In 1973, Canada and Denmark drew a border down the inhospitable Nares Strait halfway between Greenland, a semiautonomous Danish territory, and Canada's Ellesmere Island. But the countries decided that sovereignty over Hans Island, roughly 1,100 km south of the North Pole, would be determined later.

The ship's journey follows a July 20 surprise visit to the island by Canadian Defense Minister Bill Graham that resulted in Danish protests.

"If we manage to reach the island, we will hoist a new Danish flag. We're trying to change the flags as often as possible because they are quickly torn apart by the strong winds," said a navy spokesman.

The Danish navy patrols Greenland's roughly 40,000-km coastline, equal to the length of the equator. Because of the thick ice around it, they have only been able to visit the disputed island three times since 1988.

The Japan Times: Aug. 13, 2005
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