Russia: Russia is the 30th largest U. S. trading partner and hosts
11,000 U. S. citizens. While it is neither the largest trading partner nor
the biggest host of expatriate citizens, Russia is of major importance
to the U. S. Russian economic and military stability are key concerns for
the international community. The cost of fixing Russian's Y2K problems
was projected to cost anywhere between $1.5 and $3 billion, which
could equal 1.8% to 2.7% of Russian Gross Domestic Product. Finally, in
July, Finance Minister Mikhail Kasyanov stated that $187 billion would
allow Russia to fix its problems. He noted that the government would
prioritize funds for defense and security. 9 In July 1999, Russia projected
that government readiness was at about 35%, with the readiness of the
energy sector somewhere around 50%.
Aside from government readiness, Russia faces major Y2K challenges
in key infrastructure sectors including telecommunications, energy, banking,
and government services. In June of 1999 it was projected that
Russia was likely to experience a month of disruptions in financial
markets, two months for utilities and healthcare, and up to three months
of turmoil in transportation and telecommunications.
Disruptions in key sectors such as telecommunications could be a significant
impediment to Russia's economic recovery, as well as its
ability to confront Y2K situations as they arise. There is an inconsistency
in the approach and implementation of Y2K fixes in Russian telecommunications.
In some cases, money is clearly the problem. In other cases,
concerns over national security have prompted carriers not to discuss or
share readiness concerns and remediation plans. A major long
distance carrier in Russia is reportedly opting to create "work arounds"
for its seven gateway switches instead off replacing them.
In the new global economy, where organizations strive to be transparent
and responsive to market changes, Y2K has provided an unexpected
benefit. Y2K has enable many complex organizations to get control of
their IT infrastructures and stream line core process and functions.
Unfortunately, in many cases, "Russia will only get yet another set
of "workarounds" that prolong
the life of already obsolete systems. On the surface the result will be the
same no particularly huge catastrophesS but the Western method may
create more wealth S while the Russian method may diminish it." 10
On September 13, DOD and the Russian Ministry of Defense (MOD)
signed an agreement for the U. S. and the Russian Federation indicating
their intent to establish the Center for Year 2000 Strategic Stability
(CY2KSS) during the Year 2000 transition period. Secretary of
Defense William S. Cohen and Russian Federation Minister of Defense
Igor Sergeyev formally signed the statement in Moscow today.
In the CY2KSS, U. S. and Russian military personnel will sit sidebyside
during the Y2K transition period, from late December 1999 to midJanuary
2000, and continuously monitor U. S.provided information on
missile and space launches. These people will be in voice contact with
command centers in the U. S. and Russia via a highly reliable, Y2Ktested
communications link.
In addition to missile and space launches, the center will serve as a
means to communicate about other defenserelated events that could be
potentially destabilizing, such as an aircraft going off course due to a
Y2K failure of a navigation or communication system.
The CY2KSS complements the extensive steps taken by both the U. S.
and Russia to ensure the Y2K reliability of their warning systems,
nuclear weapons, and command and
control capabilities. Both countries agree that the likelihood of Y2K failure
in these systems is extremely remote and that sufficient safeguards
are in place to handle these situations. However, given the potentially
severe consequences, the establishment of the center is a worthwhile
investment.
Discussions on the CY2KSS began in February 1999. Peterson Air
Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, was chosen as the center's
site because of its accessibility to U. S. information and the desire to
use the facility after the Y2K transition to train U. S. personnel for duty
in a permanent Joint Warning Center to be established in Moscow. The
total cost of the establishment and operation of the CY2KSS is approximately
$8 million. The center is currently on schedule to be completed
on Dec. 1, 1999. The CY2KSS is one component of a
comprehensive DODrelated Y2K cooperation program that began to
take shape in February 1999. In addition to establishing the CY2KSS,
the U. S. and Russia have four other efforts:
exchanging Y2K experiences to help each other manage the Y2K
problem and to understand each other's management plans and
progress;
ensuring the direct communication links between our national
leaders remain reliable;
maintaining the security of the Russian nuclear weapons stockpile;
exchanging Y2K experiences related to nuclear forces to
maintain reliable nuclear command and control.
Defense issues are only one part of the equation. Oblasts, krays, republics,
and okrugs comprise the 88 administrative regions of the Russian
Federation. Each region has its own unique set of Y2K problems. The
rhetoric about individual responsibility for addressing the Y2K problem
has been plentiful, but funds have been scarce.
Successful information exchanges continue to take place between DOE
and the Russian Federation. In October 1998, DOE held its first Y2K
workshop in Moscow. In January 1999, DOE published Y2K guidance
with the International Energy Agency (IEA). DOE also held a workshop for
transmissions and distribution systems in February. In spring of 1999,
DOE collaborated with the International Science and Technology
Center in Moscow and funded 11 Y2K projects, the majority of which
were nuclearspecific. On September 9, a delegation of Russian and
Ukrainian experts came to the U. S. to observe the NERC electric power
drill. Further, the IEA is planning a contingency conference in Prague in
October.
Nuclear power plants have been a serious concern for Russia. Russia
has 29 nuclear power reactor units in operation at nine sites, producing a
total of approximately 21,000 MW per year. In 1997, the nuclear power
plants in Russia produced 14% of
the electricity; in the far Western parts of Russia, the share was
24.9%. The Leningrad (Sosnovyy Bor), Kola, and Smolensk nuclear
plants supply half of northwest Russia's electricity requirements. In
addition to nuclear power, Russia generates about 70% of its electricity
at thermal power stations (coal, gas, and oil) and about 18% at hydroelectric
stations.
Westernstyle plants employ the design principle of safety in depth,
relying on a series of physical barriers including a massive reinforced
concrete structure called the containment to prevent the release of
radioactive material to the environment. With the exception of some
VVER designs, Soviet designed reactors do not have such a
containment structure. Soviet designed reactors are essentially
variations on two basic designs: the VVER or pressurized light water
type, and the RBMK the graphite moderated, channel reactor. Three
generations of Soviet designed VVER reactor supgraded over time
are operating in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. 11 RBMK
reactors are more commonly known as the Chernobyl style plant. About
97 percent of Russia's nuclear generating capacity comes from reactors
built to the RBMK and VVER designs. 12
According to DOE, U. S.Russian collaboration has helped improve
safety in the Sovietera plants and reduced the number of operational
events from 128 in 1994, to 95 in 1995. Of the 1995 incidents, 57 occurred
at VVER units and 38 at
RBMK and other units. Unplanned disconnections from the grid were
greater at VVER units than at other units. 13
Russia and DOE have found no Y2K issues in primary plant safety systems.
Primary plant safety systems monitor specific plant parameters
(temperature, pressure, level, flow, reactor power) and provide automatic
control and protection actions for plant safety. Primary plant systems
can be thought of as the front line defense against accidents.
There are also systems that are important to safety and have an indirect
impact on plant operations. These are systems used to monitor (not
control) plant functions such as steam generator level, synchronize
plant clock. The most critical piece of equipment which will face Y2K challenges
is the plant process computer and its related information display
and data archiving systems. If these fail or experience problems, they will
not cause an accident. However, the malfunction of these systems would
complicate operations and increase the opportunity of operator error.
The combination of human error and computer error is a challenge not just
for the Russians but the entire world.
Ukraine: Ukraine faces many challenges in addressing Y2K; it has
been difficult for this emerging nation to focus and fund its Y2K efforts. The
good news is that Ukraine has enjoyed strong support from it senior
leadership including the President. Unfortunately, the Ukraine lacks the
resources of the Russian government in addressing its problems.
Ukraine faces many of the same challenges that Russia does and coordination
between the two nations will be key.
The Ukraine relies on nuclear power for 46% of it electric power and must
address the same nuclear power plant challenges as Russia. The U. K.
reports that loss of power output is possible and could cause significant
disruption to the electricity grid. Russian natural gas and oil pipelines
could be compromised by such breakdowns in electric power. Electric
power distribution managers in Ukraine have been working closely
with the U. S. to develop contingency plans and prepare for possible disruptions.
Asia
International Monitoring estimated on July 2 that the ASEAN countriesP
which include Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and
VietnamP would suffer Y2Krelated delays and damages totaling more
than $90 billion combined. 14
China: China has economic importance to the U. S. China is the 4 th
leading exporter and the 12 th leading importer to the U. S. The U. S. has
over $5 billion in investment in China. Because of improper planning,
insufficient resources, and a very late start in addressing the Y2K
problem, the Committee believes that a substantial portion of Chinese
companies and the government will experience several failures in their
computers.
China's relatively low dependence on computers, particularly in the rural
areas in many provinces, is in this case a benefit from a Y2K standpoint.
However, it is technology dependent in its major cities and
highly commercial provinces. Experts predict serious infrastructure
failures in these areas.
Of particular concern to the Committee is that many of China's
electric power plants are Y2K vulnerable and there is little evidence
that China is remediating systems. Plants are difficult to run manually
and blackouts could result. Electric power outages could impact other
sector services such as telecommunications, and oil and gas.
Exacerbating China's Y2K problems is the fact that 80% to 95% of its
software is thought to be pirated. This could prevent Chinese companies
from receiving technical support from suppliers. Despite this assertion,
some believe that cashstrapped Chinese companies may
elect to sue American suppliers for failures and losses instead of concentrating
on remediation. If true, this is very troubling to the Committee.
Japan: Next to the United States, Japan has the greater dependence
on technology than any other country of the world. It is for this reason, Japan's
late start in addressing the Y2K problem, and its importance as
a trading partner to the U. S., that the Committee remains concerned about
Japan's Y2K preparedness.
While Japan has made tremendous strides over the past six months to
catch up, the amount of Y2K work it has to do puts it well behind the U. S.
in addressing the Y2K problem. It did not prepare a national action plan
until September 11, 1998P nearly one year behind most other highly
industrialized nations. Since that time, it has been mirroring the U. S.
and Great Britain in its approach to the problem.
According to Japan's self reported information as of July 1999:
7 about 72% of the financial sector (banks, insurance, and securities)
have completed testing of their systems.
7 98% of the electric and oil sectors had completed testing of
their systems.
7 91% of the critical control systems in the oil industry had
completed testing.
7 69% of the telecommunications networks had competed testing.
7 97% of their critical aviation systems had been tested.
Of most concern is the healthcare sector, and small and medium sized
enterprises. The later could have a significant impact on Japanese enterprises,
and thus U. S. enterprises. The heart of the Committee's concern
is that with just 100 days to go before the date rollover, simply has
too much to do. Its catch up status makes it prone to errors during remediation,
and thus more exposed to undetected Y2K problems.
The Philippines: The Y2K Commission has a mandate to closely
monitor the nation's Y2K compliance. As part of that mandate, it
conducts a regular monthly survey of firms and organizations in missioncritical
sectors. The most recent survey, from August 1999, showed
the following rates of overall compliance: telecommunications and
utilities and at 77%; transportation at 76%; finance at 93%; healthcare at
69%; manufacturing at 71%; and government services at 75%.
The government has set a September 30 deadline for all firms and
government agencies to become Y2K ready. By that time, the government
plans to release a list of thousands of companies and agencies
that have failed to document their Y2K readiness. So far, fewer
than 1,000 of 18,000 companies required to be Y2K compliant have
disclosed their level of Y2K readiness. In October the Commission
will conduct a validation of compliance reports submitted by
companies and government agencies to determine their veracity.
Thailand: In April 1998, the Thai cabinet appointed a National Y2K
Coordination Committee and a national plan was set up to solve the
Y2K problem in four "supercritical organizations"P power and energy;
financial, banking, and insurance; telecommunications and transportation;
and social order. The status of these sectors as of July 26 was as
follows:
7 All entities in the power and energy sector were reported to be
100% compliant;
7 Most entities in the finance, banking, and insurance sector
were 100% compliant except the Revenue Department (88%), the
Department of Insurance (42%), and the Government Lottery Office
(55%);
7 Almost all entities in the telecommunications and
transportation sector were 100% compliant except the Meteorological
Department (67%) and the Ministry of Transport and Communications
(86%); and
7 As far as the social order sector, the Ministry of Defense is 80%
compliant and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is 68%
compliant.
On August 14, the Deputy Prime Minister told the Thai cabinet that
65% of the 231 government agencies that use computers in their main
tasks have reported they had fixed them. These included most of the
government agencies that were a top priority. However, the Deputy Prime
Minister also said the remaining 35% had made little progress. The overall
situation in the country was still considered "worrying." 15
Vietnam: Vietnam has established a Y2K Steering Committee and issued
the following August 22, 1999 report. Eighty percent of central organizations;
59% of provinces and cities; and 86% of corporations had undertaken
corrective measures.
However, more than 50% of smalland mediumsized enterprises are
not aware of Y2K at an adequate level and have not taken necessary
actions.
As of August 25, 94.73% of central and local organizations and enterprises
had made an inventory and assessment of the impact of Y2K,
with the following results:
7 Of the 108,147 computers checked, 50,146 were not Y2K
compliant. That amounts to 46% of the total PCs in public
administration and state enterprises. Of these, .85% are used
for very important applications, and 25.35% are used for important
applications.
7 About 70% of systems software was not compliant, of which 50%
could be repaired by upgraded software. The malfunctioning of
1% of this software would have a very serious impact, and the
malfunctioning of 35% would have a serious impact.
7 About 90% of applications software was not Y2K compliant or
its status was unknown. The malfunctioning of 76% of this
software would have a very serious impact (mainly applications in
financial, banking, postal, and airlines functions) and the malfunctioning
of 8% would have a serious impact.
7 Of 8,394 pieces of equipment with embedded chips checked,
4,183 were not compliantP 49.83%. The malfunctioning of
1% of these chips would have a very serious impact, and the
serious impact, and the malfunctioning of 71% of these chips
would have a serious impact. However, embedded systems
have not been completely checked and assessed.
The progress of the financial branch is slower than others and Vietnam
reports that, in the next months, special measures should be taken to
overcome the problems in time. The electricity and health branches have
many difficulties in addressing the problem for automated control
equipment and specified health equipment with respect to embedded
chips. Other nonkey ministries, organizations equivalent to a ministry,
provinces, and cities are making very slow progress. Vietnam reports that
if there are no special measures, the problem will not be solved in time
and there will be a considerable impact on state management,
business, and production activities.
Korea: The Prime Minister's office established a Year 2000 Conversion
Council in April 1998 to check the progress, in each area, to detect
problems, and to discuss aids. The Ministry of Information and Communication
established The Year 2000 Task Force and has acted to oversee
mission critical sectors. The Task Force implemented the government's
Y2K Action Plan.
The status report by the end of July 1999 was as follows:
Banking and Finance 99.9% Electricity and Energy 99.8%
Nuclear Power Plants 100% Transportation 99.8%
Industrial activities 98.6% Defense 97.7%
Telecommunications 97.3% Water Resources 97.8%
Central and Local Government 96.7% Health 95.9%
Environment 100% Shipping/ Ports 100%
Small and Medium Business 90.2%
The central and local government, and the small and medium business
sectors, are behind Korea's established schedules.
During 1998, 4.37 billion won was used as the Y2K budget, and 17.38
billion won is allocated for 1999.
In 1999 the government is providing field inspections for 10,000 SMBs
and experts and funds for 2,000 SMBs. The progress of 500 selected
SMBs is monitored monthly. In addition, SMBs are fixing the Y2K
problem in conjunction with large companies. 61 large cooperative
groups are expected to help their affiliate SMBs Y2K readiness by
September.
Latin America
Dramatic progress has been made in recent months in Latin America,
which includes, for purposes of this report, the countries of Mexico, Central
America, and South America. Early attention on the large emerging
market of Brazil has translated into substantial progress over the
past year. However, many countries in the region continue to play "catchup".
According to the International Y2K Center, of the ten participating
South America countries, only Chile
reported that they had sectors Y2Kready before June 1999. Only Brazil
shows evidence of awareness at the state/ provincial level. On a regional
level, the Organization of American States (OAS) has a working group
on Y2K, which sponsors a South American forum on Y2K to assist
countries who are late to the issue 16 .
Many Central American countries are still struggling with the aftermath
of Hurricane Mitch, which destroyed a great deal of critical infrastructure.
In this context, Y2K remediation has been a lower priority. Awareness is
generally high for banking and financial services as well as at major air
transportation facilities. Nonetheless, Y2K does have the potential to push
vulnerable sectors, such as drinking water, public services, and public
health care, from bad to worse. Unfortunately, the lack of publicly
available information for many countries in the region makes
assessment difficult. In general, this region is characterized by low dependency
on technology, but low Y2K progress.
Of note is the readiness of the Panama Canal, which reverts to
Panamanian control on December 31, 1999. To avoid potential accidents,
officials of the Panama Canal will require all ships to demonstrate
Y2K compliance before entering the canal.
Mexico: Mexico economically dominates, and is believed to be among
the best prepared countries in Latin America. According to Global 2000,
Mexico received as good an overall rating, if not better, than the U. S.
Efforts in Mexico are led by the Year 2000 National Conversion Commission
of Mexico, which includes representatives of private and public
institutions. Strategic sector working groups are headed by specific industry
leaders and/ or public agencies. Overall assessments of
Y2K readiness have been divided into finance, public sector, and private
sector (nonfinancial). As of the May 1999 survey, the status of remediation
is as follows:
Financial industry 99%
Government services 95%
Large companies 97%
Medium sized companies 80%
Small companies 53%
According to the August report, "Upon comparison of the three surveys,
it can be observed that, of the total of 145,000 establishments
identified by the third survey as having outofdate equipment connected
to a network, there has been a nearly 100% increase in the level of
awareness building and the involvement of top management,
irrespective of the size of the establishments."
Argentina: The International Y2K Center reports that all sectors will
reach compliance between August and November 1999, with the financial
sector leading the pack. The health sector lags, not expecting full
implementation until November 1999. Of greatest concern, however,
is the air transportation sector, which is highly dependent upon technology
and is not expecting implementation until September 1999.
For the dozen largest gas utilities in Argentina, as of August 26, 1999,
progress in implementing Y2K programs was 82%92%. 17 The electric
power industry is similarly advanced, with 82% of the generation, 86% of
the transmission, and 78.5% of the distribution systems' Y2K implementation
plans completed. 18
Brazil: As the world's eighth largest economy, Brazil's exposure to Y2K
risk could trigger economic problems outside of the region. Brazil is
highly dependent upon telecommunications, electric power grids, air
traffic control, banking and finance. Disruptions among Brazil's 4.5 million
smallto mediumsized enterprises, which constitute over
50% of the labor force, could be severe given the lack of awareness
and Y2K planning in these organizations.
Air Traffic Control: Brazil's national airline began its Y2K program in
1996, and the aircraft manufacturer Embraer has reportedly completed
work on missioncritical systems. According to the International Aviation
Transportation Association, $2.3 billion has been invested in remediating
and modernizing air traffic control systems in Brazil.
Banks and finance: The Brazilian Federation of Bank Associations announced
May 3, 1999 that a test conducted for more than 80% of the
financial transactions was successful. The Central Bank of Brazil
states that it will close unprepared banks and had set December 31,
1998 as the date for completing remediation of systems, a deadline
that Banco Cidade apparently made.
Telecommunications: Incomplete information about smaller providers
is balanced by generally positive trends from industrywide testing and
leadership by major telecom firms. Industrywide testing occurred July
31, 1999. The Gartner group expects limited and sporadic telephone
outages in Brazil.
Electrical Power and Gas: The National Electric Power Agency had
directed all 78 power distributors to be Y2Kready by 30 June 1999. For
gas, Staterun Petrobas is stockpiling crude oil and refined products for
year end shortages. According to Brazil's Y2K Coordinator, Marcos
Osorio, the energy sector is running behind, but he expects only isolated
problems 19 .
Chile: According to Global 2000, Chile achieved readiness in the financial
sector early in 1999, but several sectors require additional
implementation or public information. As of August 16, 1999, Chile 20 is estimating
75% readiness across all sectors, up from 48% in December
1998. More specific findings are as follows:
7 Banking 92%
7 Electricity 68%
7 Telecommunications 88%
7 Transportation 76%
7 Central Government 62%
The report notes that the readiness percentage is distinct from the probability
of failure.
Chile expects to spend about $1.5 billion (including private sector), or
roughly 2 percent of GDP. Air transportation was expected to be ready
by the end of August 1999, and customs officials have been requiring
Y2K compliant equipment since 1997.
Peru: According to Global 2000, as of June 15, 1999, Peru is, across
many sectors, either not Y2K ready, or that public information is inadequate.
Customs officials are expecting to finish remediation of
systems by November 1, 1999, however, some glitches are expected.
The public health system is vulnerable due to a lack of resources to
replace or fix noncompliant medical equipment. The Gartner Group and
the World Bank offer contradictory information, ranking Peru as one of
the better prepared in South America.
Venezuela: Recent political problems have highlighted the inherent
social and economic instability, and distracted efforts away from Y2K.
Venezuela is a major oil exporter to the U. S., and oil exports account for
78% of Venezuela's export trade. Outside of the water transportation
systems and ports, the major vulnerability for Venezuela is the electric
power industry, which can be expected to experience some failures.
Electricidad de Caracus (EDC), Venezuela's largest private utility,
has invested $7 million on Y2K, but in general, Y2K readiness information
from Venezuela is minimal.
Ecuador: 4 5% of the gross domestic product of Ecuador, or
about $143 million, is expected to be spent on Y2K fixes. Half of Ecuador's
phone lines may not work unless contingency plans are put in
place to deal with computer glitches, according to a spokesperson for
governmentowned Pacifitel. This situation has earned Ecuador a red
on the Global 2000 chart for telecommunications. The energy sector
also received a red for its lack of readiness or publicly available information,
and no sector received a green "light". A study conducted in
April 1999 by IBM of 54 Ecuadorian public institutions found that 45%
have hardware problems and 40% have software problems.
Africa
The third conference of the Commission for Eastern African Cooperation,
involving the heads of the Y2K programs of Kenya, Tanzania,
and Uganda on September 7, 1999 identified critical crossborder issues
requiring additional cooperation:
7 Energy, notably electricity and petrochemicals;
7 Communications, especially telephones and data transmission;
7 Finance, notably banks and other financial institutions; and,
7 Transport, such as civil aviation and maritime services.
Uganda: Uganda has set up a National Y2K Task Force to assess the
most critical socioeconomic sectors of Uganda. A July position statement
noted that more top management involvement in Y2K
activities in various organizations
and a general trend of accelerated progress.
That report highlighted the Red status of the Uganda National Examination
Board in the government's critical computer services sector.
The government is seriously concerned that at the rate the Board is
progressing, it may not solve its problem in time to avoid serious disruptions
to Uganda's educational cycle. Other sectors are yellow.
The status of the nation's most critical organizations is expected to be
generally complete by September 9, 1999.
Rwanda: Rwanda's National Steering committee of 14 members from
the public and private sectors was set up in January 1999. It operates
under the auspices of the Ministry of Transportation and is chaired by the
Minister. The most recent status shows:
Civil aviation: inventory and assessment showed the airport had the
highest risks in the country, but negotiations were underway to install
new equipment and systems.
Telecommunications: Y2K problems were observed in telex, communications
equipment, and the billing system. Plans are to install new
equipment and a new billing system, and to phase out telex.
Electricity: The highest risks are posed by the cash power billing
system. Systems are being replaced.
Caisse Sociale: The risks are very high. By October they will have an
upgraded compliant system.
Kenya: The Kenyan government established a National Year 2000
Steering Committee and a National Year 2000 Coordination Centre to
coordinate national compliance efforts. The President has stated, "All
of us are Y2K StakeholdersP Doing nothing is not an option."
Most essential public utilities were to be Y2K compliant by June. A March
survey showed that commercial banks were 90% compliant, nonbank
financial institutions were 92% compliant, and mortgage companies
were 100% compliant.
EXPECTATIONS
The Committee is greatly concerned about the international Y2K picture.
Several important U. S. trading partners are severely behind in
addressing the Y2K problem. This leads the Committee to conclude
that many shortterm, and in some cases longterm, disruptions to supply
chains are likely to occur.
If this proves to be true, such disruptions may cause a low to moderate
downturn in the U. S. economy, particularly in industries that depend on
foreign suppliers. However, the
technology and business interconnections and interrelationships are
difficult to map. This makes it impossible for the Committee or
anyone else to predict which industries will be affected, and how much
impact these affected industries will have on the economy.
In addition, there may be a request for humanitarian relief from developing
countries that have not addressed the Y2K problem. The
U. S. government should be establishing what are policy should be in
responding to these requests should they arise.
CONCERNS
The Committee remains extremely concerned about the impact Y2K will
have on the U. S. economy and our strategic interests. Several countries
of strategic and economic importance to the U. S. are severely behind
in their Y2K remediation efforts.
The regions of most concern to the Committee are Eastern Europe, Africa,
and parts of Asia and South America. When considering strategic
and economic factors, and the status of Y2K remediation efforts, the
specific countries of most concern to the Committee are China, Russia,
Italy, and several of the countries from which the U. S. imports oil.
1 "The Year 2000 Problem and the Global Trading System," U. S. Department of Commerce, International
Trade Administration, April 1999, p. 1, at http:// y2k. ita. doc. gov/ y2k.
2
Id. at 1213.
3
"The 'Millennium Bug': The Preparedness of Key EU Infrastructures for the Y2000 Date Change," European Commission, COM( 1999) 275.
4 See http:// www. intlmonitoring. com/ expatris. htm.
5 See at www. abs. gov. au.
6 See at http:// www. comitatoanno2000. it/ pres1. htm.
7 See www. belgacom. be.
8 See www. millennium. ch/
9 " Y2K Bug Threatens Russian Computers" Alan S. Cullison, The Wall Street Journal July 13, 1999
10 " The Russian Federation' s Y2K Policy: Too Little, Too Late?" by W. McHenry and L. Malkov
Communications of AIS Volume 2, Article 10 8 "The Russian Federation's Y2K Policy: Too Little, Too Late?"
11
The first generationthe VVER440 Model V230operates at four plant sites in three countries: Russia, Bulgaria and the Slovak Republic. The second generationthe VVER440 Model V213operates at five
plant sites in five countries: Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. The third generationP the VVER 1000operates at eight plant sites in three countries: Russia, Ukraine and Bulgaria.
12 http:// insp. pnl. gov: 2080/? profiles/ russia/# cprofile
13 IBID
14 See www. intlmonitoring. com/ aseandan. htm
15 See www. currents. net/ newstoday
16 http:// www. oas. org/ y2k/
17 National Telecommunications Commission of Argentina, enargas. gov. ar
18 (Argentine Electrical Industry) Compania Administradora del Mercado Mayorista Electrico SA
CAMMESA. Cammesa. com. ar
19 "Bogota: Bermuda Insists", Associated Press, April 18, 1999.
20 Interministerial 2000 Action Committee of Chile (Comite Interministerial Accion Chile 2000),
www. a2000. cl
-- Brian (imager@home.com), September 23, 1999
