[CPEO-MEF] DU Analysis by the Defence Editor of The Times

[mervtano@iiirm.org]

Depleted uranium: analysis by Michael Evans

BY MICHAEL EVANS, DEFENCE EDITOR

Britain remained firmly of the view today that, despite the alarm
expressed by Italy, Spain, Turkey and Finland, the firing of depleted
uranium shells by American aircraft during Nato’s bombing campaign against
the Serbs in Kosovo in 1999 posed no health risk for British peacekeepers.

Unlike Italy which is investigating the death of several Balkans veterans
from leukaemia, there have been no reported cases of cancer-related
illnesses suffered by British soldiers who have served in either Kosovo or
the earlier Bosnia conflict.

The Ministry of Defence’s experience has been confined to the 1991 Gulf
War which did lead to mystery illnesses among about 5,000 veterans, some of
whom have blamed the use of depleted uranium weapons. Depleted uranium is a
by-product of the process for converting natural uranium into the enriched
form used in nuclear weapons and reactors.

For the rest of the story see:
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,3-61816,00.html



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