Italy, Eastern Europe Need More Work On Y2K-US Govt

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Italy, Eastern Europe Need More Work On Y2K-US Govt

Updated 6:15 PM ET September 14, 1999

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Italy is one of the few western European nations that needs to step up its Year 2000 computer contingency plans for health care and telephone service, while parts of Eastern Europe could face problems with electricity and water, the State Department said Tuesday.

The assessments were released as part of a series of State Department reports for Americans planning to travel to 196 countries and territories around the world.

Governments and industries around the world have spent billions of dollars trying to fix the so-called Y2K glitch that could prevent some aging computers from distinguishing 2000 from 1900 at the beginning of the year.

Unless fixed, the problem could trigger a chain of computer failures or cause the machines to shut down.

The State Department gave high marks to virtually all European Union member nations for their Y2K computer preparations and contingency plans.

But while Italy is "generally prepared" for potential computer problems, more work is needed, the U.S. government said.

"Italy will lower the risks of potential Y2K disruptions with greater progress in remediation and contingency planning, particularly in the fields of health care, telecommunications and, to a lesser extent, transportation," the State Department said. The statement did not elaborate.

Some of the tiny, remote islands off Greece could find themselves without power or ferry transportation when January 1 rolls around, according to the assessment.

Potential Y2K problems were also highlighted for several Eastern European nations.

Armenia, while not heavily reliant on computers, could see some problems, the State Department said.

"Although Armenia continues remedial efforts and contingency planning, at the present time it appears that there may be a risk of potential disruption in such key sectors as telephone services and financial and medical services. Such disruptions may specifically affect the availability of electronic funds transfers and emergency health care," the U.S. government said.

The Czech Republic needs to work harder on its preparations for rail service, electricity generation, water supplies and health care, the State Department said.

Bulgaria may run the risk of disruption in electricity, heat and water, unless Y2K planning is increased.

Turkey, which is still recovering from a devastating earthquake last month, needs to make "greater and faster progress" in its Y2K plans for electricity and health care, the State Department said.

The government's new series of reports also urged American travelers to be prepared for possible Y2K problems, no matter where in the world they are.

"While travelers do not necessarily need to alter their travel plans, being informed and prepared for possible disruptions is prudent," the State Department said. Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), September 14, 1999


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