Diplomatic chess: Denmark's California bid satirises Greenland talks
World media are reporting on new developments in the debate about Greenland's future. The AP agency highlights the Danish initiative "Let's Buy California from Donald Trump," which has already garnered over 200,000 signatures. Meanwhile, the "Washington Times" quotes American congressmen who are seriously considering Donald Trump's proposition.
According to the AP agency, the Danish initiative to raise funds to buy California from the United States was designed with satirical intent, yet it has been very well received. In just a few days, the plan to collect 1 billion dollars publicly to purchase the American state found support from over 200,000 people.
The petition's authors emphasised that Denmark needs "more sunshine, palm trees, and roller skates." "Well, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make that dream a reality," wrote the creators of "Let's Buy California from Donald Trump." This initiative suggests renaming Disneyland to "Hans Christian Andersenland" and adding a Viking helmet to Mickey Mouse's head.
The Danish initiative is a response to US President Donald Trump's proposals for the United States to take control of Greenland.
Meanwhile, the "Washington Times" reports in its Thursday edition that Democratic Party members of parliament remain "deeply sceptical" about this issue. The newspaper quotes Steny Hoyer from Maryland, who described the idea as "absurd." However, as "WT" noted, a bill is already prepared to rename the island from Greenland, meaning "Green land," to "Red, White and Blueland," in reference to the colours of the US flag.
"Key importance for US security"
During the Wednesday meeting of the US Senate's Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, Chairman Ted Cruz expressed the opinion that Washington and Copenhagen can no longer delay the debate on the island's future.
"Greenland sits directly on the shortest flight path for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) traveling from Russia and the Middle East to the U.S., making its positioning crucial to our security," noted Cruz. He added that the island's location is "crucial to our security," and its acquisition "is about diplomacy and shared interests, the same way that we acquired the territories that make us the nation we are."
"This is about shared interests, and the potential benefits for all sides are enormous," said Senator Cruz.
Currently, the island holds the status of an autonomous territory dependent on Denmark. Recently, the debate on Greenland's future has been intensified by speculations about its potential independence, related to the elections scheduled for 11th March for the local parliament. Denmark has controlled Greenland since 1814.