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ORGANIZED CRIME INTELLIGENCE UNIT

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DEPLETED URANIUM BULLETS

Several NATO countries arm their ground-attack aircraft with bullets that include depleted uranium (DU). DU bullets were used against armored targets in Bosnia (1995) and in Kosovo (1999).

The available information indicates that DU bullets normally fragment upon impact with an armored target and the resulting dust is toxic. A flash of radiation is also produced, but it reportedly only affects the occupants of the target at the instant of impact. The interior of a target may contain the dust for a lengthy period but exterior dust probably mixes with the overall environment and becomes highly scattered. How dangerous the dust is once diluted by scattering is the big question. Another question concerns how much DU bullets affect the groundwater, including bullets that don't strike armor but simply penetrate into the earth.

Many decoy "tanks" were targets in Kosovo and some were probably fired at with DU bullets that are now in the ground, possibly not even fragmented. NATO sources state that intact DU bullets are not hazardous. The issue of poisoning from DU bullets is of legitimate concern for personnel in Kosovo and Bosnia. Reports of leukemia and other ailments among military personnel assigned to the Balkans have prompted investigations into the possibility that depleted uranium residue may be involved.

UN police officers travel through and work in the same areas as SFOR (Bosnia) & KFOR (Kosovo), so we presumably have the same general risk of exposure to environmental hazards as the military. Only depleted uranium bullets (not bombs or rockets) are the source of this particular concern and they were used only in specific cases: DU bullets were generally used against real or suspected armored vehicles and not against the majority of targets. For example, only about 100 sites in Kosovo have been identified as having been fired at with DU bullets, while the air offensive lasted about 78 days.

Sources indicate DU dust is dangerous primarily when inhaled or ingested in relatively large quantities, such as would be found in the immediate aftermath of a strike. Also, DU dust reportedly cannot be absorbed through the skin so mere contact with the substance is unlikely to pose a health risk. There are no KNOWN instances of UN Police being poisoned by DU in Bosnia or Kosovo. However (unlike SFOR & KFOR), we are scattered through the Missions in small groups and it would be easy for related problems to go undetected.

Teams from the UN Environmental Program and World Health Organization are working to determine the risk-level, but their studies are not yet complete. In previously released information, the military described a sliding-scale of risk for contamination from DU ammunition: Most at risk are personnel who were in or on an armored target that was struck; next are personnel who entered into or on the target immediately afterwards (rescue); then are personnel who entered into or on the target soon afterwards (repair); and so on down to "nil" for someone who did not enter into or on a target area. However, NATO sources also state that 80% of DU bullet fragments are deposited within 100 meters of the target, which means that contamination can occur even if one maintains a significant distance from the actual target. In all cases, the danger of contamination is greatest during the time period immediately after a strike when the DU dust is still airborne.

UN Police who believe they may have been exposed should report the matter in writing to their Contingent Commander.

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OSCE FLIGHTS TO/FROM VIENNA CANCELLED

The OSCE has announced the permanent cancellation of their flights between Vienna and Pristina, effective the 1st of February.

The flights are expected to continue as scheduled through January 31st. Personnel who have already booked a seat on an OSCE flight on or after February 1st should make other flight arrangements.

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