859B.20/7–2648
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Ambassador in Denmark (Marvel)
On April 8, 1948 the Danish Foreign Minister stated to me the official position of the Danish Government with respect to Greenland. He stated that Article X of the 1941 Greenland treaty provided for consultations between Denmark and the United States, and the Danish Government had no intention to and gave his assurances that it would not serve notice of its intention to terminate the treaty so long as consultations continue. He added the assurance on the part of Denmark to continue consultations so long as a crisis existed in the world. He said that with this understanding the 1941 treaty remained in force.
He requested that any new projects to be undertaken by the United States forces be kept at a minimum and hoped that the United States plans would not call for any large and elaborate new installations, pointing out that if such were constructed and became known the Russians would immediately point to them as confirmation of a military alliance with the United States and it was this charge that he wished to avoid. I stated to him I knew of no projects that were now contemplated in the immediate future with the exception of the possibility of a radar or loran station and I was certain that such installation would not arouse the suspicion which he had just referred to.
He stated that the policy of the Danish Government as outlined above had been approved at a Cabinet meeting the night before, April 7, 1948. Furthermore, this policy had been approved by the [Page 589] five political parties in Denmark so that in the event elections were held and change in the Government resulted this Danish policy would continue. He added it was unnecessary to point out the sixth Danish party, the Communist Party, had not been consulted. He further stated that in the event that he were questioned as to the status of the Greenland situation he would state: “Denmark has no intention of terminating the 1941 Greenland treaty so long as consultations are continuing.”
He finally stated that Prime Minister Hedtoft and himself had been received in audience by the King of Denmark that morning and King Frederik had given his full consent and assurances as to this Danish policy.
He thought it not advisable for this statement of Danish policy to be put in writing and consequently requested that I not telegraph the contents of his statement to Washington but to deliver them orally to the Department of State.