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>>From: Philippa Winkler and Karen Parker
>
>DON'T BELIEVE THE SPIN: US BARELY WINS ON DU AT
UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
UN SUBCOMMISSION STUDY ON DU MOVES FORWARD
>
>Reuters' press account that Iraq suffered a defeat at the UN General
Assembly regarding an investigation of DU, does not give an accurate picture.
The United States was unable to muster more than 54 votes out of a
possible 144 because 45 States abstained and another 45 voted "yes". That is
not a majority vote. Reuters should have described it as a narrowly
defeated effort by Iraq to have the effects of depleted uranium
(DU)weaponry under close UN scrutiny (by the General Assembly). Activists
working on the DU issue should bear in mind that the World Health Organization
has already undertaken serious steps at evaluating the Iraqi health crisis
linked to use of DU weaponry in the Gulf War and the United Nations
>The UN Sub-Commission for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights
is already committed to a report on DU weapons due at its
2002 session. Therefore the resolution at the General Assembly was largely
"symbolic". It is by no means a victory for the US as the Western media have
portrayed it. Don't believe the spin.
>The huge number of abstentions are very encouraging. Abstentions are
no votes by countries who are not willing yet to challenge the US on this
issue. Seen this way, the majority of countries voted against the US (the yes
and abstention votes).
>The UN Sub-Commission for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights
DU study is going forward with Justice Sik Yuen (Mauritius) as Special
Rapporteur. Please support the Justice's efforts. If you have any reports on
DU for inclusion in this study please forward them to Philippa Winkler at
pjw8@dana.ucc.nau.edu. As the UN funds authorized for this study do not cover
all expenses, contributions are welcome.
>
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