November 29, 2006

Right Hon. Stephen Harper
Prime Minister of Canada
House of Commons
Parliament Buildings
Ottawa ON K1A 0A5

Dear Sir,

The use of DU (depleted uranium) weapons has been widely opposed by scientists, legal experts and concerned persons both within and outside the U.S. and Britain. It is to the credit of the Canadian Government that the use of DU by the Canadian Armed Forces has been banned.

It is our concern that the Canadian military, who have or are presently fighting insurgents in Afghanistan, along with innocent civilians of that country, are quite likely to have been exposed to DU weapons used by the U.S. military providing aerial support to the Canadian troops or even in other areas during the Afghan conflict. We are sure that the Canadian public not only does not want their compatriots exposed to the dangers of DU, neither do they want there to be a legacy of health effects on the general population of Afghanistan.

The UN Human Rights Commission Report on Lebanon calls for action on DU weapons. The European Parliament resolution on the Convention on the Prohibition on Biological and Toxic Weapons (BTWC) calls on the EU and member states to work hard to ensure that the scope of Protocol to the CCW on Incendiary Weapons III is expanded in order to prevent the further use of white phosphorus shells against military and civilian targets and to stop the use of depleted uranium weapons.

It seems quite possible to the Institute that Canada may be complicit in the use of DU weapons even though not directly being used by Canadian Armed Forces. The health effects of DU on the veterans of the Gulf War and family members, including offspring, have been amply demonstrated. Genetic effects will directly affect the following generations. It certainly poses a dilemma for Canadians and the Canadian Government if our allies use of DU in any conflict. As the U.S. government appears to be supporting the development of other weapons using radioactive materials, we would like to see concrete efforts by the Canadian Government to oppose the use of all forms of radioactive armaments by all nations. Canada could have a very effective role to play in the prevention of the use of radioactive weapons of war.

Sincerely,