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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Greenland votes for more autonomy | Greenland votes for more autonomy |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The people of Greenland have voted decisively in favour of a plan to give it greater autonomy from Denmark. | The people of Greenland have voted decisively in favour of a plan to give it greater autonomy from Denmark. |
| Officials said just over 75% of voters had supported the plan, which would see Greenland take a greater share of its annual oil revenues. | Officials said just over 75% of voters had supported the plan, which would see Greenland take a greater share of its annual oil revenues. |
| It will also take control of police, courts and coast guard, and have some say in foreign policy. | |
| Correspondents say the vote could be a major step towards independence for the Arctic island of 57,000 people. | Correspondents say the vote could be a major step towards independence for the Arctic island of 57,000 people. |
| Hans Enoksen, the head of the local government in the Danish self-governing territory, thanked Greenlanders for "this overwhelming result". | Hans Enoksen, the head of the local government in the Danish self-governing territory, thanked Greenlanders for "this overwhelming result". |
| "The tears are running down my cheeks," said an emotional Mr Enoksen. | |
| Final results showed that 75.54% voted in favour, while 23.57% said no - in line with predictions before the vote. Turnout was 71.96%. | Final results showed that 75.54% voted in favour, while 23.57% said no - in line with predictions before the vote. Turnout was 71.96%. |
| Regaining rights | Regaining rights |
| About 50,000 of the population are native Inuit. | About 50,000 of the population are native Inuit. |
| Greenland gained self-rule in 1979, after previously being a colony and then a province of Denmark. | Greenland gained self-rule in 1979, after previously being a colony and then a province of Denmark. |
| "It was time for us for to regain our rights and freedoms that were stolen from our ancestors," David Brandt, a former fisherman, told the AFP news agency. | "It was time for us for to regain our rights and freedoms that were stolen from our ancestors," David Brandt, a former fisherman, told the AFP news agency. |
| Under the new arrangement, due to take effect in June next year, the island will take a greater share of its annual oil revenue, and Greenlanders will be treated as a separate people under international law. | Under the new arrangement, due to take effect in June next year, the island will take a greater share of its annual oil revenue, and Greenlanders will be treated as a separate people under international law. |
| If the proposals are enacted, Kalaallisut would become the official language, instead of Danish. | If the proposals are enacted, Kalaallisut would become the official language, instead of Danish. |
| The plan would also see Greenland becoming less reliant on subsidies from Copenhagen. Currently these provide 30% of its GDP. | The plan would also see Greenland becoming less reliant on subsidies from Copenhagen. Currently these provide 30% of its GDP. |
| In 1985, the island left the European Union to avoid subjecting its fishing grounds to EU rules. | In 1985, the island left the European Union to avoid subjecting its fishing grounds to EU rules. |