The Defence Force may order New Zealand service men and women to answer a questionnaire on possible exposure to depleted uranium munitions, according to Brigadier Clive Lilley.

The investigation follows claims that cancer among former NATO personnel is linked to weapons using depleted uranium shells - claims which NATO denies.

Brigadier Lilley, the Defence Force's assistant chief of operations, says questionnaires went to over 1,500 New Zealand personnel who served in the Balkans conflict and the Gulf War, but only about 20% have answered.

He says that unless more respond, he may recommend that answering the questionnaire be mandatory, so people cannot complain in the future that they missed out.

He says responses so far indicate some troops may have been in the vicinity of depleted uranium weapons and these people will be interviewed further to determine whether or not they actually came into contact with the substance.

Those deemed to be at risk will be medically screened.

Depleted uranium is extremely heavy, and is used to increase penetration of armour-piecing shells.

Published on Feb 20, 2001
ONE NEWS sourced from TVNZ, RNZ, Reuters and RELATED LINKS

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