Balkans syndrome investigations gather pace

Three Portuguese cabinet ministers are going to Kosovo today to investigate whether the country's troops serving with the international peacekeepers were at risk from depleted uranium.

The death of a Portuguese soldier who served in Kosovo and news that another is suffering from leukaemia has prompted fears of links with the use of uranium-tipped shells in Bosnia and Kosovo.

One minister ,the science minister, Mariano Gago, will bring back samples of soil and other material for full examination.

The visit takes place as NATO and European Community ministers prepare for discussions on the issue in Brussels.

NATO, the United States and Britain have said there's no evidence of any health risks to military personnel who've handled the shells.

There's intense media speculation in Britain that the government is about to change course and order health checks on thousands of former servicemen and women.

The Ministry of Defence is to make a statement later today.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service