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We want to break free, Greenland tells Denmark

Ed Harris
26.11.08

VOTERS in Greenland today gave their overwhelming approval to a plan that offers them a route to independence from Denmark.

The Arctic island's election commission said 76 per cent of the mostly Inuit population voted "yes", or "aap", to taking control over their police force, courts and coastguard and for Greenlandic, an Inuit tongue to be the official language.

Denmark backed the yes vote, which could see it receive less oil revenue but end its £380million annual subsidy, which accounts for two-thirds of the island's economy. Greenland's delighted premier Hans Enoksen said: "Tears are running down my cheeks." Home rule is set to take effect on 21 June.

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