When Dutch marines arrived in a base camp near the town of As Samawah, Iraq, to replace American troops last summer, they measured unacceptably high levels of radioactivity. Yet troop transfer from the area was delayed by three weeks, putting both Dutch and American troops at risk of exposure to depleted uranium (DU).
On July 24th last year, Dutch troops arrived in ‘Camp Smitty’, a base set up by the Americans in an abandoned train depot near the town of As Samawah. Located along the railway track from Basra to Baghdad, and consisting of several concrete buildings big enough to lodge both troops and their vehicles, the location seemed a perfect outpost.
Set to replace the 442nd US Military Police Brigade stationed in the depot since early June, the Dutch troops put up their field beds inside, granting them at least some shelter from the ever-present desert heat and sand storms in the area, even though the buildings were dirty, dusty, vermin-infested and most windows were broken. Meals and other collective gatherings were held outside on the yard along the railway tracks amidst abandoned train engines and carriages, wrecked Iraqi tanks, unexploded ordnance, and other remnants of war.
Settled all right thus by military standards, the Dutch troops could have made Camp Smitty their 'home', just as the Americans had done for months. Yet shortly after their arrival, they made an alarming discovery, which according to Sgt. Juan Vega, senior medic with the US 442nd, led the Dutch “to pitch camp in the desert instead”. As Mr Vega told the New York-based Daily News “the Dutch swept the area around the train depot with Geiger counters and their medics confided to [me] they had found high radiation levels”.
According to Mr Vega and other soldiers interviewed by the paper, the radiation may have come from the remains of DU shells scattering the compound or one of the wrecked Iraqi tanks, which had been hauled onto railroad cars just outside the depot. Yet, since DU can take the form of a very fine, toxic and radiocative dust that easily spreads, a much greater part of the compound may have been contaminated.
As quite a few of the American troops who were based in Camp Smitty, are still suffering from chronic nausea, skin rashes and migraines, they suspect they may have inhaled a toxic dosis of DU dust during their stay. Already, four out of nine veterans who volunteered for a test, were found to have higher than normal levels of uranium in their urine.
Dutch Ministry confirms finding - but troops stayed
While the US Department of Defence has recently announced it will investigate the case of the veterans from Camp Smitty, military personnel representatives in the Netherlands have raised concerns about the health of Dutch troops that have stayed there.
Yesterday, a spokesperson of the Dutch Military of Defence conceded that “upon arrival, the marines declared part of the compound off-limits”, assuring that “all necessary precautionary measures were taken”. A source in one of the military personnel unions confirmed that they were informed by the Ministry about “certain measurements, which led the troops to close off a building on the compound”. However, the source said, “no reference was made to the possibility of DU contamination there”.
As the new camp out in the desert was still under construction, the Dutch troops stayed in the train depot at least until mid August. Pictures archived on the website of the Ministry of Defence show marines resting on field beds set up inside one of the buildings and sharing meals on the yard outside as late as 6 August 2003. By that time, they had been on the compound for over two weeks, even as 90 of them fell ill - some so much so that they had to be IV-fed. According to the Ministry they had contracted a virus, “due to the high temperatures, the change in food and lifestyle, and the higher concentration of viruses in the air of hot countries such as Iraq”. All over Iraq, the remains of spent DU shells and DU-contaminated debris have been found littering the streets in urban areas. Some wrecked vehicles have been towed away, and the most obvious contaminated sites are marked. However, most locations have not even been identified let alone cleaned, even though there is a widely shared consensus that DU contamination can be a potential health hazard.
To minimize the risk of exposure, foreign troops have been instructed to stay away from potentially contaminated areas as much as possible or to wear, at least, respiratory protection and gloves when it is inevitable to enter such sites.
As for Iraqi civilians, there is no indication that the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) has properly informed the population about DU contamination. The British Ministry of Defence merely affirms that Iraqi locals have been warned “that they should not go near or touch any debris they find on the battlefield" Perhaps this would have sufficed, were it not for the fact that quite a few battles have been fought in densely populated areas, where it is virtually impossible for residents to avoid all remnants of war.
For earlier RISQ reports on DU and links to external resources, please refer to our DU Dossier.
Unfortunately wow gold [www.wowgold1000.com] the time wow gold [www.wowgold1000.com] commitment buy wow gold [www.wowgold1000.com] involved buy wow gold [www.wowgold1000.com] in leveling cheap wow gold [www.wowgold1000.com] up all cheap wow gold [www.wowgold1000.com] the world of warcraft gold [www.wowgold1000.com] potentially fast wow gold [www.wowgold1000.com] interesting characters and sell wow gold [www.wowgold1000.com] equipping them age of conan gold [www.wowgold1000.com] properly, would aoc gold [www.wowgold1000.com] take a player months, if ffxi gil [www.wowgold1000.com] not years of warhammer gold [www.wowgold1000.com] personal effort. It runescape gold [www.wowgold1000.com] can be a real time tibia gold [www.wowgold1000.com] sink, one that eventually swg credits [www.wowgold1000.com] drives players lotro gold [www.wowgold1000.com] to burn 2moons dil [www.wowgold1000.com] out and quit maple story mesos [www.wowgold1000.com] the game, leaving eve isk [www.wowgold1000.com] vast tracts lineage 2 adena [www.wowgold1000.com] of unexplored potential behind.we eq2 plat [www.wowgold1000.com] offers a variety of services to help wow power leveling [www.wowgold800.com] you get wow power leveling [www.wowgold800.com] the most out of your power leveling [www.wowgold1000.com] game play experiences. Be world of warcraft power leveling [www.wowgold800.com] it the purchase wow power level [www.wowgold1000.com] of gold, a few hours of wow leveling [www.wowgold800.com] or even one wow leveling [www.wowgold800.com] or two rounds of PVP to help nudge you into power leveling [www.wowgold1000.com] the next rank, the service professionals here are fully dedicated in ensuring you are satisfied with your purchase.
Re: Dutch military in Iraq delays troop transfer from suspected DU contaminated area
by cheap wow gold 31 July 2008
In world of warcraft (the most interesting game),farming for wow gold [www.wowspa.com] isn't easy, but you can buy wow gold [www.wowspa.com] on sale. We have revolutionized the exchange of cheap wow gold [www.wowspa.com] with fast delivery.
Re: Dutch military in Iraq delays troop transfer from suspected DU contaminated area
Re: Dutch military in Iraq delays troop transfer from suspected DU contaminated area
by aocgold 23 May 2008
[url=http://buy-aoc-gold.rgtrcredit.com/][color=#800080][b]Age Of Conan Gold [/b][/color][/url][url=http://www.aocsale.com/][color=#800080][b]Age Of Conan Gold [/b][/color][/url][url=http://www.buy-cheap-aoc-gold.com/][color=#800080][b]Age Of Conan Gold[/b][/color][/url][url=http://www.buy-cheap-aoc-gold.com/][color=#800080][b]buy age of conan gold [/b][/color][/url] [url=http://www.aocsale.com/][color=#800080][b]buy age of conan gold[/b][/color][/url][url=http://buy-aoc-gold.rgtrcredit.com/][color=#800080][b]buy age of conan gold [/b][/color][/url][url=http://www.buyfastgold.com/][color=#800080][b]aoc gold [/b][/color][/url][url=http://buy-aoc-gold.hellgate-pd.com/][color=#800080][b]aoc gold [/b][/color][/url][url=http://www.buyfastgold.com/][color=#800080][b]aoc gold[/b][/color][/url] [url=http://buy-aoc-gold.hellgate-pd.com/][color=#800080][b] buy aoc gold [/b][/color][/url][url=http://www.buyfastgold.com/][color=#800080][b] buy aoc gold[/b][/color][/url]
Re: Dutch military in Iraq delays troop transfer from suspected DU contaminated area
by jhbf22 09 May 2008
Sargeras and the Betrayal
Over time, demonic entities made voyage century gold [www.gamelee.com] their way into the Titans' worlds from the wow leveling [www.wowgoldlive.com] Twisting Nether, GE money [www.gamelee.com], and the Pantheon elected its greatest warrior, Sargeras, City of Heroes influence [www.gamelee.com] aoc gold [www.tbcgold.com]to act as its first line of defense. A noble giant of molten bronze, Sargeras carried out his duties for wow gold [www.wowgoldlive.com] aoc power leveling [www.tbcgold.com] countless millennia, seeking out and Guild Wars Gold [www.gamelee.com] destroying these demons wherever he could find them. Over the eons, coh influence [www.gamelee.com] aoc leveling [www.tbcgold.com] Sargeras encountered two powerful Buy Vanguard Gold [www.gamelee.com] 2moons dil [www.tbcgold.com] demonic races, both of which were bent on world of warcraft gold [www.wowgoldlive.com] 2moons gold [www.tbcgold.com] gaining power and dominance over the physical universe. buy wow gold [www.wowgoldlive.com] cheap wow gold [www.wowgoldlive.com] wow power leveling [www.wowgoldlive.com] wow powerleveling [www.wowgoldlive.com] wow gold [www.wowgoldlive.com] The eredar, an insidious race of devilish sorcerers, world of warcraft gold [www.wowgoldlive.com] flyff penya [www.tbcgold.com] used their warlock magics to invade buy flyff gold [www.tbcgold.com] and enslave a number of worlds. The indigenous races buy wow gold [www.wowgoldlive.com] of those worlds were mutated by GW gold [www.gamelee.com] the eredar's malevolent powers and turned into cheap wow gold [www.wowgoldlive.com] demons themselves. Though Sargeras' nearly wow power leveling [www.wowgoldlive.com] limitless powers were more than enough to defeat flyff money [www.tbcgold.com] Gaia Online Gold [www.tbcgold.com] the vile eredar, he was greatly troubled by wow powerleveling [www.wowgoldlive.com] the creatures' corruption and all-consuming evil. Hellgate London Palladium [www.gamelee.com] Incapable of fathoming such depravity, wow gold [www.wowgoldlive.com] gaia gold [www.tbcgold.com] the great Titan began to slip into a brooding depression. Despite his world of warcraft gold [www.wowgoldlive.com] Hero online gold [www.tbcgold.com] growing unease, Sargeras rid the Hero online gold [www.tbcgold.com] Last Chaos Gold [www.tbcgold.com] universe of the warlocks by trapping them within a corner of the buy wow gold [www.wowgoldlive.com] Twisting Nether. While his confusion and misery Vanguard money [www.gamelee.com] deepened, Sargeras was forced to contend with GW gold [www.gamelee.com] cheap wow gold [www.wowgoldlive.com] another group intent last chaos gold [www.gamelee.com] on disrupting the Titans' order: wow power leveling [www.wowgoldlive.com] the Nathrezim. This dark race of vampiric demons (also known as dreadlords) conquered wow powerleveling [www.wowgoldlive.com] Guild Wars Gold [www.gamelee.com] a number of populated worlds by possessing their inhabitants lineage adena [www.gamelee.com] and turning them to the shadow runescape gold [www.gamelee.com]. The nefarious, runescape money [www.gamelee.com] scheming dreadlords lineage 1 adena [www.gamelee.com] turned whole nations against one Tales of Pirates Gold [www.gamelee.com] another by manipulating them into EverQuest 2 gold [www.gamelee.com] unthinking hatred and mistrust Tabula Rasa Credits [www.gamelee.com]. Sargeras defeated the Nathrezim easily, eq2 plat [www.gamelee.com] but their corruption affected him deeply lord of the ring gold [www.gamelee.com] Maple Story Mesos [www.gamelee.com] Maple Story meso [www.gamelee.com] maplestory Meso [www.gamelee.com] silkroad online gold [www.gamelee.com] Lineage 1 adena [www.gamelee.com] wow 100 gold [www.wowgold.ws]. As doubt and despair LOTRO Gold [www.gamelee.com] overwhelmed Sargeras' senses, he lost all faith not only in his mission, LOTR Gold [www.gamelee.com] but also in the Titans' vision of lineage 2 adena [www.gamelee.com] an ordered universe. Eventually he came to maple story mesos [www.buymsmesos.com] believe that the concept of order itself was folly, buy lineage 2 adena [www.gamelee.com] and that chaos and depravity maplestory mesos [www.buymsmesos.com] were the only absolutes within the dark, maplestory meso [www.buymsmesos.com] lonely universe. His fellow Titans tried to Tabula Rasa Credit [www.gamelee.com] persuade him of his error and calm his raging emotions, perfect world gold [www.perfect-world-gold.net] but he disregarded their more pirates of the burning Sea gold [www.potbs-doubloon.com] optimistic beliefs as self-serving sword of the new world gold [www.gamelee.com] delusions. Storming from their ranks forever potbs doubloon [www.potbs-doubloon.com], Sargeras set out to find his own place ragnarok zeny [www.ragnarok-zeny.com] in the universe. Although the Pantheon was sorrowful at ro zeny [www.ragnarok-zeny.com] his departure, the Titans could Sword of the New World Vis [www.gamelee.com] never have predicted just how far rappelz rupee [www.rappelzrupees.com] their lost brother would go. Gaia Online Gold [www.tbcgold.com] gaia gold [www.tbcgold.com] Gods and Heroes gold [www.gamelee.com] Granado Espada Vis [www.gamelee.com] granado espada gold [www.gamelee.com] buy Lineage 1 adena [www.gamelee.com] Granado Espada gold [www.gamelee.com] Silkroad gold [www.gamelee.com] buy silkroad gold [www.gamelee.com] flyff penya [www.tbcgold.com] buy flyff gold [www.tbcgold.com] flyff money [www.tbcgold.com] final fantasy xi gil [www.gamelee.com] ffxi gil [www.gamelee.com] hero online gold [www.heroonlinemoney.com] imvu credits [www.credits-imvu.com] kal geon [www.kal-geons.com] knight gold [www.knight-gold.net] last chaos gold [www.gamelee.com] lineage adena [www.gamelee.com] lineage 2 adena [www.gamelee.com] lord of the rings gold [www.lotrolive.com] lotro gold [www.lotrolive.com] lotr gold [www.lotrolive.com] By the time Sargeras' madness had consumed the SUN online gold [www.gamelee.com] the last vestiges of his valiant rappelz gold [www.rappelzrupees.com] spirit, lineage ii adena [www.gamelee.com] he believed that the Titans themselves were responsible for star wars galaxies credits [www.star-war-galaxies-credits.com] creation's failure. Deciding, swg credits [www.star-war-galaxies-credits.com] at last, to undo their works shaiya gold [www.shaiya-gold.com] throughout the universe, Anarchy Online credit [www.gamelee.com] City of Villains infamy [www.gamelee.com] he resolved to form an unstoppable eq gold [www.gamelee.com] army that would set the physical universe aflame. Even Sargeras' titanic form silkroad gold [www.silkroad-online-gold.com] became distorted from the corruption silk road gold [www.silkroad-online-gold.com] that plagued his once-noble sword of the new world vis [www.granadoespadavis.com] heart. His eyes, tales of pirates gold [www.talesofpiratesmoney.com] hair, and beard erupted in fire, tibia money [www.tibia-vip.com] and his metallic bronze skin split open Vanguard money [www.gamelee.com] to reveal an endless warhammer gold [www.warhammermall.com] furnace of blistering hate. In his fury, Sargeras shattered the prisons of the cheap lineage 2 adena [www.gamelee.com] eredar and the Nathrezim and wow gold [www.wowgoldlive.com] set the loathsome demons free. These cunning the SUN online [www.gamelee.com] creatures bowed before the dark Titan's Anarchy Online credits [www.gamelee.com] vast rage and offered to Star Wars Galaxies Credits [www.gamelee.com] serve him in whatever malicious COV infamy [www.gamelee.com] ways they could. From the SWG Credits [www.gamelee.com] ranks of the powerful Eredar, Sargeras picked two champions wow power leveling [www.wowgoldlive.com] to command his demonic army of second life money [www.gamelee.com] destruction. Kil'jaeden the Deceiver was chosen to buy Aion gold [www.gamelee.com] seek out the darkest races in the Second Life Linden [www.gamelee.com] universe and recruit them wow powerleveling [www.wowgoldlive.com] into Sargeras' ranks. The second champion, Archimonde the Defiler, Aion gold [www.gamelee.com] was chosen to lead Sargeras' vast rappelz gold [www.rappelzrupees.com] armies into battle against Scions of Fate Gold [www.gamelee.com] any who might resist the Titan's will. Kil'jaeden's first move wow gold [www.wowgoldlive.com]was to enslave the vampiric dreadlords Rappelz Rupee [www.gamelee.com] under his terrible power. EverQuest plat [www.gamelee.com] buy eq gold [www.gamelee.com] EverQuest gold [www.gamelee.com] eq plat [www.gamelee.com] The dreadlords served as his personal agents throughout the universe wow 1000 gold [www.wowgold.ws], and they took pleasure in wow power leveling [www.wowgoldlive.com] locating primitive races for their master ro zeny [www.ragnarok-zeny.com] to corrupt and bring into the fold. First amongst the dreadlords was Tichondrius the Darkener. Tichondrius served Kil'jaeden as the Ragnarok Zeny [www.gamelee.com] perfect soldier and agreed to bring Sargeras' burning will aoc leveling [www.tbcgold.com] eve isk [www.gamelee.com] to all the dark corners of the universe buying wow gold [www.wowgold.ws]. The mighty Archimonde also empowered agents of his own PotBS Doubloon [www.gamelee.com]. Calling upon the malefic pit lords and their barbarous leader, aoc gold [www.tbcgold.com]，Mannoroth the Destructor, Archimonde hoped pirates of the burning sea gold [www.gamelee.com] to establish a fighting elite that would eve online isk [www.gamelee.com] scour creation of all life. Once Sargeras saw that aoc power leveling [www.tbcgold.com] his armies were amassed and ready to follow his every command kamas dofus [www.gamelee.com], he launched his raging forces into the vastness wow powerleveling [www.wowgoldlive.com] of the Great Dark. He referred to his dofus kamas [www.gamelee.com] growing army as the Burning Legion. To this date, 2moons dil [www.tbcgold.com] it is still unclear how many worlds they consumed and 2moons gold [www.tbcgold.com] burned on their unholy Burning Crusade across the universe Age of Conan gold [www.gamelee.com] age of conan power leveling [www.gamelee.com].
Re: Dutch military in Iraq delays troop transfer from suspected DU contaminated area
by fretg 22 April 2008
The best mp3 player is within your grasp. You've saved for many months, you've watched everyone buying mp3 player, but you wisely waited until you were sure you would get the best mp3 player in the world. mp3 players [www.mp3playerbuying.com] mp3 player [www.mp3playerbuying.com] mp4 player [www.mp3playerbuying.com] cheap mp3 players [www.mp3playerbuying.com] best mp3 player [www.mp3playerbuying.com] mp4 players [www.mp3playerbuying.com] mp3 portable players [www.mp3playerbuying.com] mp3 mp4 player [www.mp3playerbuying.com] mp3 player [www.mp3playerbuying.com] zubehoer mp3 player [www.mp3playershopping.de] mp3 mp4 player [www.mp3playerbuying.com] portabel mp3 player [www.mp3playershopping.de] MP3 PLAYER 2GB [www.mp3playershopping.de] MP3 PLAYER 4GB [www.mp3playershopping.de] MP3 PLAYER 8GB [www.mp3playershopping.de] mp3 player kaufen [www.mp3playershopping.de] mp3 [www.mp3playerstore.fr] mp4 [www.mp3playerstore.fr] mp3 players [www.mp3playerbuying.com] mp3 player [www.mp3playerbuying.com] lecteur mp3 [www.mp3playerstore.fr] lecteurs mp3 [www.mp3playerstore.fr] baladeur MP3 [www.mp3playerstore.fr] baladeurs MP3 [www.mp3playerstore.fr] digital mp3 player [www.mp3playerstore.fr] By learning from the feedback of other people, you can more easily find the pros and cons of those mp3 devices. After all, the best rated mp3 players have been approved by thousand of people out there.
Re: Dutch military in Iraq delays troop transfer from suspected DU contaminated area
Re: Dutch military in Iraq delays troop transfer from suspected DU contaminated area
by gfdgtg 22 April 2008
Doing quests 3 or more levels higher than you, or an elite quest solo may only take excess time, unless you are in a group, don’t attempt them. If you spend 5 hours trying to do a level 15 quest and you are at level 13, you may get it done. But in those same 5 hours, you could have made level 15 simply by killing stuff 2-3 levels beneath you. And then doing the quest in 1 hour. wow gold [www.gamesavor.com]. wow gold [www.gamesavor.com], wow geld [www.wowgold4europe.de]. cheap wow gold [www.gamesavor.com]. gold für wow [www.wowgold4europe.de], wow mein gold de [www.wowgold4europe.de]. buy world of warcraft gold [www.gamesavor.com]. wow gold billig [www.wowgold4europe.de], world of warcraft gold [www.wowgold4europe.de]. cheapest wow gold [www.gamesavor.com]. wow [www.wowgold4europe.fr], or wow [www.wowgold4europe.fr]. buying gold world of warcraft [www.gamesavor.com]. wowgold [www.wowgold4europe.fr], wow europe [www.wowgold4europe.fr]. wow gold [www.gamesavor.com]. wowgold [www.wowgold4europe.fr], cheap wow gold [www.gamesavor.com]. wow gold kauf [www.gamesavor.com]. wow gold [www.gamesavor.com], wow gold [www.gamesavor.com]. wow geld [www.wowgold4europe.de]. wow gold cheap [www.wowgoldcheapest.com], gold wow [www.buycheapwowgold.co.uk]. Want to buy wow gold fast? We provide fast and cheap wow gold for you. There you could enjoy 7/24 online support and Multilanguage support. Achat wow gold now, and your wow gold will be delivered to you fast and safe.
Re: Dutch military in Iraq delays troop transfer from suspected DU contaminated area
by Anonymous 10 December 2004
AANWEZIGHEOD VERARMD URANIUM IRAK
Tijdens de informatiedag die kortgeleden heeft plaatsgevonden enkele dagen voor uitzendingvan enkele honderden militairen naar Irak, waaronder zijn zoon heb ik kritsche vragen steld aan de aanwezige staf. Hierop had men blijkbaar niet gerekend en moest met het antwoord schuldig blijven. Van de aanwezigheid van verarmd Uranium was niets bekend. Al bekende de aanwezige genereel die het woord nam wel de documentaire aangaande dit onderwerp gezien te hebben.
Het is erg jammer en laakbaar, dat onze jongens via Internet kennis moeten nemen van de gevaren die ze lopen!
Cees van Loon
Defence Minister Kamp was informed early about depleted uranium.
by Louw van den Bos 10 April 2004
On 26 June 2003 long before the departure of the Dutch soldiers to Iraq, we warned Henk Kamp, the Dutch Minister of Defence of the health risks caused by depleted uranium (DU).
We wrote:
“According to our information the American Army had used weapon systems containing depleted uranium in Iraq. The use of radioactive (DU) uranium - ammunition has lead to large damage to the health of friend and enemy.
It can not be excluded that Dutch soldiers who will be sent to Iraq will be exposed to unacceptable health risks by the large-scale spread of depleted uranium there.”
Louw van den Bos is spokesman of the Burgerforum voor Democratie
My Headlines | Newsfeeds in your mailbox!
Set to replace the 442nd US Military Police Brigade stationed in the depot since early June, the Dutch troops put up their field beds inside, granting them at least some shelter from the ever-present desert heat and sand storms in the area, even though the buildings were dirty, dusty, vermin-infested and most windows were broken. Meals and other collective gatherings were held outside on the yard along the railway tracks amidst abandoned train engines and carriages, wrecked Iraqi tanks, unexploded ordnance, and other remnants of war. 
As the new camp out in the desert was still under construction, the Dutch troops stayed in the train depot at least until mid August. Pictures archived on the website of the Ministry of Defence show marines resting on field beds set up inside one of the buildings and sharing meals on the yard outside as late as 6 August 2003. By that time, they had been on the compound for over two weeks, even as 90 of them fell ill - some so much so that they had to be IV-fed. According to the Ministry they had contracted a virus, “due to the high temperatures, the change in food and lifestyle, and the higher concentration of viruses in the air of hot countries such as Iraq”. 
