[E-rundbrief] Info 680 - DU-weapons - EU-Parliament

[Matthias Reichl]

E-Rundbrief - Info 680 - EU-Parliament calls for a global ban on 
depleted uranium weapons.

Bad Ischl, 24.5.2008

Begegnungszentrum für aktive Gewaltlosigkeit

www.begegnungszentrum.at

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EU-Parliament calls for a global ban on depleted uranium weapons

Security and defence - 22-05-2008 - 13:21

In a resolution adopted on depleted uranium (DU) weapons, the House
calls for a moratorium on their use, increased pressure for an
international treaty to ban them, and more research on these weapons.
The resolution "strongly reiterates its call on all EU Member States and
NATO countries to impose a moratorium on the use of depleted uranium
weapons and to redouble efforts towards a global ban." The resolution
was adopted with 491 votes in favour, 18 against and 12 abstentions.


Depleted uranium is used in ammunition, to increase the strength of
casings for penetrating armour. Upon impact, however, the depleted
uranium can be dispersed in the form of DU dust, which can cover large
areas of conflict zones, and have averse health effects both for
soldiers and civilians, even long after the conflict is over.

The Parliament addressed an oral question to both the Commission and the
Council on the subject. Annemie **Neyts** (ALDE, BE), one of the
question's authors, asked "what specific measures can be taken to halt
exposure to such DU for both soldiers and civilians?" Another author,
Ana **Gomes** (PES, PT) noted that "the most basic cautionary principle
should get us to stop manufacturing such weapons."

The Council presidency replied that since no consensus exists on this
topic in the Council, there's not much it can do at this juncture.
Commissioner Louis **Michel** noted that military issues of this nature
lie outside the competence of the European Commission, but expressed his
willingness to conduct a study to re-examine the effects of DU exposure
on human health. He also noted that the Commission does fund efforts
such as projects to remove unexploded ordinance out of post-conflict
zones, citing the example of Lebanon, where 5 million euros of EU funds
have been spent for this purpose.

The joint resolution adopted by Parliament "urges the Member States to
adhere to paragraph 1 of the UN resolution adopted on 5 December 2007
and to submit a report with their views on the effects of the use of
armaments and ammunition containing depleted uranium." It also calls on
the Member States and the Council to take the lead in working towards an
international treaty--through the UN or through a 'coalition of the
willing'--to establish a ban on the development, production,
stockpiling, transfer, testing and use of uranium weapons as well as the
destruction or recycling of existing stocks, should there be conclusive
scientific evidence of harm caused by such weapons."

The resolution "strongly reiterates its call on all EU Member States and
NATO countries to impose a moratorium on the use of depleted uranium
weapons and to redouble efforts towards a global ban." It also urges
Member States "not to use depleted uranium weapons in ESDP operations
and not to deploy military and civilian personnel in regions where no
guarantee can be given to the effect that depleted uranium has not been,
or will not be, used."

Also on:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/briefing_page/29026-140-05-21-20080516BRI29011-19-05-2008-2008/default_en.htm


REF.: 20080521IPR29595

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