News from the GREEN PARTY


"Gulf war 2 syndrome" probably caused by DU, says top scientist


Leading nuclear physicist and Gulf war veterans' scientific representative
Dr Chris Busby said today that the newly reported outbreak of 'Gulf war 2
syndrome' is probably caused by exposure to depleted uranium.

Dr Busby, the Green Party's spokesperson on science and technology and a
member of the MoD's Depleted Uranium Oversight Board, said this morning: "No
one knows for certain what causes 'Gulf War syndrome', but there is evidence
that some of its more nasty effects are the result of radiation poisoning.

"There are two elements to Gulf War syndrome - neurological and genetic.
Neurological elements include symptoms such as rashes and fevers, and are
likely to be caused by vaccinations and anti-gas pills. Genetic elements
include symptoms such as chromosomal damage, immune system damage and
cancer.

"The Government is turning a blind eye to the problem. If anything they will
try to blame Gulf War syndrome completely on the vaccinations, and ignore
the consequences of using radioactive weapons.

"If they acknowledge that depleted uranium miunitions cause horrendous
problems for civilians and for their own troops, they'll have to withdraw
those weapons from service. And the issue may open up the whole debate about
possession of nuclear weapons and the unacceptable consequences of ever
using them."


Worrying consequences

Dr Busby continued: "There are worrying consequences, not simply for the
civilians in Iraq, who are already suffering from increased cancer rates and
high rates of birth abnormalities, but also for the soldiers who have been
exposed to the radiation.

"Testing has already found chromosomal abnormalities in personnel deployed
in Iraq, and the rate for kidney cancer has doubled in Gulf War vets, as
have deaths from lymphoma."

The Green Party has accused the government of trying to cover up Gulf War
syndrome over worries that there will be questions over the issue of
low-level radiation in general, particular from nuclear plants such as
Sellafield.

Dr Busby concluded "We would like all British personnel deployed in Iraq to
be tested for levels of depleted uranium. The UK government has ordered
testing for levels of uranium, and have said that if they find it in high
levels then they will go on to test for depleted uranium. This is not good
enough. Gulf War vets deserve to know what's making them ill, and the public
deserves to know the consequences of Britain's use of radioactive weapons."

He concluded: "We are also demanding that personnel deployed in Iraq are
tested using the Depleted Uranium Oversight Board's tests, not the MoD's.
The DUOB has taken care to set up stringent protocols to ensure that tests
are carried out scientifically, but we have some reservations about the MoD'
s methods of testing. "

For Green Party comment / interviews, please call the Press Office on 020
7561 0282

ENDS


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