Originally Posted by
kcockayne
Well, it seems that this controversy is all down to a difference in what the meaning & understanding of "clear to land" actually is in two different ATC cultures.
Not meaning to mince words, but "cleared to land" or "clear to land" means
that landing clearance has been granted. It is simpler than to say "you have permission to land" which is also what it means, and also that as of the time of clearance being granted, the landing can be expected to be made safely. The ATC will not issue the clearance if there is reason to believe that the landing area/runway is not safe to land on.
In between the time that clearance is granted, and the wheels touch down, any number of things may arise (vehicle on runway, plane makes mistake and taxis on runway, something else) which may render a landing unsafe. Whomever first notices this needs to take action and communicate such, at which time landing clearance (permission) can be revoked, and a go around executed/called for.
(In summary, peekay4 said about the same thing differently, but since it seems to you confusing, maybe having it put another way helps).