greenlandic capital that was up till then in a contractual relationship with the base, to Exelis Services A/S, a company from mainland Denmark, which operates under the umbrella of the U.S. corporation Vectrus, before the negotiations with the Greenlandic firm even ended. 2015. July 7.

References

  • Ackrén, M. et al. 2015. Greenland as a self-governing sub-national territory in international relations: Past, current and future perspectives. Polar Record 51 (259): 407.

    Google Scholar 

  • Archer, C. 2003. Greenland, US base and missile defense: New two-level negotiations? Cooperation and Conflict: Journal of the Nordic International Studies Association 38 (2): 125–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berlingske Tidende. 1949. I Dag underskriver Danmark den nordatlantiske Pagt. April 4: 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2001. Dyrt at nægte USA adgang til Thule-radaren. May 29.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2004. Den danske sten i Powells sko. April 30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broholt, M. n.d. Den danske debat om Missilforsvaret og Thule-basen. IIS Research-brief. No.21: 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buchwald, G. et al. n.d. Atlantpagten: Lande, Folk og Styrker, 210–214. Odense: Forlaget Codan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Christensen, S.A. et al. 2009. Greenlanders displaced by the cold war: Relocation and compensation. In Historical justice in international perspective: How societies are trying to right the wrongs of the past, 111–134. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dragsdahl, J. 2003. Grønlandsk missildans: Drømmen om selvstyre skal gennemføres med USAs hjælp. Information April 10.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2005a. Denmark and Greenland: American defences and domestic agendas. Contemporary Security Policy 26 (3): 486–504.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2005b. A few dilemmas bypassed in Denmark and Greeland. Article for Peace Research Institute Frankfurt project on Democratic Peace.

    Google Scholar 

  • DUPI: Dansk Udenrigspolitisk Institut. 1997. Grønland under den kolde krig: Dansk og amerikansk sikkerhedspolitik 1945–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide. 2010. Denmark – HINGITAQ 53 vs. Denmark, Application No.18584/04 (Decision from the European Court of Human Rights as to Admissibility of Application).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gad, U.P. 2017a. Pituffik i Praksis: Nationale reskaleringer i Avanersuaq. Groenland 65 (2): 149–167.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2017b. Sex, løgn og landingsbaner: Thule set relationelt. Tidsskriftet Grønland 3/2017: 216–241.

    Google Scholar 

  • Information. 2003. Forurenede aftaler. May 15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iwasaki, M. 1998. Bunken to Renpousei [Decentralization and the federative system]. Tokyo: Gyosei.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kawana, S. 2012. Kichi no Seijigaku: Sengo-Beikoku no Kaigaikichikakudaiseisaku no Kigen [Base politics: The origins of the United States’ post-war overseas bases expansion policy]. Tokyo: Hakuto Shobo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kristensen, K.S. 2004. Greenland, Denmark and the debate on missile defense: A window of opportunity for increased autonomy. DIIS working paper. Vol. 2004/14: 9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kubota, S. et al. 2009. Huhensei to Sai womeguru porithikkusu: Senjyuumin no Jinruigakutekikenkyuu. “Senjyuumin” toha dareka? [Politics of universality and distinctiveness: An anthropological study of indigenous people. Who are“indigenous people”?]. Tokyo: Sekai Shisosha.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leira, H. et al. 2016. Russia and China in Greenland? NUPI Policy Brief. No. 43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lulu, J. 2017. China, Greenland and competition for the Arctic. China Policy Institute: Analysis (The online Journal of the China Policy Institute).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynge, A. 2002. The right to return: Fifty years of struggle by relocated Inughuit in Greenland. (Complete with an English translation of Denmark’s Eastern high court ruling). Nuuk: Atuagkat.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, K.E. 1968. Government and politics in Denmark. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Namminersornerullutik Oqartussat. et al. 2008. Arktis i en brydningstid: Forslag til strategi for aktiviteter i det arktiske område.

    Google Scholar 

  • Offerdal, K. 2014. Interstate relations: The complexities of arctic politics. Geopolitics and security in the arctic: Regional dynamics in a global world. Abingdon: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olsen, M.R. 2017. Lightning rod: US, greenlandic and Danish relations in the shadow of post-colonial reputations. In Greenland and the international politics of a changing arctic: Postcolonial Paradiplomacy between high and low politics. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ozawa, M. et al. 2016. Aisurando, guriinrando, hokkyoku wo shirutameno 65 shou [Sixty-five chapters for knowing Iceland, Greenland and the Arctic]. Tokyo: Akashi Shoten.

    Google Scholar 

  • Petersen, N. 2006. Dansk Grønlandspolitik med særligt henblik på den amerikanske militære tilstedeværelse: Fra stille tosomhed til åbent trekantforhold. Grønlandsk kultur- og samfundsforskning 2004/05. Nuuk: Ilisimatusarfik/Atuakkiorfik.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taagholt, J. et al. 2001. Greenland: Security perspectives. Alaska: ARCUS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tamnes, R. et al. 2014. The geopolitics of the arctic in historical perspective. In Geopolitics and security in the arctic: Regional dynamics in a global world. London/New York: Routledge.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Ueda, T. 2007. Reisensyuuketsugo no Beikoku to Taiseiyou-doumei [The Unites States and the Atlantic Alliance after the end of the cold war]. International Politics. 150: 100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Udenrigsministeriet. et al. 2011. Danmark, Grønland & Færøerne: Kongeriget Danmarks Strategi for Arktis 2011–2020.

    Google Scholar 

  • United States Strategic Air Command. 1979. History of the strategic air command, 1 January 1958–30 June 1958. Historical Study. No.73: 88–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoshitake, N. 1985. Denmaaku no Doumeigaikou: NATO Kameisyoki (1949-54nen) no Kichimondai wo cyuushintoshite [Denmark’s alliance diplomacy: Focusing on the issue of military bases in the early years after joining NATO (1949–54)]. Research on Nordic History s4.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Slavic-Eurasian Research Center and Arctic Research Center, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan

    Minori Takahashi

Authors
  1. Minori Takahashi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Minori Takahashi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Slavic-Eurasian Research Center and Arctic Research Center, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan

    Minori Takahashi

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Takahashi, M. (2019). Greenland’s Quest for Autonomy and the Political Dynamics Surrounding the Thule Air Base. In: Takahashi, M. (eds) The Influence of Sub-state Actors on National Security. Springer Polar Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01677-7_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation