http://www.veteransforpeace.org/resolution_index.htm
DEPLETED URANIUM
(Peter Aronson, VFP DU Committee, VFP Humboldt Bay Chapter 56 California)
Whereas Depleted Uranium (also known as DU) is radioactive, and
Whereas radiation safety standards are based on data from external exposure models, and
Whereas many reputable nuclear physicists, including former Pentagon and VA experts, describe enormous health consequences when models of internal exposure to DU are used, and
Whereas these scientist also suggest internal DU exposure is a likely cause of GWS; and
Whereas increased rates of birth defects and cancer occur in exposed areas, and
Whereas the nuclear industry, the Pentagon, the VA, and the munitions industry, have vested interests in describing DU as safe, and each would each be significantly impacted by adjusting to newer standards, and
Whereas evidence suggests the risk associated with DU exposure has been suppressed by those with vested interests, and
Whereas the global consequences of contamination by nuclear (enriched and "Depleted" Uranium) exposures are eternal (4.5b years for DU), and
Whereas screening, testing and treatment procedures for DU exposed troops and civilians currently exist, and,
Whereas UK, US and other global scientists have the capacity to assess the health consequences of internal DU exposure, and
Whereas it is our duty to protect the welfare of U.S. and allied military personnel, veterans, and innocent civilians at home and abroad,
Be it resolved that the VFP support global banning of all DU munitions and other radioactive weapons, in accordance with the 1949 Geneva Convention (warring nations must avoid harming civilian populations) and
Be it further resolved VFP support screening and treatment for all exposed members, or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and
Be it further resolved the VFP formally support the McDermott bill, HR 1483 The DU Munitions Act of 2003, and its comprehensive approach to environmental mitigation, cleanup requirements, and scientific models studying internal exposure to DU, and
Be it further resolved the VFP enlist the support of other national veteran groups in advancing awareness and suggesting actions on DU-related issues.
Approved at the 2003 VFP Convention, San Francisco, CA
DEPLETED URANIUM WEAPONS
(Howard Welsh)
Therefore be it resolved that Veterans For Peace demand a world wide moratorium on the use of Uranium and depleted uranium weapons including but not limited to anti-tank penetrators, guided bombs and assorted missiles, and the United States take the lead in eliminating the manufacture, distribution and proliferation of such weapons in addition to fully disclosing the results of studies undertaken regarding the environmental and health effects of such weapons.
Approved at the 2003 VFP Convention, San Francisco, CA
Depleted Uranium
(Tucson Chapter 13, Humboldt Bay Chapter 56, and Garberville Chapter 22) “….VFP address the President and the Department of Defense with the demand that they: Ban the further use of DU weapons and armor and destroy our stores of such on hand, Ban the sale of DU weapons to any other country and urge these countries which already possess DU weapons to destroy them, Provide appropriate protective medical testing and medical care of service personnel from DU contamination, Provide appropriate protective measures, monitoring and medical care of service personnel who handle DU weapons or clean up DU contamination, Clean up the DU contamination in the battlefields of Kosovo, Bosnia and Iraq, utilizing the unused monies budgeted for the Yugoslavian conflict.”
Approved at the 1999 VFP Convention, Philadelphia, PA. MSA, without opposition.