Former NATO Commander Says Trump’s Greenland Plan is ‘not a crazy idea’
The ex-NATO commander in Europe remarked that Trump's proposal regarding Greenland is logical. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Denmark’s Arctic island should be an “economic objective” for Washington, James Stavridis has said.
US President-elect Donald Trump’s initiative to acquire Greenland from Denmark is not a “crazy idea,” according to James Stavridis, the former NATO supreme allied commander in Europe. He emphasized that military intervention should not be considered, instead promoting economic engagement as a strategy to enhance ties with the region.
During an appearance on 'The Cats Roundtable' with John Catsimatidis on WABC 770 radio on Sunday, the retired admiral referred to Greenland as a “strategic goldmine for the United States,” citing its prime location and rich natural resources.
“It sits at the very top of the North Atlantic. It protects approaches to our own country – the Atlantic Ocean – so it is geographically very important,” Stavridis noted. He pointed out that the region is abundant in rare minerals and is likely to hold considerable oil and gas reserves.
“And it’s huge, a huge land mass. It’s three times the size of Texas,” he remarked, agreeing with the host that Greenland could be “almost a better deal than Alaska.”
Stavridis further explained, “We already almost bought Greenland. We almost bought it at the same time when we bought Alaska, back in the 1860s. So it’s not a crazy idea.”
The former NATO commander dismissed the notion of using “military force to attack Greenland or Denmark,” arguing that the United States should channel its efforts into economic initiatives to offset Russian and Chinese influence in the area.
“We could do an awful lot in terms of business, investment, box out the Russians, box out the Chinese, and work very closely with Greenland,” he stated. He also emphasized that Greenland “doesn’t have to become the 51st state, but it could certainly be an economic objective for us.”
Trump originally proposed the idea of purchasing Greenland in 2019, a suggestion that was promptly rejected by officials from Denmark and Greenland. He has recently reiterated that owning the Arctic island is “an absolute necessity” for US security.
Greenland’s pro-independence prime minister, Mute Egede, has ruled out the possibility of selling the island but expressed his willingness for discussion with Trump, stating, “We have a desire to be the master of our own house.”
While Denmark has declined Trump’s proposal, Copenhagen is reportedly considering the option of increasing the US military presence in Greenland, which already accommodates an American base.
Since becoming a self-governing Danish territory in 1979, Greenland has been progressively seeking greater sovereignty. The island has its own government but remains under Danish control regarding foreign affairs and defense.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
US President-elect Donald Trump’s initiative to acquire Greenland from Denmark is not a “crazy idea,” according to James Stavridis, the former NATO supreme allied commander in Europe. He emphasized that military intervention should not be considered, instead promoting economic engagement as a strategy to enhance ties with the region.
During an appearance on 'The Cats Roundtable' with John Catsimatidis on WABC 770 radio on Sunday, the retired admiral referred to Greenland as a “strategic goldmine for the United States,” citing its prime location and rich natural resources.
“It sits at the very top of the North Atlantic. It protects approaches to our own country – the Atlantic Ocean – so it is geographically very important,” Stavridis noted. He pointed out that the region is abundant in rare minerals and is likely to hold considerable oil and gas reserves.
“And it’s huge, a huge land mass. It’s three times the size of Texas,” he remarked, agreeing with the host that Greenland could be “almost a better deal than Alaska.”
Stavridis further explained, “We already almost bought Greenland. We almost bought it at the same time when we bought Alaska, back in the 1860s. So it’s not a crazy idea.”
The former NATO commander dismissed the notion of using “military force to attack Greenland or Denmark,” arguing that the United States should channel its efforts into economic initiatives to offset Russian and Chinese influence in the area.
“We could do an awful lot in terms of business, investment, box out the Russians, box out the Chinese, and work very closely with Greenland,” he stated. He also emphasized that Greenland “doesn’t have to become the 51st state, but it could certainly be an economic objective for us.”
Trump originally proposed the idea of purchasing Greenland in 2019, a suggestion that was promptly rejected by officials from Denmark and Greenland. He has recently reiterated that owning the Arctic island is “an absolute necessity” for US security.
Greenland’s pro-independence prime minister, Mute Egede, has ruled out the possibility of selling the island but expressed his willingness for discussion with Trump, stating, “We have a desire to be the master of our own house.”
While Denmark has declined Trump’s proposal, Copenhagen is reportedly considering the option of increasing the US military presence in Greenland, which already accommodates an American base.
Since becoming a self-governing Danish territory in 1979, Greenland has been progressively seeking greater sovereignty. The island has its own government but remains under Danish control regarding foreign affairs and defense.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
