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NATO Devises Uranium Action Plan
NATO Devises Uranium Action Plan
BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) - NATO announced Wednesday that it will set up
a group to exchange information on possible health risks from
depleted uranium munitions because of public concern that they may
lead to cancer and other illnesses.
NATO Secretary-General Lord Robertson told reporters there is no
scientific evidence that exposure to armor-piercing munitions
containing depleted uranium poses a significant health risk.
Nevertheless, he said NATO has set up an action plan because of
European countries' fears about health risks to soldiers assigned to
the Balkans, where depleted uranium munitions were used in combat.
Robertson said the plan calls for full NATO cooperation with any
investigations on depleted uranium's risks. It also includes
consultation with countries that contribute peacekeepers to Bosnia
and Kosovo and creation of a clearinghouse to exchange information on
depleted uranium.
Depleted uranium, a slightly radioactive heavy metal, is used in anti-
armor munitions because of its high penetrating power. U.S. forces
fired weapons containing depleted uranium in Bosnia in 1994 and 1995,
and in 1999, NATO fired such weapons during its bombing of
Yugoslavia.
Numerous studies into the effects of depleted uranium have not
revealed any connection between the metal and cancer. But concerns
among European nations have intensified since Italy began studying
the illnesses of 30 soldiers, seven of whom died of cancer, including
five cases of leukemia.
In France, four soldiers are being treated for leukemia. Several
European countries have begun screening soldiers who served as
peacekeepers in the Balkans. Many civilian aid agencies are doing the
same.
On Wednesday, Portuguese Science Minister Mariano Gago said
Portuguese scientific experts have found no dangerous levels of
radiation during tests in Kosovo over the past four days. Gago told
Portuguese state radio RDP that readings taken around the central
Kosovo town of Klina, where Portuguese peacekeepers are stationed,
showed normal levels of background radiation.
``The possibility of generalized contamination in the area is
therefore out of the question,'' Gago said.
One Portuguese peacekeeper has been diagnosed with cancer since
returning from Kosovo.
In Berlin, Defense Minister Rudolf Scharping also insisted there is
no evidence to support growing concern that weapons containing
depleted uranium pose a health risk.
``The results of the tests on (German) soldiers deployed in Kosovo,
and on soldiers never deployed there, show no differences,''
Scharping said.
But he said Germany still wants a moratorium while more research is
carried out. NATO turned down a request by Italy and Germany for such
a moratorium Tuesday.
Asked why NATO refused to consider a moratorium, Robertson said that
since there are currently no hostilities in Europe, the weapons are
not being used anyway.
``What we have to do is act on the basis of our analysis of the
facts,'' he said. ``I would not agree to the use of the munitions if
I believed there were a hazard.''
One risk that NATO itself has acknowledged is the possibility of
contamination from breathing dust from an exploded depleted uranium
shell. But even then, Robertson said, one would have to be inside a
destroyed vehicle to be affected.
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Sandy Perle Tel:(714) 545-0100 / (800) 548-5100
Director, Technical Extension 2306
ICN Worldwide Dosimetry Service Fax:(714) 668-3149
ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc. E-Mail: sandyfl@earthlink.net
ICN Plaza, 3300 Hyland Avenue E-Mail: sperle@icnpharm.com
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Personal Website: http://sandyfl.nukeworker.net
ICN Worldwide Dosimetry Website: http://www.dosimetry.com
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