The bone of contention between the two states was the uninhabited island of Hans. In the Kennedy Strait, which is located between Greenland and the Canadian island. Ellesmere, and this disputed territory is located. Quite often, such conflicts are resolved with the help of the armed forces, but not in this case. Both states value peaceful relations and democracy. However, "things are still there." This little piece of land has not been shared for a century.
Why is there a conflict?
Who owns the island of Hans is difficult to say, since the territorial dispute has not been resolved so far. The reason for the unresolved issue lies in the intricacies of international law, according to which, the boundary line of territorial waters is located at a distance of 22.2 km from the coast. Based on these calculations, it turns out that Hans Island belongs to both Denmark and Canada. Since the rights to thisboth states have a piece of land, the conflict can last forever.
Description of the island
Hans Island is located in the central part of the Kennedy Strait. The area of the territory is 1.3 km2. Its length is 1.29 km, and its width is 1.199 km. This piece of land looks like a stone, lifeless rock. There are three islands in the Kennedy Strait, and about. Hansa is the smallest of them. The nearest settlement is Alert, located in Canada. It is located 198 km from the island. The cities of Greenland are much further away. The closest two settlements are Siorapaluk (349 km) and Qaanaak (379 km).
This little piece of land got its name in honor of the Greenlandic traveler who participated in the Arctic American-British research expedition from 1853 to 1876
Hans Island History
In 1815, Denmark gained full control over the largest island in the world - Greenland. Interest in the Arctic zone among the Americans and the British arose after the purchase of Alaska (1867) and Canada's independence. In the study of this region and mapping of the area, data was taken from the Inuit and Danes living in Greenland. The Arctic zone, located near the North American continent, belonged to Great Britain since the 16th century. But in 1880, it was decided to transfer these territories under the jurisdiction of Canada.
Since the study of the Arctic was a complex process, and cartography in those years wasimperfect, Hans Island was not included in the list of objects when transferring rights.
Only in the 20s of the last century, researchers from Denmark gave a detailed description of these places and marked the exact location of the island. This landmass is completely uninhabited, with no trees growing on it, and little to no soil.
Start of conflict
After the Danish cartographers made a detailed map of the terrain of this region, the government of Copenhagen raised the question of whether the island belongs to the territory of Denmark. The dispute was taken up by the Permanent Court of International Justice (PPJJ). The verdict in favor of the Danes was handed down in 1933.
The Second World War made its adjustments in this matter. At its end, the League of Nations was abolished, including its judicial body, the Permanent Court of International Justice. New regulatory organizations emerged: the UN and the International Court of Justice. More than 80 years ago, the decision of the PPMP has lost its legal force.
The issue around Hans Island was forgotten for decades, while both states de alt with their own pressing problems. A new round of conflict flared up in the 70s of the last century, when both countries decided to demarcate the maritime borders in the Arctic region. Denmark and Canada have discussed and acknowledged mutual claims over the continental shelf. However, despite the fact that the negotiations were positive, it was not possible to reach an agreement on Hans Island. Borderterritorial waters runs through the center of the Kennedy Strait, but the piece of land itself does not have its own status. He is considered "their" by both Danes and Canadians.
Whiskey Noble War
After the demarcation of the maritime borders between Denmark and Canada, which took place in 1973, there was a long lull. The old dispute was remembered in 2004, after the opposition to the Canadian government announced the use of Hans Island in order to increase defense spending. Such statements outraged Copenhagen, and the Canadian ambassador had to explain the position of the official authorities to the Danish Foreign Minister.
The aggravation of relations arose after the landing of the Canadian military on Hans Island. This event took place on July 13, 2005. The servicemen built a stone statue, over which they hoisted the flag of their state. A week later, this territory was visited by the head of the Canadian Ministry of Defense, Bill Graham. After that, Denmark protested, naming the island of Hans as its territory. A complaint was also filed regarding the unauthorized visit of a representative of the Canadian authorities.
Although these events have brought tension to the relations of the states, the parties show an incredible sense of humor. Canadian and Danish representatives regularly visit the island. They constantly dismantle the enemy's flag and set up their own, but meanwhile do not forget to leave each other a present. The so-called "whiskey war" started in 1984, and its organizer wasDanish Minister for Greenland Affairs. After visiting the island, he decided to leave under the sign "Welcome to Danish soil!" a bottle of schnapps. Since then, it has become customary when Canadians come to this territory, they change the flag and sign, and they always leave whiskey under it, and the Danes traditionally leave schnapps in this place.
Hans Island in the Kennedy Strait has become a stumbling block between the two countries. No one can say for sure how long this confrontation will last, but one thing is clear, there will be no military settlement of this conflict, because both countries adhere to international law, and besides, both are part of a single NATO military bloc.
