Subj:    Depleted Uranium
Date:   11-01-01 13:34:35 GMT
From:   gkinnock@europe-wales.new.labour.org.uk (Glenys Kinnock MEP)
To: dennis092@aol.com

Dear Mr Flaherty
Please find enclosed a press release I have just completed concerning Depleted Uranium.

Yours sincerely

Glenys Kinnock MEP


11 January 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Labour Euro-MP calls for EU Inquiry on depleted uranium

Glenys Kinnock, Welsh Euro MP, yesterday called on the EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, to head up an EU inquiry into the Balkan Syndrome and the effects of depleted uranium on soldiers who served in the Balkans and the Gulf War saying, "Troops from right across Europe served in both Kosovo and Bosnia. This is a Europe wide problem which requires a European solution."

"We have mounting reports from Italy, France, Belgium and Portugal of troops who served in Kosovo and Bosnia being diagnosed with cancer. Some EU Member States have launched investigations, others have not. And the UK Government has already questioned the standards used in certain tests for levels of uranium."

"This piecemeal approach fuels public concern about depleted uranium without providing the solid evidence need to make decisions about its future use in Europe."

"The dispute also affects the viability of the new EU rapid reaction force. How can the EU rapid reaction force proceed if Member States differ on basic issues like the use of depleted uranium tipped missiles?"

She added,

"I have received a number of letters on this issue and concern across Europe is mounting, we must have a full EU inquiry to assess the new evidence on health effects of depleted uranium."

"Today a Parliamentary resolution has been tabled calling for Javier Solana to head up a full EU inquiry into the health effects of depleted uranium. I am confident that the European Parliament will endorse this in Strasbourg next week.

-ENDS-

Sarah Grove
Political Researcher
Labour European Office