Canada and Denmark have decided to come to terms after forty-nine years of dispute over the half-square-mile Hans Island on the North Pole.
This disagreement had been called the “whisky war” by the media and it started in
1973 when both countries had wanted to create a border through the Nares Strait, halfway between Greenland and Canada. Canada and Denmark could not come to an agreement on which country would own Hans Island and have decided to get back on the agreement.
In 1984, Denmark hoisted a flag on the island. They also buried a bottle of Danish schnapps at the foot of the flagpole and left a note that read; “Welcome to the Danish island.” Canada who did not want to feel left out also went to the island to place their flag and left a bottle of Canadian brandy on the island too.
This dispute has gone on for almost five decades and both countries have now decided to divide the Hans island between themselves. This is a move to teach people that border disputes could be resolved peacefully and pragmatically.
“An important signal now that there is much war and unrest in the world”. Jeppe Kofod, Danish foreign minister said.
