MOSCOW, Jan 12, 2001 -- (Agence France Presse) Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev proposed Friday an international conference on the effects of depleted uranium munitions, adding that debate on their use was just beginning.

"We shall propose to the president of Russia that he convene an international conference of specialists under the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the UN so that experts can objectively determine the consequences of using depleted uranium munitions for human life," said Sergeyev.

Fears over the side-effects of depleted uranium munitions emerged following the deaths of some 16 NATO peacekeepers from illnesses such as leukemia after they served in either Bosnia or Kosovo.

The United States has said its aircraft fired 31,000 depleted uranium rounds during the 1999 Kosovo campaign and that another 10,800 rounds were fired during 1994/5 in Bosnia, where many of those afflicted were stationed.

But Washington has repeatedly said that there is no scientific evidence linking the ill health to the use of the munitions, with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright suggesting that political agendas were behind the claims.

Debate on the use of the munitions "is just starting", Sergeyev said in an apparent rebuttal to U.S. efforts to lay the matter to rest.

"The use of these munitions during the Gulf War has even greater consequences," Sergeyev said.

Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov on Monday called for an independent inquiry on the use of depleted uranium shells in Kosovo and the defense ministry said a group of experts will travel to Kosovo to examine sites that were hit. ((c) 2001 Agence France Presse)