UN in Kosovo takes steps to thwart possible ill effects of depleted uranium
http://www.un.org/peace/kosovo/news/kosovo2.htm

11 JANUARY - As the lead organization dealing with all public health aspects relating to depleted uranium in Kosovo, the United Nations has taken several measures to protect the civilian population against any possible ill effects from the ammunition used by NATO during the 1999 air strikes, the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) said today.

UNMIK has begun posting signs at the sites that are known to have been targeted by shells containing depleted uranium, and is working together with the KFOR international security force to identify all possible locations.

The posted signs are captioned: "Caution -- Area May Contain Residual Heavy Metal Toxicity -- Entry Not Advised," according to an UNMIK statement released today in Pristina.

On UNMIK's request, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) is sending toxicology and radiation specialists to Kosovo to assess the possible consequences of depleted uranium exposure. The health agency is also helping to set up a voluntary testing program for Kosovars at Pristina Hospital and to establish ties with all national and international bodies that have direct interest in the depleted uranium issue.

In another move, the head of UNMIK, Dr. Bernard Kouchner, has initiated a search for organizations that could assist in formulating longer-term initiatives regarding depleted uranium. A public information campaign about depleted uranium is also being developed to alert all residents and visitors of Kosovo about possible risks.

Meanwhile in Geneva, the Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, Klaus Toepfer, unveiled today the full details of the map he received from NATO which shows the 112 sites where depleted uranium weapons were used.  At a joint press conference with Pekka Haavisto, the chair of the UNEP Balkans task force, Mr. Toepfer also gave the exact location of the 11 sites that had been visited by atask force mission.

The UN officials stressed the importance of taking precautionary measures at these sites. "At places where contamination has been confirmed, measures should be taken to prevent access," Mr. Toepfer said. "The local authorities and people concerned should be informed of the possible risks and precautionary measures."

 The need for caution was also emphasized by the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohamed ElBaradei. In a statement issued today at the UN agency's Headquarters in Vienna, Mr. ElBaradei said that before an authoritative conclusion could be reached it was essential to carefully assess the impact of the substance in the special circumstances in which had been used, and to carry out a detailed survey of the affected territory and people.

 "In the meantime, it would be prudent, as recommended by the leader of the November UNEP mission, to adopt precautionary measures," he said. "Depending on the results of the survey further measures may be necessary."