WRITTEN QUESTION E-0063/01 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission. Cases of leukaemia and tumours among soldiers involved in the Kosovo war.
Date: 2001-01-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Yugoslavia, access to information, cancer, competence of the Member States, military personnel, nuclear weapon

C 261 E/32

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.9.2001

(2001/C 261 E/030)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0038/01

by Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 January 2001)

Subject: Effects on soldiers(cid:146) health of shells tipped with depleted uranium

The deaths from leukaemia and other forms of cancer of soldiers who took part in the Nato bombing of
the former Yugoslavia and the broader consequences for their health have caused widespread indignation
among European public opinion and have dented the credibility of the national governments and the
European institutions.

Does the Commission intend to undertake comprehensive and systematic scientific studies concerning
these consequences and to announce the findings? What other measures does it intend to take to establish
who is responsible and to protect the citizens of Europe from these consequences?

(2001/C 261 E/031)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0062/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(22 January 2001)

Subject: Incidence of leukaemia and tumours in the European Union

There have recently been tragic cases of leukaemia and cancer among soldiers who took part in the peace-
keeping operations in the Balkans (including soldiers from Italy, France, Belgium, Portugal, the United
Kingdom, the Czech Republic and Hungary) and there is a rising incidence of serious diseases such as
leukaemia and various types of tumour and melanoma throughout the Community. The population of
Europe is concerned and afraid that there may be links between the spread of such diseases and the use of
depleted uranium during the conflict.

In view of this, does the Commission intend to ascertain the risk to human health and the environment
posed by the use of depleted uranium munitions?

Is the Commission willing to release the figures in its possession concerning the current number of cases
of cancer and leukaemia in Europe?

Does it intend to set up a committee of inquiry capable of:

(a)

swiftly obtaining scientifically reliable data to throw light on the possible link between the munitions
used and the cases of fatal diseases;

(b)

studying the incidence of serious diseases in the Union during the last three years;

(c) assessing the damage caused to the environment;

(d)

identifying regions whose food products must not be used;

(e) ascertaining the impact on animal farming?

(2001/C 261 E/032)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0063/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(22 January 2001)

Subject: Cases of leukaemia and tumours among soldiers involved in the Kosovo war

There have recently been tragic cases of leukaemia and cancer among a large number of soldiers in the
European armed forces who took part in peacekeeping operations in the Balkans and there has been an
exponential increase in the incidence of such diseases throughout the Community. Concern and fear have
been aroused in the whole of Europe about the possible links between these illnesses and the use of

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depleted uranium in the munitions used during the conflict. Furthermore, suffering was inflicted on the
population by the bombardments and the use of depleted uranium has had disastrous effects on the
civilian population, soldiers and hundreds of voluntary workers in Kosovo.

In view of all this, does the Commission intend to ascertain the truth about the effects of the weapons used
in the Balkans and the various responsibilities for them?

Furthermore, will it ask the Member States to carry out health checks on all the soldiers who took part in
the peacekeeping operation in the Balkans?

(2001/C 261 E/033)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0148/01

by Florence Kuntz (UEN) to the Commission

(23 January 2001)

Subject: Consequences of the use of munitions containing depleted uranium

The national federation representing French servicemen and women, concerned for their well-being and
that of their European comrades in arms, has called for a clinical case definition of the (cid:145)Gulf War(cid:146) and
(cid:145)Balkans(cid:146) syndromes.

In view of the various statements made by the medical authorities in the various countries of the European
Union, would the Commission state its views and its position as soon as possible on the possible or known
effects on public health of the use of munitions containing depleted uranium, i.e. the (cid:145)Balkans syndrome(cid:146)
affecting some French servicemen and members of the armed forces of other European Union countries
who have served in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia?

Could the Commission state, as speedily as possible, the exact number of European servicemen and
Yugoslav civilians affected by the use of such munitions, and the areas of the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia concerned?

If a direct link is established between the use of this type of munitions and the (cid:145)Balkans(cid:146) and (cid:145)Gulf War(cid:146)
syndromes, could the Commission state what priority public health measures it intends to propose to the
Member States as a matter of urgency?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-0038/01, E-0062/01, E-0063/01 and P-0148/01
given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(15 March 2001)

The Commission has invited the Group of Experts established under Article 31 of the Euratom Treaty to
give an opinion on the possible health consequences of exposure to ionising radiation emitted by depleted
Uranium. It has also facilitated a round-table discussion between international organisations with pro-
grammes in this area.

The responsibility for soldiers who have served in the Balkans is with Member States and North Atlantic
Treaty Organisation (NATO). The responsibility for taking action for the protection of people visiting the
region is also with Member States. The Commission will transmit any relevant information it receives from
international organisations and the opinion of the Group of Experts under Article 31 of the Euratom
Treaty in order to help Member States to decide on appropriate actions. The Commission itself will take
account of the scientific advice in offering medical follow-ups to its civil servants and contractors sent to
the region.

The information available at this stage does not provide any indication that foodstuffs are contaminated
with depleted Uranium.