From the May 28 edition. (we knew most of this already. But, now Alexander's is publishing it...)

Japan sees Middle- East needs help on Y2K

Japan and other developed nations should discuss ways to help oil-producing countries of the Middle East prepare for possible year 2000 computer problems, the joint chairmen of an inter-party panel investigating the millennium bug told Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi.

Keiji Furuya and Yoshio Suzuki, chairmen of the year 2000 investigation team of the Liberal Democratic and the Liberal parties, made the recommendation in a meeting with Obuchi at his official residence. The two said Japan's oil supply could be affected if computer problems occur and suggested the topic be brought up in June at the Group of Seven summit in Cologne, Germany.

All-Siberian conference on Y2K problem

An inter-regional conference on tackling the Y2K problem opened in the Siberian city of Tomsk, arranged under the aegis of the State Committee for Communications and Informatisation. According to the organising committee, the forum is attended by representatives from member regions of the Siberian Agreement association, as well as executives of the All-Russian research institute on computer technology and informatisation, the main contractor of the committee for tackling this task. Specialists will discuss measures to be taken in the country's eastern regions to prevent negative consequences of glitches in the operation of computer systems when the year 2000 sets in.

The Tomsk Region which sponsored this important conference, has drafted materials on methods of testing computer systems. Test systems will be handed over soon to enterprises of non-stop production in the near future, including oil and gas processing plants as well as the power industry.

Venezuelan oil industry races for Y2K compliance

Venezuela's oil industry, the third biggest exporter in the world, hopes to complete by June preparations against the Y2K computer bug, PDVSA in a statement. Local and wide area networks that transmit data about daily operations are already up to scratch, as is the central computer, said PDVSA Y2K head Dick Jenkins. However, only 22.4 % of applications in PDV Servicios, one of three main PDVSA subsidiaries, have so far been updated, the statement said. "Our objective is to be 100 % by June. We are making fast progress," Jenkins was quoted as saying.

The company has been working on Y2K since 1995 and set up a high priority program to address the issue in the middle of 1998, the statement added.

Y2K efforts by some Latin governments

BRAZIL:

Latin America's most populous nation, with 166 mm people, is among world's 10 most computerised countries, yet the government expects to spend just $ 300 mm on Y2K projects, one-third of that this year. Marcos Osorio, national Y2K co-ordinator, says fixes at most federal agencies are well along, with June 30 deadline for finishing, but pension and health system lagging. Also worrisome are state and municipal governments, which Osorio says have provided little information on Y2K efforts; they are responsible for water and natural gas deliveries and citizen registration.

CHILE:

Technologically advanced nation of 14 mm people where industry and utilities heavily privatised. Government has spent $ 140 mm on Y2K fixes, and national Y2K co-ordinator Aldo Signorelli says private sector has spent $ 860 mm. As of the end of January, Signorelli says fixes were 39 % complete in electrical utilities, 58 % in telecommunications, 43 % in natural gas and petroleum.

COLOMBIA:

Mired in perhaps worst recession since 1930s, country of 40 mm seriously short of funds to address Y2K bug. Government's Year 2000 council predicts low risk of Y2K-related failures in financial sector, telecommunications and electricity generation, but sees high risk in public finance, health services, air and maritime transport. Council says it lacks adequate information about status of Y2K work on public services in all major cities. Telecommunications companies have budgeted only half the $ 400 mm they need for fixes, officials say.

COSTA RICA:

Government of this peaceful Central American tourist destination, with 3.5 mm people, has spent more than $ 40 mm on Y2K fixes, national co-ordinator Esteban Brenes says. Without offering specifics, he says most government agencies have determined problem areas and begun fixes. But few have contingency plans for computer failures. Director of Intel's microprocessor plant in San Jose, Danilo Arias, thinks state-owned electric and phone companies making good progress, but fears Juan Santamaria international airport behind.

PERU:

Financial companies in this country of 24 mm people expect to have Y2K projects finished soon, but government agencies are lagging, with just 16 % of potential problem areas fixed, says Felix Murillo, national Y2K co-ordinator. Only 9 % of state agencies have contingency plans for computer failures. National Statistics Institute, which Murillo heads, has spent $ 300,000 on Y2K fixes, but has no figures on total government expenditure.

VENEZUELA: Its oil-based economy suffering from decline in petroleum prices, this country of 23 mm expects serious Y2K-related failures. Government planners have given up on trying to fix many computer systems and intend to have 15,000 engineers at the ready on Jan. 1, 2000 _ along with National Guard and army _ to resolve problems as they arise and keep order, says Alejandro Bermudez, deputy national Y2K co-ordinator. Most private companies also way behind schedule, having completed about 10 % - 20 % of work on Year 2000 problems, Bermudez says.

-- pshannon (pshannon@sangersreview.com), June 01, 1999

Answers

Thanks Patrick!

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), June 01, 1999.