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9 August 2004 |
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http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/aug2004/2004-08-09-02.asp |
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IGALIKU, Greenland, August 9, 2004 (ENS) - Agreements broadening environmental, economic, and technical cooperation between the United States, Denmark and Greenland were signed here on Friday after two years of negotiation. The accord, which modernizes the 1951 Defense of Greenland Agreement, paves the way for an upgrade of radar facilities at Thule Air Base to support the U.S. missile defense program. The agreements were signed by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, Greenland Deputy Premier Josef Motzfeldt, and Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller. Greenland became an integral part of the Kingdom of Denmark in 1953 and was granted home rule in 1979. ... Under the new accord, an Environmental Subcommittee is established to meet regularly to identify and address environmental issues and recommend countermeasures to risks posed by environmental contamination affecting the Thule Defense Area and adjacent areas. Powell told the TV audience, "With respect to Thule, we are going to be doing more to make sure that the environment is protected and that we are not doing anything at Thule that would in any way damage this beautiful country."
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