“We are now at a level where this cannot in any way be characterized as a harmless visit from a politician’s wife. What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us, and the message is clear,” Egede said, adding that the “diplomatic attempt in dialogue has gone in vain.”
Egede also stressed in a post on Facebook that there will be no meetings with the Greenlandic government — and that these can only take place after the new administration has been formed.
On Sunday, two American military planes landed in Nuuk. A spokesperson from the U.S. consulate told Sermitsiaq the jets arrived to provide logistical support for the upcoming visit. Meanwhile, Danish police sent extra forces to Greenland.
Egede also called on international allies to step up their support for the self-ruling Danish territory.
“The fact that our other allies in the international community seem to be hiding in a corner, almost whispering that they support us, has no effect. And if they don’t speak out loudly against how the USA treats Greenland, the situation will escalate day by day,” he said.
Greenland’s likely new prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who won an election earlier this month, urged Greenlanders “not to panic” and focus on forming of the new government.
“The visit, which is said to be ‘private,’ is pure charm offensive, and if we allow ourselves to be influenced by it, for example by rushing to form a new coalition, we may become even more vulnerable to pressure … so let’s cool our nerves, ” he told Sermitsiaq.