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Taking
action on DU |
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What
we can do about depleted uranium weapons? |
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| 1. |
Refuse
to accept the lies about DU that say that it is not a health problem.
It is toxic when the dust is inhaled, ingested or absorbed through
wounds. It can contaminate water supplies as it corrodes. Radiation
that is not harmful outside the body can be very harmful inside the
body. |
| 2. |
Use
the web to find out information. Print it out for those who don’t
have access. See below. |
| 3. |
Support
the campaigns listed below in which we lobby politicians, write to
the newspapers, share the information with friends and our organisations,
and make our protests known as widely as possible |
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Our
Demands |
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1. |
DON’T
LEAVE PEOPLE DYING FROM DU |
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All
people who may have inhaled, ingested, or had wound contamination must receive
medical assessment and treatment for adverse health effects: the children
and adults of Iraq and other places where DU weapons have been used; the
Australian troops; aid workers and anyone else who has been exposed. |
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| 1. |
The
governments who used these weapons must pay for the assessment and
treatment of those affected in past military actions. |
| 2. |
Veterans
must be allowed to tell their experiences. Governments must stop silencing
the people who speak out |
| 3. |
Data
must be collected and made publicly available. |
| 4. |
As
long as DU weapons continue to be used, governments must put in place
the facilities to assess civilians and troops for DU exposure and
to provide immediate treatment, whenever and wherever the weapons
are used. |
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2. |
DON’T
RUBBISH THE WORLD WITH DU |
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All depleted uranium penetrator fragments, contaminated
equipment, and oxide contamination must be removed and disposed of to
prevent further adverse health and environmental effects. This will mean:
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| 1. |
THE
REMOVAL OF THE DU DEBRIS FROM IRAQ. The USA, UK and Australia say
the Iraqi people are not the enemy, so why are we leaving toxic, radioactive
waste, or any other trash, in their land? |
| 2. |
THE
REMOVAL OF THE DU DEBRIS FROM EVERYWHERE ELSE OUR ALLIES HAVE RUBBISHED
- Former Yugoslavia, and probably Afghanistan. |
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Further,
AUSTRALIA MUST STOP COLLABORATINGWITH THOSE WHO RUBBISH THE WORLD WITH DU.
Tell the politicians we don’t want to be allies with people who rubbish
other lands with DU. We don’t want to contribute to the harm of those who
live there. We don’t want our troops exposed. |
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3. |
BAN
DU WEAPONS |
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DU
weapons involve both radioactivity and toxicity. They harm both present
and future generations. |
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| 1. |
Australia
must ban these weapons - we must demand a commitment from the Australian
government that |
|
a) |
Australian
troops will not ever use DU weapons |
|
b) |
Visiting
troops (eg US troops) will not ever use DU weapons in practice sessions
in Australia. |
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c) |
Australia
will never allow DU weapons to be manufactured - or partly manufactured
- in Australia. |
| 2. |
Australia
must work for an international ban on DU weapons. |
| 3. |
Australia
must refuse to contribute troops to any military action where DU weapons
will be used by its allies. |
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Campaigns |
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Further
reading |
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The
Sydney Rokke Tour Depleted Uranium Website was last updated 3rd July
2003
E-mail Rev. Dr Ann Wansbrough
for further information.
Sponsors
of the Sydney leg of Professor Rokke’s tour include:
Scientists for Global Responsibility; UnitingCare NSW.ACT; Economic
Reform Australia;
Walk Against the War; Coalition The Greens; Search Foundation; NSW Independent
Teachers Union;
CFMEU Construction and General NSW Branch
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Background info.on DU 