Obama Administration Stonewalls Inquiry into Radioactive Weapon Use in Iraq

[The Straight Story]

Obama Administration Stonewalls Inquiry into Radioactive Weapon Use in Iraq

Efforts to determine the health and environmental risks of depleted uranium (DU) weaponry in Iraq have been hampered by the Obama administration. DU, which makes shell and bullet casings harder and more capable of piercing armor, can contaminate the environment and contribute to health problems, including cancer and birth defects.

The Dutch peace group IKV Pax Christi complained in a new report that “Coalition Forces” (read: the United States) have refused to provide information on when and where invading forces fired DU weaponry.

Due to a “lack of transparency” by the U.S., “there is an absence of crucial information on firing coordinates, the quantities and types of DU munitions used; data gaps relating to the efforts undertaken to clean up contaminated sites and material are hindering efforts to assess risks and implement remediation work,” the report reads.

There are reportedly more than 300 sites in Iraq that were contaminated by DU weapons, many of them located in populated areas.

It is estimated that 400 tons of DU ammunition were fired in Iraq, mostly by American units, during the Gulf War and the 2003 invasion. Although the United States continues to use depleted uranium munitions, the report notes that “over the last couple of years the US Army has invested in research into replacing DU rounds in the A-10 with tungsten alloy based munitions, as well as non-DU 105 and 120mm munitions for the M1A2 Abrams tank, referring in their rationale for this move to DU’s potential environmental impact.”

http://www.allgov.com/news/top-stories/obama-administration-stonewalls-inquiry-into-radioactive-weapon-use-in-iraq-130309?news=849366

[Scuba]

1. I'm proud to be an Americaaaaaaaaan ...

but not every day.

[MadHound]

2. Why wouldn't they?

After all, they haven't called out the Bush administration on any of its other war crimes, why are they going to delve into this one. Nice to see that they're starting to switch over to non-DU materials though. But this administration, nor any future administration, is going to admit any guilt or responsibility in this matter, after all, that would leave the government open to massive lawsuits now and in the future.

[The Straight Story]

3. If they won't, then they sure as hell should not ask people what guns/ammo they have

at home.

When we hold the government accountable, and big companies, then I will be more in favor of doing the same to everyday citizens.

Amazing in the US how often we roll over and take it while letting the people in power get away with anything they want - but we have been trained to fear each other to the point we can't even walk to the gates at a plane terminal to see loved ones off anymore.

(not ranting at you, just things in general)

[idwiyo]

4. I am sure it's very safe and even beneficial for the environment. Or something.

[OldDem2012]

5. Depleted Uranium Dust - Public Health Disaster For The People Of Iraq and Afghanistan....

http://www.globalresearch.ca/depleted-uranium-far-worse-than-9-11/2374

QUOTES:

Imagine a far worse scenario. Terrorists acquire a million pounds of the deadly dust and scatter it in populated areas throughout the U.S. Hundreds of children report symptoms. Many acquire cancer and leukemia, suffering an early and painful death. Huge increases in severe birth defects are reported. Oncologists are overwhelmed. Soccer fields, sand lots and parks, traditional play areas for kids, are no longer safe. People lose their most basic freedom, the ability to go outside and safely breathe. Sounds worse than 9/11? Welcome to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Dr. Jawad Al-Ali (55), director of the Oncology Center at the largest hospital in Basra, Iraq stated, at a recent ( 2003) conference in Japan:

“Two strange phenomena have come about in Basra which I have never seen before. The first is double and triple cancers in one patient. For example, leukemia and cancer of the stomach. We had one patient with 2 cancers – one in his stomach and kidney. Months later, primary cancer was developing in his other kidney–he had three different cancer types. The second is the clustering of cancer in families. We have 58 families here with more than one person affected by cancer. Dr Yasin, a general Surgeon here has two uncles, a sister and cousin affected with cancer. Dr Mazen, another specialist, has six family members suffering from cancer. My wife has nine members of her family with cancer”.

“Children in particular are susceptible to DU poisoning. They have a much higher absorption rate as their blood is being used to build and nourish their bones and they have a lot of soft tissues. Bone cancer and leukemia used to be diseases affecting them the most, however, cancer of the lymph system which can develop anywhere on the body, and has rarely been seen before the age of 12 is now also common.”,

“We were accused of spreading propaganda for Saddam before the war. When I have gone to do talks I have had people accuse me of being pro-Saddam. Sometimes I feel afraid to even talk. Regime people have been stealing my data and calling it their own, and using it for their own agendas. The Kuwaitis banned me from entering Kuwait – we were accused of being Saddam supporters.”

The rest of the article is incredibly damning. Please take the time to read it.

[forestpath]

6. K&R Just more evidence of how being president reveals who Obama is.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. It's not Obama, it's the nature of empire.

We need a truth and reconciliation commision, ain't gonna happen as long as we're an imperial power.

It is not party or person specific, the empire does what it needs to do to protect itself. The use of DPU ammo could be construed as a war crime.