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In a Free Greenland
Secession fans rejoice: Greenland takes another step away from the bloody repressive colonial grip of Denmark. As Agence France-Presse reports:
Greenland voted massively in favour of self-rule in a referendum that paves the way for independence from Denmark and gives it rights to lucrative Arctic resources, final results showed.
A total of 75.54 percent voted "yes" to greater autonomy, while 23.57 percent said "no."
A self-rule proposal hammered out with Denmark earlier this year gives Greenland, which was granted semi-autonomy from Copenhagen in 1979, rights to potentially lucrative Arctic resources, as well as control over justice and police affairs and, to a certain extent, foreign affairs.
The new status will take effect on June 21, 2009.
But there are some matters that will be considered just too important for the wet-behind-the-ears independent Greenland:
Home to the US Thule radar base, Greenland will also with its new status be consulted on foreign and defence policy, which are now decided by Copenhagen, but Nuuk would not have the final say and little is expected to change in that area.
Link via Rational Review.
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economist|11.26.08 @ 12:48PM|#
"Greenland takes another step away from the bloody repressive colonial grip "
Let's hope it doesn't turn out like some former European colonies Africa.
economist|11.26.08 @ 12:48PM|#
Should read "in Africa".
bubba|11.26.08 @ 12:50PM|#
Is/Was Greenland subsidized by Denmark?
It would seem pretty cheeky to play the vassal when convenient, and then clamor for independence once it becomes feasible to extract oil.
EJM|11.26.08 @ 12:51PM|#
DPA has a brief related item containing this quote...
The vote showed the democratic character of Denmark, which had allowed it to take place, as opposed to 'the blinkered attitude of Spain, which denies the right of the Basque people to obtain independence,' said Mikel Irujo, a European Parliament member and spokesman for Eusko Alkartasuna (EA).
BDB|11.26.08 @ 12:55PM|#
I guess they'll become part of NATO?
economist|11.26.08 @ 12:56PM|#
Free Luna!
|11.26.08 @ 12:58PM|#
Do you want me to send you back where I found you?
Unemployed?
In GREENLAND?!?
|11.26.08 @ 1:03PM|#
the blinkered attitude of Spain, which denies the right of the Basque people to obtain independence
Keep dreaming, buddy. Spain will never let the Basques go, because then they have to let the Catalans go, and that's what would really fuck Spain up.
economist|11.26.08 @ 1:04PM|#
Being unemployed in Greenland can be quite unpleasant. I here it can get nippy in the winter.
economist|11.26.08 @ 1:05PM|#
Greenland and Spain came up in the same thread. This can only mean...Global Climate Change!
|11.26.08 @ 1:09PM|#
economist, it's very simple.
Vizzini says the Greenland line to Fezzik who is employed by the Sicilian like Inigo Montoya who is Spanish.
Greenland --> Spain
economist|11.26.08 @ 1:10PM|#
"I give you my word as a Spaniard."
"No good. I've known too many Spaniards."
hotsauce|11.26.08 @ 1:15PM|#
"Did I mention your JOB is at stake!?"
economist|11.26.08 @ 1:18PM|#
The "battle of wits" is the best part. Though technically speaking, it's a "tolerance" not an "immunity".
EJM|11.26.08 @ 1:18PM|#
Greenland and Spain came up in the same thread.
I forgot earlier that the Economist's recent special report on Spain has a section on regional devolution.
Guy Montag|11.26.08 @ 1:23PM|#
So, will the new catch-phrase sweeping the intertubes be "Free as in Greenland"?
bubba|11.26.08 @ 2:28PM|#
If the Basque lived on an artic island, perhaps the Spaniards would be more enthusastic about their independence.
Mikkel Kruse|11.26.08 @ 2:49PM|#
"Is/Was Greenland subsidized by Denmark?"
Yes, heavily. Still is.
|11.26.08 @ 3:09PM|#
Free Hawaii next!
MAX HATS|11.26.08 @ 5:13PM|#
NATO X-treme
Thomas Paine\'s Goiter|11.26.08 @ 6:56PM|#
33% of Greenland's GDP is a transfer from Denmark. Uppity inuits.
johnl|11.27.08 @ 3:36AM|#
Right. Greenland is Denmark's Alaska. The rest of Denmark is rooting for independence. I bet Paulson already has a plan for the Greenland bailout.
Gnome|11.27.08 @ 12:58PM|#
Step one: Greenland independence
Step two: Greenland statehood
Step three: ?????
Step four: PROFIT!
Will|11.27.08 @ 3:48PM|#
The NYT ran the AFP story and headed it "Greenland Vote Favors Independence".
They can't even make sure their headings match the stories under them?