Veterans Critical of Bush Administration and Pentagon Policies Toward Military Personnel

Interview with Steve Robinson, executive director of the National Gulf War Resource Center, conducted by Melinda Tuhus

While the Bush administration claims victory in the war on Iraq and praises the role of American soldiers there, advocates for those same military men and women stationed in the Gulf region have been critical of some U.S. policies affecting the troops. One issue of concern is the U.S. military's continued use of depleted uranium, or D.U. ammunition, despite research indicating harmful health affects on both soldiers and civilians from its use in the first Gulf War and in the Balkans. They also criticize President Bush's proposed 2004 budget, which cut funding to the Veterans Administration.

Finally, they object to the Pentagon's ignoring a 1998 law that requires the collection of pre- and post-deployment health records of troops sent overseas. The law was enacted to facilitate tracking of toxic exposures, a procedure not carried out in the first Gulf War, when tens of thousands of returning soldiers contracted a variety of ailments known as "Gulf War Syndrome."

Between The Lines' Melinda Tuhus spoke with Steve Robinson, executive director of the National Gulf War Resource Center, based outside Washington, D.C. The center's mission is "to protect soldiers before, during and after war." He addresses his organization's concerns stemming from the Pentagon's current operations in Iraq.

Call the National Gulf War Resource Center at (800)-882-1316, ext. 162 or visit their Web site at www.ngwrc.org

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