International Coalition Launches Campaign to Ban Depleted Uranium Weapons
13 October 2003 RISQ News
Press Release
Brussels, 13 October 2003 -- Experts in several disciplines and from eight countries met this weekend to discuss the creation of a strategy for an international ban on the use depleted uranium and other radioactive materials in military weapons. Participants traveled from Belgium, Germany, Japan, Malta, The Netherlands, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States to attend a three-day conference held in Berlaar, Belgium on October 10-11-12.
We believe there is mounting evidence of the effects of depleted uranium on human health and the environment. Therefore, we call for an immediate ban on depleted uranium and the use of other radioactive materials in conventional arms, the cleanup of all contaminated sites, compensation and care for all affected populations, a halt to the production, testing, sale, and export of DU weapons and a decommissioning of all existing stockpiles.
In pursuit of this goal, we have established The International Coalition For a Ban on Depleted Uranium Weapons. We call on Governments, Non-Governmental Organizations and other interested parties to join us in this urgent effort. These radioactive and chemically toxic weapons were first used on a large scale in the Gulf War in 1991, subsequently in other countries (Bosnia, Yugoslavia, Afghanistan) and again in the current conflict in Iraq. We feel that the occupying powers as well as the countries involved in the stabilization force in Iraq will be putting their soldiers in harms way. Therefore, we call on governments to demand full disclosure on the amount and the locations of DU contaminated sites, access for the United Nat! ions Environmental Programme (UNEP) to conduct an environmental assessment and for an independent investigation into the human health consequences in Iraq.
Coalition Partners
International Depleted Uranium Study Team (USA)
Military Toxics Project (USA)
No DU Hiroshima Project (Japan)
Campaign Against Depleted Uranium (UK)
Center for Peace and Justice (USA)
Grassroots Action for Peace (USA)
For Mother Earth (Belgium)
Laka Foundation (NL)
AMOK (NL)
Our Common Future (UK)
Maarten H.J. van den Berg (RISQ) (NL)
For more information, please contact Mr. van den Berg: vandenberg@risq.nl
Note: See also the RISQ Report "Peacekeepers not Informed about Depleted Uranium in Iraq" - Press Updates - http://www.risq.org/article135.html and the links to online resources in the DU Dossier. http://www.risq.org/link-61.html
© RISQ 2003. All rights reserved. http://www.risq.org
DEPLETED URANIUM / URANIUM WEAPONS:
THE TROJAN HORSES OF NUCLEAR WAR
AN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL/ORGANIZING CONFERENCE
University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany; October 16-19, 2003
Over 30 international independent researchers and experts present recent findings on depleted uranium, uranium weapons, and their effects; special guest presenter Dr. Souad Al-Azzawi of Iraq, recipient of the 2003 Nuclear Free Future Award and 10.000 Euro prize. Conference is sponsored by Gewaltfreie Aktion Atomwaffen Abschaffen (GAAA; Non-Violent Action for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons), Germany; hosted in cooperation with ASTA Hamburg Universität Germany and numerous other organizations worldwide (see website for complete list of sponsors and endorsers.)
DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT:
Many of the foremost independent researchers, activists, war veterans and exposed civilians from around the world have been invited to this Conference to present their recent findings on depleted uranium (DU) and other uranium weapons - most of which challenge the "official" positions of the US and British governments and their military machines regarding health effects and hazards. The first two days will consist of interactive panels open to the public and media, where the participants will present their findings and engage in discussion with other Conference attendees. The last two days (Sat. & Sun.) will consist of strategic planning Workshops, attendance at which is closed to the general public, and is "by-invitation" only.
An exhibit area will be set up consisting of several photo exhibits and displays about the use and effects of DU worldwide.
A formal press conference is scheduled to take place during the Conference. Private interviews with Panelists and other participants are permitted and encouraged, and facilities will be made available. Opportunities exist for phone interviews with Conference speakers and panelists, and should be scheduled in advance (see website for contacting presenters and Conference staff).
For downloadable information, weekly updates and Conference Schedule, visit our website: http://www.uraniumweaponsconference.de
13 October 2003 RISQ News
Press Release
Brussels, 13 October 2003 -- Experts in several disciplines and from eight countries met this weekend to discuss the creation of a strategy for an international ban on the use depleted uranium and other radioactive materials in military weapons. Participants traveled from Belgium, Germany, Japan, Malta, The Netherlands, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States to attend a three-day conference held in Berlaar, Belgium on October 10-11-12.
We believe there is mounting evidence of the effects of depleted uranium on human health and the environment. Therefore, we call for an immediate ban on depleted uranium and the use of other radioactive materials in conventional arms, the cleanup of all contaminated sites, compensation and care for all affected populations, a halt to the production, testing, sale, and export of DU weapons and a decommissioning of all existing stockpiles.
In pursuit of this goal, we have established The International Coalition For a Ban on Depleted Uranium Weapons. We call on Governments, Non-Governmental Organizations and other interested parties to join us in this urgent effort. These radioactive and chemically toxic weapons were first used on a large scale in the Gulf War in 1991, subsequently in other countries (Bosnia, Yugoslavia, Afghanistan) and again in the current conflict in Iraq. We feel that the occupying powers as well as the countries involved in the stabilization force in Iraq will be putting their soldiers in harms way. Therefore, we call on governments to demand full disclosure on the amount and the locations of DU contaminated sites, access for the United Nat! ions Environmental Programme (UNEP) to conduct an environmental assessment and for an independent investigation into the human health consequences in Iraq.
Coalition Partners
International Depleted Uranium Study Team (USA)
Military Toxics Project (USA)
No DU Hiroshima Project (Japan)
Campaign Against Depleted Uranium (UK)
Center for Peace and Justice (USA)
Grassroots Action for Peace (USA)
For Mother Earth (Belgium)
Laka Foundation (NL)
AMOK (NL)
Our Common Future (UK)
Maarten H.J. van den Berg (RISQ) (NL)
For more information, please contact Mr. van den Berg: vandenberg@risq.nl
Note: See also the RISQ Report "Peacekeepers not Informed about Depleted Uranium in Iraq" - Press Updates - http://www.risq.org/article135.html and the links to online resources in the DU Dossier. http://www.risq.org/link-61.html
© RISQ 2003. All rights reserved. http://www.risq.org
DEPLETED URANIUM / URANIUM WEAPONS:
THE TROJAN HORSES OF NUCLEAR WAR
AN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL/ORGANIZING CONFERENCE
University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany; October 16-19, 2003
Over 30 international independent researchers and experts present recent findings on depleted uranium, uranium weapons, and their effects; special guest presenter Dr. Souad Al-Azzawi of Iraq, recipient of the 2003 Nuclear Free Future Award and 10.000 Euro prize. Conference is sponsored by Gewaltfreie Aktion Atomwaffen Abschaffen (GAAA; Non-Violent Action for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons), Germany; hosted in cooperation with ASTA Hamburg Universität Germany and numerous other organizations worldwide (see website for complete list of sponsors and endorsers.)
DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT:
Many of the foremost independent researchers, activists, war veterans and exposed civilians from around the world have been invited to this Conference to present their recent findings on depleted uranium (DU) and other uranium weapons - most of which challenge the "official" positions of the US and British governments and their military machines regarding health effects and hazards. The first two days will consist of interactive panels open to the public and media, where the participants will present their findings and engage in discussion with other Conference attendees. The last two days (Sat. & Sun.) will consist of strategic planning Workshops, attendance at which is closed to the general public, and is "by-invitation" only.
An exhibit area will be set up consisting of several photo exhibits and displays about the use and effects of DU worldwide.
A formal press conference is scheduled to take place during the Conference. Private interviews with Panelists and other participants are permitted and encouraged, and facilities will be made available. Opportunities exist for phone interviews with Conference speakers and panelists, and should be scheduled in advance (see website for contacting presenters and Conference staff).
For downloadable information, weekly updates and Conference Schedule, visit our website: http://www.uraniumweaponsconference.de