BUDAPEST, Jan 5, 2001 -- (Agence France Presse) A Hungarian soldier who served in Bosnia in 1999 died of leukemia, his widow said Friday as authorities denied that Hungarians could have been exposed to radiation from depleted uranium munitions in the Balkans.

Istvan Koermendi served in the Bosnian town Okucani for two months in 1999 but was transferred home "in very bad shape" after losing 30 kilograms, and died soon after of leukemia aged 39, his widow told the daily Magyar Hirlap.

"He was sound as a bell when he went to Bosnia," the newspaper quoted the widow as saying.

But authorities swept away claims that his illness was linked to his tour of duty in Bosnia.

"We have no knowledge about leukemia or cancer among the Hungarian peacekeepers," said chief health official of the Hungarian army Brigadier General Laszlo Sved said.

"Hungarians who have served in SFOR or KFOR units have been stationed at places outside the sphere of the bombings and their work never exposed them for long to potentially harmful radiation," he said.

The widow has since been seeking damages from the defense ministry but her claim has been turned down, she said.

Defense Minister Janos Szabo told Magyar Hirlap that the government had not received any claim from the widow.

"Currently there is no reason for Hungary to test its soldiers serving in the Balkans for this illness. But if any circumstance that gives a reason occurs, we shall do it without delay because human life is the most precious thing for us," the newspaper quoted him as saying.

Hungary, a NATO member since March 1999, has sent about 400 soldiers to the Balkans after a NATO air campaign against Belgrade in 1999.

((c) 2001 Agence France Presse)