The Autralian: Troops 'face uranium danger'

March 30, 2005

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The Autralian:

Troops 'face uranium danger'

March 28, 2005

AUSTRALIAN troops being sent to Iraq in May could be at risk of

contracting cancer or conceiving deformed children, doctors said today.

The Medical Association for Prevention of War (MAPW) has written to

Defence Minister Robert Hill advising him against deploying troops to

the Al Muthanna province in southern Iraq.

Association vice president Dr Gillian Deakin said research teams had

found depleted uranium wherever the US attacked Iraqi tanks using

weapons tipped with the toxic nuclear waste.

" United Nations statistics for southern Iraq where depleted uranium

was used heavily in 1991 reveal a seven-fold increase in cancer rates

between 1989 and 1994, " he said.

" Congenital deformities of types virtually never seen in other

circumstances are occurring in newborns in Iraq in areas where

depleted uranium is present. "

There is no proof that depleted uranium - nuclear waste recycled to

make new bombs - causes the cancers and deformities.

However, MAPW said alarm was growing among the international medical

community over its possible effects on human health.

" The South Australians sensibly refused to have it stored in concrete

in remote parts of their state, yet our government is willing to risk

exposing our troops to it, " Dr Deakin said.

" MAPW calls on the Government to refuse the participation of

Australian troops in any military activity where depleted uranium

might be used or in any location where depleted uranium has been used

in the past. "

Four hundred and fifty Australian soldiers will leave Australia in

stages by sea and air for southern Iraq between mid-April and mid-May.

Comment was being sought from Senator Hill and the Australian Defence

Force today.

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