Malaysian Soldiers Blame Lung and Kidney Ailments on Balkans Stint

23 Malaysian soldiers, who did a stint as UN peacekeepers during the Balkan conflict of 1996 say they are suffering from chronic lung and kidney diseases brought on by exposure to DU ammunition used by US forces in Bosnia. They want the Malaysian government to undertake an investigation into their illnesses, which they believe may have been caused by exposure to the radioactive material, while on duty in the Balkans, the leading Malay-language daily Utusan Malaysia reported in May.

War veteran Major Zainudin Wahin, 50, speaking on their behalf, said many of his colleagues were suffering from chronic lung and kidney diseases. “These two diseases may be common in this part of the world but we are told that many soldiers from other countries, who had served in Bosnia suffered similar ailments on their return from duty. This has been an old issue in the West but unfortunately our soldiers were ignorant of the effects of radiation on their health.”
Major Zainudin, now retired, spoke to newsmen after filing his complaint with the Complaints Bureau of the Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s ruling United Malay National Organisation (Umno)Youth wing.
http://www.irna.com/en/world/020517134313.ewo.shtml