Y2K problems most likely in Russia and RI: CIA<\/p>\n
WASHINGTON (AP): Old Soviet-designed nuclear plants in Russia
\nand Ukraine are the most vulnerable to potential year-2000
\ncomputer failures, particularly if combined with power losses, a
\nCIA official said Thursday.<\/p>\n
These so-called Chernobyl-type reactors have "inherent design
\nproblems," including lack of total containment systems, said
\nLawrence Gershwin, the CIA's national intelligence officer for
\nscience and technology.<\/p>\n
"The chance of a nuclear incident in Russia, Ukraine or
\nanother state with Soviet-designed reactors during the Y2K
\nrollover is low," Gerswhin told a congressional hearing.<\/p>\n
"It is, however, higher than normal because of the likelihood
\nthat the power grid could experience failures. ... In the worst
\ncase, this could cause a meltdown and in some cases, an
\naccompanying release of radioactive fission gases causing
\nlocalized contamination."<\/p>\n
Still, Gershwin told the House International Relations
\nCommittee, the chance of a mishap on the scale of the 1986
\naccident at Chernobyl "is extremely low."<\/p>\n
Gershwin said the CIA has determined that Russia, Ukraine,
\nChina and Indonesia are the major countries most likely to
\nexperience "significant Y2K-related failures."<\/p>\n
Countries in Western Europe are better prepared, however Italy
\nis not as far along as other major European countries. The CIA
\nofficial said that Germany and Japan are making "great strides,"
\nbut that both economic powers got a late start and risk some
\nfailures.<\/p>\n
Outside the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia,
\nSingapore and Hong Kong have the lowest chances of experiencing
\nsignificant problems, the CIA official said.<\/p>\n
Gershwin told the panel that "we are highly confident that Y2K
\nfailures will not lead to the inadvertent or unauthorized launch
\nof a ballistic missile by any country."<\/p>\n
The committee is looking into potential disruptions abroad
\ncaused by Y2K problems, and their impact on the millions of
\nAmericans who are living or traveling overseas.<\/p>\n
John O'Keefe, director of Y2K programs for the State
\nDepartment, said the agency had inventoried 23,000 items in U.S.
\nembassies and consulates in 164 nations to make sure they were
\nall Y2K-compliant.<\/p>\n
Each of these overseas posts are prepared to report to the
\nState Department at one hour past midnight local time on Jan. 1
\nto relay information on any potential problems, O'Keefe said.<\/p>\n
Many countries are lagging in their efforts, and electric
\npower grids, telecommunications systems and the medical sector
\nappear the most vulnerable, O'Keefe said.<\/p>",
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