WRITTEN QUESTION E-0186/01

by Lousewies van der Laan (ELDR) to the Council

(5 February 2001)

Subject: Exchange of information concerning health hazards to military personnel

It is well known that concern is felt throughout Europe about the possible hazard posed by the toxicity of the depleted uranium in munitions used by NATO soldiers.

The University of Witten-Herdecke in Germany has studied the health of radar technicians in the German army who worked with the Hawk and Patriot missile defence systems. Of the 99 former radar technicians examined, 69 have contracted cancer. 24 of them have now died. This was reported by the German television station ZDF on 13 January 2001.

1. Is the Council aware of the latter report?

2. Does the Council agree that concern about the health of employees in Europe's armies could damage the common security policy?

3. If so, does the Council agree that information about the health of European military personnel is covered by Article 16 of the Treaty and that all information concerning this and other matters should be shared by the Member States as soon as it becomes available?

4. Is the available information concerning the possible damaging effects of the Hawk and Patriot missile defence systems currently being shared by the Member States whose military personnel work with these systems? How is this information exchange coordinated?

5. Will the Council keep the European Parliament informed about the above and any related matters, pursuant to Article 21 of the Treaty?

Reply

(31 May 2001)

The report referred to in the Honourable Member's question has never been submitted to the attention of the Council. Therefore its content has not been discussed.

The health of national troops that Member States may commit to EU-led crisis management operations will certainly be a concern in the Council when deliberating on crisis management. During its discussions on the occasion of its 22 January 2001 meeting, the Council acknowledged the great concern of the public opinion and expressed their commitment to seek full clarity on the issue of depleted uranium, calling, in line with article 16 of the Treaty for full transparency and open exchange of information between the authorities of the Member States, as well as with other organisations investigating this matter.

There was general agreement however that in the first instance it was for NATO, as the institution organising crisis management in Balkans, to assemble the information from participants on the use of depleted uranium, on the locations of troops and on medical data.

The Council also noted that several bodies (UNEP, WHO, NATO, the committee set up by the Commission) were examining this issue. Conclusions of the report from the Expert Group of article 31 of Euratom Treaty, were issued on 6th March 2001. Other reports are expected to be published shortly. Once these reports are available, the Council has agreed to re-examine this issue in order to assess whether any specific initiative or measures at EU level are warranted.

In accordance with Article 21 of the Treaty, the European Parliament is regularly kept informed of the development of the Union's foreign and security policy. It will certainly be informed of the findings of these inquiries and the possible follow-up.