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Danish newspaper: Are the US an ally of Putin, or for democracy?
Editorial translated from Denmark's biggest conservative newspaper Jyllands-Posten:It is probably an exaggeration if you imagine an American run Guantanamo prison camp in Denmark. But it is far reaching powers the United States will get here, if the Danish parliament adopts this new defense agreement as planned. ...
With the agreement, the United States will get access to establish private departments at the Danish air bases. Special American zones where American soldiers are allowed to follow their own rules, not covered by Danish law.
Tax freedom, freedom from environmental requirements, and special rights in relation to crime are some of the privileges, that American soldiers will get with the agreement. And the United States will be allowed to transport weapons in and out of Denmark without any control.
When the agreement was concluded in 2023, it appeared already very binding. But also very sensible. The US and Denmark have - or had - a very close defense alliance. Although also discussed at that time, many would probably think that one should go as far as possible in this collaboration. As we have always done with the United States.
But reality has changed significantly with Trump in power. If anyone was in doubt as to whether it was all just rhetoric and negotiating tactics ... In no time, the US has both threatened a hostile annexation of Greenland and blocked Ukraine's necessary NATO membership. ...
Denmark should put the defense agreement on standby. Regardless of whether you look at it as business acumen or security policy, we cannot give the US bases until we know whether the US is an ally of Putin, or for democracy.
There are only a few weeks of debate left and the government wants this deal signed - but as this editorial shows, the tide is changing fast...With the agreement, the United States will get access to establish private departments at the Danish air bases. Special American zones where American soldiers are allowed to follow their own rules, not covered by Danish law.
Tax freedom, freedom from environmental requirements, and special rights in relation to crime are some of the privileges, that American soldiers will get with the agreement. And the United States will be allowed to transport weapons in and out of Denmark without any control.
When the agreement was concluded in 2023, it appeared already very binding. But also very sensible. The US and Denmark have - or had - a very close defense alliance. Although also discussed at that time, many would probably think that one should go as far as possible in this collaboration. As we have always done with the United States.
But reality has changed significantly with Trump in power. If anyone was in doubt as to whether it was all just rhetoric and negotiating tactics ... In no time, the US has both threatened a hostile annexation of Greenland and blocked Ukraine's necessary NATO membership. ...
Denmark should put the defense agreement on standby. Regardless of whether you look at it as business acumen or security policy, we cannot give the US bases until we know whether the US is an ally of Putin, or for democracy.
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