MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
15 January 2001
pursuant to Rule 37(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Elmar Brok, W.G. van Velzen and Antonios Trakatellis
on behalf of the PPE-DE Group
on the Balkans syndrome
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B5-0047/2001
B5‑0049/2001
European Parliament resolution on the Balkans syndrome
The European Parliament,
A. acknowledging worries among the population about the possible consequences of the use of depleted uranium in Kosovo, Bosnia and Serbia and questions about the reasons for the illnesses contracted by soldiers and civilians,
B. whereas there is as yet no clearly established medical or statistical proof of a link between the use of depleted uranium in ammunition and the occurrence of leukaemia and other forms of cancer, as well as other diseases amongst soldiers and policemen,
1. Urges NATO to investigate the use of depleted uranium in tank-busting ammunition in relation to the occurrences of leukaemia and other forms of cancer, as well as other diseases;
2. Asks for an independent medical and statistical investigation to clarify the existence of a possible link between leukaemia and other forms of cancer, as well as other diseases, and exposure to depleted uranium or to damage resulting from the use of depleted uranium;
3. Calls on NATO and the EU Member States to carry out a full inquiry into the possible effects of such weapons on soldiers, policemen, civilians and the environment in the Balkans and elsewhere and to inform the public as quickly as possible about progress and results;
4. Calls for effective measures to protect the civilian population in the region and the environment in the event that the results of that investigation confirm the existence of real health problems;
5. Asks NATO to use other types of ammunition in armed conflicts until the results of the investigation are known;
6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to NATO, the Commission, the Council and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the applicant States..