Letter

Depleted uranium: a reply by the World Health Organisation

The article headlined "Deafening Silence on Depleted Uranium" by Robert James Parsons is misleading and often inaccurate. WHO has certainly not "cast a veil of silence over the chemical and radiological hazards of depleted uranium." On the contrary, WHO is concerned to know whether diseases in potentially exposed populations have increased. In search of answers, WHO has undertaken a number of activities-publications, meetings and missions to affected countries-the results of which are reported to the press and public regularly and transparently.

The WHO Fact Sheet on Depleted Uranium (http://www.who.int/inf-fs/en/fact257.html) is consistent with all major reviews recently conducted on possible health effects of exposure to depleted uranium (DU). From the beginning, the scientific review process undertaken to produce the forthcoming WHO monograph on DU addressed both the chemical and radiological toxicities of DU.

In April WHO held a joint meeting with Iraqi experts to discuss how to proceed with a field investigation. A WHO fact-finding mission on DU and health in Kosovo took place in January; its report is available at http://www.who.it/docs/durptmar01.pdf

The radiation protection norms used by WHO are solidly rooted in science, i.e. about fifty years of epidemiological and biological studies of the effects of ionizing radiation published by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (2000), the United States National Academy of Sciences Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation VI Committee (1999) and by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (2000).

The 1959 Agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is a standard United Nations inter-agency agreement and does not affect the impartial and independent exercise by WHO of its statutory responsibilities, nor does it place WHO in a situation of subordination to IAEA. More information on the WHO-IAEA Agreement is available at:
http://www.who.int/inf-pr-2001/en/state2001-05.html

Sincerely yours,

Gregory Hartl

Spokesperson, World Health Organization.

Statement WHO/05
23 February 2001

INTERPRETATION OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION'S AGREEMENT WITH THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been questioned by several journalists and others on its relationship with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). There was concern that WHO cannot act independently on matters related to exposure to radioactive substances and human health because it is bound by the 1959 Agreement between the two agencies. Such concern is unfounded.

The 1959 Agreement between WHO and IAEA does not affect the impartial and independent exercise by WHO of its statutory responsibilities, nor does it place WHO in a situation of subordination to IAEA. This has been amply demonstrated in the past, with one such example being the WHO recommendations on iodine prophylaxis in the case of nuclear accidents, which were published recently in hard copy and which may be consulted on the WHO web site.

The Agreement between WHO and IAEA follows the model of agreements concluded between WHO and the United Nations or other international organizations. Such agreements establish a general framework to enable the organizations concerned to shape and develop their cooperation according to their programmes and priorities, and do not contain detailed obligations. It is customary, for example, for organizations to agree to consult on matters of joint interest or on which either party may have a substantial interest. However, as Article 1 of the WHO-IAEA Agreement makes clear, such commitment does not in any way imply a submission of one organization to the authority of the other so as to affect their independence and responsibilities under their respective constitutional mandates.

The confidentiality clause appearing in Article III is contained in agreements concluded by WHO with other international organizations. It represents a normal safeguard against disclosure of information that the organizations concerned, WHO included, are legally obliged to protect in the course of their operations. In the case of information held by WHO, such a clause is relevant, for example, for the protection of clinical and other similar data on individuals.

WHO is in the process of developing a comprehensive Global Programme on Radiation with a clear strategy and priorities to safeguard public health concerns in the use of nuclear techniques. As in the past, WHO environmental health experts will continue the scientific collaboration with radiation and health experts at IAEA. This entails not only nuclear safety issues and assistance in radiation emergencies, but also the application of radiological techniques in medical practice.

As regards depleted uranium, WHO is currently finalizing a generic assessment of any possible health risks posed by exposure to depleted uranium. As requested by the January 2001 session of the WHO Executive Board, the WHO Secretariat will report its findings and recommendations related to depleted uranium to all its Member States at the next World Health Assembly which takes place in mid-May. In addition, WHO has undertaken field missions to Kosovo and Iraq to investigate the health situation and to provide the needed professional advice to the respective health authorities. These activities of the Organization are in no way hampered by the WHO/IAEA agreement.

For further information, journalists can contact Melinda Henry, Public Information Officer, WHO, Geneva. Telephone: (+41 22) 791 2535; Fax: (+41 22) 791 4858; E-mail: henrym@who.int. All WHO Press Releases, Fact Sheets and Features, as well as other information on this subject, can be obtained on Internet on the WHO web site: http://www.who.int The full text of the 1959 Agreement between WHO and IAEA can be found on the WHO web site by clicking on: Information Sources, Basic Documents, Search Infobases, Basic Texts and finally Agreements with Other Intergovernmental Organizations.

(I.E. Go here: WHO-IAEA agreement on WHO site )

To paraphrase my least favorite US president, "There they go again!" WHO, like all these criminal agencies [IAEA,DOE, NRC] with their "blue ribbon panels" & paid liars/"scientists" YET AGAIN attempts to foist their lethal deceptions upon all of us, especially the people of Iraq and the Balkans against whom WHO continues to engage in crimes against humanity.

 Goebbels had a Ministry of Propaganda, the people of Iraq, the Balkans and others concerned with DU have IAEA & WHO.

 >The 1959 Agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency
 > (IAEA) is a standard United Nations inter-agency agreement and does
 > not affect the impartial and independent exercise by WHO of its
 > statutory responsibilities, nor does it place WHO in a situation of
 > subordination to IAEA.

This [above] is another lie. First, the use of the word "standard" implies legitimate, objective, scientific. If this is standard, God help the other victims of the UN. As far as legitimacy & science and the allegation that the 1959 IAEA/WHO agreement does NOT place WHO in a position of subordination this, too is a lie.IAEA calls the shots & WHO goes along for the ride. How stupid/gullible do they think people are?

 WHO should be asked WHY the 1959 agreement dosen't place them in a subordinate position. A simple declaration is factually meaningless.Does anyone from WHO reading this care to respond?

 People need to contact media [see FAIR's site: http://www.fair.org Phone: 212-633-6700 in New York] & lobby, especially the wire services, to not take WHO's lies at face value, to examine the facts and print these facts for their readers. Especially that WHO is inherently an institute with a mandated conflict of interest re their 1959 IAEA agreement. WHO should never be trusted in any nuclear arena until and unless the 1959 agreement is eradicated.

 -Bill Smirnow