Actions
Taken by Switzerland
Concerning Depleted Uranium
AD
HOC Committee on Depleted Uranium (AHCDU)
Actions taken by Switzerland concerning depleted uranium
As of 22 January 2001
In the past
In 1960 - 1970, Oerlikon-Contraves and Hispano Suiza, two private Swiss
companies, separately tested DU ammunition in Switzerland, in the cantons
of Schwyz and Geneva.
The Federal Military Department (former Swiss Federal Department of Defence)
tested DU ammunition between 1975 and 1980. In all, 176 g of DU were fired
in an enclosed test tunnel. DU was not deemed to show significantly better
results than Wolfram. The DU tests were accordingly brought to an end.
After the start of NATO operations in South Eastern Europe
In the framework of Operation Focus, (a humanitarian relief action undertaken
in 1999 by Switzerland, Greece and Russia in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia),
experts mandated in August 1999 by the Swiss Agency for Development and
Cooperation conducted research in Serbia in 1999 on spent DU ammunition.
All results concerning health hazards were negative.
In January 2000, the AC-Laboratorium Spiez - an advanced research facility
of the Swiss Department of Defense - determined through analysis conducted
as of April 1999 that the health hazards related to DU are negligible.
In April 2000, Switzerland initiated and funded a UNEP research program
on possible risks linked to spent DU ammunition. First results of this
research are expected in February/March 2001.
In 2001
Swiss authorities reacted swiftly after news appeared in early January
about leukemia cases among KFOR soldiers. As soon as January 9, interministerial
action undertaken by the Swiss Departments of Defence, of Foreign Affairs,
of Justice and Police and of Finance led to a general mailing of information
to all past and present Swiss military personnel and civilian experts
active in the Balkans. All were informed of the possibility to undergo
blood tests. These tests are voluntary, and are coordinated with the relevant
humanitarian organizations. Furthermore, spent ammunition samples collected
against regulations in the field and brought home illegally by some soldiers
are being collected by Army services, and help is being offered to the
soldiers concerned.
On January 7, The Swiss Department of Defense set up hotlines giving
information on medical and other issues related to DU.
As soon as the DU issue was known to worry public opinion, the Swiss
Chief of general Staff ordered a fully open and transparent information
policy. On January 16, the Security Policy Committee of the National Council
(lower Chamber of Parliament) has acknowledged the openness of the Department
of Defense's information policy.
Concerned about the fate of civilian populations in the affected areas,
the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation has contacted UNMIK,
the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia&Herzegovina as well
as UNEP to inquire about steps taken to safeguard civilian populations.
On January 17, The Head of the Department of Defence, Federal Councillor
Samuel Schmid, has tasked the AC-Laboratorium Spiez to test spent DU ammunition
samples for possible plutonium content. First results are expected to
be available at the end of February 2001.
Switzerland has ruled out calling back SWISSCOY soldiers.
On January 18, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Federal Councillor
Moritz Leuenberger, suggested that consideration be given to a proposal
that the December 2001 Geneva CCW Review Conference take up the matter
of a ban on DU ammunition.
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