U.N. calls for thorough probe

UNITED NATIONS, JAN. 12. The United Nations administration in Kosovo and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have called for through investigations into the effects of depleted uranium weapons used in the Balkans as several European Governments began mass screening of their troops who had served in peace-keeping operations there.

BBC reported that out of 16 veterans tested in Canada, nine were found to have depleted uranium in their bodies, a finding that is likely to further fuel the concern in Europe. It quoted researchers in Canada as saying that the British tests had not been thorough.

Mr. Shaun Rusling of the United Kingdom's Gulf War Veterans' Association said some of those who believe that their illnesses are due to depleted uranium but have no faith in the Ministry of Defence, have sent samples for testing to Canada. ``We felt that we wanted the tests to be independent of this country (Britain) because many of the laboratories in this country that have the ability to do are influenced by grants which come from the state,'' he said. In Vienna, the Director-General of IAEA, Mr. Mohammad El Baradei, called for a detailed survey of the territory in which depleted uranium weapons were used and of people who came into contact, to reach an ``authoritative conclusion.'' The head of the U.N. Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), Mr. Bernard Kouchner, has initiated search for organisations which could assist in formulating longer-term initiative regarding depleted uranium. A public campaign is also being launched to warn residents and visitors about possible risks.

The IAEA said depleted uranium is only slightly radioactive, being 40 per cent as radioactive as natural uranium. Chemically and physically, it behaves in the same way as natural uranium.

Till the final conclusions are reached, it would be prudent to adopt precautionary measures and depending on the results of the survey, further measures might be necessary, said the IAEA which has the statutory responsibilities. Depleted uranium weapons were used by U.S. planes in Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Balkan crisis following the break-up of Yugoslavia.

The U.N. administration in Kosovo is posting warning signs in the areas which were hit by such weapons.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation is sending a team of toxicologists and radiation specialists to Kosovo to assess the possible consequences of the use of depleted uranium weapons.

In Geneva, the Executive Director of the U.N. Environment Programme, Mr. Klaus Toepfer, provided full details of the map he received from NATO which shows 112 sites where such weapons were used.

In Britain, the Defence Secretary, Mr. Geoff Hoon, said he would consider demands for independent screening of British veterans who fear that contact with depleted uranium weapons has made them ill.

The British Ministry of Defence has said it would offer testing to veterans of the Balkans but Mr. Hoon went a step further, hinting that it may go even further and offer screening independent of the Ministry.

- PTI

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Section  : International
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