Originally published Tuesday, September 20, 2005 at 12:00 AM
Canada, Denmark reach truce on island
Canada and Denmark called a truce yesterday in a dispute over Hans Island, but neither is renouncing its claim to the wind-swept patch of...
OTTAWA — Canada and Denmark called a truce yesterday in a dispute over Hans Island, but neither is renouncing its claim to the wind-swept patch of Arctic rock.
There has been widespread speculation that the two governments may have their eyes on future claims over northern fishing grounds or access to the Northwest Passage, should global warming make the route more viable.
The uninhabited island, the size of several city blocks, sits in the Kennedy Channel of Nares Strait between Canada's Ellesmere Island and Greenland, which is controlled by Denmark.
Canada insists the quarrel is not about the surrounding waters, noting the boundaries of the continental shelf between Ellesmere and Greenland were agreed on in 1973.
Canada's defense minister, Bill Graham, rankled Danish officials by making an unannounced visit to Hans Island in July. Canada formally protested the planting of Danish flags on the outcrop in 1984, 1988 and 2004.
Canada's Foreign Minister Pierre Pettigrew, who met with his Danish counterpart during a U.N. summit over the past week in New York, said yesterday they agreed to keep each other informed about any activities around the tiny island.
However, neither side budged on ownership of the island.
UPDATE - 10:01 AM
Rebels tighten hold on Libya oil port
UPDATE - 09:29 AM
Reality leads US to temper its tough talk on Libya
UPDATE - 09:38 AM
2 Ark. injection wells may be closed amid quakes
Armed guards save Dutch couple from Somali pirates
Navy to release lewd video investigation findings
More Nation & World headlines...
![]()

Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
general classifieds
Garage & estate salesFurniture & home furnishings
Electronics
just listed
***Stunning Akc POMERANIAN baby girl W/ FUL...
2007 Kubota BX24 Loader & Backhoe
2007 Ranger Z20 Comanche
More listings
POST A FREE LISTING
- Agency set to investigate handling of 911 call about Josh Powell
- Proposal to link Market, aquarium may be too ambitious for Seattle
- Chilling 911 tapes reveal pleas for help to go to Josh Powell home
- UW's Shawn Kemp Jr. makes own way despite familiar name, number | Steve Kelley
- State Medicaid program to stop paying for unneeded ER visits
- NBA's David Stern open to league returning to Seattle
- Prosecutor: Powell's final act ends doubt he killed wife
- Was idea of court-ordered test too much for Josh Powell?
- Lakewood cop accused of embezzling $150K meant for slain officers' families
- Local aerospace suppliers say they feel squeezed by Boeing
- Gay-marriage bill passes House, awaits Gregoire's signature
419 - Historic day for gay marriage as another fight looming
342 - Sheriff's office unhappy with 911 dispatcher in caseworker's call
281 - 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
232 - Source: NY, California to sign mortgage settlement
189 - Pac-12 picks ... including the UW game
135 - Lakewood cop accused of taking donations for slain officers' families
107 - Department of Justice owes the Seattle Police Department an apology
80 - Thursday morning links --- and a video!!!
64 - Scouting report: Oregon
57
- State Medicaid program to stop paying for unneeded ER visits
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Here it is: The secret to stir-fried chicken | Taste
- Local aerospace suppliers say they feel squeezed by Boeing
- Dicks channeled federal money to Puget Sound project his son ran
- 'Gauguin and Polynesia': dazzling mix-and-match | Art review
- Buttoned Up: Nine immutable laws of time management
- Happy Hour: French-accented charm at Gainsbourg
- One man's audacious pursuit of sailing history
- Gay-marriage bill passes House, awaits Gregoire's signature
