Has anyone heard anything about Panama lately? Last I heard control was being returned to Panamanians on 12/31/99, but the rights to the shipping ports, etc. were being leased to a foreign country $$$. Our military uses that passage. (Was it) 40% of our grain imports come through ther? It may be a strategic spot for rogue nations, too. Might be interesting to keep in mind around the end of this year. Any updates would be appreciated. M

-- Meandi (Wondering@here.com), November 07, 1999

Answers

Don't worry about it - they're closing the Canal at midnight on 31st December for an unspecified period because of embedded chip problems.

I'm still seeing 'Millennial Cruises' through the Panama Canal being offered, too - that's gonna be one long cruise when the lock gates start closing at the end of the year and the partygoers have only sailed half-way through!

The one consolation is that the Panamanians' new partners, the Red Chinese, will be right over to help them fix any problems - as soon as they've fixed China, that is...:)

-- John Whitley (jwhitley@inforamp.net), November 07, 1999.

I don't think the embeddeds in the canal structure itself will be the issue. Remember it was built in the 1900's. However- Panama has little electrical generating capacity of it's own. It was largely supplied by Honduras but that was pre-Mitch. Now I believe the power is coming from Costa Rica. So many links, hope they are all strong.

-- drac (greenspanisgod@frb.giov), November 07, 1999.

A Hong Kong Company (read Peoples Republic of China Special Administrative Zone) will take over operations of the Panama Canal, which was built by America 1914-1914. According to people like the Democrats and Bill Clinton (none of whom appear to have any geopolitical common sense), this is not a major issue, even though the majority of the bulk trade between the east and west coasts of the US transit the Canal. While a vast majority of our military sea traffic can transit the Canal, our larger aircraft carriers and the Post- Panamax Container Vessels cannot (they are too wide and/or long to fit between the locks).

-- phread (lurking@y2k.com), November 07, 1999.

PHILADEPHIA INQUIRER, 5th March, 1999

State Dept. Study Finds Nations Not Ready For 2000

Testimony before the Senate will say that power supplies and transportation are threatened.

By Robert A. Rankin INQUIRER WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON -- The Panama Canal will not admit ships next Dec. 31 because its traffic-management systems may fail due to the Year 2000 computer glitch, a Senate committee will be told today.

That is but one example among many of how countries around the world remain unprepared for dealing with the so-called Y2K computer-program flaw less than a year before it strikes. The example is contained in testimony to be delivered today to the Special Senate Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem....

-- John Whitley (jwhitley@inforamp.net), November 07, 1999.

Technically, the Hong Kong company (Red China) will only run the canal itself.

The Red Chinese Navy will only take over (long term lease) the two navy bases/ports at each end of the Canal.

By the way, Carville went to Panama to campaign for this particular government that signed the lease to Red China.......but there is no conflict of interest involved: Joe Lockhard said that himself and he is an honest man working in the best interest of the Democratic People Republic of America..

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (Marietta, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), November 08, 1999.

Sorry, folks, while this is a great story, it's wrong. The company in question, Hutchison Whampoa, will run two cargo handling facilities at either end of the Canal, NOT the canal.

HW is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and is NOT owned by the Chinese Navy/government.

Here is a link: http://www.hutchison-whampoa.com/html/eng/mainmenu.html

-- Midas (midas_mulligan_2000@yahoo.com), November 09, 1999.

Nope, there are no "private" industries (at this scale) in Communisitc China.

Yes, you (like Clinotn wants you to) can "believe" that a state-owned shipping company for a Communist government has no ties to their state-owned Navy (the truth has already been PROVEN wrong in the case of the Chinese electronic and satellite and telecommunications and missile and arms production industries....); but you'd be dead wrong.

And - by the way - once the security fences go up - already installed by US since these were former US navy bases - there is no difference between how you tie up a Navy ship and a commercial ship.

Just that the Navy ship has Communist-owned weapons aboard in plain view, and the merchant ship has to stow them below decks.....like the Libyan "commercial" ship that mined the Suez Canal - before the war started........

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (Marietta, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), November 09, 1999.

Mr. Cook,

Sorry, but you're wrong.

Hutchison Whampoa is one of the original British 'Hongs' and was in business for decades before Hong Kong reverted to Chinese rule.

They are no more an division of the Chinese Navy than Microsoft is a department of the CIA.

I would be very interested to see any proof that you can offer to the contrary.

Respectfully,

-- Midas (midas_mulligan_2000@yahoo.com), November 09, 1999.

fco.gov.uk

Panama

Revised: 21/10/99

The following information has been collated by the British Embassy, Panama City on the basis of information currently available locally. No guarantee is given as to its accuracy, and no liability can be accepted in respect of any actions taken, or omitted to be taken, on the basis of the following information.

GENERAL

The Presidential Y2K Committee set up in August 1998 has formulated the following action plan:

Phase 1: Recognition and Awareness Phase 2: Impact Study: Identification, Evaluation, and Planning Phase 3: Conversion Phase 4: Testing Phase 5: Implementation

The Committee has announced that of the Government institutions evaluated, approximately 65 could be affected by Y2K. In 23% of cases the impact of failure would be high, 17% would have a medium impact, and 60% a low impact. Priority is being given to the 15 high impact cases. The government is confident that about half will be compliant by the end of August 1999, and the rest (because of delays in obtaining equipment) by the end of October. A report by the Y2K Committee is due to be submitted to the new government taking office in September. Most of the key sectors have already been, or are in the process of being privatised, and are therefore not reliant on the government for funding and action. The Regulatory Authority (for utilities), the Banking Superintendency (for financial institutions) and the Ministry of Health (for hospitals) are monitoring these, and have stated that all institutions should have the necessary measures in place by October 1999.

Further information can be found at the following government websites: www.contraloria.gob.pa and www.y2k.gob.pa

ENERGY

In 1998, the 3 distribution companies, and the 4 generating companies were all privatised. The generation of electricity is not reliant on computers. But distribution is, and a programme of software and hardware upgrading is underway. The sector is confident of being ready in time. The transmission company remains state-owned, and is currently replacing all computer systems (following a review by an IDB-recommended independent consultant).

WATER

Mostly manual systems. No major problems ahead. The privatisation of the water utility has been put on hold and is not supported by the new government, which took office in September. Of the nine water companies in Panama, three are public entities and the other six private companies. The largest of these companies (which is state owned) is perhaps the most reliant on date-sensitive equipment and has a special programme in train to ensure full compliance. Of the other eight companies, four have announced that all measures are in place, whilst the other four are also undergoing adaptation and validation exercises. Overall, the industry has announced that 78% of all measures are already in place.

COMMUNICATIONS

Telecommunications privatised in 1997. Cable & Wireless, the new operators, have a worldwide Millennium Readiness Programme which started in March 1997, and state that 98% of measures are now in place, with all action completed on the cellular network.

TRANSPORT

Panama Canal: On the operational side, the original manual systems are still in place, therefore no Y2K effect. Computers are used in the administration of the canal and the Panama Canal Commission (which remains a US public authority until 31 December) has stated that:

Corporate systems for financial and electronic mail functions were implemented in October 1998 All other corporate systems used for maritime traffic scheduling, human resources, payroll etc., were updated during the third quarter of this year Departmental software applications developed specifically for certain Canal departments will be renovated by the end of October PCs have been upgraded and servers are ready Embedded systems are now fully compliant

The authorities have expressed concern about the preparedness of individual vessels. All vessels are obliged to complete a questionnaire based on the IMO model. Port Captains, Boarding Officers and Transit Vessel Inspectors in Panama will ensure compliance before transit and will restrict or control non-compliant vessels in Canal waters.

Sea Ports: All vessel movement to and from the ports at either end of the Panama Canal is the responsibility of the Panama Canal Commission (see above). The movement of vessels visiting ports elsewhere along Panamas coast come under the control of the National Maritime Authority. They have confirmed that their systems are millennium compliant.

Airports: The FAA is pressing Panama hard to ensure full compliance. They are confident that Panama will be ready. Panamas biggest airline, COPA, has announced that all Y2K measures are in place. The Civil Aviation Authority has checked on all systems and equipment in the areas of air navigation, airports and information systems. Panamas airports have little date-sensitive equipment, although modifications to the radar data processing system are currently being finalised. Contingency plans are in place for the manual operation of radar systems in the unlikely event of failure.

ECONOMIC

Banking is one of the most important sectors of the Panamanian economy and measures have long since been in place. Some concern about small, state-owned banks, although government insists that all measures will be in place. Insurance companies are now issuing a waiver of responsibility with all policies, stating that no compensation will be paid in the event of any Y2K failure.

HEALTH

In the public sector the Ministry of Health has compiled an inventory of systems and equipment that could be susceptible to Y2K failure; identified those that need fixing or replacing, mainly laboratory and clinical instruments; and produced a plan for the necessary work, giving the highest priority to life-supporting equipment. Information on the private sector is patchy and the Presidential Y2K Committee is investigating further. But it is believed that most of the private sector has initiated Y2K remedial plans.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), November 09, 1999.