Norwegian military personnel who have served overseas since 1990 will be offered comprehensive physicals, especially those who served in Kosovo. Fears of uranium contamination spurred the check-ups.

Several soldiers serving with NATO forces in Kosovo have reported serious health problems since leaving the Balkans. The Italian military has seen a rise in leukemia cases, and some soldiers have died.

Norwegian soldiers have participated in NATO operations in Kosovo, where the alleged use of depleted uranium (DU) shells has raised fears of contamination.

The issue has been raging in Europe for weeks now, with allegations that NATO, the US and Britain put a lid on information about health risks tied to the DU shells.

A military spokesman told radio station P4 on Monday that Norway's defense ministry will launch comprehensive health screenings of all personnel who have served overseas.

"We register that there has been and is serious concern among those who have been overseas and among their families," said defense ministry spokesman Kjell Grandhagen.

Aftenposten Interactive English Desk
Nina Berglund