U.S. to build two military bases on Greenland as part of deal

U.S. to build two military bases on Greenland as part of deal PAUL WALDIE EUROPE CORRESPONDENT LONDON PUBLISHED 1 HOUR AGO Open this photo in gallery: Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen, Greenland's leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Greenland's Minister for Foreign Affairs Múte B. Egede held a meeting at the Danish Consul General's residence in Manhattan, New York, on Monday. MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS COMMENTS SHARE SAVE FOR LATER U.S President Donald Trump has confirmed that the United States will build two military bases on Greenland as part of the deal he signed Tuesday with the leaders of the Arctic island and Denmark. During a signing ceremony at the United Nations, Mr. Trump had nothing but praise for Greenland and his two counterparts − Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen of Greenland and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. His tone marked a sharp departure from years of threats to buy, annex or even invade the island, which is a semiautonomous part of the Danish realm. “This has been an amazing journey with tremendous people,” Mr. Trump said Tuesday. “We’re going to have a tremendous relationship, a secure relationship.” Afterward, he stood with the two prime ministers and told reporters: “We love the people of Greenland.” In earlier remarks to the United Nations General Assembly, Mr. Trump said the agreement will ensure that “none of the United States’s adversaries will, going forward, be permitted to establish a military presence in Greenland or make sensitive investments there without our explicit, written approval.” He added that the U.S. “will immediately begin work on establishing a comprehensive military presence at the relevant locations. We will build two very large military bases.” During the signing ceremony, Ms. Frederiksen had high praise for Mr. Trump but noted that the deal “respects the serenity and the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark as well as Greenland’s right to self-determination.” The text of the agreement also recognizes “their way of life, including hunting, fishing, and other traditional, cultural, historical, future activities, and developments,” as well as the need to protect “the pristine environment of Greenland.” Ms. Frederiksen added that other NATO allies will take part in bolstering security on the island. “Our agreement today underlines the importance of the NATO alliance, and we welcome engagement and involvement…