US to open two military bases in Greenland, agreement to be signed today
Agreement with Denmark and Greenland to be signed at the United Nations General Assembly in New York; text not public.
The United States plans to re-establish a Cold War–era military site in southern Greenland and open a second base on the island's eastern coast as part of an agreement to be signed with Denmark and Greenland today.
Background
The two locations named in the plan are Narsarsuaq, whose population has dwindled to tens of people after the U.S. shut its Bluie West 1 base in the 1950s, and Mestersvig, which is currently used by a Danish patrol that employs dog sleds.
Officials from the three parties are expected to sign the agreement today during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The text of the agreement has not been made public.
Three people familiar with the document told reporters that details will not be finalized until after the pact is formally signed.
The move would mark a renewed U.S. military presence at sites used during the Cold War and the creation of a new foothold on Greenland's east coast, but negotiators have kept the full terms under wraps pending the formal signing.
Photo: AP)
