The Jeremiad Over Journalism

expected in a country of its size,‖ while adding,
―The interests are relatively unchanging and stem basically from a similarity in national views
rooted in Denmark‘s long democratic tradition, its western value system, and its strategic
location. Denmark‘s position at the entrance to the Baltic and it sovereignty over Greenland
and the Faroes, both important to the defense of the North Atlantic, make its role in the NATO
alliance a key one.‖ 250
Dean‘s comments underlined the importance placed by the Americans on Denmark‘s participation
in NATO not least because of Greenland and the Faroe Islands and were a continuation of
American policy that stretched back to the 1940‘s. The important American air-bases on Greenland,
meant that Denmark came to be seen by the United States, as a small, but not wholly unimportant,
peg in the puzzle to secure a dominant global position. Specifically, American foreign policy
analysts in 1948 held the view that access to Danish and Norwegian ―island possessions‖ was ―vital
to the United States security.‖ 251 Additionally, in a secret memo to the American Embassy in
Copenhagen dated September 10, 1975 Kissinger emphasized, that it was a priority to keep and
develop a close relationship to the Danes.
―Denmark‘s strategic location requires a major Danish input to NATO monitoring and control
of the entrances to the Baltic on NATO‘s northern flank, Denmark is sovereign over
Greenland and the Faroe Islands which are vital to the defense of the North Atlantic and North
America.‖ 252
The strategic importance of Greenland meant that the United States, in the shape of the American
Embassy in Copenhagen‘s employees, worked diligently to create a positive picture of American
society and culture, to assure that the Danish population continued to be sympathetic to NATO and
250
John Gunther Dean, "Annual Policy Assessment,"
(http://aad.archives.gov/aad/createpdf?rid=84211&dt=2082&dl=1345. April 29, 1976). Downloaded November 10,
2010.
251
Villaume, Allieret Med Forbehold: Danmark, Nato Og Den Kolde Krig [Allied with Reservations: Denmark, Nato
and The Cold War]. Page 123-124.
252
Henry Kissinger, "US Interests and Policy Objectives for Denmark 1975,"
(http://aad.archives.gov/aad/createpdf?rid=166342&dt=1822&dl=823. September 10, 1975.). September 10, 1975.
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