Herceg Novi, 20 February: Prof Perko Vukotic, author of a project to decontaminate the area of Cape Arza, at the mouth of the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro , which was contaminated during the NATO air strikes in the spring of 1999, as well as civilian and military experts engaged in this work, have proposed that the depleted uranium and contaminated material gathered be sent back to those who dropped it on the area.

The reasoning is that those who delivered the depleted uranium should also assume responsibility for its permanent disposal.

The team of experts working on the decontamination has, meanwhile, realized that the area is considerably more contaminated that initial surveys showed. Since the beginning of February, when work began, 26 uranium penetrators and five fragments of penetrators have been found. It is thus reasonable to assume that more will be found as the work, which is to last until 15 April, progresses.

Ten kilogrammes of depleted uranium have been gathered and stored in a special container. The contaminated soil has been placed in temporary storage. A decision will be made what to do with it after more analysis.