Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Swede

(35,218 posts)
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 04:06 PM Jan 12

Canada and Denmark have fought a brutal territorial war for over 50 years.

And by brutal I mean they took turns planting their flag and leaving a bottle of booze for the other guys.

It was only resolved in 2022.

They could have used a seasoned diplomat like Trump to settle this years ago.

from wiki:

The Whisky War, also known as the Liquor Wars,[1] was a bloodless war and border dispute between the Kingdom of Denmark and Canada over Hans Island. Between 1973 and 2022, the island was under dispute between the two nations, although never amounting to direct conflict or violence.

In 1984, Canadian soldiers visited the island and planted a Canadian flag, also leaving a bottle of Canadian whisky.[10] The Danish Minister of Greenland Affairs came to the island himself later the same year with the Danish flag, a bottle of Schnapps, and a letter stating "Welcome to the Danish Island" (Velkommen til den danske ø).[11][12][13] The two countries proceeded to take turns planting their flags on the island and exchanging alcoholic beverages.[14] In 2005 a Canadian man and an unknown source on the Danish side also posted advertisements on Google to "promote their claims".[14][15][16]

The minor border dispute was often considered humorous between the two nations, with diplomats displaying good humour. Despite the serious official nature of the matter, the manner in which the conflict was prosecuted was light-hearted, demonstrated by the length of time taken to settle the dispute, if nothing else. Both nations are on friendly terms, and are also founding members of NATO.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whisky_War

24 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Canada and Denmark have fought a brutal territorial war for over 50 years. (Original Post) Swede Jan 12 OP
It was the Ukraine war that prompted them to solve this dsc Jan 12 #1
. dalton99a Jan 12 #2
I think Canada should have also received a goodly quantity of Copenhagens, BobTheSubgenius Jan 13 #21
This is the way to wage a "war".... slightlv Jan 12 #3
Alcohol thins the blood IronLionZion Jan 12 #6
I just had that old theme of: slightlv Jan 12 #8
Nobody expects a Danish distillation JoseBalow Jan 12 #7
So very many people will not get what you did there. moniss Jan 12 #11
Ever had one where you knew there slightlv Jan 13 #13
And now for something moniss Jan 13 #16
See comment no. 12.. yorkster Jan 13 #19
ditto MadameButterfly Jan 13 #14
Indeed IronLionZion Jan 12 #12
Good one! OldBaldy1701E Jan 13 #24
I remember a great story on NPR about this. Martin68 Jan 12 #4
Well, this complicated Trump's plan to buy the place from Denmark. eggplant Jan 12 #5
If Canada had been serious in trying to moniss Jan 12 #9
My kind of war.... Evolve Dammit Jan 12 #10
Trump would never understand MadameButterfly Jan 13 #15
this is how civilized people behave Skittles Jan 13 #17
There were casualties Bernardo de La Paz Jan 13 #18
This reminds me of "Mooselyvania..." Archae Jan 13 #20
Divided in half, but will once again be unified when Trump takes Greenland and Canada Polybius Jan 13 #22
Thanks for this! Hope22 Jan 13 #23

dsc

(52,774 posts)
1. It was the Ukraine war that prompted them to solve this
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 04:47 PM
Jan 12

they didn't want any territorial disputes between NATO countries.

dalton99a

(85,907 posts)
2. .
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 05:18 PM
Jan 12
Canada and Denmark signed an agreement on Tuesday that formally defined their Arctic marine boundary and settles the question of Hans Island’s ownership. The island will be split, with about 60 percent of the rock becoming Denmark and the rest becoming Canada.

The ministers said that reaching an agreement involved talks by both countries with Inuit who live on both sides of the border and who know the island as Tartupaluk. Mr. Kofod said that the agreement protects their cross-border hunting and fishing rights and also ensures that the new boundary will not hinder travel across Hans Island.

Given that Canada and Denmark are longtime allies and enjoy friendly relations, why did it take so long to reach a deal?

Part of the answer, Professor Byers said, is the slow pace of the United Nations’ processes for settling marine boundary issues that are governed by the 1982 Law of the Sea Treaty.

But he also noted that highly publicized drop offs of liquor by troops from both countries have typically preceded elections, suggesting that some governments found political value in dragging out the dispute.

“It was simply a way of stirring up a little bit of patriotic sentiment in a completely no risk context,” Professor Byers said.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/14/world/canada/hans-island-ownership-canada-denmark.html

BobTheSubgenius

(11,847 posts)
21. I think Canada should have also received a goodly quantity of Copenhagens,
Mon Jan 13, 2025, 12:17 PM
Jan 13

although in Denmark, they might be called Ottawas...but I doubt it. In any case, they are f'ing amazing!

slightlv

(4,697 posts)
8. I just had that old theme of:
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 06:40 PM
Jan 12

"What if they gave a war and nobody came?" from back in the 60's and 70's going through my head this whole message (LOL). Seems like this would be one war people would show up for -- just to grab hold of the alcohol. But it's not exactly great drinking in the cold, to be sure!

moniss

(6,414 posts)
11. So very many people will not get what you did there.
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 06:46 PM
Jan 12

I think it was brilliant and made me smile.

slightlv

(4,697 posts)
13. Ever had one where you knew there
Mon Jan 13, 2025, 02:05 AM
Jan 13

Was something written on a marble in your head but it just wouldn't roll to be readable? That's where I am... can u explain? (Sheepish gryn)

yorkster

(2,657 posts)
19. See comment no. 12..
Mon Jan 13, 2025, 09:33 AM
Jan 13

Danish distillation is a play on what is being so literally shown.
Took me a bit as well.

eggplant

(4,020 posts)
5. Well, this complicated Trump's plan to buy the place from Denmark.
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 06:23 PM
Jan 12

Or maybe this is why he wants Canada to become a US state? To drop the price of Greenland by 50%?

moniss

(6,414 posts)
9. If Canada had been serious in trying to
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 06:43 PM
Jan 12

convince the Danes as to what levels of horror the Canadians are willing to invoke they could have left a dish of poutine and a bottle of Labatt Blue.

Archae

(46,976 posts)
20. This reminds me of "Mooselyvania..."
Mon Jan 13, 2025, 09:40 AM
Jan 13

From "Rocky and Bullwinkle," the island that kept getting shoved back and forth because nobody wanted it.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Canada and Denmark have f...