Subject: 9999 Y2K Test News Release

Date sent: Thu, 9 Sep 1999 13:26:54 -0400

Greetings, here is an advance copy of our news release, which will be posted on the web-site shortly and faxed overnight. Let me know if you need additional info.

Web: www.iy2kcc.org

International Y2K Center Tests Rollover Date Reporting System Country Readiness and Web-site Surveys Upgraded

WASHINGTON, DC, USA -- The International Y2K Cooperation Center (IY2KCC), a United Nations backed group funded by the World Bank, released preliminary results of its September 9 test of its real-time reporting system for January 1, 2000.

This was a small-scale test of the Global Status Watch reporting system that we will use on the rollover weekend, said Bruce McConnell, director of the IY2KCC. As expected, we have received no reports of any serious incidents and our communications system is working well.

Regarding the attention surrounding possible computer glitches in connection with the September 9, 1999 date, McConnell said, This "non-event," like the successful GPS rollover, illustrates that diligent preparation can minimize the impact of predicted computer glitches. Success is no basis for complacency. Governments must continue to take action and share information on the real Y2K problem to assure a successful rollover.

Twenty-eight countries are participating in the small-scale test of the Global Status Watch system. The participating countries were: Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Finland, Gambia, Guinea, Iceland, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Paraguay, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Zambia.

Beginning in late December, the Center will monitor the Y2K event worldwide. Information detailing sector status in approximately 170 countries will be posted publicly on the center web-site, www.iy2kcc.org. An overall assessment will be provided by each national Y2K coordinator, as well as details in the following sectors: Energy, Communications, Finance, Air Transport, Sea Transport, Health/Hospitals and Government Services.

Capacity will be color-coded and classified as: 1)Normal (green); 2)Reduced Capacity Capability or Service (yellow); 3)Significant Reduced Capacity (red); and, Actions Taken will be noted. Where capacity is reduced as a result of Y2K problems or for some other reason, such weather-related or non-Y2K-related occurrences, an explanation will be provided. Each national Y2K coordinator is expected to report these results as soon as possible after the rollover in their time zone, with the capability to update as appropriate.

McConnell also announced updates for two recently conducted IY2KCC surveys. Seventy-eight (78) countries have now responded to the IY2KCC country readiness survey. Country information has been added for the Bahamas, Bosnia, Germany, Peru, Switzerland, and Vietnam since August 26, 1999. Details are posted on the center web-site under Country Information.

Also, 21 countries improved their web-sites to provide more detailed Y2K readiness information since the centers August 3, 1999 web-site survey.

We are making progress in promoting the disclosure of Y2K readiness information throughout the world, said McConnell.

As we publicize survey results and web-sites, other countries see the value of disclosing information to maintain confidence in the international marketplace.

Readiness and web-site survey results will be updated periodically as additional countries respond. More tests of the Global Status Watch will be conducted later this fall, including a test of the public web-site.

Y2K refers to possible computer and automated control system malfunctions when the year changes from 1999 to 2000. Until recently, many computers and automated systems were programmed to handle only two-digit year formats, and could make mistakes or stop working when they encounter 00 in the date field.

The IY2KCC was established in February 1999 under United Nations auspices with World Bank funding in response to the need to coordinate efforts to update computer and automated control systems around the world to smoothly transition to the year 2000.

# # #

Updated Website Survey

Category Countries Highly Informative:

Australia, Belgium, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam

Somewhat Informative:

Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, Fiji, Germany, Honduras, Hungary, Jordan, Latvia, Norway, Oman, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago Limited Information Albania, Bahamas, Bulgaria, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Iran, Lebanon, Malta, Mauritius, Nicaragua, Rwanda, Slovenia, St. Kitts and Nevis, Swaziland

No English Web Site:

Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia - Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Guatemala, Israel, Kyrgyz Republic, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mauritania, Moldova, Morocco, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Senegal, Slovakia, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yugoslavia

No Web Site:

Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua &Barbuda, Bahrain, Barbados, Belize, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo (Brazzaville), Cote dIvoire, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guam, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao PDR, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Monaco, Mongolia, Montserrat, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Romania, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome & Principe, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Lisa Pellegrin

Communications Director

International Y2K Cooperation Center

1000 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 502

Washington, DC 20036

-- Cherri (sams@brigadoon.com), September 09, 1999