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Canada and Denmark using Google as Battleground
TedRiot writes "Canada and Denmark are fighting over Hans Island using Google as battleground. A quick search of 'hans island' revealed a paid advertisement with the banner headline: 'Hans Island is Greenland. Greenland natives have used the island for centuries.' The ad was linked to the Danish government's foreign affairs web page with the letter condemning Graham's visit. Toronto resident Rick Broadhead placed a Google ad and said the Canadian government needs to get with the times." Reuters has coverage as well.
As another Canadian recently returned to Canada, I can tell you why they're fighting over it -- however stupid the whole notion is.
We are fighting with the Danish over this to enforce our sovereignty. Unfortunately, like private arena disputes over copyright, failure to exert sovereignty means you effectively cede control over an area. Lose it if you don't use it, more or less.
We actually have a First Nations military unit dedicated to looking after our interests in remote northern communities.
You can read an entertaining article about the Canadian Rangers here.
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Death will come, and will have your eyes
-- Pavese
As another Canadian, I'm far more concerned by the USA's refusal to recognise the water between Canadian Arctic Islands as internal waters of Canada. This has resulted in a few environmental and militaristic shinnanigans.
Here's hoping no one finds oil off the coast up there.
The territory was unclaimed prior to 1985,
Allowing a European nation (denmark) to effectively claim new territory in waters of North America violates the Monroe Doctrine. While Canada is not a very good claimant its the only claimant that is compatible with US interests. If Greenland were independent it wouldnt be an issue, but I dont like the idea of Canada being forced to cede territory in North America to the EU(denmark).
The solution to this territorial dispute is really quite simple.
Canada should build a permanent settlement on the island - a humble cabin equipped with a satellite dish, diesel fuel tanks, a generator, and a large store of rations.
Some lucky private from the Canadian armed forces would be dispatched to guard the island in 3-month shifts, equipped with lots of pornography and a 50 calibre machine gun to scare off any encroaching Danish helicopters.
+5 insightful?! Misinformed at best.
For one there is a natural resources issue. There are billions of barrels of oil buried along the north slope of Alaska and Canada not too far from this island.
Look on a map? Here's one. That white spec is Hans Island, in the sound between Greenland and Ellesmere Island. Now zoom out and check the distance to the Canadian-Alaskan border where the oil. It's pretty damn far. (Yes, the distance is distorted in this projection, but it's still about half the width of the USA.)
The idea here is that this route will pass within the territorial boundary marker of Hans Island. Denmark has far more to lose in this regard, because without Hans Island their westernmost border is Greenland which is nowhere near the upcoming shipping lanes.
This is complete nonsense. Again, Hans Island is in the sound between Ellesmere island and Greenland. Not Baffin Island. It is not anywhere near the North Western passage. (Heck, the island isn't even in-frame on Wikipedia's map)
And Denmark hasn't made any claim to the Northwest Passage anyway. The USA has though. (Or rather, the USA does not recognize it as Canadian waters)