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 of Ellesmere, and this disputed territory is located. Quite often, the resolution of such conflicts occurs with the help of the armed forces, but not in this case. Both countries value peaceful relations and democracy. However, "things are still there." This small piece of sushi cannot be divided for a century.
Why did the conflict arise?
It is difficult to say who owns the island of Hansa, since the territorial dispute has not yet been resolved. The reason for the unresolved issue lies in the intricacies of international law, according to which, the border line of territorial waters is located at a distance of 22.2 km from the coast. Based on these calculations, it turns out that the island of Hans applies to both Denmark and Canada. Since both states have rights to this piece of land, the conflict can last forever.
Island Description
Hans Island is located in the central part of the Kennedy Strait. The area is 1.3 km 2 . Its length is 1.29 km and its width is 1.199 km. This piece of land looks like a stone, lifeless rock. In the Kennedy Strait there are three islands, and about. Hans is the smallest of them. The nearest settlement - Alert is located in Canada. It is located 198 km from the island. The cities of Greenland are much further. The closest are the two settlements of Siorapaluk (349 km) and Kaanaak (379 km).
This little piece of land received its name in honor of the Greenland traveler who participated in the Arctic American-British research expedition from 1853 to 1876.
History of Hans
In 1815, Denmark gained full control of the largest island in the world - Greenland. The interest in the Arctic zone among Americans and British arose after the purchase of Alaska (1867) and Canada's independence. In the study of this region and the mapping of the area, data was taken from the Inuit and Danes living in Greenland. The Arctic zone, located near the North American continent, has 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 was imperfect, the island of Hans 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 indicated the exact location of the island. This land area is completely uninhabited, trees do not grow on it, and there is practically no soil.
Start of conflict
After Danish cartographers compiled a detailed map of the area of this region, the government of Copenhagen raised the issue of the island's belonging to Denmark. The dispute has been resolved by the Permanent Court of International Justice. A verdict in favor of the Danes was issued in 1933.
The Second World War introduced its own corrections 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 have emerged: the United Nations and the International Court of Justice . The decision of the PPMP issued more than 80 years ago has lost its legal force.
The question around the island of Hans has been forgotten for decades, meanwhile both states have dealt with their pressing problems. A new round of conflict flared up in the 70s of the last century, when both countries decided to demarcate maritime borders in the Arctic region. Denmark and Canada discussed and recognized mutual claims over the continental shelf. However, despite the fact that the negotiations were positive, it was not possible to agree on the island of Hans. The border of territorial waters passes through the center of the Kennedy Strait, but the land plot itself does not have its status. Both Danes and Canadians consider him “their own”.
Noble war "whiskey"
After the demarcation of maritime borders between Denmark and Canada, which took place in 1973, there was a long lull. The old dispute was recalled in 2004, after which the opposition of the Canadian government announced the use of the island of Hans in order to increase spending on the defense complex. Copenhagen was outraged by such statements, and the Canadian ambassador had to clarify the position of the official authorities to the Danish Foreign Minister.
The aggravation of relations arose after the landing of the Canadian military on the island of Hans. This event occurred on July 13, 2005. The soldiers built a stone statue, over which they hoisted the flag of their state. A week later, the territory was visited by the head of the Canadian Department of Defense, Bill Graham. After that, Denmark protested, calling the island of Hans its territory. A complaint was also filed about the unauthorized visit of a Canadian official.
Although these events have brought tension to the relations of 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 their own, but meanwhile they don’t forget to leave each other a present. The so-called "Whiskey War" started in 1984, and was organized by the Danish Minister for Greenland. Having visited the island, he decided to leave under the sign “Welcome to Danish land!” a bottle of schnapps. Since then, it has been the custom when Canadians come to this territory, they change their flag and sign, and whiskey is always left under it, and Danes traditionally leave schnapps in this place.
The island of Hans 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 not be a military settlement of this conflict, because both countries adhere to international law, and besides, both are part of a single military block of NATO.