In These New Times

If the spirit of the notorious Dr Repacholi still haunts the ICRP at the WHO then not much hope can be held out for this investigation. In his view, depleted uranium “is basically safe’, just as are virtually all exposures to radiation, ionising or non-ionising. There can be little doubt as to the tragic effects of DU which is already being investigated by the Iraqi authorities: it’s time now  to launch an investigation into the WHO itself.

PressTV

1st April, 2010

The World Health Organization (WHO) says it will conduct an independent study into the high level of birth defects in the Iraqi city of Fallujah.

Hassan Elbushra, WHO’s representative in Iraq, told Sky News that the study will be carried out in different parts of the country to establish the trend of birth defects and to see if anything went unusual in places like Fallujah.

“This is a big study which will be compiled in different parts of Iraq into women’s health.”

“We believe we can get very good data from different parts of the country and can tell average incidents of birth defects and see if there is anything unusual in places like Fallujah.”

Iraqi doctors and local people blame unconventional arms used by the US military in its operations in Fallujah for causing a high level of birth defects among children in the city.

The US military says no official studies have so far confirmed a link between deformities and chemicals used during the war.

After the Iraq invasion, Fallujah was the site of two major battles in 2004.

The United States admitted to using white phosphorus in the second assault, which was carried out in November 2004. There have also been unconfirmed reports that the US used depleted uranium munitions in Fallujah.