http://www.irna.com/en/world/020517134313.ewo.shtml Malaysian Soldiers blame lung and kidney ailments on Balkans stint -Major Zainudin claimed that 23 Malaysians serving with NATO in the Balkans suffered from cancer because of exposure to depleted uranium and eight of them had subsequently died. Kuala Lumpur, May 17, IRNA (Iran)-- More than 20 Malaysian soldiers, who did a stint as United Nations peacekeepers during the Balkan conflict of 1996 say they are suffering from chronic lung and kidney diseases brought on by exposure to depleted-uranium ammunitions used by American forces in Bosnia. They want the Malaysian government to undertake an investigation into their illnesses, which they believe may have been caused by too much exposure to the radioactive material, while on duty in the Balkans, the leading Malay-language daily Utusan Malaysia reported on Friday. War veteran Major Zainudin Wahin, 50, speaking on their behalf, said many of his colleagues were suffering from chronic lung and kidney diseases. "These two diseases may be common in this part of the world but we are told that many soldiers from other countries, who had served in Bosnia suffered similar ailments on their return from duty," he was quoted as saying. "This has been an old issue in the West but unfortunately our soldiers were ignorant of the effects of radiation on their health." Major Zainudin, who is now retired, spoke to newsmen after filing his complaint with the Complaints Bureau of the Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's ruling United Malay National Organisation (Umno)Youth wing. He said he believed his illness and that of his fellow peacekeepers could have been caused by depleted-uranium ammunition used by American forces in the Balkans. Reports indicate American aircraft fired more than 30,000 depleted-uranium rounds against Serbian targets during NATO's 1999 campaign in Kosovo and about 10,000 such rounds in Bosnia in 1994-95. Depleted uranium is twice as heavy as lead. It is used in ammunition to penetrate armour and in shielding for military vehicles and equipment. Major Zainudin claimed that 23 Malaysians serving with NATO in the Balkans suffered from cancer because of exposure to depleted uranium and eight of them had subsequently died. He himself is suffering from kidney failure and has to go to China for a kidney transplant at a cost of RM150,000 (US$39,500). BN/BG/AR Serbian News Network - SNN [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.antic.org/
