WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1512/99 by Alexandros ALAVANOS Report on use of uranium bombs by USA in Yugoslavia
Date: 1999-09-01
Institutions: ALAVANOS, European Parliament
Subjects: United States, Western Balkans, common foreign and security policy, disease prevention, dissemination of information, health aid, polluter pays principle, weapon of mass destruction

29.1.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 27 E/103

(2000/C 27 E/127)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1512/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Report on use of uranium bombs by USA in Yugoslavia

(1 September 1999)

The Regional Environmental Centre for Central and Eastern Europe, whose headquarters are in Budapest,
has drawn up a report for the Commission (cid:129) as yet unpublished (cid:129) on the environmental impact of the
bombing of Yugoslavia. The report notes that each of the special uranium-tipped bombs used by the US
lightning-strike force against Serb armoured vehicles contained 275 grammes of depleted uranium, which
is (cid:145)possibly the most dangerous of the carcinogenic and toxic substances(cid:146) released into the environment in
Yugoslavia. Moreover, (cid:145)many of the substances released can cause deformities and genetic complications,
while others are linked to fatal diseases of the nervous system and liver in humans(cid:146). The most alarming
aspect of the report is its observation that this radioactive substance can become a (cid:145)moving aerosol(cid:146) with a
wider geographical range. The report also notes that US military regulations require personnel to wear
gloves and protective masks when handling this type of material. It is also stressed that the use of depleted
uranium weapons in the Gulf War caused serious illness in American and British veterans and congenital
malformations among the Iraqi population.

Please indicate:

1. Why does the Commission not publish the report of the Regional Environment Centre for Central and

Eastern Europe, which it commissioned itself?

2. Why does it not issue warnings,

information and practical proposals for the protection of the

population in the regions affected by the bombing?

3. Will

it, as a matter of urgency, examine the climatological conditions under which radioactive
pollution can turn into a (cid:145)moving aerosol(cid:146) and will it propose practical measures for the populations
of other regions in the Balkans?

4. Will it call for the (cid:145)polluter-pays(cid:146) principle to be applied, which would mean the USA footing the

entire bill for the clean-up operation?

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 1999)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the reply it gave to his oral question H-429/99
during question time at Parliament(cid:146)s September 1999 part-session (1).

(1) Debates of the Parliament (September 1999).

(2000/C 27 E/128)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1514/99

by Marie-Noºlle Lienemann (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Lifting of the ban on exports of British beef

(1 September 1999)

The Commission has announced that exports of British meat could recommence at
the beginning
of August, but can it guarantee that the meat exported will be accompanied by certificates recognised by
the European Union?

Can the Commission also certify that the cattle traceability system is effective so that all measures can be
taken to give the necessary guarantees for public health, given that mad cow disease has still not been
eradicated in Great Britain and that the number of cases of CJD is increasing in that country?