Controversy in Denmark: The government will allow US intelligence agencies to operate on Danish soil.
A new defense bill between Denmark and the United States has sparked a wave of sharp criticism after it was revealed that it would allow US intelligence agencies, primarily the CIA and the NSA, to operate within Danish territory, specifically at military bases on the island of Jutland.
Three military bases that may be available to US forces
According to the Jyllands-Posten newspaper, the bill grants US forces “direct access” to specific military installations in Aalborg, Karup, and Skrydstrup.
In response to a request for clarification from Trine Berto Mach, Member of Parliament and Defense Spokesperson for the Unity List party, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen confirmed that the term used in the text of the agreement, “American forces,” also includes personnel from intelligence agencies such as the CIA and NSA. He stated, ‘It can be confirmed that the term ’forces” may, depending on the circumstances, include elements of the American intelligence services,” according to the official response from the Minister in the Danish Parliament, as reported by the source.
Sharp criticism from the opposition and human rights organizations
MP Trine Berto Mach described the move as “irresponsible,” telling TV2: “What’s new is this blatant transparency in the United States” desire to spy. To simply tell them: Here, these are our keys, settle in our territory… This is madness in every sense of the word.”.
Likewise, prominent human rights organizations, such as Dignity, the Danish Institute Against Torture, have expressed deep concern about the project, especially in light of the CIA's record on torture.
According to sources, Elna Sondergaard, senior legal advisor at Dignity, stated: “We are monitoring this closely because of the CIA’s history of using torture methods in countries like Poland.”.
For her part, Paula Larrain, senior advisor at Amnesty International, believes that the CIA’s involvement in this project raises serious concerns: “It is very worrying, especially since the CIA was responsible for the so-called black sites that were set up in countries such as Poland, which were later condemned for their complicity in acts of torture.”.
Government silence and continued political pressure
Despite the escalating controversy, no further response has yet been issued by the Minister of Defense, while media outlets, such as TV2, are trying to obtain clarifications regarding the security and legal dimensions of the proposal.
Controversial security project
It is worth noting that this agreement was prepared between the current Danish government and former US President Joe Biden, with a 10-year term that is binding after approval by the Danish Parliament. The defense agreement is still under discussion in the Danish Parliament, amid a division between those who see it as strengthening the defense partnership with the United States, and those who warn against compromising national sovereignty and slipping into intelligence practices that violate human rights.
