The Americans plan to return to their former military base in Narsarsuaq. This is interesting news for Storch Lund, who has lived in the settlement for many years. But even if the news arouses interest, it also raises many questions. The family has already talked about leaving the settlement if a military base will limit their freedom.
Storch Lund still remember January 2, 1975 when he moved to Narsarsuaq like it was yesterday. Although the last American soldiers left the former military base in 1958, the American presence was still evident.
– When we moved here, the place was still very American. There were wooden masts for telephones everywhere, and there were lots of fuel tanks around, says Storch Lund.
In addition to what Storch Lund mentions, you could also see many of the Americans’ buildings at that time. He remembers that later there was a big development in the settlement.
– The development began especially from the beginning of the 1980s. A lot was modernized. The hangars and the new terminal buildings were constructed.
Life has changed a lot
But life in the settlement is very different today. Narsarsuaq already ceased to be an Atlantic airport last autumn, and in April the airport was downgraded to a heliport. On 6 August, however, the airport reopened for fixed-wing aircraft because the Norwegian Armed Forces have chosen to spend a larger amount on it.
– As it was a traffic junction, it was full of passers-by and tourists, especially in the summer. This year it is very different.
Around 140 people lived in the settlement on 1 July last year, while figures from Statistics Greenland show that there were 90 people at the same time this year. Storch Lund says that there aren’t that many of them left.
– We all know each other here and know who each other is. And because we count, we know that we are around 40, says Storch Lund.
They had already expected a military base
Because they are so few, they do not overlook what is happening in the settlement. Earlier this year, they started noticing strange faces.
– This summer we have seen Americans investigating the area at the harbor and at the airport.
Therefore, they already had an inkling of what was coming.
– We already knew a little earlier that something like this could happen. It had been mentioned that the Americans were interested in establishing a military base, says Storch Lund.
Their hunch was confirmed when it was published this week. Through an agreement with Greenland and Denmark, the Americans have secured the opportunity to return to the settlement and establish a military base. This is sobering news.
– As the American president says, the intention is to establish two large military bases in Greenland. When the Americans say big, does it perhaps mean something very big to us? And if it turns out like this, what consequences will it have?, says Storch Lund thoughtfully.
Are we losing our freedom?
The questions pile up. There is no doubt that the settlement, which has been completely quiet, will come to life, but there are many questions about what this will mean for those who live there.
– Of course, it is good for us to hear that there will be more activity and that the airport is to be used again. But on the other hand, the big question is what opportunities we as citizens here will have in a large military area.
– Right now we live in such a way that we can go where we want without first having to ask permission. We are not subject to restrictions. But we know that there are great restrictions on military bases if we just think about Pituffik. And if a military base is established here, it is very likely, says Storch Lund.
Excited about the consequences for business
Naalakkersuisut has repeatedly emphasized that the agreement ensures that local companies must be able to provide services at the military bases.
Storch Lund owns three charter boats, and has previously run both a café and a hostel.
– Of course, it is interesting that, as a trader, greater opportunities can come. But there is also the other side: How will they use us locals?, he says.
But there are even more questions that fill.
– The government says that negotiations must first be conducted with the Americans before the base is established. What conditions will there be for the locals? As a minimum, we locals want to be involved and continuously informed.
Can move after 51 years
When Pituffik was to become a military base in 1953, the locals were forcibly relocated. However, Naalakkersuisut has repeatedly stressed that there will be no forced relocations this time.
Even if they are not forcibly relocated, the long-term resident of the settlement fears that the conditions could change significantly.
– The chairman of Naalakkersuisut says that the residents will not be forcibly removed from Narsarsuaq. But the other side, in my opinion, is that even if we are not forcibly removed, because of the military base, we may get conditions that mean that we ourselves will have to choose to leave the place.
And they have already opened up that possibility.
– We have already talked about it in the family: if our life, as it is today, is changed to something completely different, it becomes a very big question, where is freedom and self-determination.
– Of course it won’t be easy, but we have opened that possibility, concludes Storch Lund.
