NATO and EU discuss weapons fears

A Portuguese soldier measures radiation levels in western Kosovo

STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- Top NATO and European Union (EU) officials are holding separate talks over depleted uranium weapons fears.

NATO's political committee and the EU's political and security committee are both convening on Tuesday to begin addressing European concerns that the ammunition used in the Balkans has caused cancer among peacekeepers.

Renewed concern over so-called "Balkans Syndrome" arose in December after Italy announced an investigation into 30 soldiers who have fallen ill since serving with NATO. Twelve have cancer and five have died of leukaemia.

United States forces serving with NATO used the tank-piercing arms in the Bosnia and Kosovo missions and the U.S. denies any scientific evidence of a link between the uranium-tipped bullets and illness.

REFERENCE Balkans Syndrome   •  Uranium facts   •  Search for truth   •  Depleted uranium effects   •  Q&A: NATO fears   •  Cause for doubt   •  Cancer, leukaemia reports   •  What they say   •  In-depth: Kosovo   •  News search     AUDIO Albright: "No proof, no connection." 320K/30 sec. AIFF or WAV sound Pekka Haavisto, UN Environment Programme spokesman, says even low levels of uranium unacceptable 340K/32 sec. AIFF or WAV sound UN investigation took one year for approval 330K/30 sec. AIFF or WAV sound The UN Environment Programme described 300K/28 sec. AIFF or WAV sound Bruce George, defence expert and British MP, explains the consequences of not using uranium weapons 400K/37 sec. AIFF or WAV sound The threat of litigation 400K/37 sec. AIFF or WAV sound

"There is absolutely no proof that there is a connection," U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said on Monday.

Scientists remain divided on the issue and a chorus of European leaders have called for a thorough investigation.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Monday called on NATO to release all available information on the use and effects of depleted uranium ammunition.

"We want frank information about where the ammunition was used and with what consequences," Schroeder said in Germany, where he was meeting Swedish Prime Minister Goeran Persson.

Despite agreeing with NATO that there is no risk, Britain is reportedly set to announce medical tests on its Balkan veterans after initially indicating there was no need.

The Guardian newspaper reported on Tuesday that the Ministry of Defence will implement a testing programme for tens of thousands of NATO peacekeepers.

Portugal began health tests on Monday on about 10,000 military and civilian personnel who have served in the Balkans since 1996.

One Portuguese soldier has been diagnosed with cancer since returning from Kosovo.

In Greece the military said on Monday that it would withdraw depleted uranium ammunition from active use but was not yet pulling peacekeepers out of Kosovo.

One Greek soldier who served in Bosnia is suffering from leukaemia.

Experts will be testing the soil and air around the Greek base in Urosevac, in southern Kosovo, and Greece's 1,500 army personnel will be withdrawn if they uncover a health risk, Defence Minister Akis Tsochadzopoulos said.

All Norwegian soldiers who have served abroad since 1990 -- about 20,000 troops -- will also be offered health checks, Norway's supreme defence command said on Monday.

Last week, two former officers said they developed cancer after serving in Bosnia.

Elsewhere on Monday, Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said his government would ask NATO whether unused bombs its planes dumped into the Adriatic during the 1999 bombing campaign contained depleted uranium.

In a preliminary report released last week, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) found higher radiation levels around eight areas targeted by NATO in Kosovo.

The UNEP results were from 11 sites identified by NATO as having been hit with depleted uranium arms.

All up, 112 sites are being tested by UNEP and final results from its study are expected in March.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

UK urged to probe 'Balkans syndrome'
January 7, 2001
Conflicting research on radiation in Kosovo
January 6, 2001
NATO urged to probe 'Balkans sickness'
January 5, 2001
NATO arms illness claims denied
January 4, 2001
Peacekeepers' deaths linked to 'Balkans syndrome'
December 30, 2000

NATO
Gulf War Illnesses
United Nations Environment Programme
The Pentagon: The United States Department of Defense

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