Open Letter to the President of the United States and His Administration
As Mayor of Kommune Kujalleq – the region of Greenland where the majority of the country’s rare earth elements and strategic minerals are located – I feel a clear responsibility to speak plainly and without reservation.
Greenland’s subsoil is not for sale through political pressure, dismissive rhetoric, or a lack of respect. Period.
The interest shown by you and your administration in Greenland’s resources carries obligations – not only legal, but moral and political. When Greenland, our institutions, our allies, and our people are spoken of with disregard, trust is eroded. And without trust, there is no access. Not a single gram.
As mayor, I will never accept that the citizens of my municipality should feel unsafe or uncertain about what is taking place in their own backyard – politically, economically, or in terms of security. Our land and our communities are not pieces on a great-power chessboard.
Greenland has some of the strongest and most responsible mineral resource legislation in the Nordic region. These laws exist to protect people, nature, and future generations. They will be enforced in full – regardless of who seeks to operate in Greenland, and regardless of the size or power of the nation involved. They are not subject to negotiation.
The Greenlandic people hold authority over their land and their resources. And if there is one thing your administration currently lacks in this matter, it is respect: respect for our democracy, respect for our legislation, respect for our allies, and respect for our people.
Jobs and promises of increased revenue can never be used as currency to bypass the law or the will of the people. If mining activities are not carried out in full compliance with Greenlandic law and with genuine respect for the population, there will be no mining. It is that simple.
Not a single gram of Greenland’s minerals will be extracted without order, respect, and responsibility.
Sincerely,
Malene Vahl Rasmussen
Mayor – Kommune Kujalleq – Greenland
Source: Municipality of South Greenland
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