How Wars Are Fought Between Civilized Countries

Ok, this is war. I mean, they're sending a protest letter and everything. I can see Bruce Willis playing the part of the postman in the movie version. But brandy? It's obviously time to get serious. Let's get 'em, Canada.

P.S. Where is this place again?


Copenhagen — Denmark says it will send a protest letter to Canada over a cabinet minister's visit to an Arctic island off northwestern Greenland, which is claimed by both countries.

Canadian Defence Minister Bill Graham set foot on the 1.3-square-kilometre Hans Island last week, saying Canada has always regarded it as Canadian territory.

Denmark also claims the island, which is roughly 1,100 kilometres south of the North Pole.
In 1973, Canada and Denmark drew a border down the inhospitable Nares Strait, halfway between Greenland, a semiautonomous Danish territory, and Canada's Ellesmere Island.

But the countries decided that sovereignty over Hans Island and others in the Arctic region would be determined later.

Denmark and Canada maintain good relations despite periodical spats over the island, which can only be reached by boat during mild summers when the ice around it melts.

Officials at the Canadian Embassy in Copenhagen declined to comment.

In 1984, Tom Hoeyem, who was Denmark's minister for Greenland affairs, caused a stir when he raised a Danish flag on the island, buried a bottle of brandy at the base of the flag pole and left a note saying “Welcome to the Danish island.”

Danish navy ships visited in the island in 2002 and 2003.

Canadian soldiers came to Hans Island Maple before Mr. Graham's visit and raised a Canadian flag.