Denmark’s overseas minister has summoned the highest US diplomat within the nation over a report alleging that individuals linked to Donald Trump have been finishing up covert affect operations in Greenland.
The transfer to summon the American cost d’affaires got here after Denmark’s nationwide broadcaster reported on Wednesday that at the very least three folks linked to the US president have been concerned in such operations.
Mr Trump has repeatedly mentioned he seeks US jurisdiction over Greenland – an enormous, semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. He has not dominated out navy drive to take management of the mineral-rich, strategically situated Arctic island.
Denmark, a US NATO ally, and Greenland have each acknowledged that the island will not be on the market and have criticised stories of US intelligence-gathering actions within the territory.
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Why does Trump need Greenland?
Danish public broadcaster DR reported on Wednesday that unnamed Danish authorities and safety insiders, in addition to unidentified sources in Greenland and the US, consider that at the very least three Individuals with connections to Mr Trump have been finishing up covert affect operations.
Based on the report, one particular person allegedly created an inventory of Greenlanders supportive of the US, gathered the names of these important of Mr Trump, and inspired locals to spotlight incidents that would painting Denmark negatively within the American media.
Two others reportedly tried to construct relationships with native politicians, enterprise figures, and residents.
An affect operation is an organised effort to form how folks in a society assume as a way to obtain sure political, navy or different aims.
DR mentioned its report is predicated on info from eight sources who consider the target is to undermine Denmark’s relationship with Greenland by influencing Greenlandic society from inside.
The US embassy in Copenhagen directed queries on the difficulty to Washington.
The Danish broadcaster mentioned it had been unable to make clear whether or not the Individuals had been working at their very own initiative or on orders from another person. It mentioned it is aware of their names however selected to not publish them as a way to defend its sources.
“We are aware that foreign actors continue to show an interest in Greenland and its position in the Kingdom of Denmark,” Danish overseas minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen mentioned in an announcement launched by his ministry.
“It is therefore not surprising if we experience outside attempts to influence the future of the kingdom in the time ahead.
“Any try to intervene within the inside affairs of the dominion will after all be unacceptable,” Mr Rasmussen mentioned.
Cooperation between the governments of Denmark and Greenland “is close and based on mutual trust,” he added.
Responding to a request for remark, the Danish Safety and Intelligence Service (PET) mentioned it believes that “particularly in the current situation, Greenland is a target for influence campaigns of various kinds” that would intention to create divisions within the relationship between Denmark and Greenland
The service mentioned it has persistently elevated its efforts and presence in Greenland in collaboration with native authorities and plans to keep up this method shifting ahead.
