Iraq war could unleash oil spills, toxins: experts

NEW YORK: Major casualties of a war with Iraq would be the region’s fragile environment and the health of its inhabitants and combatants, if the last Persian Gulf conflict is anything to judge by, arms experts and activists say.

Eleven years ago, both sides in the Gulf War left Kuwait’s ecosystems in chaos — Iraq by torching oil wells as its soldiers retreated, and the United States by littering the desert with thousands of rounds of depleted uranium (DU) munitions.

DU is the trace element left over when uranium is enriched; most of the highly radioactive types of uranium are removed for use as nuclear fuel or nuclear weapons.

Deployed in the Persian Gulf in 1991 and in Kosovo in 1999, DU munitions are prized for their high density and ability to punch through walls and armoured vehicles.

According to the Washington-based Centre for Defence Information, the US has four weapons that rely on DU and that could be used in a future war with Iraq: the A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft, the Apache and Cobra helicopters, and the M1A1 Abrams Tank.

“These types of weapons will undoubtedly be used as Washington has made it clear it wants to bomb bunkers and kill as many of the Iraqi government leaders as possible,” said John Catalinotto of the New York-based International Action Center, a leading critic of DU.

“This would lead to an even greater amount of DU being spread around Baghdad, this time, a city of five million people,” he said.

Although the Pentagon insists that DU is not toxic or radioactive, many Iraqi survivors of the Gulf War believe differently. The World Health Organisation (WHO) notes that those most likely to be exposed to DU are aid workers and local populations living and working in contaminated areas.

“The Gulf War is the only indicator for the increase of cancer in Iraq,” Loua’i Latif Kasha, a pathologist and director of Baghdad’s Mansour Hospital, told Reuters news agency last week. “The rate of cancer has risen five- to seven-fold more than before 1991.”

“Radiation pollution from depleted uranium bombs by itself causes cancer like leukemia and thyroid,” said Kasha.

Some Desert Storm veterans, who now suffer from disabilities and mysterious illnesses, are leery of sending troops back to the region.

“Science has absolutely shown that the illnesses Gulf War veterans face are not as a result of the stressors of war but as a result of exposures, unapproved vaccines, unapproved pills and a myriad of other things that have not yet been researched,” said Steve Robinson, executive director of the National Gulf War Resource Centre in Washington.

“Our government has ignored the Gulf War veteran experience of 1991. Will America stand by and watch another tragic event occur that could be avoided?” he asked.

The Pentagon carried out numerous studies on DU, and concluded that it poses no significant health threat. It has not changed its stance, despite years of complaints from veterans groups.

Other independent experts also believe DU’s toxicity has been exaggerated.

“In general, I think that these munitions are dangerous, but not for the reasons many opponents have argued,” said Stephen Schwartz, editor of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists. “They’re not harmless, but the health and environmental consequences of their use in the Gulf War and in Kosovo have been overstated.”

Still, peace groups and veterans’ associations point out that no adequate explanation has ever been offered for the cluster of symptoms known as ‘Gulf War Syndrome’.

In April, the Veterans Administration released a report that found that one-third of all troops sent to the Persian Gulf in 1991 have filed claims for medical problems. About 9,600 Desert Storm veterans, of a total of 200,000, have died since the end of the war.

“While we were never sure which combination of factors caused the illness of over 100,000 US service people in the Gulf in 1991, many of the same suspected factors will be present (in a future war),” Catalinotto said.

“DU, widespread vaccinations, exposures to toxic materials destroyed by US bombs will all be there again.”

Aside from DU — and possibly the use of biological and chemical weapons — environmentalists warn of more oil spills should US forces invade Iraq, which is sitting on at least 112 billion barrels.

When Iraqi forces pulled out of Kuwait in 1991, they ignited more than 700 oil wells. Eight months elapsed before the fires could be put out. The resulting 10,000-square-mile cloud of soot darkened the sky to the point that cars had to use their headlights in the daytime.

About 11 million barrels of oil were also deliberately dumped by Iraq into the Arabian Gulf. A decade later, scientists assessing the damage found that while ocean ecosystems had mostly recovered, 40 percent of Kuwait’s fresh water reserves were permanently ruined by lakes of oil that had seeped through the sand.

Green Cross International estimated the total environmental damage suffered by Kuwait at 40 billion dollars.

Environmental Media Services, which put out a fact sheet on the subject, says it is unlikely that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein would torch his own wells.

But the group notes that the size of the country and its oil wells would make it much more difficult to extinguish burning oil fields there, should they be ignited by a bombing campaign or for other reasons.

Some of the wells contain a significant amount of gas, and fire-fighters have much more difficulty controlling and capping these types of high-pressure wells, the group says.—Dawn/InterPress News Service.

Abolish the show of opulence

ASSUMING that in this growing city we are going to have to contend with water shortage, or rather its obvious scarcity, the obvious point to revisit this theme is this: how can we manage the existing water supply with fairness? Or perhaps reframe the question to ask: can the general public in this Sindh capital, and even elsewhere in urban areas (in particular), be made to appreciate that there is a water shortage they must accept and adjust to? Which means avoid wastage, and prioritize the use of water. Which further means that things like washing cars and watering lawns must get a low priority, if at all?

It is such a weather-beaten theme in a sense, so indeed hackneyed that its stark reality is lost on such citizens who have no clue to what a shortage, or absence of regular water supply, does to those who live with that kind of appalling context. There are people in this very city who do not get at all any piped water, or do without it for days. Something like once a week. Contrast this with the watering of lush lawns, or the stubborn love of gardens in this city.

One focuses on water here in the hope that as Ramazan begins next week, the water supply situation will improve and that the “severe water shortage” that Karachiites have just experienced will diminish if not disappear. Let’s face it, the story of water and its shortages and explanations of how it is distributed are well known, almost ad nauseum.

One refers to a Dawn story which says that while “Karachiites experience severe water shortage” the “position may improve today.” The worrying point is that while it may improve, but once again there could be a fresh cause of another water crisis. All in a city where one hears that a residential area such as the Defence Housing Authority is planning to have their desalination plant in the years to come. Someone at least is looking ahead, and so what if it is the affluent and the influential. Which makes us ask. What are the majority of people going to do in a sorry state where no one is asking questions relating to an uneven and unequal sharing of income and prosperity? Whither poverty alleviation, really?

On this water theme there is much to write. There is an interesting report that has appeared in an English daily which has this headline “Pakistan biggest consumer of water in the region;” and this is what it reveals “Pakistan has the highest per capita consumption in the region because of inefficient use of this precious resource, a panel on energy and water problems in Pakistan was told by an American expert.” The report said that “Job Henning told a meeting organized by the South Asia programme of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies that Pakistan had the 14th highest per capita consumption of water in the world. Forty per cent of water came from outside its borders which created dependence.” There were other details, and it was once again reminded that “The Mangla Dam may become inoperative in 10 to 15 years’ time because of silting, and no new large dam is being built.”

Now let us not get into the macro story here. Karachi is a big enough theme, and the way in which we have lived through another water crisis (with a rationing of water still in effect even at this time of the year) is reason enough to continue asking such gnawing question as: where are we going? have we planned to ever have water for the majority of the people? is the water shortage going to cripple our lives? will electricity breakdowns and now even low pressure gas supplies to water filter plants at Dhabeji become regular causes of reduced water supplies?

I have been talking to a senior citizen who believes that the water shortage is going to be with us for the foreseeable future. So the answer lies in getting ready to live with it. Like living with power shortages. Or like living with an inefficiency in the various government departments (Nadra being a recent addition to the list)?

He explained that after all is said and done, there is in the local community no effort worth the name to make people save water, avoid its wastage, or its extravagant use. That there is neither any public awareness campaign, nor any education of the young in middle and upper class schools, for example to make them realize that they should be careful in the use of water. What has evidently happened over the years that the message given is that “use mineral water,” instead of normal water. For the piped water is impure and unfit for human consumption. Old tale, this one.

Isn’t it truly amazing to see the manner in which as Pakistan urbanizes, and as water shortage turns grim and serious with time, the use of and dependence on mineral water grows. And that there is corruption and adulteration in this field too. That not all the bottled mineral water is clean and real. Unregistered producers are having a field day, various

NGOs such as the Helpline keep on pointing out, and apparently in vain. A reason for this being an open field for the defaulters because there is weak public opinion, or none at all,on what the consumers should do.

Reflective in a way of what public opinion on this theme is like is seen in this paragraph from a story headlined thus: “Stormy outbursts over water shortage” and consequently the “City Council session marred.” It reads “Rowdy scenes on Wednesday marred the proceedings of the city council when around two dozen people belonging to water-starved localities of Orangi Town entered the shamianas where the council was in session.”

These men raised slogans against the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board. Contrast this with this advice that has been given mildly by a residents committee to its apartment residents, in an upper class locality in town. The advice: no watering of lawns and flowerpots as human life is more precious than anything else. Strange that we have Karachiites who do not understand even this. Perhaps not strange!

Time will tell whether PCB chief learned his lesson or not

THE chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Lt Gen Tauqir Zia, played his last card by tendering his resignation after a series of disastrous performances of the national team in an attempt to cool down the emotions of the countrymen who felt agitated and wanted his and his lieutenants heads to roll.

He succeeded in getting breathing space as the patron-in-chief of the PCB, President General Pervez Musharraf, did not accept the resignation and reposed faith in Tauqir’s administrative capabilities.

The PCB chief has perhaps realised some of his mistakes. All along his tenure, Tauqir always made someone the scapegoat which saw our heroes being ridiculed for nothing publicly as they were removed on one pretext or the other. Only those survived the long three-year period who became yes men.

Players of the stature of Javed Miandad, Zaheer Abbas were not treated with the respect they deserved. Mediocre players like Ramiz Raja, Zakir Khan, Haroon Rasheed, Sikander Bakht were given important assignments and they failed miserably to deliver.

Now that the PCB chief has relieved one of his key advisors Ramiz of any responsibility or the latter has distanced himself with the PCB so not to be part of the sinking ship, it is hoped that the atmosphere at Lahore will be clearer and people who are really honest and dedicated to the game will pool their experience and wisdom to improve the things.

The PCB chief has got a new lease of life and it is to be seen whether he has learnt any lesson from his past mistakes or not. There is very little time to rebuild the team for the World Cup. The talent is there, the potential is there. What we need now is motivation.

Now that Ramiz episode is over it is time that the PCB boss should part ways with yes men like Wasim Bari, chairman of the PCB’s selection committee, who does not have the guts to call a spade a spade. He should look for some upright and straightforward former cricketer who should speak truth and truth alone and should not compromise on any national issue for personal gains.

Besides that, the PCB chief should distance himself from the team selection as his involvement in the past cannot be denied. He was found at times backing wrong horses and persisted with his notions for too long which did not serve the national interest.

He took long time to retreat on his decisions. Shoaib Malik is the most glaring case where he was persisted for too long and as a result, Shahid Afridi and Imran Nazir were never allowed to settle down and today we are faced with the problem of not having a sound pair of openers and are still groping in the dark with the World Cup just three months away.

Now there is no time to train someone. Training can be and should be imparted at lower level. At the national level anyone who thinks that players can be or should be coached is living in fools paradise. No coaching can be imparted at the Test level. At this stage only finer points or vital tips can be given to the players. Any change of style or stance is just not possible and will not work.

With World Cup just around the corner, what is needed is that the players should be made to believe in themselves, should develop self confidence and should focus on their game rather than minor issues like someone who does not know whether he is going to be selected or not. Self confidence develops only when players know of their position in the team. In the last three years no player has been given ample time to settle down.

While I am writing this column, I am told that the PCB has appointed former great, Hanif Mohammad who will be touring Zimbabwe with the national team as a batting coach. Nobody can doubt the class of the Little Master. But one wonders the wisdom of the PCB in selecting Hanif to coach the team on the tour. It is simply ridiculous and could well end up in humiliation for the former great batsman.

One can hardly imagine that the players on the tour will listen to Hanif or learn anything on the tour. A tour is not the place for getting any lessons. Players gain experience on tours and learn through errors and gain experience and confidence by the exposure they get on the foreign soil. It is no place for imparting coaching and that too at the Test level.

One really cannot analyse the PCB approach as it is most ill- timed and has no logic. In the first place Hanif can impart technique to youngsters who are in the learning stage and they can benefit. Secondly, Hanif does not belong to the one-day era so the time does not favour his appointment. The PCB will not be able to put all the burden on Hanif’s shoulders in case of another failure.

One really cannot understand the logic of sending Hanif to Zimbabwe when a South African coach drawing a salary of around Rs 1,40,000 per day is already there. Will Hanif be under Richard Pybus? Pybus has no standing and he will feel small when Hanif is around.

These are the decisions which are beyond one’s comprehension. If the PCB chief has not learnt any lessons from his past mistakes one can only pray for some miracle or one can only write off the World Cup prospect.

If the PCB chief is really interested he should accept his own follies. Appoint team coach and manager who should not be disturbed. Final team with reserves for the World Cup should be announced straightaway before the one-day series against Zimbabwe. It will help the players to gain confidence which has been totally shaken because of too much interference with the team’s performance and involvement of the PCB chief who instead of watching the over-all performance of all the departments got too involved with the players and the team.

If the PCB chief can distance himself from the team management and the players, half the problem of the team will be solved and its performance graph will improve. Tauqir Zia should pick up the courage to take the responsibility of team’s poor performance and try to find a solution to the problem instead of finding some one or the other as the scapegoat. This will not serve the cause of Pakistan cricket. The ball is now in Tauqir’s court.