IRAQ: BASRA: DEPLETED URANIUM WEAPONS (V)

(17 Jan 2001) English/Nat XFA On the tenth anniversary of the beginning of the Gulf War, Iraq’s leader, Saddam Hussein, is still claiming victory. But the war’s legacy for his country has been international icolation, sanctions and economic collapse. Iraqis themselves say the conflict has taken a great toll on the country’s health, due to NATO’s use of depleted uranium in its weapons during the war. 0001 War memorials in the city of Basra, signifying glory in the Mother of All Battles. But the conflict led to Iraq beating a retreat from neighboring Kuwait. It was followed by sanctions and economic ruin. 0015 Another legacy of the war, according to Iraq, is widespread environmental contamination. About 300 tons of bombs with depleted uranium were dropped on Iraq. The people say the metal is poisoning their livestock. 0031 This man is convinced his sheep grazing land is contaminated, saying when the animals eat the grass they die. He’s lost 18 sheep so far. 0041 A tomato field also said to be effected. For years Iraq has insisted there’s a link between depleted uranium and human health. Kadam Ali agrees. 0050 “The whole area is covered with uranium,“ he says. “My son Yussef had been sick for about three years. The other one is beginning to suffer now.“ 0101 Iraq says there’s been a sharp increase in cancer cases - and cancer deaths - since the end of the war. Child mortality has increased. While the bombing campaign ended almost a decade ago, the citizens believe they - and their children - continue to pay the price. Find out more about AP Archive: Twitter: Facebook: ​​ Instagram: You can license this story through AP Archive: