The Whisky War: Denmark v Canada
Beginning in 1984, a dispute over an island was marked by geniality, and bottles of booze
Witness History · BBC World Service
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Show Notes
In 1984, a diplomatic dispute broke out between Canada and Denmark over the ownership of a tiny island in the Arctic.
The fight for Hans Island off the coast of Greenland became known as the Whisky War. Both sides would leave a bottle of alcohol for the enemies after raising their national flag.
What could be the friendliest territorial dispute in history came to an end in 2022, with the agreement held up as an example of how diplomacy should work.
Janice Fryett hears from Tom Hoyem and Alan Kessel, politicians on either side of the bloodless war.
A Made in Manchester Production for the BBC World Service.
(Photo: Tom Hoyem with a Danish flag on Hans Island. Credit: Niels Henriksen)