U.S. Allies Worry About 'Balkans Syndrome'

L O N D O N, Jan. 9 -- The Clinton administration is downplaying the danger to NATO soldiers of using depleted uranium in weapons, despite their allies’ concerns that the weapons may be causing cancer in those who served in Kosovo and in the Gulf War.

During the Kosovo war, U.S. aircraft fired more than 30,000 rounds of ammunition containing depleted uranium.

The Pentagon used it because it is a heavy metal that can penetrate the armor that protects tanks.

On impact, it leaves a cloud of low-level radioactive dust, but the United States has always insisted it poses no health risk.

Europe Takes ActionToday, Britain said it will offer screening to veterans of the Kosovo and Bosnian conflicts for signs of illness.

The announcement followed a wave of concern across Europe, sparked by Italy’s decision last month to investigate illnesses among 30 of its soldiers who had served in the Balkans, including five who have died of leukemia.

Since then, investigations or screening programs have been announced in a number of other European countries, with many civilian aid agencies also checking workers. Ireland and Denmark announced screening plans today.

One Italian who served Kosovo — and now has cancer — said: “I was on the border and [the Americans] bombed that area.”

“The wind could have blown the dust toward us.”

The Italian military reports 12 soldiers who went to Kosovo have cancer. Six have since died. Belgium says they have five soldiers with cancer, Spain, three. And France says four of its veterans have leukemia.

The American Case AgainstThe United States, which has thousands of soldiers in Kosovo, is now the only NATO country that denies even the possibility of a link between depleted uranium and Balkan war syndrome.

At her valedictory press conference today, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright told reporters: “As far as I have been told, there is no scientific evidence that would link this to health hazards. But what I think is very important is for the facts to be made known and not to have hysteria and emotion take over.”