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The "Balkan Syndrome"
by JoMarie Fecci
Amid rising concerns that depleted uranium
ammunition used by US forces during the Balkan conflicts may have
made French and other NATO soldiers ill, European governments began
looking for some serious answers.
The growing number of cancer and leukemia
cases among veterans of missions in the former-Yugoslavia is being
labeled the "Balkan Syndrome." And emotions are running
high as many Europeans, distrustful of military authorities who
claim that there is no danger in these munitions, want to stop the
use of depleted uranium ammunition altogether.
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The United States insists that the munitions
pose no health threat. But their reassurances didn't calm jittery
Europeans, and the 15-nation European Union announced an informal
inquiry on 4 January. The Europeans began examining possible links
between exposure to depleted uranium and the illnesses of soldiers
who served in the former-Yugoslavia.
According to the French daily, Liberation,
at least 18 European veterans of missions in Bosnia or Kosovo have
died due to cancers allegedly linked to the "Balkan Syndrome."
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In France, six Balkan vets have contracted
cancer. However, the French government has said publicly, on 15
January, that it doubts that exposure to armor-piercing ammunition
containing depleted uranium triggered their illnesses.
The Defense Ministry in Paris said tests
on five of the soldiers who now have cancer did not reveal any traces
of depleted uranium. The French findings mirrored research
from Germany.
NATO officials announced, on 16 January,
that its initial study of soldiers' health records showed no connection
between depleted uranium munitions and cancer among Balkans veterans
compared to other soldiers.
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Manufactured in...
Depleted uranium ammunition
is not only manufactured in the USA -- the UK, Russia and
France, among others, also make shells using this controversial
material.
In France, the depleted
uranium shells are only made for use by the armored forces.
Manufactured by Giat-Industries, the 105mm shell is for use
by the AMX-B2 tank, and a 120mm round designed for the Leclerc
is currently in production.
The French defense ministry
says it's army has never used these shells thus far.
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However, several European countries have
introduced special screening programs for Balkan veterans. French
Surgeon General, Dr. Jean-Yves Tréguier, announced that soldiers
who fear they may be effected can now undergo special testing to
determine if the body is carrying any radioactive isotopes.
And Italy and Germany have called for a
moratorium on use of depleted uranium weapons until health experts
can study possible risks, but NATO rejected that recommendation.
Understanding the Issue:
The Weapons
The Health Risks
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