Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace
Founded 1972
“Human Race Not Arms Race”
PO Box 363 Geneseo NY 14454
<www.gvcp.org> 585-624-3673
September 27, 2012

Dear GVCP Member:

NEXT REGULAR GVCP MEETING is SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20th, 1:00 PM (Lunch), 1:30 PM (Meeting).  Omega Restaurant, 4182 Lakeville Rd (Route 20A) Geneseo. 

This Month’s Letter: U.S. should oppose depleted uranium weapons.  Depleted uranium is a by-product of the enrichment of uranium used for nuclear fuel and weapons.  Weapons that contain depleted uranium release clouds of radioactive dust on impact.  These radioactive particles can cause cancer and genetic defects.  Areas in which these weapons were used remain radioactive.  Complete decontamination is impossible.  Even after combat has ceased, these toxic remnants cause indiscriminate harm to everyone in the vicinity.

The European Parliament has issued a resolution calling for a global ban on depleted uranium weapons.  The United Nations General Assembly has passed three resolutions concerning depleted uranium weapons.  The U.N. resolutions have the very modest goal of asking countries to release information about where they have used depleted uranium weapons.  The most recent resolution was passed in December 2010.  Only four countries voted against the resolution.  One of the countries was the United States.

In the next few weeks, the United Nations General Assembly will again vote on a resolution concerning weapons containing depleted uranium.  The United States should show leadership in opposing the use of depleted uranium weapons.  These weapons put civilians at great risk, and also are dangerous to soldiers on both sides of a conflict.  The United States should join the global opposition to depleted uranium weapons.  WRITE TO:

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton
U.S. State Department
Washington DC 20520
Fax: 202-647-8947 http://www.state.gov/secretary/ [Use “Contact Us”] [Adapted from Veterans for Peace]

Peace,

Arnie Matlin for GVCP