Dear Colleagues.

We are writing to advise you of the forthcoming Conference in Athens to which you may wish to send observers/participants. We realise that the notice given is fairly short but we would wholeheartedly wish for your participation.

We append below a copy of  the draft letter regarding the conference and a preliminary programme for the event.

Hoping to see you in Athens,
Yours fraternally,
Dave Lofthouse
Mission Unit - MDM - Greece

Dear Sir and/or Madam,

MEDECINS DU MONDE-GREECE is a Greek medical humanitarian non-governmental, non-profit Organisation, whose aim is to provide assistance to vulnerable populations regardless of their religion, ethnic identity or race, to victims of natural disasters, war and/or famine and to refugees forced to expatriation.

MEDECINS DU MONDE-GREECE has been present both in Kosovo and in Serbia since the beginning of the crisis in Spring 1999, providing assistance to all the populations in need. M?DECINS DU MONDE-GREECE bore constant witness to the unrestricted and indiscriminate use of modern weapons systems deployed in contradiction to the stated humanitarian goals of the NATO mission.

The results are now unfolding which reveal the true extent of the ecological and environmental damage throughout the Balkan Peninsula. Countless signs and symptoms of disease are now being identified not only amongst the civilian inhabitants but also among the thousands of European troops, serving under the impression that they were defending humanity and justice.

>From the waters of the Danube to the petrochemical factories of Pancevo and the waste dumps which the Adriatic and Aegean became, from the mines of Mitrovica to the wreckage of Bosnia and Kosovo, the Balkans have become a stage for a major environmental catastrophe.

In the face of the disinformation of the military, the confusion of the common citizen and the demagoguery of the decision-makers, MEDECINS DU MONDE-GREECE in its non-governmental and independent capacity, can be seen as an appropriate agency to organise and disseminate reliable, factual scientific information in a calm manner and help in the search for a sustainable position and practical positive action on the issues.

Consequently, M?DECINS DU MONDE-GREECE believes it is time for a major initiative to act upon this subject. We are therefore organising a conference in Athens on the 26th January 2001 upon these issues. We are inviting scientists, environmentalists, epidemiologists, nuclear physicists and doctors of public health, oncologists and geneticists, health officials from the affected regions together with representatives of KFOR. We are confident that this conference will be a first step towards providing a transparent factual dialogue which can lead to a responsible and logical response to the environmental problem for the security and health of the population in this suffering region.

We therefore take the opportunity to cordially invite you to take part in the proceedings at the Zappeion, in Athens on 26th of January 2001. The preliminary programme is appended. Proceedings will be in Greek and English with translators available for other languages. All travel and accommodation expenses for speakers will be arranged/paid for by MEDECINS DU MONDE-GREECE. Your notice that you will attend or participate as a speaker would be appreciated as soon as possible in order for us to complete our arrangements in good time. You may notify us by telephone (003 01 64 40 300), fax (003 01 64 40 310) or by e-mail (<missions@mdmgreece.gr) by 15th January at the latest.  Please make any communication for the attention of Ms Jennie Saint-Sulpice or Dave Lofthouse.

We wholeheartedly look forward to your reply and hope that we shall see you in Athens on 26th January.

Sincerely yours,

Th. Rosenberg MD
Surgeon
Assistant Professor at the University of Athens
President of Medecins du Monde-Greece

09.00 Introduction and Welcoming remarks.

09.30  Consequences of the Destruction of Industrial and Power Installations in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia.
- Chemical environmental releases
- Pollution of water resources
- Impact on the food chain.
- Short- and long-term human health consequences.

10.30 Disposal of Military Waste in the Post War period.
- The Management of Military Waste in the Urban and Rural Ecosystem.
- The Adriatic Dumping Ground of Depleted Uranium Waste.

11.30 Use of Anti-Personnel Mine and Cluster Bombs in Kosovo and Bosnia
12.30 Post-Conflict Epidemiological Surveillance of the Vulnerable Population.
- Mother and Child
- Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons.
- Military Personnel.

LUNCH BREAK

15.30 Technical background – Properties of Depleted Uranium Munitions
16.30 Effects of Depleted Uranium Use in the Natural Environment.
17.30 Effects of Depleted Uranium Use on Human Health
- Effects on the genetic make-up
- Carcinogenesis
- Clinical Syndromes: Gulf War Syndrome and Balkan Syndrome – Common Pathogenesis

18.30 Identification, Screening and Protection of the Vulnerable Civilian and Military Population – Recent Data.
19.00 Modern Weapons Systems and International Law

RECOMMENDATIONS – CLOSING STATEMENTS
PRESS CONFERENCE