Greenland parliament reports Naleraq to police for breach of confidentiality
The presidium of Inatsisartut reports the opposition party Naleraq to police for possible leak of confidential information. The case emerged during consideration of a tripartite agreement on security between the USA, Denmark and Greenland.
Naleraq reported for leak of confidential information from closed committee meeting
The presidium of Greenland's parliament, Inatsisartut, will report the opposition party Naleraq to police for an alleged breach of confidentiality in the parliament's Foreign and Security Policy Committee. This was reported by The Copenhagen Post on Monday.
Parliament Speaker Kim Kielsen announced the decision after debate on a security and defence agreement between the USA, Denmark and Greenland was suspended for approximately one hour to discuss the matter.
"The presidium has decided to report this breach to police. The police will subsequently conduct an investigation and assess whether there has been a breach of confidentiality," said Kielsen, who sits as an independent member.
Accusation from Foreign Minister Egede
Greenland's government has accused Naleraq, which has a member on the committee, of publishing confidential information from a closed briefing meeting. The accusation is contained in a memorandum from foreign affairs, business and mineral resources minister Múte B. Egede from the party Inuit Ataqatigiit.
According to Egede, the confidential information was passed on in a minority statement from Naleraq, which was included in a parliamentary report published on Inatsisartut's website.
"With the party's minority statement, Naleraq publishes confidential information that Naalakkersuisut has shared with Inatsisartut's Foreign and Security Policy Committee at a meeting behind closed doors. This is not only a breach of the committee's heightened confidentiality in handling information, but also a breach of the trust that should exist between Naalakkersuisut and Inatsisartut in cooperation on Greenland's foreign policy," wrote Egede.
The text of the memorandum does not specify which specific information was allegedly leaked.
Naleraq denies the accusation
Naleraq's chairman, Pele Broberg, told the media outlet Sermitsiaq that the party's minority statement had been approved by the committee and published by parliament's presidium. In the statement, Naleraq stated that notes from a briefing meeting indicated that Greenland's government had "attempted to obtain payment from the USA, but without result."
Egede rejected this claim in his memorandum. Broberg subsequently submitted a vote of no confidence against Egede during the parliamentary debate.
Vote on tripartite agreement awaited
The security and defence agreement between the USA, Denmark and Greenland was scheduled for a vote in Inatsisartut on Tuesday, after the debate was concluded. The proceedings were delayed as a result of the dispute over the alleged leak.
As Greenland's government holds a parliamentary majority, the agreement is expected to secure sufficient support for passage. The agreement only comes into force if it is approved by both Greenland and Denmark. Denmark's parliament, Folketinget, has scheduled a vote on the agreement for 19 November.
The Foreign and Security Policy Committee in Greenland plays a role corresponding to the Foreign Policy Committee in Folketing, where members are likewise subject to confidentiality requirements.
Source: The Copenhagen Post