Whisky War

Last updated

Whiskey War
Part of the Arctic policy of the Kingdom of Denmark and the Arctic policy of Canada
Hans Island, 2003-08-01, UTC 2301, HDMS Triton, Commanding Officer, Cdr. s.g. Per Starklint.jpg
The commanding officer of the Danish warship HDMS Triton on Hans Island during August 2003
Date1973 – 14 June 2022
Location
Hans Island
80.826389°N 66.458333°W
Result Negotiated settlement
Territorial
changes		 Hans Island divided between Nunavut (Canada) and Greenland (Denmark).
Belligerents
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Commanders and leaders

Flag of Denmark (state).svg Tom Høyem
Flag of Denmark (state).svg Per Starklint
Flag of Denmark (state).svg Anders Fogh

Flag of Denmark (state).svg Per Stig Møller

Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Pierre Pettigrew

Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Bill Graham
Units involved
Coat of arms of the Royal Danish Army.svg Royal Danish Army
Emblem of the Royal Danish Navy.svg Royal Danish Navy

Lesser badge of the Canadian Army.svg Canadian Army

RCN Emblem.svg Royal Canadian Navy
Strength
3 HDMS unknown
Casualties and losses
none none

The Whisky War, also known as the Liquor Wars, [1] was a bloodless war and border dispute between the Kingdom of Denmark and Canada over Hans Island. Between 1973 and 2022, the island was under dispute between the two nations, although never amounting to direct conflict or violence. [2]

Contents

Both countries agreed on a process in 2005 to resolve the issue, [3] which was finally settled in 2022, resulting in the creation of a land border on the island between the two states. [4]

Background

Hans Island as seen from the air in August 2012, with Ellesmere Island in the background HansIsland.png
Hans Island as seen from the air in August 2012, with Ellesmere Island in the background

Hans Island (known as Tartupaluk in Greenlandic) is in the middle of the Kennedy Channel between Greenland and Ellesmere Island. Hans Island is approximately 1.3 km2 in size and is barren. Hans Island is not inhabited, although, through the 19th century, it was used by indigenous Inuit populations in the area. [5] The Canadian claim to the island arose from the 1880 purchase of Hudson's Bay Company land to Canadian Government territory. The Danish argument was that Hans Island was vital to their indigenous populations for fishing, creating an integral part of the nearby Greenlandic area. [6]

Land dispute

Canada and Denmark signed an agreement through the United Nations on 17 December 1973. [7] The agreement set out to delimit the continental shelf between the two nations. This was influenced by the maritime boundary line, which fell almost directly down the middle of Hans Island. [5] The agreement states:

The Government of the Kingdom of Denmark and the Government of Canada... Have agreed as follows: Article I. The dividing line in the area between Greenland and the Canadian Arctic Islands, established for the purpose of each Party's exploration and exploitation of the natural resources of that part of the continental shelf which in accordance with international law appertains to Denmark and to Canada respectively, is a median line which has been determined and adjusted by mutual agreement. Article II. 1. In implementation of the principle set forth in article I, the dividing line in the area between latitude 61 00' N and latitude 75 00' N (Davis Strait and Baffin Bay) shall be a series of geodesic lines. [7]

Although the agreement was passed by both nations, there still was a longstanding dispute between the two nations. It was seen as low-priority from the Canadian side. A Canadian Special Senate Committee on the Arctic meeting was held on March 18, 2019, where the conflict was deemed "almost insignificant" by Michael Byers, a Professor and Canada Research Chair at the University of British Columbia, consulting as a civilian on the matter. [8]

Conflict

In 1984, Canadian soldiers visited the island and planted a Canadian flag, also leaving a bottle of Canadian whisky. [9] The Danish Minister of Greenland Affairs came to the island himself later the same year with the Danish flag, a bottle of Schnapps, and a letter stating "Welcome to the Danish Island" (Velkommen til den danske ø). [10] [11] [12] The two countries proceeded to take turns planting their flags on the island and exchanging alcoholic beverages. Both governments also posted advertisements on Google to "promote their claims". [13]

The minor border dispute was often considered humorous between the two nations, with diplomats displaying good humour. Despite the serious official nature of the matter, the manner in which the conflict was prosecuted was light-hearted, demonstrated by the length of time taken to settle the dispute, if nothing else. Both nations are on friendly terms, and are also founding members of NATO.

Peaceful resolution

Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail reported on June 10, 2022, that the Canadian and Danish governments had settled on a border across the island, dividing it between the Canadian territory of Nunavut and the Danish autonomous territory of Greenland. The resolution occurred during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Hence, the settlement of the territorial dispute between Canada and Denmark was meant to create a symbolic example to other nations, implying to Russia that land disputes can be resolved peacefully. [14]

The resolution had the side effect of giving Canada and Denmark a land border with each other, which means that both countries no longer border only one other country (the United States and Germany, respectively).

The resolution was ratified in the Danish Folketing on December 19, 2023, thereby ending the dispute from a Danish perspective. [15]

Timeline

See also

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Greenland is a North American autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. It is the larger of two autonomous territories within the Kingdom, the other being the Faroe Islands; the citizens of both territories are full citizens of Denmark. As Greenland is one of the Overseas Countries and Territories of the European Union, citizens of Greenland are European Union citizens. The capital and largest city of Greenland is Nuuk. Greenland lies between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. It is the world's largest island, and is the location of the northernmost area of the world – Kaffeklubben Island off the northern coast is the world's northernmost undisputed point of land, and Cape Morris Jesup on the mainland was thought to be so until the 1960s.

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References

  1. ↑ Blazeski, Goran (September 18, 2016). "The Hans Island 'liquor wars' between Canada and Denmark may be the cutest dispute in history". The Vintage News.
  2. ↑ Bender, Jeremy (January 10, 2016). "2 countries have been fighting over an uninhabited island by leaving each other bottles of alcohol for over 3 decades". Business Insider .
  3. ↑ Frizzell, Sara (May 28, 2018). "Truce? Canada, Greenland, Denmark inch closer to settling decades-old spat over Hans Island". CBC News .
  4. ↑ Beaumont, Peter (June 14, 2022). "Canada and Denmark end decades-long dispute over barren rock in Arctic". The Guardian .
  5. 1 2 Lackenbauer, Whitney; Nielsen, Rasmus Leander (August 28, 2022). ""Close, like-minded partners committed to democratic principles": Settling the Hans Island/Tartupaluk Territorial Dispute". Arctic Yearbook: 1–11.
  6. ↑ Hofverberg, Elin (June 22, 2022). "The Hans Island "Peace" Agreement between Canada, Denmark, and Greenland | In Custodia Legis". The Library of Congress. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  7. 1 2 Sharp, Mitchell; Hjorth-Nielson, H. (September 19, 1974). "Agreement relating to the delimitation of the continental shelf between Greenland and Canada (with annexes). Signed at Ottawa on 17 December 1973" (PDF). United Nations — Treaty Series. 950 (13550): 152–154.
  8. ↑ Canada, Senate of. "Special Senate Committee on the Arctic (42nd Parliament, 1st Session)". SenCanada. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  9. ↑ Healy, Amber (October 14, 2018). "Why Canada Keeps Leaving Bottles of Whiskey on a Remote Island". Insh. Archived from the original on June 17, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  10. 1 2 "Canada, Denmark agree to resolve dispute over Arctic island". CBC News . September 19, 2005. Archived from the original on January 27, 2007.
  11. ↑ Levin, Dan (November 7, 2016). "Canada and Denmark Fight Over Island With Whisky and Schnapps". The New York Times.
  12. ↑ Møller, Peter (June 14, 2022). "Verdens fredeligste grænsestrid blev indledt med en flaske cognac – nu er der sluttet fred". TV2 News.
  13. ↑ "Canada and Denmark end decades-long dispute over barren rock in Arctic". The Guardian . June 14, 2022.
  14. 1 2 Chase, Steven (June 10, 2022). "Canada and Denmark reach settlement over disputed Arctic island, sources say". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  15. 1 2 "50 års uenighed slut: Danmark udvides med nyt stort havområde – Ekstra Bladet". December 19, 2023. Archived from the original on December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  16. ↑ Malcolm, Andrew H. (February 11, 1979). "Dome Petroleum Is Gambling on an Ice-Bound Bonanza". The New York Times. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  17. ↑ Tan, Andrew T.H., ed. (October 18, 2010). The Politics of Maritime Power: A Survey. Routledge Taylor & Francis Group. p. 186. ISBN   978-1-13683-343-4 . Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  18. ↑ "Taissumani: August 29, 1871 – Hall Names Hans Island". Nunatsiaq News . August 26, 2005. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  19. ↑ George, Jane (April 9, 2004). "Greenland, Canada squabbling over pet rock". Nunatsiaq News. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  20. ↑ "Hans Island". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Hans Island". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  22. ↑ Lynge, Mads (July 25, 2005). "Josef Motzfeldt: Uforskammet af Canada". Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa (in Danish). Archived from the original on September 21, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  23. ↑ Kristensen, Poul E. D. "Hans Island". Embassy of Denmark, Canada. Archived from the original on June 22, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  24. ↑ http://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/article.jhtml?articleID=267507 [ permanent dead link ]
  25. ↑ "Canada vil forhandle om Hans Ø" [Canada will negotiate on Hans Island]. Jyllands-Posten (in Danish). August 8, 2005. Archived from the original on September 18, 2005.
  26. ↑ Avnskjold, Rasmus (August 16, 2005). "Ø-farcen er slut" [The island farce is over]. BT.dk (in Danish).
  27. ↑ "Canada has claim to Hans Island: Pettigrew". CTV.ca. August 20, 2005. Archived from the original on December 6, 2005. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  28. ↑ "Geologist to prospect on disputed Hans Island in Arctic". CBC News . August 16, 2006. Archived from the original on January 27, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  29. ↑ Weber, Bob (March 15, 2007). "Canadian, Danish scientists join Hans". The Globe and Mail . Archived from the original on March 19, 2007. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  30. ↑ "Satellite imagery moves Hans Island boundary: report". CBC News . The Canadian Press. July 26, 2007. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  31. ↑ "Arctic Weather Station : Hans Island". Scottish Association for Marine Science. Archived from the original on December 21, 2014.
  32. ↑ "April 11, 2012 audio report on Hans Island". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved April 24, 2012.
  33. ↑ Mackrael, Kim (November 29, 2012). "Canada, Denmark closer to settling border dispute". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  34. ↑ "Canada and the Kingdom of Denmark (with Greenland) announce the establishment of a Joint Task Force on Boundary Issues" (Press release). Ottawa: Government of Canada. Global Affairs Canada. May 23, 2018. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  35. ↑ Weber, Bob (April 4, 2019). "Canadian miner files exploratory claim on disputed Arctic island of Hans". CTV News. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  36. ↑ "Indstilling til Naalakkersuisut om midlertidig lukning af Tartupaluk (Hans Ø) for ansøgning om mineraltilladelser" [Recommendation to the Naalakkersuisut on temporary closure of Tartupaluk (Hans Island) for application for mineral permits]. Naalakkersuisut (in Danish). September 12, 2019. Archived from the original on September 4, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  37. ↑ Austen, Ian (June 14, 2022). "Canada and Denmark End Their Arctic Whisky War". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  38. ↑ "SIDSTE STJERNEITEM". Folketinget (in Danish). January 9, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Forslag til folketingsbeslutning om Danmarks indgåelse af overenskomst af 14. juni 2022 mellem Kongeriget nDanmarks regering sammen med Naalakkersuisut på den ene side og Canadas regering på den anden side om maritim afgrænsning og landeafgrænsning i området mellem Grønland og Canada" (PDF).
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