Consequences of the use of depleted uranium weapons in south-eastern Europe

Doc. 9049

20 April 2001

Consequences of the use of depleted uranium weapons in south-eastern Europe

Written Question No. 389

Reply from the Committee of Ministers

adopted at the 750^th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies (18 April 2001)

I. Written Question No. 389 by Mr Kotsonis and others (Doc. 8962)

Taking into account that there is genuine agony and deep concern of governments, parliaments and public opinion all over Europe, and particularly in the Balkans, over the consequences of exposure to radiation and toxic dust as a result of the use of depleted uranium weapons in military operations in former Yugoslavia;

Noting that the scientific community has expressed its great interest in examining the link between the use of depleted uranium in ammunition and the occurrence of leukaemia and other forms of cancer as well as other diseases;

Bearing in mind that south-eastern Europe is of great importance and interest to the Council of Europe, especially at a time when this Organisation has committed itself in helping the region to secure democracy, human dignity, prosperity and sustainable development in the whole region;

Expressing our satisfaction at the fact that the European Union, and particularly the European Parliament, are taking action on the consequences of the use of such weapons,

MM. Kotsonis, Dimas, Damanaki, Katseli, Floros and Pavlidis,

To ask the Committee of Ministers:

1. if it will urge NATO to give explicit details on the use of these toxic weapons;

2. how NATO anticipates contributing to the rehabilitation of the environment, the restoration of damages and the compensation of victims, if independent experts determine the link between depleted uranium and the health problems that have occurred;

3. what initiatives the Committee of Ministers intends to take in co-operation with other international organisations for an early resolution of this crucial and sensitive issue;

4. whether they envisage the adoption of an internationally binding legal instrument to avoid similar situations in the future, through the strengthening of the existing legal framework.

II. Reply from the Committee of Ministers

The Committee of Ministers has carefully considered the Written Question by Mr Kotsonis and others on the consequences of the use of depleted uranium weapons in South-eastern Europe, which reflects the anxiety aroused by information concerning possible health risks linked to the use of weapons containing depleted uranium during the war in South-Eastern Europe. Indeed, the question was raised with the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers at the last Parliamentary Assembly Session (First part Session - 22-26 January 2001) when he assured the Assembly that the issue was receiving the Committee’s due attention.

The Committee of Ministers notes that there is as yet no scientific evidence regarding the repercussions of the use of this type of weapon on the health of military or civil personnel who have served or are currently serving in Kosovo or on the population in that area. However, to cover every eventuality, an in-depth scientific investigation of the issue is being carried out by competent organisations, namely NATO, the United Nations, UNEP and the European Union.

As the Council of Europe has no remit, in the field of defence or arms policy, it is not in a position to question NATO’s on this subject. However it might contribute to activities in the fields of environmental rehabilitation, research and health.

In this context, the EUR-OPA Major Hazards Agreement, the Open Partial Agreement on the Prevention of, Protection against, and Organisation of Relief in Major Natural and Technological Disasters has drawn attention to the risk of pollution from depleted uranium in its report on the analysis of risks drawn up further to a request from the Special Representative of the United Nations (doc. (AP)CAT(2000)21 rev.). It could make a contribution by assisting in the setting up of a school of civil protection in Kosovo and through the work of the European Centre of Technogenic Safety (TESEC) in Kyiv. This would be covered by the EUR-OPA Budget.

Lastly, as regards the drafting of an international instrument to avoid future similar situations, the Committee of Ministers considers that the Council of Europe is not the appropriate forum for the conclusion of such a convention and that in any event, before legislation is introduced, it must be scientifically established that a real risk exists.