[Peace-discuss] Doug Rokke Tour on 'Depleted' Uranium - July 21-Aug 7; Interview with Dr. Asaf Durakovic on 'depleted uranium' available as mp3; May 29 - International DU Day

[Charles Jenks]

Greetings - 

We have three important announcements for those concerned with the use of
'depleted' uranium munitions.

DOUG ROKKE speaking tour - July 21-Aug 7

We are organizing another series of national speaking events with Major Doug
Rokke, Ph.D.  We're planning 12 events from July 21 to Aug 7, starting in
New York State. If your group is interested in hosting an event in your
locale, call Sunny Miller at 413-773-7427.

Traprock has organized speaking tours with Major Doug Rokke, Ph.D., through
10 states, as well as many media interviews.  We have worked with groups all
over the country to arrange the Doug Rokke events. The most recent event -
at Albany Medical College - was a huge success and led to a story by ABC
News.  We worked with local chapters of Peace Action, Physicians for Social
Responsibility and others. The audio of the talk (including a presentation
by Len Deitz) is available at http://traprockpeace.org/Rokketalk03May03.mp3

ASAF DURAKOVIC interview available as MP3 at http://traprockpeace.org:

Sunny Miller's May 19th interview  of Dr. Asaf Durakovic on 'depleted
uranium' in London is now available on the Traprock website -
http://traprockpeace.org/depleteduranium.html - as an mp3 file.

Dr. Durakovic is one of the worlds leading scientists on depleted uranium
and founder of the Uranium Medical Research Centre (http://www.umrc.net/).
We interviewed him shortly before his press conference on DU, which was
covered by the BBC.

The Traprock website - our home page and our DU campaign page at
http://traprockpeace.org/depleteduranium.html - is a primary resource for
original material concerning depleted uranium.  We have contributions from
experts in the field - Doug Rokke, Asaf Durakovic, Leuren Moret, Denise
Nichols and Dai Williams; important copies of government documents; a
compilation of media articles with breaking news; and extensive links.
We're updating material continually.  We welcome contributions  and
suggestions for links and collaborations.

INTERNATIONAL DU DAY - MAY 29

Finally, I was going to send out a notice on International DU Day - May 29 -
but here's a nice one from a student in Washington State.

Thank you, Charlie Jenks

Traprock Peace Center
103A Keets Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
413-773-1633
http://traprockpeace.org

------ Forwarded Message
From: "c" <cmjg at u.washington.edu>
Date: Sun, 18 May 2003 11:18:43 -0700
To:  Undisclosed Recipients
Subject: May 29th, International Depleted Uranium Day

Depleted Uranium? What is it, why is it a problem and what can you do?

See below for ways you can help protect the health of US citizens and
veterans from Depleted Uranium.

Depleted Uranium Background:

    Depleted Uranium is a toxic, heavy metal with a half-life of over 4
billion years. Because of it's incredible density and ability to sharpen
upon impact, it is considered a highly effective munition by the military
and has been used for over a decade in international conflict.

    Upon impact, Depleted Uranium releases a fine dust which becomes
airborne. This dust can be inhaled as well as contaminate the soil and water
supply. Inhaling radioactive and toxic dust is something that most
cautious folks wouldn't choose on a daily basis, however when you are in
the battlefield, you have little choice. In fact, many of our soldiers who
served in the Gulf and the Balkans were unknowingly exposed to this depleted
uranium dust. Many have also come home showing the symptoms of unknown
illnesses often referred to as Gulf War and Balkan syndromes.

    There is little research available to help us determine the dangers
of DU exposure and what is available thus far does not indicate that DU is
healthy or risk-free. Depleted Uranium is known to travel downwind, up to 26
miles in some studies. Additionally, some research indicates that the
combination of toxicity and radioactivity in Depleted Uranium causes
chemical gene mutation. Moreover, Depleted Uranium is manufactured in
theUnited States, in almost every state. Do you want to be living within 26
miles of one of these DU plants?

        These are just a few of the reasons why we need House Bill 1483, the
Depleted Uranium Munitions Act passed immediately! This bill would require
research studies on the health and environmental impact of Depleted Uranium.
It would begin to protect both our soldiers and us.

We ask you to join us on May 29th, International Depleted Uranium Day, in a
nationwide effort to advocate for the passage of HR 1483!

Action Item #1:

 Our United States Representatives need to be advocating for this bill!

 OUR MESSAGE: "Our soldiers deserve to know, we deserve to know,
vote YES on HR 1483!

 Internet feedback can be sent to your U.S. Representative by clicking here.
 http://www.house.gov/writerep/

 Action Item #2:

Contact the committees hearing the DU Bill and share your support for HR
1483

 OUR MESSAGE: "Our soldiers deserve to know, we deserve to know,
 vote YES on HR 1483"

 The Committee on Energy and Commerce
 2125 Rayburn House Office Building
 Washington, DC 20515
 (202) 225-2927
 http://energycommerce.house.gov/107/feedback.htm

 House Armed Services Committee
 2120 Rayburn House Office Building
 Washington, D.C. 20515
 (202) 225-4151
 *internet feedback form not available for this committee

Action #3: [local (WA) calendar items]

Action #4:

PASS THIS MESSAGE ON TO AS MANY FOLKS AS YOU CAN!

For further information on Depleted Uranium please consider one of these
sites:

Depleted uranium casts shadow over peace in Iraq, April 2003.
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993627

The Military Toxics Project
www.miltoxproj.org

Traprock Peace Center's Depleted Uranium Project
http://traprockpeace.org/depleteduranium.html

If you have questions about this 'Take 5' Depleted Uranium Action Alert, you
wish to receive more information or wish to sponsor your own DU 'Take 5'
table, please contact Caterina at cmjg at u.washington.edu