DEPLETED URANIUM: CONCERN IN AUSTRALIA

Australian Veterans Affairs Minister Bruce Scott announced today a plan to provide health tests and counselling to all Australian military personnel previously stationed in the Balkans. "I am advised that 216 Australian Defence Force personnel have served in the Balkans for periods of 30 days or more, since 1993, in areas including Bosnia Herzegovina, Macedonia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia," Mr Scott said. While Australia was not a participant in the hostilities, Australian soldiers were attached to British and American military units. NATO forces used about 9 tonnes of depleted uranium during the 1999 Kosovo campaign. Additional 3 tonnes were used in 1994-1995 in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Australian health concerns follow reported deaths of Italian and Belgian veterans and a widespread public criticism of depleted uranium weapons in NATO countries.

Henry L. Marconi Pravda.Ru Sydney, Australia