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Shared in accordance with the "fair dealing" provisions, Section 29, of the Copyright Act - http://www.cb-cda.gc.ca/info/act-e.html#rid-33409
MSM media article, Minister's response follows....
Ombudsman Finds that the Health Concerns of Canadian Forces Veterans were Ignored
Ombudsman office news release, 1 Nov 06
http://www.ombudsman.forces.gc.ca/mediaRoom/newsReleases/2006/11-01_e.asp
Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman, Yves Côté, today released a special report, entitled Heroism Exposed: An Investigation into the Treatment of 1 Combat Engineer Regiment Kuwait Veterans (1991), regarding the treatment received by Canadian Forces members exposed to toxic environmental substances more than a decade and a half ago.
The Ombudsman’s report follows a comprehensive, three-year investigation into concerns raised by Major (Ret’d) Fred Kaustinen, former Deputy Commanding Officer of 1 Combat Engineer Regiment, that members of his Regiment were exposed to harmful substances throughout their deployment to Kuwait in 1991, and that their significant health concerns were systematically ignored during, and after, their service to Canada.
“It is clear from our investigation that members of 1 Combat Engineer Regiment discharged their responsibilities with exemplary courage and dedication to duty that demands special recognition,” stated Mr. Côté. But he added, “It troubles me greatly that the legitimate health concerns of these proud veterans were not given the weight and respect that they deserved.” ....
Combat engineers exposed to Gulf War contaminants: ombudsman
Murray Brewster, Canadian Press, 1 Nov 06
http://www.recorder.ca/cp/National/061101/n110165A.html
OTTAWA (CP) - Canadian combat engineers serving in Kuwait in the aftermath of the first Gulf War were exposed to a noxious cocktail of chemicals, including depleted uranium, the Canadian Forces ombudsman said Wednesday.
In a scathing 46-page report, Yves Cote concluded the army did little to protect soldiers from the environmental hazards posed by burning oil wells, set alight by retreating Iraqi forces in 1991.
There's no definite link between exposure to the smoke, as well as to burning ammunition containing depleted uranium, and health concerns raised by soldiers after the deployment, Cote said.
But the military systematically ignored complaints from many of the roughly 350 soldiers who took part in the Kuwait mission, his report concludes.
"The Canadian Forces was aware that burning oil wells posed air quality issues; however, the provisions that were made to protect personnel were limited and not universally applied," said Cote.
"Also ground personnel lacked an adequate supply of protective equipment. Following our investigation, I also found the legitimate health concerns . . . were not given the weight and respect they deserved."
The initial complaint that prompted the investigation by the military watchdog came from the unit's former second-in-command.
"This is fantastic," retired Maj. Fred Kaustinen said of the report's findings.
"We have a world-class health system in Canada and we have world-class soldiers.
"Somehow these world-class soldiers were denied our own health system. It's great that a leader in our system has stepped up and said these guys didn't get what they deserved."
During a three-year investigation, begun under Cote's predecessor Andre Marin, former engineers complained of a variety of health issues, including breathing trouble, unexplained headaches and tumours.
Cote also discovered that the medical files of some soldiers who served in Kuwait have key pieces of information missing - documents that soldiers were assured would be there should they ever report any health concerns.
"At some point in time there were pieces of paper that may have been on an individual's files that were removed, but this may not be a sinister move," said Cote.
Given that 15 years have passed, it could have been a bureaucratic exercise or an oversight, he said.
Six years ago, a board of inquiry into concerns Canadian peacekeepers in Croatia were exposed to toxic chemicals in 1993 found that information was deliberately removed from the medical files of those soldiers. A non-commissioned officer was disciplined over the incident involving troops who served in the Medak Pocket.
The Croatian investigation also found that the Defence Department did not keep proper track of who served in the Balkan operation. It recommended better recordkeeping, a measure that has yet to implemented six years later.
Cote not only discovered deployment lists for the engineers in Kuwait to be incomplete, but also records of who has been serving in Afghanistan.
He said it's important, especially if soldiers currently overseas ever need a paper trail to present to Veterans Affairs for benefits and compensation.
Like their Croatian counterparts, engineers who served in the Gulf have had trouble applying for benefits "primarily because they were unable to document the fact that they had served in Kuwait and had been exposed to various environmental toxins," said Cote's report.
Kaustinen said someone should be asking the government why it is reluctant to recognize these illnesses.
For years, the health of many soldiers who took part in peacekeeping or support operations - conflicts that were not quite peace and not quite war - have been dismissed as stress-related.
Critics have also attempted to link the ailments with exposure to depleted uranium shells - munitions that are coated with spent nuclear fuel in order to make it easier for them to penetrate armoured vehicles.
Cote's report appears to be the first official acknowledgment by anyone connected with the Defence Department that Canadian troops were exposed to the potentially hazardous residue.
Scientists have long been concerned about the health effects of soldiers inhaling depleted uranium dust, which is leftover in the aftermath of the exploded shell.
In 2002, the Defence Department offered to test Canadian veterans for radioactive contamination. To date, only 228 out of 4,262 who served in the Gulf have taken up the offer and no abnormal readings having been found.
Cote said the combat engineers should be recognized for their bravery, especially for helping U.S. soldiers stamp out a July 1991 fire at an ammunition depot in Doha, where they evacuated many casualties who had been exposed to burning rounds containing depleted uranium.
The ombudsman met Tuesday with Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor, who promised to develop an action plan to implement Cote's nine recommendations.
Defence Minister Welcomes Ombudsman Report
CF news release #06.093, 1 Nov 06
http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/newsroom/view_news_e.asp?id=2135
The Honourable Gordon O'Connor, Minister of National Defence, welcomes the recommendations made in the report released earlier today by the Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman.
The report investigated the treatment of military veterans from 1 Combat Engineer Regiment following exposure to harmful substances during their deployment in Kuwait in 1991.
"As Minister of National Defence, it's important for me that the brave men and women risking their lives serving our country are treated with respect and dignity," said Minister O'Connor. "I'm pleased to mention that most of the recommendations made in the report are in the process of being implemented within the Department and Canadian Forces."
Since 1991, the Canadian Forces has made significant progress in the assessment, management and documentation of environmental exposure.
Military officials are reviewing the report and will provide the Minister with feedback on ways to further improve its practises.
-30-
MSM media article, Minister's response follows....
Ombudsman Finds that the Health Concerns of Canadian Forces Veterans were Ignored
Ombudsman office news release, 1 Nov 06
http://www.ombudsman.forces.gc.ca/mediaRoom/newsReleases/2006/11-01_e.asp
Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman, Yves Côté, today released a special report, entitled Heroism Exposed: An Investigation into the Treatment of 1 Combat Engineer Regiment Kuwait Veterans (1991), regarding the treatment received by Canadian Forces members exposed to toxic environmental substances more than a decade and a half ago.
The Ombudsman’s report follows a comprehensive, three-year investigation into concerns raised by Major (Ret’d) Fred Kaustinen, former Deputy Commanding Officer of 1 Combat Engineer Regiment, that members of his Regiment were exposed to harmful substances throughout their deployment to Kuwait in 1991, and that their significant health concerns were systematically ignored during, and after, their service to Canada.
“It is clear from our investigation that members of 1 Combat Engineer Regiment discharged their responsibilities with exemplary courage and dedication to duty that demands special recognition,” stated Mr. Côté. But he added, “It troubles me greatly that the legitimate health concerns of these proud veterans were not given the weight and respect that they deserved.” ....
Combat engineers exposed to Gulf War contaminants: ombudsman
Murray Brewster, Canadian Press, 1 Nov 06
http://www.recorder.ca/cp/National/061101/n110165A.html
OTTAWA (CP) - Canadian combat engineers serving in Kuwait in the aftermath of the first Gulf War were exposed to a noxious cocktail of chemicals, including depleted uranium, the Canadian Forces ombudsman said Wednesday.
In a scathing 46-page report, Yves Cote concluded the army did little to protect soldiers from the environmental hazards posed by burning oil wells, set alight by retreating Iraqi forces in 1991.
There's no definite link between exposure to the smoke, as well as to burning ammunition containing depleted uranium, and health concerns raised by soldiers after the deployment, Cote said.
But the military systematically ignored complaints from many of the roughly 350 soldiers who took part in the Kuwait mission, his report concludes.
"The Canadian Forces was aware that burning oil wells posed air quality issues; however, the provisions that were made to protect personnel were limited and not universally applied," said Cote.
"Also ground personnel lacked an adequate supply of protective equipment. Following our investigation, I also found the legitimate health concerns . . . were not given the weight and respect they deserved."
The initial complaint that prompted the investigation by the military watchdog came from the unit's former second-in-command.
"This is fantastic," retired Maj. Fred Kaustinen said of the report's findings.
"We have a world-class health system in Canada and we have world-class soldiers.
"Somehow these world-class soldiers were denied our own health system. It's great that a leader in our system has stepped up and said these guys didn't get what they deserved."
During a three-year investigation, begun under Cote's predecessor Andre Marin, former engineers complained of a variety of health issues, including breathing trouble, unexplained headaches and tumours.
Cote also discovered that the medical files of some soldiers who served in Kuwait have key pieces of information missing - documents that soldiers were assured would be there should they ever report any health concerns.
"At some point in time there were pieces of paper that may have been on an individual's files that were removed, but this may not be a sinister move," said Cote.
Given that 15 years have passed, it could have been a bureaucratic exercise or an oversight, he said.
Six years ago, a board of inquiry into concerns Canadian peacekeepers in Croatia were exposed to toxic chemicals in 1993 found that information was deliberately removed from the medical files of those soldiers. A non-commissioned officer was disciplined over the incident involving troops who served in the Medak Pocket.
The Croatian investigation also found that the Defence Department did not keep proper track of who served in the Balkan operation. It recommended better recordkeeping, a measure that has yet to implemented six years later.
Cote not only discovered deployment lists for the engineers in Kuwait to be incomplete, but also records of who has been serving in Afghanistan.
He said it's important, especially if soldiers currently overseas ever need a paper trail to present to Veterans Affairs for benefits and compensation.
Like their Croatian counterparts, engineers who served in the Gulf have had trouble applying for benefits "primarily because they were unable to document the fact that they had served in Kuwait and had been exposed to various environmental toxins," said Cote's report.
Kaustinen said someone should be asking the government why it is reluctant to recognize these illnesses.
For years, the health of many soldiers who took part in peacekeeping or support operations - conflicts that were not quite peace and not quite war - have been dismissed as stress-related.
Critics have also attempted to link the ailments with exposure to depleted uranium shells - munitions that are coated with spent nuclear fuel in order to make it easier for them to penetrate armoured vehicles.
Cote's report appears to be the first official acknowledgment by anyone connected with the Defence Department that Canadian troops were exposed to the potentially hazardous residue.
Scientists have long been concerned about the health effects of soldiers inhaling depleted uranium dust, which is leftover in the aftermath of the exploded shell.
In 2002, the Defence Department offered to test Canadian veterans for radioactive contamination. To date, only 228 out of 4,262 who served in the Gulf have taken up the offer and no abnormal readings having been found.
Cote said the combat engineers should be recognized for their bravery, especially for helping U.S. soldiers stamp out a July 1991 fire at an ammunition depot in Doha, where they evacuated many casualties who had been exposed to burning rounds containing depleted uranium.
The ombudsman met Tuesday with Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor, who promised to develop an action plan to implement Cote's nine recommendations.
Defence Minister Welcomes Ombudsman Report
CF news release #06.093, 1 Nov 06
http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/newsroom/view_news_e.asp?id=2135
The Honourable Gordon O'Connor, Minister of National Defence, welcomes the recommendations made in the report released earlier today by the Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman.
The report investigated the treatment of military veterans from 1 Combat Engineer Regiment following exposure to harmful substances during their deployment in Kuwait in 1991.
"As Minister of National Defence, it's important for me that the brave men and women risking their lives serving our country are treated with respect and dignity," said Minister O'Connor. "I'm pleased to mention that most of the recommendations made in the report are in the process of being implemented within the Department and Canadian Forces."
Since 1991, the Canadian Forces has made significant progress in the assessment, management and documentation of environmental exposure.
Military officials are reviewing the report and will provide the Minister with feedback on ways to further improve its practises.
-30-
)
