The Foreign Service Journal, May 2021

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2021 37 Visitors explore an ice sheet near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. in ways compatible with its infrastructure potential and population size. The USAID officer at post, David Brown, has facilitated a landscape analysis of the island’s capacity for growth, providing a baseline fromwhich future projects can be planned and evalu- ated. Focusing on the potential for tourism development in Greenland, USAID has been engaging with stakeholders in the private sector and with government agencies across multiple municipalities, looking for opportu- nities for investment in areas where Green- land could expand domestic employment and education. Building Trust and Friendship The consulate secured temporary office space within the Danish Joint Arctic Command headquarters in Nuuk until our dedicated space in the center of the city can be developed. Local staff hiring has been sluggish, but we have an office manager who is a miracle of productivity and efficiency. We continue to work closely with U.S. Embassy Copenhagen on report- ing, programs and events as we work out the nuts and bolts of diplomatic life in Greenland—from working with government ministries to set up the mechanics for academic exchanges to finding ways to receive and deliver diplomatic mail. When Consul Wayne Fisher closed the first U.S. consulate in Greenland in 1953, he lamented: “It was with some emotion that I had to take down the insignia over the entrance and lower the flag for the last time. Not only because of my personal feelings of regret at having to haul Old Glory down in this remote land, but because it had come to mean so much to the Green- landers as a symbol of American friendship for and interest in them.” On June 10, 2020, at the consulate opening, Principal Officer Sung Choi said: “This is truly a special occasion for us in the U.S. government as we are reopening our presence in Nuuk for the first time since 1953. …We are back with a committed diplomatic presence that serves to strengthen ties with all of Greenland’s communities.” At noon, Sung hoisted the Ameri- can flag once more in Greenland, and cabled out that we had begun official operations. While the flag has frozen to the pole a few times since then, we are proud to have it flying again as a testament to the deepening U.S. relationship with Greenland, and the entire Kingdom of Denmark. n EAVANCULLY A view of Nuuk in October 2020. HILLARYLEBAIL