Evening star., 1941-04-10
Greenland Agreement Text
u S. Pledges Protection of Island,
Reoffirms Sovereignty of Denmark

point Of aggression against nations
of the American continent, the Gov
ernment of the United States of
America. having in miEd its obliga-
tions under the Act of Habana
signed on July 30. 1910. accepts the
responsibility OF assisting Greenland
in the maintenance of its present
status.
Article III.
1t is agreed that the Government
of the United States of America
shall have the right to construct,
maintain and operate such landing
fields, seaplane facilities and radio
and meteorological installations as
may be necessary for the accom-
plishment of the purposes set forth
in Article I.
Article iii.
The grants of the rights specified
in Article II shall also include the
right to improve and deepen har-
bors and anchorages and the ap-
proaches thereto, to install aids to
navigation by air and by water,
and to construct roads, commune
cation services, Notifications, repair
and storage facilities, and housing
for personnel, and generally, the
right 10 do any and all things nee
essary to insure the efficient opera
tion, maintenance and protection of
such defense facilities as may be
established.
Article Nv.
The landing fields. seaplane, har-
Dor and other defense facilities that
may be constructed and operated by
the Government OF the United
States of America under Articles II
and III will be made available to
the airplanes and vessels of all the
American nations for purposes con-
nected with the common defense of
the Western Hemisphere.
Article v.
1t is agreed that the Government
of the United States of America
shall have the right to lease for such
period of time as this agreement
may be in force such areas of land
and water as may be necessary for
the construction, operation and pro-
lection of the defense facilities
specified in Articles II and III. In
locating the aforesaid defense areas,
the fullest consideration consistent
with military necessity shall be given
to the welfare, health and economic
needs of the native population of
Greenland. 1t is agreed, however.
that since the paramount objective
sought is the early attainment of
an adequate defense establishment
in Greenland, the utilization of any
area deemed by the Government of
the United States of America to be
needed for this purpose shall not be
delayed pending the reaching of an
agreement upon the precise terms
of formal lease. A description of
such areas, by metes and bounds,
and statement of the purpose for
which they are needed shall in each
case be communicated to the Danish
authorities in Greenland as soon
as practicable, and the negotiation
of a formal lease shall be under
taken within q reasonable period of
time thereafter.
Article vi.
The Kingdom of Denmark retains
sovereignty over the defense areas
mentioned in the preceding articles.
So long as this agreement shall re-
main in force, the Government of
the United States of America shall
have exclusive Jurisdiction over any
such defense area in Greenland and
over military and civilian personnel
of the United States. and their
families, as well as over all other
persons within such areas except
Danish citizens and native Green
landers, it being understood, how
ever, that the Government of the
United States may turn over to the
Danish authorities in Greenland for
trial and punishment any person
committing an offense within a de-
fense area, if the Government of the
United States shall decide not to
exercise jurisdiction in such case
The Danish authorities in Greenland
will take adequate measures to in
sure the prosecution and punishment
in case of conviction of all Danish
citizens, native Greenlanders and
other persons who may be turned
over to them by the authorities of
the United States for offenses COM
mitted within the said defense areas
Article VII.
1t is agreed that the Government
of the United States of America
shall have the right to establish and
maintain postal facilities and COM
missary stores to be used solely by
military and civilian personnel OF
the United States, and their families
maintained in Greenland in connec-
ton with the Greenland defense es-
tablishment. If requested by the
Danish authorities in Greenland, ar
rangements will be made to enable
persons other than those mentioned
to purchase necessary supplies al
such commissary stores as may be
established.
Article VIII.
All materials. supplies and equip.
ment for the construction. use an6
operation Of the defense establish.